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I had a wonderful time. Truly, how could you not? The energy at the show was high. You could call it hype, but there’s a real genuineness about the fans that no amount of hype can tarnish. I was thrilled to see Ray Bradbury. I met Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden Files. Very open and gracious with his fans. On Saturday I had lunch with my friend, senior editor Chris Schluep of Del Rey and one of his authors, Alan Dean Foster, creator of Pip and Flinx and, of course, writer of the Star Wars classic Splinter of the Mind’s Eye. Alan is a really fascinating guy. I think he’s been licked yet not eaten by more large predator cats than anyone else I know! We took a cab over to Coronado Island for lunch and ate by the water. It was a nice break from the show.

I also caught up with my Clarion 2000 classmate and good friend Karen Traviss. She was doing a lot of signing at the Del Rey booth and at times couldn’t be seen for all the storm troopers and clone warriors. I’m not positive, but I think she’s amassing an army.

I was also pleasantly surprised to meet some fans. I think I mentioned this in my previous blog, but it surprised me. I’m still getting used to the idea of people having read the book. Talking with them was a real treat. I met Jen and Sagitt (I know I spelled that wrong – sorry – but I do remember Jen is a project manager and Sagitt a cancer researcher for Pfizer) and had a great chat. I had another nice talk with David who is an aspiring writer himself working on a very interesting concept with superheroes, but I won’t reveal more than that.

Friday night was the Star Wars party at the Westgate on a roof patio. Cool breeze, open bar and a lot of interesting people made for a fun night…then beer bottles started going over the edge to the sidewalk below. Oh, and someone walked off with our Star Wars swag 🙁

I did manage to get in a couple of nice runs along the bay. The weather was just about perfect and it was refreshing to see aircraft carriers instead of the trees of Central Park for a change.

All in all a great trip and one I would do again.

I just got in the door a few minutes ago and will write more tomorrow about the Con, so for the moment I will just say it was terrific.

The Con got off to a wonderful start. When I checked in with my editor after landing in San Diego he told me to brace myself (uh, oh, I thought). Turns out it was amazing news. A Darkness Forged in Fire has been sold in translation to Russia and Japan! I think everyone on the plane jumped a foot when I yelled. I don’t know when they’ll pub or in what format, but I definitely want a copy of each…although it occurs to me I won’t really know what books they send me as I can’t read either language!

Oh, and I met some really gracious and thoughtful people at the show. Some had even read the book. I know that shouldn’t surprise me, but it still does 🙂

Dulcet tones will never describe my voice, but it’s probably not the most grating instrument either. If you’re curious, you can have a listen here. Just scroll toward the left bottom of the page and hit the link that says download podcast and in a few moments you’ll hear a wonderful voice…then when he’s done talking you’ll hear me.

Not really sure what to expect, although I have been to the one in New York and a few World Cons. I gather this one, however, is the big one. I have a few commitments for the book, but otherwise I want to do a little sight seeing and check out everything else going on at the Con and the city itself. All the times I’ve been to California I think this will be my first time in San Diego. I was going to say something about street cars, but that’s San Fransisco.

Oh, there’s a new website out there called suvudu.com Its aim is to be THE site for all things SF&F. Still early stages, but they are going to be filming interviews (wait, I keep assuming film and then find out it’s only audio) with authors and posting them. I will be one of many to have a chat with them. Should be fun.

If you run any kind of distance in the summer, or just sweat profusely, you know what I’m talking about. I was out doing a loop this morning in Central Park and it was hot and humid. Naturally, I started to sweat. Well, the sweat had to go somewhere, and in a truly horrifying nexus of human anatomy, particle physics, and poorly designed running gear, it seems every blasted drop of sweat pooled down the front and back of my shorts. The only real cure is to keep running until your shorts are totally soaked, but I swear these things only show water in the most embarrassing places. Maybe if I buy vertically stripped shorts or really long shirts…