After Action Report

FenCon XXI

Ugh. So. Tired. HiDream I1 Fast.

This past weekend FenCon XXI was held in Dallas, Texas, and since our own Cedar Sanderson was toastmistress, Rac Press rolled on up:

Production Manager, Author, and two Senior Editors getting their action scene on.

This is a decent, relaxed little small sci-fi/fantasy convention, and was an excellent start to our convention season.

I had three panels — one titled “Black Markets On Generation Ships”, in which I mentioned that my black market bona fides included helping my father black market a rocket launcher and three rockets through Customs at Lagos International — one “Don’t Panic: Finding the Funny in Science Fiction and Fantasy”, and the last: “No [Stuff], There I Was …”¹

In the Black Market panel we learned that if you have a generation ship, but you don’t want a black market … you probably shouldn’t let either me or Spearman Burke on board.

In the Finding the Funny, one of the questions was “Is it easier to write humour into sci-fi or fantasy?” I answer “sci-fi”, and immediately saw Ben Yalow in the audience start vibrating. “Self,” I said to my self, “You’re about to get a hall lesson from Ben.”

And I did. As usual Ben “brought receipts” as the kids say, and I had an absolutely delightful half-hour conversation with him regarding humourous fantasy works of the past. Ben Yalow is a scholar and a gentleman, and the living repository of fan knowledge. If you’re ever at convention where he’s attending, take the time to sit down and chat with him — you won’t regret it.

Speaking of Ben, during FenCon he learned that the Southern Fandom Confederation had awarded him the Rebel Award.

“Ben Yalow, whose fannish resume is too long to repeat here.” was the quote.

When I had mentioned “rocket launchers” during the Black Market panel, it really got Science Guest of Honour’s attention, so during the No [Stuff], There I Was panel, I told that story, which segued into other stories from my youth that didn’t make it into the books — for good reason. Normally I tell funny cop stories, but these seemed to go over rather well, so I may tell more childhood stories at future NSTIW panels.

That’s a sus line-up. Especially the second from the right.

During the con, the Baen Free Radio Hour did a podcast about the Monster Hunter Files, Volume 2 anthology — which Spearman Burke, Nick Nethery, and myself have stories in — during which podcast Larry Correia described Nick and Spearman as “professionally impressive”. As one might guess, there was much dancing in the hotel.

And amidst all of the talking, laughing, and doing business I found time to scoot over to Nando’s and get my peri-peri chicken fix. Nom nom nom!

Good time, good little con, good start to the year. Next con will be Liberty Con. I think.

Ian

1. Very definitely Not Safe For Work. Or children. Or maiden aunts.