Hey Baronger (2)...

... They're trying to cover up Twilight Ring's existence already... Nicked from lyda222 

No Genericon for me...

I was informed by Mr. Dominic Difranzo of Genericon:

...the group wants to go with almost all new guest this year and focus on different areas of guests for the convention. So I'm afraid we won't be able to formally have you as a guest for this year's Genericon. This isn't an easy decision  to make, but we feel its the right one for the convention.

Well.

Okay, I've been one of their guests for like seven years running, always accommodating as far as I know (at least, if I gave anyone any problems, no one ever mentioned them to me, which would be rather foolish because it would deprive me of any chance to improve), MC'd their cosplay by request multiple times, and never cost them much -- heck, I didn't even go to the dinner a couple of times.

I can't help but feel rather put out by this one.  I've had conventions say "sorry, we can't fit you in as a guest" -- like Worldcon, for instance -- but a small local con deciding that a guest who can provide his own transport, lodging, etc. and ask no more than a table to sit at seems... shortsighted at best.

Good thing I did a LOT of panels and stuff at Albacon; looks like I'm down to *ONE* convention a year now, barring a sudden increase in funds and free time allowing me to trek off somewhere else.

So those of you thinking about dropping by Genericon to see me (I know there were a couple)... ain't happenin. Though if you come up anyway you can always visit.

Phooey. :(

Con Advice...

Given that one convention has decided I'm not really someone they want at their convention, and the other local convention is kinda tottering along but weren't sure they'd make it this year (and thus must be questionable for the next couple, anyway), I am now looking for substitutes. The farthest out I can reasonably go would be probably Boston (Boskone, Arisia) because it's BARELY possible for me to do the commute. (there's no way I can afford to go there and pay for a hotel room, etc., ignoring the idea that Kathy would not be able to handle my taking off for two-three days for a convention). So it has to be a convention that would (A) have me as a guest [some big ones are very picky about guests], (B) have enough book-relevant attendance that it would be professionally worth my taking that much time out of my writing and family schedule to attend, and (C) be no farther away than Boston (and probably not in New York; NYC itself is complicated enough to handle that getting in and out of it would add another half hour to two hours to the commute time, at least)

Any suggestions?