As for finding a good “first” convention, it sort of depends on what you’re looking for. The World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”) is ***huge*** and has something for everyone; it can, however, be really overwhelming. There are typically 5-10 things going on in any one timeslot. Worldcon is run by fans for fans – most of the panels are designed to be attractive to readers/watchers/gamers in the field, rather than to authors building and maintaining their careers. This convention has lots of people wearing costumes, a full track on filking (songs related to SF and fantasy), gaming, etc.

The World Fantasy Convention is smaller and much more focused. It is generally called more “professional” than Worldcon; most of the attendees are writers or very dedicated readers.

If you’ve never been to a con, you might want to check out a small local one in your community. Those usually last for two days, over a weekend, and they typically have one or maybe two tracks of programming. It’s easier to meet people and to get a feeling for the SF/fantasy world. You can find a list of cons on the Locus website – http://www.locusmag.com

Good luck!

While I’m very new to fantasy, I’m also growing very found of it. Still, I’d like to see more of the most mythical of beings; plain-old, run of the mundane, humans. Out-classed, out-mystified, out-prettied, humans, contending with the more malevolent forms.

I could got the rest of my 20 years, (in addition to SF/F, I also am fond of fried food and cigars) never hear ‘speculative fiction/alternate history’ again and be pleased as punch.

Thanks for the thought-food. This was fun.

I think that we’re in agreement that conventions can be really pricey – I know that I’ve really had to cut back on my attendance.

As for magical beings, I came up with an idea for a new urban fantasy the other night, with a creature I haven’t seen anyone else use… I’m excited to do more research!

And as for genre labels – ptui! I am increasingly frustrated with labels – of most types!

Thanks for chatting, folks!

1) i don’t attend any SF Conventions. i’m a stay at home mom of 2, and don’t get much time to do what I want to do. if i had to choose between a SFC and the playground… i’d pick the playground, simply because it means the kids will be happier. and i can find a playground 5 minutes from my house, but there are no SFC’s within several hours of my hometown. oh, and i just don’t have the money. i guess that’s the deciding factor, ultimately. the playground is just plain cheaper.

2) magical beings… hmmm. i’m rather fond of the many different perceptions of elves and dragons. i love reading new fantasy fiction with elves and dragons in them, just to see how the author will choose to portray them. so far, my favorite are the Sithi- they are the elven beings in Angus Well’s Memory Sorrow and Thorn trilogy, and the dragons in Jane Yolen’s Pit Dragon trilogy. as Karen pointed out above, the different takes on Vampires are WAY overdone as of now. let’s move on to something different, eh?

3) i don’t particularly care for genre labels. i always feel a little silly buying a book from the teen or romance section despite loving several novels in each. mostly, i browse the fantasy shelves, but i know i’m missing out on several good paranormal novels that have been stuck in horror, romance, teen, or just plain fiction. finding good books in stores nowadays is like sifting for gems, and sadly i mostly come up with dirt.

on another note… i loved all the others, and can’t wait to read your new book.

I don’t read much fantasy, but one novel I did pick up and read was “The Misenchanted Sword”, about a warrior trap behind enemy lines forces a neutral wizard to forge a magical sword under duress and he gets one but it doesn’t quite work as expected, it keeps him alive,but not from harm, once its drawn it can’t be sheathed til it kills and it can only kill human men

genre labels, hmmm, I mainly look for SF, Science Fiction

As for “magical beings”– ANYTHING but vampires.

Genre labels– I think they work best in ebooks where they become tags and a book can have as many as it needs to find possible readers. In the physical world they are more limiting.

Can’t wait to start reading HOW NOT TO MAKE A WISH on my Kindle!

I don’t get to many conventions–too expensive, not enough time, all that jazz. But I did go to Panthecon (a huge pagan convention) a couple of years ago, to do some author publicity for my nonfiction witchcraft books. And I went to the RWA National convention this year is your new hometown of DC, as you know. Next weekend, I am going to Albacon, a small-ish SciFi convention in Albany, NY, just for the day. I’m looking forward to meeting one of my (other) favorite authors, Rosemary Edghill.

And I’d like to see more witches, of course Although I read a wonderful series by C. E. Murphy that featured a gargoyle–very unusual.

Genre labels….well…oy.

BTW–I read the new book and it ROCKS!!!!