Winnipeg con report
KeyCon in Winnipeg this past weekend was wonderful. At 500 attendees, I'm told it was the best turnout in years. And although this was only KeyCon 23, it was impressive to see preparations already well underway for KeyCon's 25th anniversary, in 2008.
I'd never met the other guests of honour before, but we all got along famously: fellow author Jacqueline Carey, gaming guest Barron Vangor Toth, and artist guest Ruth Thompson. I was honored and thrilled to be the first repeat author Guest of Honour the con had ever had; I'd previously been there in 2003.
I was worried about my reading, since it was scheduled for the ungodly hour of 10:00 p.m. Friday night, but I had a good crowd. I read a smorgasbord of Sawyer: scenes from Frameshift, Hominids, Humans, Calculating God, and the short-short stories "If I'm Here, Imagine Where They Sent My Luggage" and "Ours to Discovery."
Saturday afternoon, fabulous local artist Robert Pasternak gave me a tour of his terrific studio, which was filled with amazing science-fiction toys and other great things. After that, the con showed one of my favourite films, Quatermass and the Pit, and I did a half-hour talk about why I like it so much (and gave away hardcovers of Mindscan to those who could answer trivia questions about the film; the books were donated by H.B. Fenn and Company, Tor's Canadian distributor).
The dealers' room was good, and Chapters was on-hand with huge displays of Jacqueline and my books. Sunday night's Guest of Honour dinner was fabulous -- and was followed by watching fireworks from the 15th-floor consuite on honour of the Queen's birthday.
Monday morning was spent SMOFing with John Mansfield (chair of the Winnipeg worldcon in 1994, and part of the Montreal in 2009 Worldcon bid committee) and Linda Ross-Mansfield.
All in all, an extremely well-run, very enjoyable convention. Thank you, Winnipeg!
Posted by Rob on Wednesday, May 24, 2006
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3 comments
3 Comments:
Hi Rob!
Glad you enjoyed the Con! We all had a great time too, and a huge part of that was the willingness of the guests to get involved with people. I brought some "newbie" friends along with me, and I think they'll be back to enjoy the party next year.
Thanks
Lana Klassen
Tickled to hear you had a good time. You were a lot of fun yourself, and I hope we'll see you again sometime. It was great that we had you back, since life conspired to have me miss you the first time. (And ten p.m. is nothing to the average Conner - but you did a fabulous job at your reading, despite protesting jet lag and tiredness. Remember, the correct response is "thank you".) It was my sister's first year at Con - and even though she doesn't generally LIKE Hard SF, she bought a few of your books based on the reading. :)
"Shadowsinger" (Betty)
Sorry to be anal but its my nature,
Conadian, the Winnipeg worldcon was in 1994 not 2004. That said your readings were a treat and it was a pleasure to have you back.
------Stan from the Short Plank
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