ConText

Just got home from ConText tonight.  Steve and I both had a great time.  Panels were good and the place was lousy with SHU folk and Tim and Serena Powers were there and Steve and I hadn't seen them in years.  We used to hang out a lot, back in the day, but I don't get to as much west coast stuff as I once did.  It was great to get together with them and catch up.

I met a lot of wonderful people.  Diana Dru Botsford and Fran Freil were so interesting on the Different Types of Writing panel, which was masterfully moderated by Tim Esaias.  And Matt Greenfield and Tiffany Grant of ADV Films gave attendees an up-close look at the intricate process of dubbing anime.  Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Miller and Mike Arnzen wrestled with academia and popular fiction in a thought-provoking and heated panel.  I also got a glimpse or two of Gary Braunbeck, and hung out a bit with Lucy Snyder, who was feted at a release party for her new book, How to Install Linux on a Dead Badger. At a reading I got a taste of what's to come from Jim Hines, whose second book, Goblin Quest, has gone into a second printing.  Go Jim!

That's just a quick rundown.  I met too many people and had too much fun to list everyone and everything.  Steve really seemed to have a good time too, and the drive up there and back was very smooth.  One of the nicest things about the whole weekend was getting to see my nephew Charlie and his wife Sarah, who live in Columbus.  We got to see their new townhouse and meet their puppy, a miniature dachsund named Harvey, and we all went out to dinner (except Harvey) to a neat little French restaurant and the food was delicous.

Nice weekend.

Comments

[Traci]

Your con sounds a lot more fun than my con . . . Tim Powers is a fun guy. I've met him a few times. And, pssst . . . http://www.hipsterbookclub.com/features/articles/LGBTSFF/index.html

[Anne]

Is that your genre essay? I was going to bug you about that soon.

[Heidi Ruby Miller]

Anne:

Jason and I had such a good time, too.

I'm hoping to have my recap up soon with photos!

Best,
Heidi

[Diane Turnshek]

Missed you--glad to hear you guys had fun!

[Diane Turnshek]

Missed you--glad to hear you guys had fun!

[Diane Turnshek]

Missed you--glad to hear you guys had fun!

[Diana]

It was a pleasure to meet you! I wish the panel had gone on another hour as I learned so much from you, Fran and, as usual, the amazing Obi Tim Kenobi!

I've got a couple of students eying SHU for grad school -- you up for taking on more mentees in a year? :-)

PS - What was the name of the magazine your comic will appear in?

[Fran Friel]

Anne - It was an absolute treat to meet you, and an honor to be on the panel with you, Diane and Tim. I don't know who put me there or why, but I had a blast and learned a lot from you Jedis...or should I say, Siths. ;-)

I hope to see you again soon. I love your style, woman!

Hugs from CT,
Fran Friel

[Fran Friel]

Correction - I meant Diana!

[Anne]

Thanks everyone. Fran, Diana, it was awesome meeting both of you. Everyone, Fran has a really kick ass website at http://franfriel.com.

Diana, thanks for giving us such a fascinating look into the process of screenwriting. More mentees? Why not? I should say that I've got six right now, but will be losing three. Six is my limit, I think. I"m considering cutting down to five next term, because I have write a book next year, but... hey, send 'em on.

And the magazine that's publishing THE NIMBLETONS is BL Twist http://bltwist.com and the story will begin in their premier issue, coming out at the end of this month. Hey, maybe I should post about that, huh?

Heidi, it's always a blast hanging out with you and Jason. Looking forward to getting together again in Jan.

Cheers,

Anne