Guest Blog - Kim Falconer - What do you look forward to in a convention?

With Aussie Con right around the corner I asked author Kim Falconer what it is that she looks forward to at a convention. She has kindly written up a guest blog for us explaining just that!

What do you look forward to in a convention?

With AussieCon 4 nearly upon us, it’s exhilarating to think about the 68th World Science Fiction Convention to be held 2-6 September 2010 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. It’s a whopping big event. Of all the things I’m looking forward to, the number one thrill is connection. There are so many people going and they are all just as into SF/F as I am! That’s a rare treat.

Meeting people with like-minded interests is nurturing to the soul. My mobile phone is clogged with new contacts—people I’ve know on Face Book or Twitter, or readers that come to my site—all wanting to catch up. I think every meal, coffee and snack is going to be shared with a long lost friend, met face-to-face for the first time. This is particularly exciting for me as a writer. After all, for most of the year, I work alone.

I’ve write seven days a week, three-hundred and sixty five days a year since 2005. No exceptions, unless a writers’ festival or con has me in their programme. The focus is worth it, but still it’s a great deal of alone time. When an event like AussieCon comes to our backyard, I’m thrust out into the world, talking to hundreds of people, signing books and meeting readers. It’s a wonderful contrast—the reward for all those hundreds of hours at the keyboard with the phone off the hook.

Cons dates get big red circles on my calendar well in advance. They are social gatherings and the people really make it worthwhile. I also look forward to practical networking with agents, publishers, booksellers and editors, not to mention soaking up the non-stop multi-streamed panels, chats, workshops and signings. Have you seen the program for AussiCon this year? There will be academic speakers, international bestselling authors, and well known industry people talking on a fantastic range of topics. I’ve got my schedule now and it’s going to keep me busy. I’m even on panels with some of my favourite authors. The talks will be stimulating and inspiring. I’m not sure how I’ll choose which to attend (there can be a dozen things going on at once!)

What more can I say? Conventions are educational, inspirational and downright vitalising. A chance to connect with people that really ‘get’ the speculative fiction scene. If you spot me in the crowd, don’t be shy. Come up and say you’re an A&R Edwardstown reader and I’ll be especially pleased. You can also catch me at a signing on Sat Sept 4th 1500 Rm 201 and an informal Kaffeeklatsche on Sun Sept 5th 1200 Rm 201. Hope to see you there! 

Kim Falconer lives in Byron Bay with two gorgeous black cats. As well as her author website‚ she runs an astrology forum and alternative science site‚ trains with a sword and is completing a Masters Degree. Her novel writing is done early every morning. Currently she’s working on additional volumes in the Quantum Enchantment Series.