World Con

This time next week I'll be in San Jose CA at the world science fiction (and fantasy) convention, something that I've been looking forward to literally for years.  At the moment, it's looking a little shaky.

To explain:  months ago I proposed a panel on long-running fantasy series, the advantages and disadvantages, about which I know something.   It was accepted and I was made the moderator.  Last week the semi-final schedule came out.  I had been dropped not only from leadership but from the panel altogether.  Without warning.  The committee wanted to give award finalists more coverage and several of them had expressed an interest in "my" panel. I sent a polite but stiff email, the likes of which I would not want to receive myself.  The committee chair replied that she had just been assigned this duty and hadn't known the history of the idea.  Moreover, they had a lot more authors than they had panels, suggesting that other writers had also been dumped.  The progressive website Daily KOS actually ran an article about this development, before I realized that I was a target.  The last I heard, I'm back on the panel although not as moderator, which is okay.  It does raise issues, though.

Yes, we should honor award finalists and winners.  To some extent, though, this amounts to favoring best-sellers, who do not necessarily represent the best of our field.  There has to be room for the wonderful variety here. Why else write SF&F, unless one wants to conform to the best-seller formula?  Yes, a lot of readers favor that (it's easy; it's comfortingly familiar; look, another elf, another dragon!), but is it the work that will last, that will inspire?

Myself, I've never felt especially original, but I give my work everything that is in me.  I've given it my life.  To be snubbed in such a way is a profound rejection.  I hope I will enjoy this convention, regardless.  If any fans are there, please say hello.