Seriously, we all knew that there was more to him than money.  Even if there was lingering doubt about his heroic heart winning out over his cynical sensibilities, we saw that look Chewie gave Han when he was loading up his reward.  No one wants to spend an extended period of time in deep space confined to a tiny cockpit with a grumpy Wookiee.





Anyhoo... on to the highlights of LoneStarCon3 in San Antonio, TX.  A little late.  Busy here at the Jedi Temple, lately.




Table C-5 and C-4, aka Fantasy Lane
There was not a great deal of traffic at the Con this year, or so it seemed.  Maybe the difference lies in observing crowds as a part of the crowd (as last year at ChiCon) versus observing crowds as a vendor trying to sell books.  Suffice it to say that I had plenty of time to chat with my Genre Underground table mates at C-5:



M. Todd Gallowglass - author of Halloween Jack and Tears of Rage series.  I haven't read Halloween Jack yet, but I did greatly enjoy the first book in the Tears of Rage, First Chosen.  It's like a Malazan book in tone but with half the calories.



J.L. Doty - Jim has sold A LOT of books for a self-published author.  A lot.  Seriously.  Go check some out here.



And next door at C-4 is young author Ian Everett and his business manager/one man promotion team/all-around cool guy father, Bill Everett.* You can grab his book, The Mother of Dawn here.  I've got a nice signed copy which I hope to read very soon.



Eva Pohler, author of the Gatekeeper's Saga, was at our table on and off, and it was fun to meet her as well.  The Kindle version of The Gatekeeper's Sons is currently free on Amazon, here.



I also had a chance to chat with lots of fans and cool passers-by.  I can't say it was entirely productive in hard dollars, but I did get a lot of "soft dollar" value in networking and close encounters and linking up with other writers and readers. A special thank you to Brian Buhl for good conversation and bringing me Pepsi.  I really, really needed that Pepsi.



Also, I got interviewed by Clay Dugger of The ConCast.  He interviewed lots and lots of people, most much more impressive than I, so you should go check out his site and/or like his Facebook page.  I may or may not be referred to as Gregory Sasquatch Close in my interview.  You must listen to find out, when it's posted.



*Bill Everett (Honorary Hugo Winner for Best ConDad)




Close Encounters
Some of the more famous elbows I brushed up against included:



The legendary Robert Silverberg, who thought my book might be more valuable as a self-defense tool than literature, due it's size alone.  So noted, sir.



Travelling with the aforementioned Mr. Silverburg was Hugo Award-winning editor Andrew Porter, who was seriously distressed at the size of my book and the thought that it was but the first in a series of similarly sized tomes.



I consoled both Mr. Silverberg and Mr. Porter by telling them that the remaining books will only be 25 pages each.   Silverberg found that entertaining.  I eventually elicited a chuckle even from the chuckle-resistant Mr. Porter when I showed him my "Caution: Bend Knees When Lifting" warning sign for the book.  Overall, I rate the interaction a success.



Harry Turtledove came by, and I thanked him on behalf of my brother for writing about Roman legions trapped in alternate dimensions.  I also suggested that he supplement his "Past Hugo Winner" ribbon with an "Alternate Past Hugo Winner" ribbon.  I made Harry Turtledove chuckle!  Success again.



Brandon Sanderson came by and talked books and publishing a bit with Mr. Gallowglas.  He did make a point of saying that he "really liked my cover" (by the fantastic artist Mr. Mike Nash).  The cover actually received universal praise at the Con.  Thank you, Mr. Nash!



Dr. David Brin stopped by and discussed the film version of The Postman and Star Wars.  I smiled and nodded, but spoke little, not even to express how much of a fan my wife was of The Uplift Saga (note: do not forget to tell Dr. Brin how much your wife loved The Uplift Saga) or how I think The Postman is the best post-apocalyptic fiction work ever written (note: please, really, really do not forget to tell Dr. Brin how much your wife loved The Uplift Saga.  Seriously).



Hugh Howie was talking about publishing etc.  He was very nice.  He has sold a lot of books.  He is also some kind of expert on textiles, apparently.  I am also nice, but I have not sold a lot of books.  One day, I aspire to be both, much like Hugh Howie, although I have no ambitions in the textile business.



I saw George R.R. Martin while carrying about twenty metric tons of self-published epic fantasy novels but resisted the urge to drop one accidentally at his feet.  I always want to stop and say something like:  "Hi, thank you for reinvigorating Fantasy literature and inspiring me to finish the last few bits of my long-suffering novel."  Instead, I smile awkwardly and shuffle past.  Because, hopeless nerd.



Monday morning I got to say hello to Hugo-winner John Scalzi and his shiny Hugo.  It was pretty.  He was gracious.  I smiled awkwardly and shuffled away.  See above.



I discovered the r/fantasy reddit group (it's like reddit, but without the idiots) via their very cool fan table and the Drinks With Authors party that they hosted.  At this party, they had both drinks and authors simultaneously, as promised.  I gave away a couple of copies of In Siege of Daylight.  Hoping whoever won a copy brought some form of lumbar support or wheeled conveyence.


Folks Who Bought Stuff 
I also sold some books, believe it or not (feel free to buy one).  I'm sure the cover helped draw in some curious browsers, but being next to M. Todd Gallowglass, who is a consummate marketer and promoter of his books, certainly helped.  He also kindly offered discounts on his books for anyone who purchased one of mine and said very nice things about my writing. Watching him really helped me evolve my elevator pitch (more accurately, my walking by the table trying not to make eye contact with that desperate looking self-published guy pitch).



Selling was nice.  I like to make money, and I like to write, and earning money ensures that writing can remain a viable use of my time.  But, the thought of people picking up my story, reading it, enjoying it - that is what gave me a thrill.  I hope that everyone who bought it really does enjoy it.  And then, I hope that they really do review it!  :)




See you at LonCon nex year!


Well, maybe.  As much as I enjoyed being at ChiCon and LoneStarCon, it was not exactly a profit-making venture.  I met a lot of people, made some connections, and I learned valuable life lessons.  Much like an episode of G.I. Joe: Great American Hero.  But if I'm going to make the trip over the Pond, I will need to have sales justifying that kind of expense.  Right now, I don't.  I do have hope for the future, though.  We'll see what happens...