Denvention3

Aussie Party No Beer Shock!

~ Cheryl

There were some very red faces amongst the Melbourne contingent this evening. The bid parties are being held in function space at the Sheraton, and the hotel won’t let alcohol be served. Of course this meant that that more money could be spent on food, and there was a decent spread put on for all of the uber-SMOFs who are gathered here the day before the con begins. Also spotted in the party were Bob Silverberg, Mike Resnick and David Hartwell, not to mention the only member from Malaysia – Glenda Larke, who I was delighted to get to meet at last. It looks like a Worldcon is underway.

But not for everyone. David might be here, but Kathryn Cramer is not. Apparently this is the last week of Summer Camp, and the junior Hartwells absolutely cannot leave for Denver. Far too much fun is being had. So all those of you who think that an early August Worldcon is good for parents with kids, think again. The middle of the month is apparently better.

Anyway, I have arranged to record a short chat with Stephen Boucher about the fabulous new convention facilities in Melbourne. That will probably happen on Thursday, fingers crossed, so it will be a few more days before I can edit it and get it online.

Meanwhile Geri Sullivan and Glenn Gazer have been enthusing to me about the exhibits that Colin Hinz has brought to go along with the mimeo demo. This is going to be good.

Denver: So Far So Good

~ Cheryl

The Colorado Convention Center is slap in the middle of Downtown Denver. This is very convenient. Within a couple of blocks walk I have found Starbucks, Subway, Jamba Juice, Bubba Gump’s, Hard Rock Cafe, Johnny Rockets, and whole host of other places to eat and drink. I suspect that the Corner Bakery may become the regular venue for breakfast. I’ve also run into John Picacio and Alan Beatts – carrying a suspicious heavy box; Evil Kevin, Andy and the Pettingers – who reminded me that I have an article in the program book; Peggy Rae and John Sapienza – on their way to sample a nice-looking Italian restaurant; and Alan Stewart – who told me how to find the not-secret-but-well-hidden Australia in 2010 party. I am now going to check out his directions.

Worldcon Update

~ Cheryl ~ 1 Comment

I’ve now had a chance to go through the Worldcon program in detail. When I said on the questionnaire that I didn’t want to be on any more “electronic fanzines, threat or menace?” panels I figured I was being over-cautious, but I see that they have two of them. I won’t be attending either.

On the awards front I see there is also a Golden Ducks ceremony. That is scheduled against the Sunday Business Meeting, which is where the Melbourne folks will be announcing their GoHs, but the two panels seem to be next door to each other so I may manage to hit bits of both. There is also a Friday panel on the history of the Campbell which I might get along to.

Talking of the Business Meeting, Saturday could be quite busy. In addition to the motions mentioned by Mike Glyer (to kill off the Semiprozine category and add a Graphic Novel category) there should also be a report from the Digital Wilderness Committee that will (finally) put forward proposals for clearing up any doubt as to whether electronic publications are eligible for the Hugos.

The one panel that I definitely want to hit is on Thursday at 4:00pm. It is called “Fandom and SF outside the English-speaking world” and it features Christian Sauvé of Fractal Framboise, Rani Graff from Israel, Alvaro Zinos Amaro from Spain and Sarah Hoyt, who is originally from Portugal. If I get a chance to put in a good word for Finland then I shall do so.