Thoughts on Worldcon

[Mark Robson]

Having just arrived home from Worldcon, I'm now trying to order my brain into assimilating the amazing five days and organising the experience into some sort of coherent words. Despite being tied to my stand - something I won't do again - I still gained a great sense of the community of the convention and fulfilled several lifelong dreams.

To trot out the great list of big name authors that I was fortunate to converse with would simply be name dropping, but suffice it to say that I was delighted to be able to trade signatures in books with Anne McCaffrey and equally delighted to meet one of my more recent heroines of fantasy, Elizabeth Moon. Perhaps one of the most amazing experiences of the convention though was to witness the first meeting between two of the big names in Science Fiction that I find hard to believe had never met before. I was chatting with Brian Aldiss (as one does at this sort of event) in front of my table and discussing the new covers on my books when Harry Turtledove walked over to join the conversation. It was completely surreal to hear him start by saying "Hello, Brian, I just wanted to say I've always been a big fan of your work and it's wonderful to finally meet you...". The words might not be exact, but they certainly capture the spirit of the opening. There followed some mutual verbal back-slapping and then a retreat by Harry that left me wishing I'd had a camera to capture the moment. It was strange to see someone so well respected acknowledging another with such deference, but then I suppose we all have our 'gods' within our respective spheres.

I did get out and about occasionally, but the sheer scope of the convention was somewhat overwhelming. I did not have a chance to see anywhere near everything and did not attend many of the panels, but I'm sure that Brian and Winter's Sorrow will fill you in on their experiences of these in due course.

On a selfish note, I would say that Worldcon has to have been the ultimate networking experience. I made more contacts in the Publishing world in five days than I had in the previous 5 years, and I'm known for my networking! If anyone has any question in their mind about going to one in future, then put it out of your mind, get out your cheque book and write the cheque. You won't regret it.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I knew that you and WorldCon were made for each other, Mark. I'm glad you had a good one.

 

[Brian G Turner]

It was certainly interesting to see Mark at work.

At one point I pointed out Terry Pratchett wandering the stalls away from us - Mark immediately sped off and within seconds had led Terry Pratchett to his own table and engaged him in conversation about books and publishing, and put them both on the same level of professional writers.

"It's not what you know but who you know" is an old adage that is so true in business - but at the Worldcon, the industry welcomes the contact from all levels - the bestsellers, the editors, the publishers.

Any seriously aspiring writer who thinks that conventions are too expensive is being disadvantageous to open opportunities.

 

[Mark Robson]

I knew that you and WorldCon were made for each other, Mark. I'm glad you had a good one.

I think I must have been the only one not to see this before hand! I normally hate large organised events, but this was just mindblowing. I think more than anything, it was the way in which everyone was so relaxed. There appeared to be no prima donna attitudes amongst any of the big name authors and they all seemed genuinely happy to chat to anyone that wanted to engage them in conversation.

It was also very interesting how many Editors/buyers/Literary Agents there were floating around. I was approached by two Agents - made useful introductions to two Senior Editorial Directors of major companies and had several approaches from people looking to acquire foreign rights to my work. All in all, I could not have wished for more. I'm going to have to write a very long email to my agent tomorrow!

It was certainly interesting to see Mark at work.

Aw, shucks! I had a lot of fun, but was genuinely touched that Elizabeth Moon took time out to come and say goodbye on the last day. I'm hoping I will be able to persuade her to come and do an interview here sometime. I'm fairly certain Freda Warrington will. I had no idea that she lived so close to me. We're even looking at the possibility of organising double signing events, which could be fun.

 

[dwndrgn]

Oh to have been a fly on the wall! I am so glad that you guys got to go and network, meet new people, have fun and above all just surround yourselves with others who enjoy what you do. What a blast it must have been!

So, from what I gather, Worldcon was like a larger, more connected version of the Chronicles network

Oh, and pardon my ignorance, but who is Freda Warrington?

 

[cyborg_cinema]

Mark's experience, for me, is inspiring and humbling at the same time.

