Bubonicon
This year’s Bubonicon was a terrific success. We are becoming an impressive regional convention that nobody has heard about. We had such a fantastic line up of writers. In addition to the usual suspects — George, Daniel, Walter, Ian, S.M. Stirling, Steve Donaldson, Jane Lindskold, Pati Nagel, Suzy Charnas, John Miller we had Carrie Vaughn and Connie Willis who came down from Colorado. There was a new writer, Warren Hammond, Sam Butler in from New York. Our GoH Verner Vinge. Okay, I can’t list everyone. If we could add an editor or two stopping by we would match Armadillo Con in its heyday.
The nice thing about our fans is that they are book people. The readings and panels are always very well attended. We get to talk a lot about the craft of writing which is something that really interests me. This year was also marked with rememberances of the two men who weren’t with us this time — Jack Williamson and Fred Saberhagen. Connie and I chaired a memorial service that ended up being more about joyful and funny memories than bibliographies and that was just perfect.
We made our annual pilgramage to the Pope Room at Buco de Beppo, and shared some laughs and made some memories. Carrie Vaughn had us all in stitches with her stick figure comic about how she became a Wild Card writer. I’m hoping she will post it on her website. Ian and I even managed to write an act of OUTPOST during the con so it wasn’t all play. It was strange not to continue the party at World Con, but we’ll all look forward to seeing each other at World Fantasy.
So, if you’re looking for a terrific convention in August please keep us in mind.
Melinda
August 31st, 2007 at 10:48 pm
“If we could add an editor or two stopping by we would match Armadillo Con in its heyday.” you say.
Maybe we could convince Bubonicon to add an annual Editor Guest of Honor.
That would attract more writers too. Writers come to cons where they know editors will be attending. That was on of the things that made Armadillocon the success it was, in its heydey.
The big drawback, unfortunately, is Bubonicon’s traditional “week before worldcon” date. If New Mexico is on the way — if worldcon is in LA, say — then it works out well. But if worldcon is is London or Miami or Toronto, then editors might not be willing to fly to NM just a few days before their big annual business trip.
September 1st, 2007 at 11:17 am
But now Worldcon is shifting all over the map in terms of dates which makes it hard for Bubonicon to try and hold that position. If we tried to move one week before the Denver convention I think we might run into Comicon.
I don’t think people are willing to go to a regional con one week after Worldcon. I think the NM fan group is going to need to take a long look at the calendar and figure out the best solution.
If we’re going to start attending some of the meetings we can bring up the idea of an editor GoH. I think it’s a good idea.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Hi, am heartbroken. In Santa Fe week of aug 25th and did not know of Bubonicon. Started thinking would be such a good site for SF conventions with all of the writers in residence in that area. Checked on Web when we returned and gnashed teeth! Shall always check before traveling in future. Might try to attend next yr if a little closer to Denver date since kind of on way.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Given the fact that the next two Worldcons are moving all over the place Bubonicon has made the decision to stick with the weekend right before Labor Day.