For those of you who don’t know, Readercon (which took place July 10-13 in Burlington, MA) is the only convention devoted to speculative fiction that is focused exclusively on literature. Other cons with their glitzy multimedia focuses are fun, but for a writer, nothing beats the bookish and brilliant crowd that gathers at Readercon.
So this was my first year as a “semi-pro,” since I’ve sold a story but it hasn’t appeared yet. Still, it felt different, taking this transitory step from fan-boy to pro. Perhaps there was just a bit more strut in my stuff, but I was certainly treated differently, and perhaps putting myself out there with more confidence helped make this my best Readercon yet in the three years I’ve been going.
I met some amazing people, deepened some ongoing con relationships, and had some intensely amazing conversations. I also went to a lot, and I mean A LOT, of panels, such as:
The Map and the Story
The Difference Between Magic and Science
The Tension of Satisfaction and Subversion, and
New Models of Masculinity
I always strive to bring home at least one new story idea, and this year it’s a doozy, born out of an ongoing conversation about subverting both reader and genre conventions as a means to deliver fresh stories that surprise readers. I can’t wait to get started!
My new goal is this: since my story comes out in October, I have from now to then to sell another story. The clock starts…now!
A lifetime of creativity 
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