I suck at con reports. I think I say that every time. But hell, cons are so kinetic with many many people to see and many many things to do that I always fear I’ll leave something out, so I end up being overwhelmed and not making any kind of report.

But this one was kind of important, so I will do my best.

The highlights of the con were spending time with dear friends I don’t see nearly enough. I recorded ISBW #100 to a full room (very gratifying to see people willing to come out at 10am on a Saturday) with a surprise gift stack of books from Podcasting’s Rich Sigfrit. I spent most of Friday and Saturday preparing for the Parsec Awards, which I was co-MC with John Cmar. We had to prepare the script and the presenters, and I had to stress about my dress, which I handmade (with a shitload of help from Dree Gideon at the 11th hour).

At the Parsecs, I lost the Best Writing Podcast to the very deserving Adventures in SciFi Publishing, but then was very excited to win Best Novella for Wasteland. I then had the top of my head blown off with shock when I won Best Novel for Playing For Keeps. I did learn that when you stress about MCing an awards show, it is a good idea to remember to write acceptance speeches. I did not. I was shocked for a good hour after that, then got bombed on sake at a late sushi dinner.

The rest of the con was napping, hanging with friends, my signing (nearly sold out of books), a couple of panels, some drinking, and a big blur. I don’t want to name everyone I hung with because I worry I will leave someone out, but i had a blast with everyone, some I didn’t see enough of, and I’m already looking forward to next year. I think I’ll make a costume with a jetpack.

One thing about the con is that it gave me the good feeling a sort of reboot of the creative process. I spend time with so many creative friends that it gets me thinking about the next big thing.