Went to BayCon over Memorial Day weekend. Wasn’t going to go this year. So much work to do as I exit the job. But they invited me. This is the first year I’ve been invited to a con rather than petitioning it for admittance. ConVolution did, too.
I have to say I really enjoyed the three events I participated in. I did a first try at By the Water Cooler: Tales Authors & Editors Tell. Panelists Josh Kagan and Sarah Kuhn did not disappoint. Both had interesting takes on this interesting industry. Both were funny and charming.
Then I participated in a world-building panel moderated by Kyle Aisteach. Third time I’ve been on a panel with him. He is also charming and interesting. I very much enjoyed that panel, too.
And the writers’ workshop couldn’t have gone better. Very talented writers this year. I was blessed, because I’m so busy, a messy & awful manuscript would have had me pulling my hair out with my workload right now.
I even got to be a judge for the talent show.
But something was missing. I remember when instead of a talent show, BayCon put on a masquerade. First the costumers would come out and parade across the stage, then the dancing would start. I met Tad Williams, Poul and Karen Anderson, Jennifer Roberson, and even Ray Bradbury there…and I talked to each one, all gracious.
This year the con lacked energy. If felt small. I got snubbed by one of the guests, and I wasn’t the only one to be so snubbed. I feel very bad for BayCon because the people running it were good to me, and I like them. But I do long for the days when it was 3000 strong and had such people as Ray Bradbury and hordes of Klingons roaming the halls.