This post is now nearly two weeks after the fact, but I’ve had time to reflect on World Fantasy 2011, and have a few thoughts.  After attending World Con in Reno (Renovation), this was a welcome respite from the chaos of that convention.  World Fantasy is a much smaller con, but in my opinion, offers a much greater opportunity for networking and relationship building if you’re really trying to get published in science fiction, fantasy, or horror.

Last year I attended World Fantasy for the first time–and I went alone.  For many people I’m sure that would be intimidating, what with not knowing anyone in the industry and so forth.  Luckily, I tend to not have any issues meeting people, or striking up a conversation.  I’m also somewhat immune to fanboy moments, but I’m sure I could succumb under the right circumstances. That first World Fantasy for me was excellent, as I was able to make new friends that carried forward to World Con this past August, and then into World Fantasy 2011 in San Diego.

I went to far fewer panels at this con than I did at the other ones I attended. Why? Well, it’s because I was too busy talking to other writers, editors, publishers, and literary agents.  Once you become friends with a  few people, amazing things begin to happen. Such as what?

For one, many professional writers in the scifi/fantasy genre are helpful and want to help others succeed.  I received invaluable advice from, and developed friendships with many, many people in the publishing industry.  I’d name names, but honestly, there are so many!  If you can make it to one convention, I’d say go for World Fantasy.  I met YA writers, sic-fi writers, etc., etc.  Not only do you meet writers, but professional artists, editors, publishers, copy editors, agents, it’s unbelievable.

An example of what can happen at the con:  I was invited to a fairly exclusive Subterranean Press breakfast by Bill Schafer. Why? Because my friend Griffin and I for some reason entertain him.  Who was at this breakfast? It’s quite a list:  well, Bill Schafer and some of his staff from Sub Press, and:  Robert Silverberg, James Blaylock, Brent Weeks, Steven Erikson, Ian Esslemont, Gordon van Gelder, Peter V. Brett, and then you had me and my friend Griffin Barber.  But what a fantastic opportunity that was to meet these guys and have all sorts of cool conversations.

Another example of con goodness:  I’m standing in a walkway outside of one of the parties (I believe it was the SFWA party) and probably the only literary agent I’d want to have represent me (Joshua Bilmes) walks up and starts a conversation with me.  We chit-chat for a few minutes and for some reason I mention a client of his that I’m friends with (Tim Akers) and he suddenly offers me a Sun Drop.  I have no idea why or even what that is, but I say yes, thinking it’s some sort of drink. Joshua says, ‘ok, I’ll go get some cups’, disappears and comes back and pours us both a bit of Sun Drop (it’s a soft drink).  The reason he offered me this is because Tim Akers has told him about it and Joshua wanted to try it.  We continue chatting and he asks what I do and so forth and then offers me his business card and later tells me to query him when I have something ready. Now that is pretty awesome.  Joshua doesn’t read things sent over the transom these days, he solicits people specifically.  So, just by being laid back and cool and treating him like a normal human being, he obviously thought I’d be someone he could work with someday.  So, now I’m finishing up some edits on one of the novels I’ve completed and I’ll query Joshua.

I could go on and on, but I’ll mention a few more items:  I met writers who are local to Denver and I may be invited into an invitation only writers group that has some published authors in its ranks.  I again ran into Rae Carson who encouraged me to re-join the online writers workshop and promised she’d point me in the right direction regarding critiques.

A very important note about the convention:  almost all of the above great things happened at the after hours parties.

World Fantasy was outstanding because I got to hang out and have a great time with the friends I’ve made over the past year in the writing community.  And one final note:  Mark Van Name is one of the most helpful and friendly writers I’ve ever met at a convention.  He has provided advice and has offered to help me in ways most professionals wouldn’t have the time for.

So to recap the first post, World Fantasy 2010: The Aftermath , WFC is awesome. But there is more…

Sure you get to meet and rub elbows with legends of the fantasy and science fiction field, but the friends and contacts you make at WFC are priceless–especially the friends.

The hotel bar was where most of this happened, but also in the dealers room, the panels, and the various publisher parties that took place on the “party floor” of the hotel. I made new friends in every corner of the convention and some just by luck.

The best times I had at WFC were hanging out with a group of guys and dolls and going from the hotel bar to “the party floor” and back down to the hotel bar. We cracked jokes, engaged in what I’m sure was brilliant conversation, drank, and laughed. A few others drifted in and out of the group all night long and some kept coming back for more punishment, or out of morbid curiosity as to what would happen or be said next. I won’t name any names here, but I think everyone involved knows who they are and the good times we had at World Fantasy Convention.

I had always heard that the WFC crowd could party, but they certainly proved it to me. But you know what? It was never obnoxious, or to the point where it disgusted you. For a group of people who had been drinking–a lot, we were pretty well behaved.

Sunday morning at WFC felt rushed for me, but that was because I had to leave early before the banquet and before the awards ceremony. Next year I hope to stay the entire time.

The last part of WFC remained with me through today, and that is the inevitable convention crud. Oh, and lack of sleep and trying to catch back up on that. Anyway, a great convention that I highly recommend for writers, fans, or anyone with an interest in writing, publishing, fantasy or science fiction. The price of admission is cheap compared to what you will bring away from it. The biggest piece of advice I can give regarding WFC is to not be shy, try to mingle and get outside your comfort zone just a little.

Well, I broke down and joined the Twitter sensation. I wasn’t sure how much I’d like it, but so far I’ve found it to be fascinating. I’m not the kind of person who likes to give constant updates, and I’m not sure anyone cares if I went to the bathroom, or what I had for lunch.  And, I don’t really care if what other people eat or when they need to take care of bodily functions…  At least I have the option to stop following people who insist on reporting everything they are feeling, doing, or thinking about doing. I can see how there’d be a lot of TMI on something like Twitter.  Having said that though….

I see many uses for Twitter. I’ve focused my following on mainly literary agents, authors and publishers. I feel it keeps me in the loop, makes me feel like I’m part of the industry–even though I’m still an unknown and outsider. Seeing the updates keeps me focused and is a constant reminder that I’m involved in writing, that I am writer.

Along with Twitter, I obviously have my website and blog to keep people informed. If I ever manage to attract a following other than my fiance’ and the furry feline congregation at home, they will come in handy. So Twitter will be for announcements and other nonsense, and the website and blog will be for much larger ideas and updates. I like the setup, it makes sense to me now, and I’m somewhat annoyed at myself for not joining Twitter earlier. Oh well.

On another note, this weekend I’ll be heading up to North Jersey to spend time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to spending Saturday evening eating, drinking, and talking with my old high school buddies.  One of which, is also a writer, but much further along in the process than me.  His blog can be checked out here:  Traveler’s Tales. I’m looking forward to seeing him and discussing writing and what’s been going on the past eight years or so since I last saw him.

And one last thing:  I’ve completed the edits on the short story which now has a name: Shadowsphere. I’ll be submitting it soon and hoping for the best!  In a very general sense, Shadowsphere is a story of loss, loss of faith, and the restoration of faith in a science fiction setting.

Until next time–happy writing and happy living!

Alistair