World Con Day 1

Wow.  Already worth the price of admission.

My buddy Brian and I pulled into Reno about 7:30.  It took us a bit to find the hotel and convention center, as they are not on the strip.  Got coffee.  I set up to do the "Day Job" thing for the last time this week.  Thank god for wireless internet.  I managed to be productive on the job and get through the registration line.  Noon to 1pm had to be the longest shift ever.  EVAAAAAR!!!!

Finally, work was done, allowing me the freedom to wander about.  First geekasm, fan-boy moment was meeting Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear.  We shook hands and chatted for a while.  Great guy, very gracious.  I'm hoping to get a chance to buy him a beer and chat.  Other fan-boy moments: George RR Martin and Glen Cook.  For those of you who don't know Glen Cook, go thou forth and read The Black Company Books  and The Garret P.I. books.

I wandered the Dealers Room and purchased the creator of #nineyearoldwisdom and #tenyearoldwisdom his birthday present.  If you are unfamiliar with these two hashtags, follow my twitter stream: http://twitter.com/MGallowglas.

Went to the opening ceremonies, and boy did that almost get awkward.  When asked about the changes to science fiction, Bill Willingham, one of the special guests, brought up how easy it is for people to get their work out these days. He wasn't speaking just of indie publishing, but also that people can make movies on their computers with some pretty cool special effects.  Ellen Asher, long-time editor of the Science Fiction Book Club, latched on to the ePub thing and was ready to break out the torches and pitch forks.  Writer Guest of Honor, Tim Powers defused the situation with wit and humor.

Looks like the ePub thing is the big fat elephant in the room.  The big question is:  how much trouble do I want to stir up and how many feathers do I want to ruffle? #Bwahahaha

Parties were lack-luster for the most part - bid parties for future conventions.  Brian and I decided to call it a night early in order to pace ourselves for a long weekend.  On the way out, we found the bar it appears most of the Pros are going to hang out at.  Tim Powers was there, and I let him use my phone to call his wife, as he couldn't get any service on his.  Chatted with him a few minutes.

On the way out to the car, we bumped into Brandon Sanderson and his wife, Emily.  I've been acquainted with Brandon for a few years. I first met him before his first book was published that the World Con in Boston.  For those who don't know, Brandon write fantasy and was hand picked by the late Robert Jordan's wife to finish writing The Wheel of Time, the best selling epic fantasy series of all-time.  Fame and fortune has not changed Brandon in the least.  He is warm, gracious, and friendly as he has always been.  I told him of my work with Fantasy Flight Games and my rank in the Amazon list for new epic fantasies, he congratulated me and asked me to send him a link.  He also told me that I shouldn't be embarrassed about it, "Your on the wave of the future."  He also gave me a very special gift, which I can't disclose, as he said, "You didn't get this from me."  His endorsement meant the world.

And that was the first day at World Con! I'll post again tonight or tomorrow morning about today. I'll also be adding stuff to Twitter, Facebook and Google plus, throughout the day as internet connections permit.