Last weekend saw the yearly World Fantasy Convention, this year in sunny San Diego, for four days of panels, readings, parties, and all of the other associated activities.

As has been the case for prior years, I only attended a few readings, mostly those of fellow Altered Fluid members, and only one panel.  The panel attendance was somewhat mandatory, as I was one of its five members, the others being Shelly Rae Clift, Dennis McKiernan, Heather Tomlinson, and Harry Turtledove.  The panel topic was “The Realities of Sailing”, as they pertain to fiction.  We discussed what details writers get right and wrong, and how much detail an author should go into; life on a ship in regards to available space on board; how weather impacts everything on the sea; and the uses of ships throughout history and in speculative fiction. I was the panel’s sole modern Navy veteran, and I was glad to have a unique perspective to add to the other member’s input.  Overall the panel was well attended and I had several people approach me afterwards to say that it was most helpful, which was extremely gratifying.

The rest of the weekend was spent at a few readings, and then the great parties thrown by the Australian contingent, SFWA, TOR Publishing, N. K. Jemisin’s cool book release party (really, how often do you get served mixed-drinks in sippy cups?), and several others that I can’t recall right now.

World Fantasy has always been a great place to meet new people and to catch up with old friends, and this one was no exception.  The fantastic weather and outdoor settings that we usually don’t get to enjoy added to the experience, and overall it was one of the better conventions I’ve attended.  I look forward to the next convention in Toronto next year.

Photo by Paul Berger.  L to R: Me, Dennis McKiernan, Heather Tomlinson, Harry Turtledove. Shelly Rae Clift is just out of frame to the left.