Boskone 46!

I almost posted this last night (I was so proud of myself for being ahead of schedule), but then I got distracted by a lovely boy bearing a Nutella milkshake, so I neglected to finish the post. However, I said I'd have the con report up after Sunday, so it's actually right on time. Bet you didn't expect that! Aha!

Friday

After enjoying an early Valentine's Day dinner with Lee (scallops at Legal Seafood, yum!), I headed to my second Boskone. I took a few minutes to get accustomed to the layout of the new section of the Westin, then went to the "What's So Cool About the Middle Ages, Anyway?" panel. Afterward, I wandered aimlessly in the Con Suite for a bit before deciding to head home.


Saturday

I hurried to Boskone Saturday morning and got there just in time for the "New Publishing/Marketing Technologies" panel. It mainly focused on ebooks, podcasting, and blogging--all of which I find very interesting. Personally, I've never really gotten into podcasts, but from what I've heard, they're quite popular with some. I've read a few ebooks on my computer and phone, and my experience was generally good, though not necessarily as convenient as it could be. My main issue is just that regular books don't need to have their batteries recharged. I'm obviously a fan of blogging. However, it seemed like the panelists focused mostly on informational posts, and while I definitely think the "How I Got Published" and "How Editing Works" type of posts are awesome and a very useful resource, I also really enjoy reading personal posts. Knowing random facts about bloggers' personal lives is kind of a hobby of mine (weird, I know). Sure, there's definitely always the risk that a reader will ask, "Why should I care?" when you launch into a story about your cat or your grandmother or whatever, but I am very much not that reader. I suppose it's just a matter of taste.
But I digress.

Next, I watched combat demonstrations for the better part of an hour. I was seriously impressed by the Higgins folks and their mad skills. I'd love to take some classes with them, but Worcester is a little far away. It is accessible by commuter rail, though, so perhaps. If anyone reading this has studied with them, please feel free to comment! I'd love to know what the experience is like.

I got to chat briefly with Adam Golaski (Emerson alumnus--Go Lions!--and New Genre editor) and his intern, whose name I have unfortunately, er, misplaced in my brain (I'm sorry!). I might possibly help Adam with his booth at Readercon this summer, which would give me an excuse to write another con report, mwa ha ha. More on that if/when it happens.

I went to "The Inclue and Other Smart Writing Tricks," which was a quality good time. I was in major need of caffeine, so afterward I went and got a White Chocolate Mocha and all was well. See, this is one of those personal details like I mentioned before. One Joy Crelin drinks White Chocolate Mochas. The more you know!

Next, there was art show perusing and shopping and the longsword tournament (!!!). Then I went to the bone marrow registry drive and cheek-swabbed, and once that was done, I had to figure out what to do for dinner. That's the one thing about Boskone that's difficult for me--everyone's really friendly and welcoming to newcomers, but they all seem to have known each other for years, and I'm really kind of shy. It's amazing to watch this community of friends interact and to dream of one day truly being part of it, but since I'm so new to this world, I end up feeling kind of lonely and awkward at meal times. I ended up eating and killing time at the South Station McDonalds, and then I headed back to the hotel to wait for the much-anticipated Saturday night events.

"Cast of Characters" was really funny, as was Tam Lin. The award presentations, not so much, but then again, that's not the point. But, it was my first time hearing Jane Yolen's "put it where the sun doesn't shine" story (since I didn't go to the awards last year), and I was amused.

At that point I decided to go home and sleep, since I needed to wake up bright and early the next day if I was going to make it to all the panels I'd scribbled stars next to in my pocket program.

Sunday

I arrived at Boskone and headed straight to "How Not to Edit Yourself." After a rousing discussion of editing, not editing, going to critique groups, not going to critique groups, spouses, and text-to-speech programs, I went to "Breaking Into the Ghetto." This particular panel was, naturally, very relevant for me, since I'm still so new to the SF&F community, as well as the literary world in general. The most important point that the panelists made again and again was simply to be nice. Makes sense. Honestly, I just can't figure out why anyone wouldn't be. But people are people, I suppose.

Next I went to hear the Kollin brothers, Dani and Eytan, read from their book The Unincorporated Man. I'd seen them on two panels and they had some interesting stuff to say, so I figured I'd give it a listen. Also, there were free cookies. Anyway, I was not disappointed, and I'll definitely be buying the book once it's out.

My last chosen panel of Boskone 46 was "When Editors Vent." There wasn't much actual venting per se, since the conversation was kept quite professional (which makes sense, given how much gossip seems to travel in this community). Still, it was quite informative.

Aaaand then there wasn't anything else I wanted to do, so I headed home and bought some soup for my horribly ill roommate.

In all, it was a damn good convention. Can't wait 'til next year!