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hrjWith Chessiecon behind me and the year drawing to a close, it's time to reflect on my 2015 experiment of taking on as many varied conventions and book events as my vacation budget (which is smaller than my travel budget) would afford. And, in light of that reflection, to talk about next year's plans. (I've linked to the individual convention write-ups for details.)
FogCon (March) - In addition to being my most "local" con (ca. 10 miles!), this is a delightful small "thinky" literary SFF convention with a high enough proportion of people I feel comfortable approaching to give it a high probability of social enjoyment. Definitely a keeper.
Lone Star LesFic (April) - This one-day conference in Austin TX was very well run, but despite their focus on lesbian fiction, I wasn't the right demographic for their attendees. No plans to return.
BayCon (May) - I don't seem to have done a con report for this one. Local Bay Area gen-con. Generally enjoyable although the programming often seems a bit repetitive across the years. They've taken to doing "themes" each year and next year's is "It's All About Space" so I may skip it (as being less relevant to my interests both as a reader and writer) in favor of trying something new. (One of these years, I want to fill the Memorial Day convention slot with WisCon, but I think it will have to be some year when I skip Kalamazoo, which is on the schedule for 2016).
Westercon (July) - (Link is to the first day, the con report spans multiple entries.) Regional gen-con, though smaller than it feels like it ought to be. Enjoyable but not a must-do and it competes with two other 4th-of-July-weekend events that I like. Probably will skip in 2016 in favor of trying something new.
Rainbowcon (July) - (Link is to the first day's report of several.) Although the convention organizers worked very sincerely to expand this to a general LGBTQ convention, it has a ways to go to escape its roots as focused on M/M fiction. My evaluation is a bit mixed because, although I was on some delightful programming, met interesting people, and picked up a couple of social-media-friends that I hope to continue to get to know better, in the final analysis, the general membership was overwhelmingly indifferent to anything other than gay male stories (and in some cases actively dismissive or hostile). Changing this dynamic (if they choose to do so) will require much more proactive outreach to other demographics, not only in terms of authors/vendors but in terms of general membership. The convention is on hiatus for 2016 but unless there's a clear shift in direction I don't think it's for me in the future.
Golden Crown Literary Society (July) - (My overall write-up for this one is part of a round-up of "the convention year so far".) The premiere annual conference of the lesbian publishing industry. Odd as it may sound, I've concluded that I, my books, and my research interests are simply not in the target demographic for this conference. There's little interest in non-contemporary stories, the social dynamics are cliquish, and it's been a dead loss in terms of trying to get face time with my editor or publisher. And what it really comes down to is that attending this conference makes me unhappy. At this time I have no plans to return.
Worldcon (August) - Based on this year's experience, Worldcon is smack dab in the middle of my sweet spot for conventions. This is my tribe. At this point I have attending or pre-supporting memberships for every Worldcon through the end of the decade. 'Nuff said.
Gay Romance Northwest (September) - Of all the LGBTQ-related conventions I went to in 2015, this was the one I felt most comfortable at. It's quite small, both in terms of programming and attendance, but both the programming and attendees were nicely diverse (though the largest single demographic was still women who read or write m/m fiction). For me, it was possible to attend without taking any vacation days (due to convenient airline connections), so I might try it again in 2016 (though--selfishly--only if they'd be interested in putting me on programming).
Chessicon (November) - A small, laid-back convention with wide-ranging interests (especially given its size) that is more like a peculiar family reunion in many ways. For what it's worth, this convention is a habit with me and I see no reason to break that habit.
So out of 9 conventions, 3 on solidly on my "yes for 2016" list and one "maybe". At some point when I sit down and sketch out next year's vacation budgeting, I may think about adding one new event, just to branch out a little. As noted above, some time I'd like to get to WisCon, though probably not in 2016. Another small convention that's hit my radar is Sirens, which (based on report) is a very thinky-literary convention focusing on fantasy by women authors. But to some extent I'm going to spend 2016 recuperating from 2015 and trying to set aside some extra vacation days for 2017 when Worldcon will be in Finland and I want to be able to spend some time visiting and sightseeing as well. And you never know what might turn up unexpectedly. I'm quite a sucker for events that reach out and convince me that I'm part of their tribe and they'd love to have me.
