I’ve failed to mention another reason why I’ll finish Nethermore by the end of July. In August I’ll be going to the World Science Fiction Convention in Los Angeles. And for those of you who don’t know, conventions (cons) aren’t just for those who want to dress up, although plenty of people do and have a grand old time. Many of the Pros (writers and publishers) make it to one or more cons each year, and this is a great place to meet them.

I go because I love the publishing industry and the fandom that surrounds science fiction and fantasy. I always meet great people and have a great time at these things. And it gives me something to do with my days off besides driving to Idaho, which normally doesn’t involve dressing up in any way (unless I’m up there for a wedding).

Last year I went to NasFic in Seattle (since WorldCon was in Glasgow–I know, I know, Stewart! didn’t go to Glasgow? Blame a petty blood feud with a neighboring clan), and I also went to the World Fantasy Convention in Madison, Wisconsin.

I met editors, agents, and writers and had a chance to spend time with all of them. And who knows, you may hit it off well with an editor or agent and get the chance to send him or her a manuscript. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any books done last year. This is a big no-no: don’t pitch a book to an editor or agent if the book isn’t done.

But this year, I’ll have a book done by the time I go. With that under my belt, I can try to find information about agents and editors who are currently aquiring manuscripts. With luck, the editors or agents will be at the con, and with some more luck, maybe I’ll be able to find and talk to them for a few minutes.

Last year, I met several authors who have later asked me to help them out with graphic design. I’ll post some of what I’ve done for them when I get the artwork section up and running. But here are a few buttons I made for Tobias S. Buckell. And he even mentioned me in his blog!

Dinner with my agent and Brandon Sanderson, and Isaac Stewart. Isaac is a friend of Brandon’s and a great graphic designer. Brandon had his first novel out from Tor not too long ago, and he and I are Joshua’s two 20-something year old clients. Brandon was a lot of fun, and had lots of ideas, some of which I’ll poach :-) The food was incredible, including cheesecake sitting on an elaborate syrup design.

I should add that in addition to being able to spell my name correctly, Toby is a great guy, an awesome storyteller, and a real benefit to the science fiction community.

I’ll defintely be at WorldCon and World Fantasy this year, in addition to the smaller, local cons that I try to get to. Cons are a great source of information (panels), networking (writers and editors), and like-minded friends. I give them two thumbs up and a side of hagis!