Kansas City was a fun place to get together with other science fiction and fantasy writers for SFWA’s sixtieth anniversary. It was a joy to watch the latest SFWA Grand Master, Nicola Griffith, be interviewed by Kelly Eskridge. They are both such talented authors and inspirations to everyone who wants to go take a different path in their own fiction.
Even before that, I guess I got a little enthusiastic about all the marvelous books that each attendee was going to receive. Here’s my mood after helping to stuff tote bags to be given out.
Did I mention that I ate well? Slipping away for barbecue with Scott Edelman is always fun and the burnt ends at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que lived up to their reputation. Plus, I enjoyed going to the Capital Grille for surf and turf with some of SFWA’s newer officers and and long-timers.
I also found myself on a panel about writing short fiction for magazines with William Ledbetter, John McNeil, Michelle C. Leigh (moderator) and a brand-new Nebula Award winner A.W. Prihandita. They all had such wise, encouraging things to say to those who are just starting out in our field.
This year’s awards ceremony was in the capable hands of Toastmaster Erin Roberts, seen here.
I came home inspired, tired, and so looking forward to next year’s Nebula Awards Conference in Chicago.
