Dragoncon After Action Report.

Wow – just wow. I’ve been going to Dragoncon since 2003 I think. And while I’ve always had fun, this year I achieved all my goals and then some.

Full disclosure, the past 15 years or so (figure until about 2015) I was going to have fun, maybe sit in on a writer track or five. Since then I’ve been trying to go as a professional and learn and network and become “somebody”. Granted, I’m still not sure who that “somebody” is, but this year I got a LOT closer to it.

I was on nine panels and had a blast. I met some AWESOME people that way, that otherwise I might not have. Here’s the list – John Scalzi, Steve Saffel, Jay Boyce, Jennifer Blackstream, and Davis Ashera. I also got to catch up with friends, though I swear DJ Butler and Megan Mackie were stalking me all weekend or I was stalking them. Friends I got to catch back up with were Marisa Wolf, Griffin Barber, Robert E Hampson, Christopher Woods, Robert Reed, John Hartness, Toni Weisskopf, MonaLisa Foster, Katie Cross, Alexi Vandenburg, David Boop, Terry Maggert, Patricia Briggs, argh so many people! I had just so much fun and it went so fast.

Squee – I got to meet Autumn Juliet – this is the narrator of my Twisted Luck books.  We’ve talked on the phone and chat, but I finally got to meet her. I am/was so excited.

Highlights – getting to know Ben Yalow – oh my gosh. This man is a walking history of fandom. If you are a fan of science fiction/fantasy and want to know about the early days of fandom, this is the man. Being on a panel with John Scalzi, I wish I had time to actually talk to him. David Boop asking me to submit to an anthology. And just getting to hang with friends, I already miss Marisa.

I think this year I walked more than normal (From Wed-Monday 33.9 miles) and talked way more than I normally do. I only spent $18 on me, but did great on Christmas and birthday presents for others. I never even made it to the Walk of Fame and there are still things about Dragoncon I’m finding out. But really it was great. I met a bunch of people that I will see at SuperStars and I hope to get to know better.

Call outs to the AWESOME Dragoncon staff: Cisca Smalls, Melissa Witt, Sue Philips, Regina Kirby, Su Abbott, David M, and so many more. Thank you for all you do. Dragoncon is lucky as all get out to have you on staff.

All I can say is I hope next year will be just as good. Now to the to do list I came home with. Though I should probably unpack first.