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Sara Reyes | Why A Reader Attends a Science Fiction Fantasy Literary Convention (or "Con")
"Why are you going to xxxCon?" Something I get asked each time I tell my book
club I'm going to a con soon. And I've been going to these "things" for over 10
years. Before that I went to the media ones with my husband and son who loved
the Creature cons with guest stars from all their favorite movies and television
shows. I've been to Barbie Expos too. That's where collectors of Barbie dolls
get together and show off the dolls (some headless the way Gwen kept hers in the
early days) and accessories. It's always amazing to me what to one person is a
collectable and to another is trash.
The answer used to be simple, I'd go because I wanted to find people who liked
the same books I did. Not necessarily to talk to them in depth about the books
but to find ones I may have been missing. I'm always afraid there is an author
out there and gasp, I've missed them! They are probably fantastic and will
change my life for EVER and because I didn't know their titles or name I'm
missing out. Don't other readers feel that way sometime? Or am I all alone?
So, I would go to a Con by myself and sit quietly in sessions, some that would
bore me beyond tears, some would make me sit up and take notes. And I always
found someone or series of books I would have missed. Over the years I've
learned to figure out which cons were best for a "reader" versus a "writer" and
I'd always attend.
Recently there is an upsurge in paranormal romance and urban fantasy at the
cons. A welcome, may I say in all honesty, change. I was getting weary of the
women-hating fantasy ones. *grin* So if you're an urban fantasy or paranormal
romance reader, get yourself to a local con. Almost all cities, large and small
have at least one per year. They're not expensive either. Don't be shy you'll be
surprised by the fellow readers you'll meet and you'll come home with books to
read, suggestions in your notebook and some new friends! Besides, they always
have FREE parties at night in rooms and you can practice your social skills.
It's a blast!
This weekend I'm in Austin at the 31st ArmadilloCon (some seem to call it DilloCon but since I'm a
romance reader that does NOT roll off my tongue or mind so easily without a
giggle). You can follow my progress on our Twitter page. You
don't have to have a Twitter account to read it.
Until next time...
 Get out there and READ a
book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November
13-15, 2009!
Our prize this weekend is a signed copy of Jeff Abbott's TRUST ME. We saw
him at the Dallas signing last week and this thriller is amazing! Leave a
comment below and you'll be entered to win a SIGNED copy of TRUST ME.
Comments
8 comments posted.
Re: Sara Reyes | Why A Reader Attends a Science Fiction Fantasy Literary Convention (or "Con")
All these cons sound like fun... for the most part. I wish you all the best at the Dillocon!!!
(Freda Mans-Labianca 10:05am August 15, 2009)
Cons are great fun. If you get the chance you don't want to miss Dragon*Con in Atlanta. I hate crowds so avoid the media frenzy part and head to the paranormal, sff&f lit, and ya lit panels. They are spectacular.
(Di Herald 10:07am August 15, 2009)
Con are fun- it is just my work schedule and travel requirements to get to one that always kept me away- and of course I am not a crowd kind of person without someone there I know to talk to.
I went to a sci-fi con when I was a kid to get to meet the Star Trek Next Generation cast and loved it! Got pictures of my favorite characters that I thought I would never get to meet.
(Sara Edmonds 12:12pm August 15, 2009)
I've never been to one, but would love to. I think they would be very interesting and you get to meet your favorite authors. How great would that be???
(JoAnn White 3:36pm August 15, 2009)
I haven't gone to as many as I would like, mainly because I live off the beaten track, but I've loved going to cons of almost any kind.
Just like anywhere you are or go, you can learn interesting things that broaden your horizons at museums, libraries, and, yes, cons.
(Sigrun Schulz 7:11pm August 15, 2009)
I've never been to a Con but a friend is going to the one in Toronto and she is thrilled; so I hope she will meet many authors and have a great time
(Diane Sadler 8:57pm August 15, 2009)
Haven't heard of any "cons" in our
area. However RWA will be 5 hours
away next year. It is really tempting to
clear my schedule, make reservations
and sign up as a volunteer. My
husband says "go for it" and I just
might. I work at a library, it could be
a job related trip.
(Patricia Barraclough 11:52pm August 15, 2009)
I had the opportunity to go to an authors and readers luncheon. It was a blast to speak to other booklovers and trade favorite titles. And it was a thrill to meet authors whom I admired as well as becoming acquainted with new authors.
(G. Bisbjerg 1:04am August 16, 2009)
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