Worldcon Schedule
In two and a half weeks, I’ll be attending my very first Worldcon. They’ve posted a draft of the program grid here, and my tentative schedule looks like so:
- 8/30, 5:30 p.m., Dusable – Reading
- 8/31, 10 a.m. – Noon – Writers Workshop (Preregistered attendees only)
- 9/1, 9:00 a.m., Comiskey – SFWA Business Meeting
- 9/1, 10:30 a.m. – Noon, Columbus IJ – The Art of the Cover Pose (Jim C. Hines, Karen Haber, Steven Vincent Johnson, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Yanni Kuznia)
- 9/1, Noon – 1:30 p.m., Autograph Tables – Autographing (Charles Justiz, James Kahn, Jim C. Hines, Joan Slonczewski, Lee Martindale, Mary Robinette Kowal, Nancy Fulda, Robert Reed, Tony Pi)
- 9/2, 6:00 p.m. – ??? – Hugo Reception/Ceremony/Loser’s Party – I still haven’t picked out a suit for the Hugos. What do you think of this one?
I’ve also got dinner with my publisher and my agent (Friday and Saturday, respectively), a few interview/podcast recordings, and most importantly, random hanging out at the bar and elsewhere!
I’m already feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of people I want to see and/or meet at this thing. Between business-type stuff and “OMG look at all of the cool people who will be there!!!” I expect it to be a busy but very fun time.
For those of you who have been to a Worldcon before, any advice for making the most of the weekend?
(And I know I said I was done babbling about Libriomancer, but I found out last night that the book has already gone back for a second printing, one week after the release, which is pretty dang cool!!!)
Teresa K.
August 15, 2012 @ 10:12 am
That suit would definitely made the “Snoopy dance” all the better. 🙂
Pam Adams
August 15, 2012 @ 10:47 am
My best suggestion is to make sure you build in some downtime. Time to just veg out, whether in the gym or your room, and recharge your batteries.
Jeff Linder
August 15, 2012 @ 10:52 am
The same 6-2-1 rule applies as at any con, just more so. 6 hours of sleep minimum, 2 real meals, and 1 shower per day. Plus some downtime away from the crowds.
Angie
August 15, 2012 @ 11:49 am
Figure out what you want to do/see, but don’t try to hold yourself to it. You’ll spot something cool and veer off track, or you’ll run into friends and be in the middle of a great conversation when a panel you wanted to see is starting. Don’t fight it. 🙂 (Unless you’re on a panel, of course, in which case definitely get there on time. But if you’re just attending something, flexibility is key.)
Try to give yourself more time than you think it’ll take to get to anything with a specific start time. Especially if you’re in the audience and like to sit up front. In some panels, modify that to be, “Especially if you’re in the audience and want to get a seat.” Figuring out which panels those are is a coin-toss; even the con staff (any con staff) can’t do it reliably.
Bring a tote bag or something similar to carry fliers, hand-outs, the pocket program, a pen or two, stuff you buy in the dealer’s room, and a book to read while waiting for things to start. Or you can buy one at the con; even if the con itself isn’t selling them, someone in the dealer’s room usually is.
If the idea of eating nothing but restaurant food the whole time you’re there doesn’t thrill you, bring some non-perishable food with you. I bring a pack of bagels so I have something to munch right before bed, or in the morning if there’s a panel I want to see and I don’t have time for breakfast. Fruit is good too. I’ve known people on a budget to bring a cooler with lunch meat, and milk for cereal; there are options if you give it some thought ahead of time. Or you can just eat restaurant food the whole time; I remember being particularly pleased with the restaurants around the con hotel last time WorldCon was in Chicago.
I’ll be there too; I’ll say hi if we run into one another. 🙂
Angie
Jim C. Hines
August 15, 2012 @ 1:25 pm
Bringing non-restaurant food is a very good idea, thanks! Why have I not started doing this for all of my cons???
And yes, definitely say hi 🙂
Virginia
August 15, 2012 @ 6:54 pm
A suggestion for con food to bring even though it won’t make a whole meal: string cheese, for snacking purposes. Portable, non-messy (very important!), and much more likely to help me make it to the next meal without feeling completely fried than the average snack.
David Y
August 15, 2012 @ 10:27 pm
Jim:
I noted my wife’s nephew on the list of misplaced souls. Thank you for the link.
I should be picking up my Libriomancer tomorrow.
Beth
August 16, 2012 @ 10:44 am
Find a friend who’s an artist. The SFWA suite is always a packed zoo; the ASFA suite is normally uncrowded, comfortable, welcoming to members and their guests, and relaxing.
naleta
August 16, 2012 @ 10:37 pm
I’ll be at Worldcon too! I’ll have to attend that panel on cover poses. 😉
The only problem with buying an ebook is that I don’t have anything for you to autograph. 🙁
Jim C. Hines
August 17, 2012 @ 7:59 am
I could always just scribble something on your program book, if you’d like 🙂
naleta
August 17, 2012 @ 5:15 pm
That would work!
Nancy Fulda
August 18, 2012 @ 4:59 pm
Squee!!! I’m so glad they put us in the same autograph session. I’ll get to, like, hang out with you IRL and stuff. 🙂
Chris
August 20, 2012 @ 12:51 am
Silver sharpies work well on the back of a Kindle/Nook.