CRAWLING INTO MADISON: WORLD FANTASY CON

Man, what a week. Monday I wound up skinning my knees diving for a candy corn whilst wearing an alligator head. Tuesday I literally couldn't stand up straight because I'd overworked my calves in a session with my new trainer two days before. Still hobbling.

And today, a real scare--Ann was in a serious car accident. I got to the scene, saw how badly the car was crumpled up and almost had a heart attack. Luckily, Ann's okay besides being banged up and bruised. I told her we should just stay home, but she wants to go to WFC, so we're going to WFC. She was cursing up a storm in the hospital about how she didn't have time for this. That's my Ann: tiny but fierce. I still don't know for sure if we'll feel the same way in the morning, but hopefully we will be in WFC, cause Ann feels like she's going to be sore no matter where we are. But if we're both walking pretty slowly...you know why.

See you soon.

Jeff

PS Here's a recap/update of my World Fantasy Con schedule.


THURSDAY, November 3rd

8:30pm - 10:00pm
International Horror Guild Awards (Capitol B room)
This year's World Fantasy Convention is also pleased to be hosting the 11th annual IHG awards presentations, recognizing creators in the field of dark horror and fantasy.
Presenters: Paula Guran, Graham Joyce, Peter Straub
(My wife, Ann, is a judge for the IHG. I've also been tagged to accept and read a speech should David Mitchell's A Serious Life (Savoy Books) win in the nonfiction category. This should be a great event with a lot of heavy hitters attending.)

FRIDAY, November 4th

2:00pm to 3:00pm
Manning the Prime Table
(I'll be available to sign books. I may not be able to make the autograph session, so this provides another opportunity on the off chance anyone needs a book signed.)

4:00pm - 5:30pm
Fantasy in Unexpected Places (Capitol B room)
As more and more "cross-genre" work is published and as writers explore new territory, fantasy has become more diverse, harder to pin down. What is "fringe fantasy?" Can a novel or story be fantastical without anything magical happening in it? Where can readers find fantasy on the fringe? Who is writing it? Why is such work important?
Panelists: Carol Emshwiller, Matt Cheney, Graham Joyce, Kelly Link, Jeff VanderMeer (M)
(This is going to be a really wonderful panel. I'm so pleased with the panelists. I will be doing my best impression of invisible, as a moderator should, except for the occasional comment, since this is a topic close to my heart.)

8:00pm - 10:30pm
Autograph Reception (Capitol & University)
Meet, talk, and get stuff signed.
(Again, not really sure if I'll be able to make this. If so, it'll likely be later than earlier. Email me at vanderworld at hotmail.com if you want to confirm my availability.)


SATURDAY, November 5th

11:00am - 12:00pm
Fantasy Down Under (Capitol B room)
In the past few years, there has been a surge of powerful fantasy writers from Australia , all with distinctive and innovative voices. How did this come about? What constitutes a uniquely Australian writer? Who will be the next breakout writers from Down Under? Also talking about Australia and Australian writing generally
Panelists: Justin Ackroyd, Deborah Biancotti, Jay Caselberg, Jeff VanderMeer (M), and possibly...a mystery guest
(Having spent a couple months devoted to Australian SF/F and now having visited for three weeks and spent a lot of time talking about the subject with Australian writers, I thought this would be a good opportunity to extend my knowledge of the subject by running questions about what I've read and observed by a very distinguished and knowledgeable panel of Aussies. Again, as moderator--and especially on this panel--I'm gonna be invisible.)

2:30pm - 4:00 pm (Capitol B room)
The Reader: Foundation of Fantasy
None of this would be possible without our readers. A reader completes the cycle of writing by providing an audience for the work. Is the reader an essential part of the process of writing? How much attention to that audience is needed while doing the writing itself? In what ways have readers contributed to the journey that is writing?
Panelists: Hal Duncan, Liz Gorinsky, Jay Lake, Mary Rosenblum, Ann VanderMeer (M)
(My wife came up with this topic and has a great set of panelists to explore it with! Definitely check this one out as well. Hal Duncan is a powerhouse, my editor Liz Gorinsky kicks ass, Jay Lake is a monster of knowledge, and Mary Rosenblum is wonderful as well. Oh yes--and my wife is fierce but reasonable, so...)

4:30pm - 5:30 pm
Hanging out in the Dealer's Room
I should be in the dealer's room, at the Wheatland Press and Golden Gryphon tables, available for signing.


SUNDAY, November 6th

12:00pm - 4:00pm
World Fantasy Awards Banquet
Luncheon (by ticket), followed by presentation of the awards for the best works of 2004. Seating will be available after the luncheon for everyone interested in watching the award presentations.
(We will be attending the banquet at the Bantam-Spectra table.)