Archive for March 20, 2019

Why I am Not Paneling at Norwescon This Year


Norwescon is awesome.  Let’s just make that clear right up front.  This is not about them.  I was invited to be a panelist this year and I politely declined for “me” reasons.  I want to talk about those, I guess in case it is helpful for others.

I have been blessed to participate in Norwescon for a number of years.  And every time, it has been a joy and an honor.  I do not view it primarily as a promotional opportunity (though I do not ignore that benefit).  I also do not view it as some earned and expected acknowledgment of my status as a published author, because that is not what it should be (and because I began paneling before I was professionally published).

So why am I not participating this year? 

I guess first because of Imposter Syndrome, and a bunch of deeper weird feelings I am working through and will probably write posts about someday, that comes in part from being “Between books.” 

Read more
Share

What Being a Convention Panelist Means to Me


Genre Cons like Norwescon have to me always been a celebration of fandom, of the genres and content we love.  You do not have to be a “pro” or PhD or celebrity to do that, on or off panels. 

I do see participating as a “pro” to be a humbling responsibility, and to be taken seriously. 

Read more
Share