Adelaide that was Conjecture
Everybody knows that Adelaide hosted the 48th Australian National Science Fiction Convention. I write Science Fiction, so went for the Saturday, not knowing what to expect never having been to a “Con” before. I had three things going for me. I knew Jeff Harris, who was part of the organising team, I knew Jason Fischer, local Adelaide boy and Ditmar nominee, and ASIMites Dirk Flinthart (also a Ditmar nominee), Ian Nichols (launching his The Whorl and the Pallin) and Zara Baxter were going to be there. I was to be in good company. But I didn’t realise the “Convention Effect” and how easy it was to make new freinds and bask in the greatness of so many established writers.
My first session was From Pen to Print, where I sat in awe listening to some great names, Trudi Cavanan, Richard Harland and Karen Miller give out some sensible advice. Jason Fischer was there too and his panel contributions were no short of awesome as he admitted some of his writing gaffs and rewards.
I caught up with Jason during the break and he introduced me to Peter Ball, which was great, but Peter had to dash and set up for a panel. As it turned I didn’t get to speak to Peter again - aparently Cons are like that, and it was dissapointing given his success at his book launch which I found out about later. I won’t go into detail - the internet is alive with peter’s mating unicorn tshirt and use of profanity egged on by an eager crowd. Wish I had been there.
The next session I went to moved on to a debate on the differences between Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy and Magic Realism. A panel by none other than Peter Ball, Karen Miller and Dianne De Bellis. I have to admit to being completely out of my league there, and was not aware of such complex differentiations in fantasy styles. It was good with input from the audience too, something I noticed that happened throughout all the sessions.
Next an hour of Steampunk, its definition and examples of the different styles. Panel members were Richards Harland, Dave Cake and ASIM’s own Dirk Flinthart. Not having met Dirk, it was good to be able to put a face to the name. That the debate was lively was an understatement, that audience participation was plentiful and outspoken to a point - undeniable, but everyone was having fun. I came away with an understanding of the influences of a post moderrnisation world on genre types. All very interesting. The front row was also filled in a lively set of folk in costume, and it turned out that two of them were the Fan Guests of Honour Catherine and Steve Scholz.Then i
It was champagne in the foyer as another ASIMite, Ian Nichols launched his book The Whorl and the Pallin. I too had no idea what Ian looked like before that point and it was good to put another face to a name. I remember him saying that there were places in the book that still made him cry. What a wonderfully enticing thing to say to an audience. I’m sure its true - such is the power of a good book. Ian did a reading from his book, did book signing and gave away a blow-up miniature tardis. I bought his book, got it signed and introduced myself. Ian let it slip that there was a map on the inside cover of his book - I had a look and it was smashing. I also briefly caught up with Dirk, introduced myself and then stepped out for a bite to eat before the next session.
At lunch I was lucky enough to catch up with Rob Stevenson, from Altair - Rob is a local Adelaide character and we chatted about Steampunk from Rob’s perspective - it was good. I met Olivia Speirs, a local fantasy writer too and chatted with her.
The Academic as Hero was panelled by Julie Czerneda (Guest of Honour from Canada), Helen Merrick, and lilian Edwards. I went in an unbeliever and left truely convinced of the power of The Academic. It was odd how many times the series Buffy was used as an example, and poor fumbling Giles, was put on a pedestal, but then they came rolling out, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter… and on and on. It was a fun 30 minute session that was quickly followed by DM Cornish. I don’t know what planet I have been living on, but I didn’t get the opening. MBT meant nothing. Of course now I am educated to Monster Blood Tattoo… so apologies to DM Cornish, who was a great speaker. Simply fascinating to see the path people have taken in their writing endevours. I will get an MBT book, promise (when time permits - but it will be this year).
Cities of the Future followed by Dr Paul Downton. An hour of mankind’s progress in the world and the impacts that cities have on the planet, left the audience silent, partly with distress and partly in awe of this great speaker. He used up his time, and then some - but nobody seemed to mind. It was a strange foil to the rest of the days frivolity and I think (as it was suppose to ) left everyone clear to the message. In some ways I felt bad being human and living in a house with the footprint it does.
That was all I could take, and I had to stop and catch a breath. again spent a few moments with Jason, finally was able to catch up with Jeff Harris and tell him all the fun I had had. I went and put my name down to receive info on WorlCon in Melbourne next year. I got a fridge magnet - its on the fridge - and a blurb for the wall. I caught up with fellow writer Astrid Cooper and got her spin on the day and found out how she has been - all good stuff, and then I collapsed in a quiet corner and waited for Richard Harland’s book launch. By then I had stalked Richard so much, I felt like he was my best freind - not sure what Richard thought, but he only had to manage a day.
At 530 out in the Foyer, Richard Harland launched Worldshaker. There was copious quantities of champagne, a special tricky prize, and a reading, which Richard did so eloquently. Then his book signing. I bought a book, of course, and got it signed so that was super. I also got to chat more with Jeff and he introduced me to Aurealis Editor Stuart Mayne and we had a great chat about writing. After that I headed out into the miserably cold weather that is an Adelaide winter. It was wet, and Hindley street is not the best street at night, but it was good to catch up with Jeff, something I don’t get to do often enough.
I had a bite out on Hindley Street staring out on the rain, and caught my breath before Olivia turned up in all her finery for the Maskabolo: The Masked Ball (then I had to catch my breath all over again). There is something about a Ball, a Masked Ball that brings out the girl in the girl - something they just can’t keep away from… (more to follow)
refreshed
energetic
accomplished
