World Fantasy Convention 2009

[furtech]

I needed to make a trip up to SJ to take care of some business and Gordon suggested this weekend: he had an extra membership to the World Fantasy Con. WFC is not like your typical sf convention: it's very sercon (serious and constructive). More like a writer's convention than a fan-con: there is a small art show, no masquerade (or anyone in costume for that matter) and the dealer's room is about 80% books. The con is almost all about panels and discussions.

A cool effect of the literate crowd is that the conversations are almost always intriguing: in the bar/lounge last night Gordon spotted (in various small groups) Greg Bear, Peter Straub, Richard Lupoff, Elizabeth A. Lynn among many others. Here's a complete guest list (fan and pro) Regardless of the individuals, you could just sit and hear conversations all over the lounge that were interesting. I'd forgotten about this phenomena: intriguing conversations are not what anime/furry/comic conventions are about. Fourth Street Fantasy Faire is another con like this: fascinating. I've also heard good things about Foolscap, in Washington.

Last night's event was the mass autographing session: a two hour session in the main ballroom where all the authors sit and autograph and chat with people. The authors there that I'm a fan of included Jane Lindskold and Stephen R. Donaldson, in addition to a number of old friends I hadn't seen in years.

The fans and authors (there's a lot of overlap) blended well with the elegance of the Fairmont: most were well-dressed and seemed to enjoy the elegance of the lush furnishings. I am both curious, yet dreading what kind of atmosphere a furry con here will result in.

Apache is off getting a tracking intensive from my sister and R0ndo is enjoying being an only dog again (or...IS he?).

Comments

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Saw them last night! The decorations were splendid (Poe-themed) and the drinks were great (wines and Mexican Coke, amongst the regular fare), though the snacks were kind of "eh" (mostly Goldfish and some kind of veggie-fry-thing). On the other hand, many of the events had tons of real food (cheeses, fruit and salmon were at the autographing event).

[bovil.livejournal.com]

We did have more food, but it depended on when you got there; things went out in waves.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I figured that was the case-- it looked like you and Andy didn't have a lot of help and I was only up there that once. I wish I'd caught one of the waves: based on your bar (nice wines and a *great* soft drink collection), the real food was probably spectacular.

Great job on the decorations: not over-done, but definitely in-theme. The cake-balloon was a spectacular touch!

[bovil.livejournal.com]

If it was just Saturday, we actually had to cut back on food in the evening to make space for the balloon cake. We moved what we could to the tiki room starting around 4pm (cake delivery was for 5 and they showed up a little early), but it wasn't as impressive as having the big table filled with platters like we could at other times.