Good morning, Readers!
Forget me nots. Because I forgot. Get it? I put the image of the flower traditionally associated with remembering loved ones ... Oh, never mind. It's not funny now that I have to explain it. Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org. Click for link.
I totally forgot to schedule a post on Monday. I'm sorry. But I'm back! And I'm here! And I'm writing a blog!
To be honest, my brain is still a little bit in away mode, so this blog post is likely to be all over the place. Sorry about that (long time readers will know that this is just my default mode. Hush you lot. Let the newbies find out for themselves!).
I was, of course, at When World's Collide in Calgary this weekend. It was a fantastic convention, very well run and the hotel, the Delta Calgary South, proved to be an exceptional host. Seriously, though. Not only did they give convention goers a special rate for their rooms, BUT also discounted their breakfasts considerably each day. The staff was friendly and helpful and lovely to be around. The facility was gorgeous. There were plenty of rooms for the panels and presentations, and the volunteers were lovely.
Oh, and the dealer's room... THE DEALER'S ROOM!
The programming was also fantastic, though I might be a little biased in thinking that I think the programming at Can-Con is far superior. There aren't as many things on Can-Con's programming, but I often have a difficult time trying to choose which panel to attend in any given time slot. It wasn't the same at When World's Collide. I decided to attend the technical panels at When World's Collide. So I attended a panel that discussed the difference between Space Opera and Military Science Fiction. I was not any the wiser about the distinction after that panel, but it was a fiercely interesting discussion.
I also took the time to learn how to pitch to Hollywood. You know, just in case.
I can't remember what else I attended, other than the Aurora Awards banquet and ceremony, because it was all something of a blur.
But yes, the Aurora Awards banquet and ceremony... They were fun! Julie Czerneda proved to be a fantastic Master of Ceremonies, and it was great to sit and listen to all the winners, and the people accepting on the winner's behalf. If you want photos from the ceremony, I have compiled a photo album on my Facebook page, with the award presenters and winners.
I spent Sunday pitching. Pitching, for the record, is painfully difficult for me. I'm not great at selling myself. Easier by far is it to send a book into the world and pray that it somehow finds a home. Talking about the book is fine, but a five minute sell-fest is awful and I'm really, really bad at it. Still, I really need the practice, so pitch I did.
Do one thing that scares you, they say. Well, pitching TERRIFIES me, so I can check that off my list. Repeatedly.
I flew into Calgary the day before the convention, and spent the day wandering around the downtown core of Calgary. Calgary, you have a very beautiful city. If you'd like to see the pictures I took from around the city, I have another photo album on my Facebook page. I was able to also sit and read a lot, which was absolutely lovely. I made it halfway through Reaper's Gale book seven (I think) of The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. Gods I love that man's writing. I'm so happy I was able to dig into a book that wasn't for anything but my own enjoyment. Oh reading, I missed you.
Also worth noting, Calgary's weather was my kind of weather. There was very little humidity and an incredibly lovely cool breeze (there were times when I needed to wrap myself up in my lovely scarf to keep warm), and enough shade to hide from the sun when necessary.
Anyway, I have a tonne of post-con work to do, so I'm off to go do it, not least of all ordering books, booking a table and that kind of stuff.
How was your weekend?
To be honest, my brain is still a little bit in away mode, so this blog post is likely to be all over the place. Sorry about that (long time readers will know that this is just my default mode. Hush you lot. Let the newbies find out for themselves!).
I was, of course, at When World's Collide in Calgary this weekend. It was a fantastic convention, very well run and the hotel, the Delta Calgary South, proved to be an exceptional host. Seriously, though. Not only did they give convention goers a special rate for their rooms, BUT also discounted their breakfasts considerably each day. The staff was friendly and helpful and lovely to be around. The facility was gorgeous. There were plenty of rooms for the panels and presentations, and the volunteers were lovely.
Oh, and the dealer's room... THE DEALER'S ROOM!
The programming was also fantastic, though I might be a little biased in thinking that I think the programming at Can-Con is far superior. There aren't as many things on Can-Con's programming, but I often have a difficult time trying to choose which panel to attend in any given time slot. It wasn't the same at When World's Collide. I decided to attend the technical panels at When World's Collide. So I attended a panel that discussed the difference between Space Opera and Military Science Fiction. I was not any the wiser about the distinction after that panel, but it was a fiercely interesting discussion.
I also took the time to learn how to pitch to Hollywood. You know, just in case.
I can't remember what else I attended, other than the Aurora Awards banquet and ceremony, because it was all something of a blur.
But yes, the Aurora Awards banquet and ceremony... They were fun! Julie Czerneda proved to be a fantastic Master of Ceremonies, and it was great to sit and listen to all the winners, and the people accepting on the winner's behalf. If you want photos from the ceremony, I have compiled a photo album on my Facebook page, with the award presenters and winners.
I spent Sunday pitching. Pitching, for the record, is painfully difficult for me. I'm not great at selling myself. Easier by far is it to send a book into the world and pray that it somehow finds a home. Talking about the book is fine, but a five minute sell-fest is awful and I'm really, really bad at it. Still, I really need the practice, so pitch I did.
Do one thing that scares you, they say. Well, pitching TERRIFIES me, so I can check that off my list. Repeatedly.
I flew into Calgary the day before the convention, and spent the day wandering around the downtown core of Calgary. Calgary, you have a very beautiful city. If you'd like to see the pictures I took from around the city, I have another photo album on my Facebook page. I was able to also sit and read a lot, which was absolutely lovely. I made it halfway through Reaper's Gale book seven (I think) of The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. Gods I love that man's writing. I'm so happy I was able to dig into a book that wasn't for anything but my own enjoyment. Oh reading, I missed you.
Also worth noting, Calgary's weather was my kind of weather. There was very little humidity and an incredibly lovely cool breeze (there were times when I needed to wrap myself up in my lovely scarf to keep warm), and enough shade to hide from the sun when necessary.
Anyway, I have a tonne of post-con work to do, so I'm off to go do it, not least of all ordering books, booking a table and that kind of stuff.
How was your weekend?
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