I’m going to my first Readercon tomorrow (though at the rate I’m going in getting this posted, maybe today). Just for the day, unfortunately, and only if there aren’t monsoon rains for the drive there—it’ll take a couple of hours.

Readercon, for those not in the know, is a venerable science fiction conference held in the Boston area—Quincy this year. This is #33, so that’s something. I kick myself for not going years ago when it was in Burlington, close to where I lived, but I didn’t. Not even sure of the reasons why.

Fear, likely. I frankly dislike social situations, which is putting it mildly. PTSD from junior high, I guess. I’m not one of the cool kids. Never will be. I’m also new to writing SF, though the first story I sold was SF and still one of my favorites.

I’m not a panelist or reader, just going as a fan. The panels looks amazing—but darn if ones I want don’t overlap!—and I had some picked out for Friday and Sunday, but will have to settle for Saturday and hope I can stay awake for a very long day. I’m also looking forward to the bookstore. I started Andrea Hairston’s Arkangels of Funk from the library but am hoping to buy a copy. And maybe a few others…

Guests of Honor are Rebecca Roanhorse & Amal El-Mohtar. I read This Is How You Lose the Time War (and see her in the NYT). I have a Roanhorse book, but only just started. The list of participants is long and impressive.

Wish me luck!

Check it out: https://readercon.org/