ReaderCon 18 was this past weekend, and a good time as always. I found myself doing more socializing than attending panels this year, but still got some good information from the people in the know. A few things that I learned and/or was reminded of:

1. Evidently I take offense at a college professor not knowing the difference between a second-person POV, and a third-person POV which happens to use the word “you” a lot. It bothers me enough to make me walk out on a panel, and then be teased about it for the rest of the weekend.

2. An editor/writer that you admire will sometimes reject your story even if he likes it.

3. A re-write can do wonders. I heard Leah Bobet read her piece “After the War” from Sybil’s #4 and was blown away by it. (It also happens to be a wonderfully done second-person POV). I remember when it was first sent to the magazine I was one who argued AGAINAST taking it (not for quality reasons, but some political and historical ones). The printed/read version addressed all of my qualms and really touched me as a veteran.

4. Evidently I am not the only writer who is a little freaked out by potentially having their stories critiqued by a puppet. (“Crap, she has the sock puppet out. That thing just doesn’t get my subtext.”)

5. Even after TWO FREAKIN’ YEARS, those who play Mafia at ReaderCon will not let me forget that I helped out Johnathan Lethem in a particular game. Come on guys. Two years. Seriously.

That’s all I got. Much better coverage can be found from Matt Kressel, and Paul Tremblay. I’ll add more posts here as I find them.