What a weekend! I enjoy attending science fiction conventions, and love it when I’m invited to speak. During the past few days I went to P-Con, both a pun on the word pecan and a scifi/fantasy convention in Dallas.
Future of Tech
On Friday, almost a dozen people attended one of the first panels: “Future of Tech—Sci-Fi Becomes Fact.” Author Stephen Patrick moderated the panel, where Guest of Honor Les Johnson, author Brian Thompson, and Guest of Honor Ken Ruffin joined me. We explored the relationships between science fictional technology and real-world technology.
Author Alley
Con organizers allotted me two hours for a book signing. They call it “author alley” since they banished us to an alley behind the building. Not really. We occupied a row of tables. I got a spot between Stephen Patrick and RJ Hanson.
Author Reading
On Saturday, author Jim Curtis and I read to a small group of attentive fans. Jim read from a story he’s having published soon, and I read my story “A Green Isle in the Sea” from The Seastead Chronicles.
After the Quest
Author Dara Kountz moderated a panel called “After the Quest: What Happens When the Adventuring is Over.” Author Becky Jones, author Rob Howell, and I rounded out the panel. We discussed the phenomenon of heroes settling down after their adventures, sometimes to be called to another battle, sometimes to mentor a younger hero, and sometimes to grapple with the adventure of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Hard Science
On Sunday, historian Matthew Bowman moderated a panel called “Hard Science without a Science Degree.” William Leaf, author Stephen Rolston, and I filled out the panel. We discussed the dilemma faced by someone yearning to write “hard” science fiction, but who lacks a science or engineering degree and fears getting the facts or terminology wrong.
History
The last panel of the con explored “How History Informs Science Fiction and Fantasy.” We weren’t sure who was supposed to moderate, but author Rick Cutler stepped up to do it, and a panel consisting of historian and author Matthew Bowman, author Brian Thompson, author David Rike, and me. The discussion ranged over immense stretches of history, geography, technology, and scifi/fantasy literature.
P-Con-clusion
Though I’d never attended a P-Con before, I think I came out of my shell and didn’t come across as too nutty. In a nutshell, I had a cracking good time. That’s probably more than enough puns for—
Poseidon’s Scribe