Gen Con 2013! Part Two
Well, Gen Con 2013 in Indy has come and gone - but not before I had an amazing time - making new friends, discussing fantasy and role playing with some wonderful people, reaching out to new Forging of a Knight readers such as Leighann Pittman (many thanks, Leighann, by the by!) and connecting with supporters of Forging of a Knight such as James Buckhorn (thanks, James, it was a blast meeting you face to face!)!
I added a photo album on my Forging of a Knight Facebook page of just a few of the great cos-players, fellow authors, and fans I met. If you are on Facebook, take a quick look! From evil wizards to evil knights, comic book heroes to role-playing villains, you will see some fantastic costumes. The person in the ape spaceman costume from Escape from the Planet of the Apes was utterly awesome!
Lesson learned #1 - next year my 14 month old son will be staying with the in-laws. Both he and my wife (who got sick while we were at the 'Con) soldiered through, but he could only handle being in a stroller for so long in a crowd of people, the poor guy. Despite some activities offered for children at the event, he was having none of it and was pretty much insistent on calling it a day after day one! When the boss speaks, you better listen...
Lesson learned #2 - bring a partner! There were so many events, vendors, authors, and gaming going on it was impossible to see the majority of it from behind a booth. Luckily, I was positioned near a signature area, so I was able to glance over from time to time to see Walter Koenig of Star Trek fame and Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor Who) mingling with fans. Usually I would sneak through some of the convention floor at closing time, begging vendors not to tarp up their tables, or taking a quick walk through various aisles during morning setup or on the way to grab a quick lunch. I did bag a mini-Cthulhu plush, though, that will now sit at my writing desk to inspire Those That Stand in Shadow in their nefarious plans... 8 )
Lesson learned #3 - bring some treats! You get awfully hungry standing for 8 hours each day (its the manning the job fair booth thing in me from my day job), and you hate missing out on talking to some great people if you happen to leave your table for breaks and quick snacks...
We will definitely be there again next year. I was thinking of dressing up as a knight - I do have actual real armor from a costume I wore at a comic-con the weekend prior - but I think there wouldn't be anything left of me inside it if I tried.
If anyone went, would love to hear your thoughts on your experience at the 'Con!
I added a photo album on my Forging of a Knight Facebook page of just a few of the great cos-players, fellow authors, and fans I met. If you are on Facebook, take a quick look! From evil wizards to evil knights, comic book heroes to role-playing villains, you will see some fantastic costumes. The person in the ape spaceman costume from Escape from the Planet of the Apes was utterly awesome!
Lesson learned #1 - next year my 14 month old son will be staying with the in-laws. Both he and my wife (who got sick while we were at the 'Con) soldiered through, but he could only handle being in a stroller for so long in a crowd of people, the poor guy. Despite some activities offered for children at the event, he was having none of it and was pretty much insistent on calling it a day after day one! When the boss speaks, you better listen...
Lesson learned #2 - bring a partner! There were so many events, vendors, authors, and gaming going on it was impossible to see the majority of it from behind a booth. Luckily, I was positioned near a signature area, so I was able to glance over from time to time to see Walter Koenig of Star Trek fame and Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor Who) mingling with fans. Usually I would sneak through some of the convention floor at closing time, begging vendors not to tarp up their tables, or taking a quick walk through various aisles during morning setup or on the way to grab a quick lunch. I did bag a mini-Cthulhu plush, though, that will now sit at my writing desk to inspire Those That Stand in Shadow in their nefarious plans... 8 )
Lesson learned #3 - bring some treats! You get awfully hungry standing for 8 hours each day (its the manning the job fair booth thing in me from my day job), and you hate missing out on talking to some great people if you happen to leave your table for breaks and quick snacks...
We will definitely be there again next year. I was thinking of dressing up as a knight - I do have actual real armor from a costume I wore at a comic-con the weekend prior - but I think there wouldn't be anything left of me inside it if I tried.
If anyone went, would love to hear your thoughts on your experience at the 'Con!
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Doug wrote: "It was great having you as a neighbor at Gencon this year! Sheri and I enjoyed visiting with you and meeting your family. The camaradarie with other authors is part of the fun and reward of Author'..."Hi Doug! It was indeed a pleasure boothing next to you and Sheri. You guys definitely added to a wonderful experience for us. I have a great pic of you two on my facebook page for Forging of a Knight, and we are currently enjoying your books! I hope we see you again next year because we do plan on going back! 8 )
Having a partner is definitely a good thing. :)
Now, at Gencon 2012, Sheri, Jonathan Rudder, C. K. Deatherage, and I were all there. It got a little hairy scheduling who was going to be in the booth when (only two members can be there at a time) -- especially since we all wanted to spend most of our time there.
We look forward to seeing you again at Gencon 2014.
Good luck with your books (the first of which is in my "to read" stack at home). Say hi to your wife and son for us!
Doug Rudder