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
Worldcon Update
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.
Mimeo Experts & Equipment Wanted
As I mentioned a while back, I have been given a couple of program slots at Worldcon. One of them is rather interesting, but it may not happen, depending on whether or not the Denvention 3 folks can get the necessary equipment and people together.
I was asked if I knew anyone who was competent with the use of a mimeo duplicator, because D3 wanted to do a demonstration of how fanzines used to be made in the “good old days” before blogging and efanzines.com. Having published a mimeo magazine for ten years, I figured that I was competent to help with this and volunteered. But I am by no means good at everything to do with mimeo. In particular I cannot draw on a stencil to save my life. (Well, I cannot draw to save my life, but I’m not even safe tracing on a stencil.) So I was really hoping to find someone who is good at that sort of thing to help out. Even if you are only good at making pictures with typing, it would help.
Furthermore, D3 tells me that they are not having much luck getting hold of the equipment. So if anyone knows where we can get hold of a mimeo duplicator and the necessary bits and pieces to actually make a fanzine (typewriter, ink, paper, corflu) within reasonable transport distance of Denver we’d all be very grateful. Thank you!
D3 Programming
Denvention 3 has started sending out emails to potential program participants. I have a couple of very interesting slots. However, this is all being done manually and piecemeal. If you haven’t heard anything yet, please don’t assume that you are not being asked. More emails will be going out over the next week or two. Your turn will come.
Worldcon Flight Booking
I have just booked my flight for Worldcon. Southwest have return flights to Denver from Oakland at a mere $219 (including taxes). The best I could get out of United was $390. Lots of flights per day too. I’ve got really good times.