 

[Mark Robson]

Oh to have been a fly on the wall! I am so glad that you guys got to go and network, meet new people, have fun and above all just surround yourselves with others who enjoy what you do. What a blast it must have been!

So, from what I gather, Worldcon was like a larger, more connected version of the Chronicles network

Oh, and pardon my ignorance, but who is Freda Warrington?

Freda wrote the Jewelfire Trilogy (epic fantasy). I believe she's written quite a lot of other stuff - I've certainly seen her name around the shelves in the UK quite a lot. Maybe she's never gained US distribution. I'm not sure, but I'll check.

Your analogy of Worldcon being like Chronicles is quite apt. If you imagine it like that, except that you can include the authors in the discussions, then you're about there.

 

[GOLLUM]

Well done Mark good to see the trip was both beneficial to you on a professonal level and an education as well...

Now that WS has drawn my attention to the fact that Worldcon 2007 will be taking place in Japan (not too far from OZ, goodie!!) I'm hoping to attend that whilst pointing out to all and sundry the wonders of Melbourne for 2010, so maybe I'll see you there?...

 

[Mark Robson]

Well done Mark good to see the trip was both beneficial to you on a professonal level and an education as well...

Now that WS has drawn my attention to the fact that Worldcon 2007 will be taking place in Japan (not too far from OZ, goodie!!) I'm hoping to attend that whilst pointing out to all and sundry the wonders of Melbourne for 2010, so maybe I'll see you there?...

I'll never say never again.

 

[GOLLUM]

I'll never say never again.

Glad to hear it...

 

[Foxbat]

I'd love to go to Japan 2007 (aside from Worldcon it's a place that's always seemed fascinating) but two reasons why probably not - Japan is so expensive and I detest flying.

 

[GOLLUM]

I'd love to go to Japan 2007 (aside from Worldcon it's a place that's always seemed fascinating) but two reasons why probably not - Japan is so expensive and I detest flying.

Oh sorry to hear that Foxbat, would've been nice to meet you.....

 

[LadyFel]

several approaches from people looking to acquire foreign rights to my work...I'm going to have to write a very long email to my agent tomorrow!

I'm still looking to acquire them for this part of the world if you're interested (ex-Yugoslavia and the outlying region)

 

[Mark Robson]

I'm still looking to acquire them for this part of the world if you're interested (ex-Yugoslavia and the outlying region)

My understanding from my agent is that he did not want to split the worldwide rights for a (no offense) small deal on foreign rights. However, if the opportunity arises to sell off rights into several regions at once, then the balance may shift. I have the feeling that the crunch will come at the Frankfurt Book Festival in October. If the opportunity comes to sell the rights for The Darkweaver Legacy overseas into several territories, then I think we will aim to do multiple deals in quick succession. I cannot promise anything, but I will remind him closer to the time. I need to talk with him and pass on all the contact details I gained from Worldcon. I'll get back to you by PM after I have spoken with him next.

 

[CherylMorgan]

Somehow all of that hard work suddenly seems worthwhile. Thank you, Mark, you've just made my day.

 

[CherylMorgan]

By the way, given that you are in the Midlands, why not drop into FantasyCon. It is much, much smaller, and it is rather more of an industry networking event than a convention, but the guest list does include Graham Joyce and Steve Erikson.

 

[GOLLUM]

GRRR..Steven Erikson attends but I won't be, the tyranny of distance *SIGHS*...

Actually I will be meeting this author before I die someday, that's a VOW I've made and I aim to keep it...

 

[Mark Robson]

By the way, given that you are in the Midlands, why not drop into FantasyCon. It is much, much smaller, and it is rather more of an industry networking event than a convention, but the guest list does include Graham Joyce and Steve Erikson.

Glad to have cheered you up with some good feedback. I've got a feeling that the FantasyCon clashes with the one in Northampton, doesn't it? I'll check and get back to you on that. I'm sure there's a small convention in the Town Hall/Guild Hall of Northampton that weekend, which is right on my doorstep - I'd already half made up my mind to go. I guess Worldcon won a convert!