Working hard and playing hard at SPWF 2011
Arriving at the Steampunk Worlds Fair was an interesting adventure. For the first time, I attended a con as an official guest – a literary guest. I had a nifty packet to pick up and a badge with a pretty ribbon identifying me as a guest/performer.
Okay for those who know me in the day job, I've picked up a badge with a speaker's ribbon numerous times. But the day job conferences are completely different from something like the Steampunk Worlds Fair. For one thing, the day job conference normal state of dress is business suits and stiff white collars. Not so with SPWF, oh no. Fabulous steampunk fashion overflowed from the hotel and out into the parking lot.
photo nabbed from Lia Habel
My panel kicked off first thing in the morning on Saturday, a 10:00am discussion on Mixing Genres in Steampunk Literature with several other authors: Stella Price, OM Grey, Clay and Susan Griffith, and CJ Henderson. Clay Griffith stepped up to the plate to moderate and did an excellent job, posing questions and handling answers with relaxed expertise. Every author had a chance to speak and at no time did I feel overwhelmed or intimidated. Instead, we all were at ease and jovial, cracking a few jokes and engaging the audience. I felt lucky to have the chance to be me, on a panel, meeting authors and readers.
Hopefully, I was as pleasant to be on a panel with as I found my fellow authors to be. ( 
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The rest of the day passed in a blur. My favorite workshop turned out to be the Ladies' Bartitsu taught by Mark P. Donnelly, allowing me an introduction to Victorian Ladies' self-defense techniques including the use of parasol and taking the restrictions of corset or dress into consideration.
photo nabbed from KB
In no time at all, and a change of costume later, it was time for our book signing. Due to some unfortunate challenges in terms of convention space, we had some confusion regarding set up. Fortunately, all of us were willing to lift and carry, rearrange furniture and generally stay cheerful. I had Heart's Sentinel by my side to sign and various promo for Evie's Gift as well as the soon to be released Hunting Kat.
Shortly thereafter, Leanna Renee Hieber gave a reading. I've had the pleasure of doing a reading with her in the past and still love to listen to the way she makes her story come alive when she reads.
Professional responsibilities completed, we partied into the wee hours. Work hard, play hard, my friends, and that we did. Prof Donnelly started it with a glass of port and after drinking enough rum later in the evening to make me consider putting together a pirate outfit, AL Davroe and I closed out the evening with more port. Thank goodness Stella was there to laugh at my tipsy self. 
