Returned home yesterday, around two P.M. Scads of emails in the hopper, mail in the box, laundry to do, a dog to pet.
I had a good time at ConText. The Doubletree where it was held was in a a kind of commercial court with several good restaurants and a multiplex movie theater (which I did not go to). It was a smallish con with some good guests (Toby Buckell, Lucy Snyder, Paul Melko) and a decent program track. More about the books than many cons with which I’ve become familiar, which is refreshing.
Diana Dru Botsford, who serves on the Missouri Center for the Book with me, was able to premier her first novel at the convention. Four Dragons, a Stargate SG-1 novel. Watching her, I was envious. The excitement of having your first novel out is unlike anything else.
I was able to link up with my good friend Tim Esaias. He taught workshops almost all weekend, so we didn’t visit as much as I’d liked, but it’s always good to see Tim. We now have something that I do not believe previously existed—a picture together.
I’ve known Tim now for…23 years, I suppose. He very early on encouraged me to continue writing. He’s been a solid critic, a good editor, and a terrific friend. He’s teaching now himself, at Seton Hill in Pennsylvania. Diana was one of his students.
Tim is one of the Good Ones. Those who know him understand what I mean. Occasionally such people should be acknowledged. Tim helped me. Effectively.
Enough of that, now. Time to go back to work.