Farpoint: So Say We All!
My finacee and I couldn't have asked for better driving weather both to and from this year's Farpoint SF Media Con in Timonium, MD. Farpoint was founded in 1993 by Beverly Volker and her son-in-law Steven H. Wilson, who also happens to be my publisher (Steve started Firebringer Press in 2005).
For 19 years strong, Farpoint has brought a more cozy fan-oriented atmosphere to its annual conventions, which started in October but moved in February around 2002 or 2003. I began attending in 1995 and have missed only two in all of these many years.
This year brought in Michael Hogan and Kate Vernon, Colonel Saul Tighe and Ellen Tighe, respectively, from the successful reboot of Battlestar Galactica. We were also joined by the beautiful Kristen Bauer from True Blood. On Friday evening during the opening dinner, Steve Wilson's Prometheus Radio Theatre troupe performed a live episode of "Waste of Space", a creepy comedy about four evil geniuses living together. The cast included Steve Wilson, his sons Ethan and Christian, as well as Cindy Woods and John Scheeler (and one other actor whose name escapes my addled brain). Joining them in the performance were Kate Vernon and Kristen Bauer. Had Michael Hogan not missed his connecting flight, he would have performed as well. Nevertheless, it was an excellent, hilarious episode that will be podcast soon on the Prometheus Radio Theatre feed.
Also joining us for her first Farpoint was YA author Kieryn Nicolas. I had learned of Kieryn on the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group Yahoo forum and then met her in person last summer, albeit only briefly, at my local library when she visited for a booksigning event. Since then, we kept in touch (I interviewed Kieryn on this blog in June 2011) and Steve and I agreed that she would make a great addition to the author line up at Farpoint. Kieryn and her mom had a wonderful time at the con. They sold some books, Kieryn spoke on a YA writing panel along with writer Don Sakers, and attended a crowded Doctor Who panel.
Friday night at 10PM also saw a book launch for Steve Wilson himself. His third novel, Unfriendly Persuasion, is based on his award winning SF podcast series, The Arbiter Chronicles. It was a very successful launch, selling nearly 20 books in an hour. It will hit the market in March in paperback and all eBook formats.
Other writers in attendance at Farpoint included Peter David, Bob Greenberger, Michael Jan Friedman, Howard Weinstein, Aaron Rosenberg, Glen Hauman (collectively known as Crazy 8 Press), Kelly Meding, Dave Galanter, Bob Jones, Helen Madden, Nobilis Reed, and...oh yeah...ME!
Saturday morning started of well for both Kieryn and me. Not 10 minutes after setting up our tables, we started selling. A gentleman from the USS Susquehannock chapter of Starfleet invited both Kieryn and me to their annual sci-fi event in September. Hey, if NYT Bestseller Greg Cox can go, I'll be more than happy to attend as an author guest!
Kelly Meding also arrived on Saturday and while she was visiting my table, I bought all five of her books in one shot from Constellation Books as their dealer table was directly across from me. Kelly was kind enough to sign all of them and take her picture with Kieryn and me. Later in the day, I attended Howard Weinstein's 2-hour Writer's Workshop that was co-hosted by Kelly as well as Bob Jones, Dave Galanter, and the inimitable Bob Greenberger. Kelly then also joined musician Jonah Knight and me at 3PM for a discussion panel on Supernatural in Science Fiction which had excellent audience participation. At4PM, the Crazy 8 team assembled for their panel to discuss their status and updates since their launch exactly one year ago. And I will say that they are doing exceptionally well, having launched a variety of SF, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy novels and novellas.
Saturday also saw face time with the actors. My fiancee and I, along with Kieryn, met Michael Hogan and Kate Vernon. Both were incredibly outgoing and friendly. We got autographs and took pictures with them. Michael was so gregarious and fun to be around. He never stopped smiling and joking with the fans. A truly positive convention experience.
Both Kieryn and I had a few more sales on Saturday before breaking for dinner at the local Chipotle. Afterwards, Kieryn and her mom returned to their hotel and my fiancee and I went back to the con. Unfortunately, that was when I began to feel the tendrils of the beast known as the common cold putting the choke hold on my sinuses. We crashed in our room where I ended up remaining for the night and completely missed the 10 Forward dance party that jammed from 10PM to 3AM. Luckily, our room was well removed from the music this year so we heard none of that and were able to sleep. Normally, I enjoy the dance party and social time but I was far too drained.
Sunday morning kicked off with a panel on Copyright Law at 11AM that was very informative. Kieryn and her mom departed and noon with hugs and then at 2PM I packed up the table. Despite festering illness, I gave a reading at 2PM, one scene from my upcoming novel, By Your Side, and a first draft scene from a short story in progress, "Water to Share". Steve Wilson then rescued my voice and stopped in to read from Unfriendly Persuasion.
Before the con ended, I stopped by to see Michael Hogan one last time to give him a copy of my first novel, Testing the Prisoner. "I'll read it on the plane!" he said. I wished him a safe flight home. My publisher, Steve Wilson, struck a deal with Constellation Books for them to purchase two copies each of his books and mine so a few more sales were scored on Sunday.
The USS Farragut, a group of Star Trek fans and filmmakers, provided the convention with a replica of an original Star Trek series Captain's Chair for fans to take a seat and have their photo taken. That was a nice addition to the con.
All told, it was a fantastic convention, one of the best ever, despite my insidious head cold. Some pictures below.
With Michael Hogan (left) and Kate Vernon (right) at Farpoint 2012.
With Kieryn Nicolas (left) and Kelly Meding (right) at Farpoint 2012.
Phil in command at Farpoint 2012.
The writers of Crazy 8 Press (above). From left to right: Aaron Rosenberg, Peter David, Glenn Hauman, Bob Greenberger, and Michael Jan Friedman at their Farpoint 2012 panel.