FogCon (March) - In addition to being my most "local" con (ca. 10 miles!), this is a delightful small "thinky" literary SFF convention with a high enough proportion of people I feel comfortable approaching to give it a high probability of social enjoyment. Definitely a keeper.
Lone Star LesFic (April) - This one-day conference in Austin TX was very well run, but despite their focus on lesbian fiction, I wasn't the right demographic for their attendees. No plans to return.
BayCon (May) - I don't seem to have done a con report for this one. Local Bay Area gen-con. Generally enjoyable although the programming often seems a bit repetitive across the years. They've taken to doing "themes" each year and next year's is "It's All About Space" so I may skip it (as being less relevant to my interests both as a reader and writer) in favor of trying something new. (One of these years, I want to fill the Memorial Day convention slot with WisCon, but I think it will have to be some year when I skip Kalamazoo, which is on the schedule for 2016).
Westercon (July) - (Link is to the first day, the con report spans multiple entries.) Regional gen-con, though smaller than it feels like it ought to be. Enjoyable but not a must-do and it competes with two other 4th-of-July-weekend events that I like. Probably will skip in 2016 in favor of trying something new.
Rainbowcon (July) - (Link is to the first day's report of several.) Although the convention organizers worked very sincerely to expand this to a general LGBTQ convention, it has a ways to go to escape its roots as focused on M/M fiction. My evaluation is a bit mixed because, although I was on some delightful programming, met interesting people, and picked up a couple of social-media-friends that I hope to continue to get to know better, in the final analysis, the general membership was overwhelmingly indifferent to anything other than gay male stories (and in some cases actively dismissive or hostile). Changing this dynamic (if they choose to do so) will require much more proactive outreach to other demographics, not only in terms of authors/vendors but in terms of general membership. The convention is on hiatus for 2016 but unless there's a clear shift in direction I don't think it's for me in the future.
Golden Crown Literary Society (July) - (My overall write-up for this one is part of a round-up of "the convention year so far".) The premiere annual conference of the lesbian publishing industry. Odd as it may sound, I've concluded that I, my books, and my research interests are simply not in the target demographic for this conference. There's little interest in non-contemporary stories, the social dynamics are cliquish, and it's been a dead loss in terms of trying to get face time with my editor or publisher. And what it really comes down to is that attending this conference makes me unhappy. At this time I have no plans to return.
Worldcon (August) - Based on this year's experience, Worldcon is smack dab in the middle of my sweet spot for conventions. This is my tribe. At this point I have attending or pre-supporting memberships for every Worldcon through the end of the decade. 'Nuff said.
Gay Romance Northwest (September) - Of all the LGBTQ-related conventions I went to in 2015, this was the one I felt most comfortable at. It's quite small, both in terms of programming and attendance, but both the programming and attendees were nicely diverse (though the largest single demographic was still women who read or write m/m fiction). For me, it was possible to attend without taking any vacation days (due to convenient airline connections), so I might try it again in 2016 (though--selfishly--only if they'd be interested in putting me on programming).
Chessicon (November) - A small, laid-back convention with wide-ranging interests (especially given its size) that is more like a peculiar family reunion in many ways. For what it's worth, this convention is a habit with me and I see no reason to break that habit.
So out of 9 conventions, 3 on solidly on my "yes for 2016" list and one "maybe". At some point when I sit down and sketch out next year's vacation budgeting, I may think about adding one new event, just to branch out a little. As noted above, some time I'd like to get to WisCon, though probably not in 2016. Another small convention that's hit my radar is Sirens, which (based on report) is a very thinky-literary convention focusing on fantasy by women authors. But to some extent I'm going to spend 2016 recuperating from 2015 and trying to set aside some extra vacation days for 2017 when Worldcon will be in Finland and I want to be able to spend some time visiting and sightseeing as well. And you never know what might turn up unexpectedly. I'm quite a sucker for events that reach out and convince me that I'm part of their tribe and they'd love to have me.
