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Boskone - A Writer's Convention
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Total Posts: 344
Last Online: 5th Nov 2004 15:53:20
Registered: 14th May 2004 00:00:00
On Valentine's Day week-end, I went to Boskone, a convention for writers and readers, based in Boston Massachusetts.
My first convention. Ever. Well, I'll admit that I've gone on Star Trek conventions before, but that one was my first writing-related event. I wasn't certain what to expect at such a convention and I thought I'd see a lot of people dressed up as their favourite characters. There was no way I'd put on a chain mail bikini or stick a turtle head on my forehead (all right, DN and Soldier, I know you can't help yourselves, so I'll forgive you in advance for any comments you might want to make on that - as long as you suffer the consequences!
"> ), or even wear pointy ears no matter how cute they look! Didn't have to either. The convention was attended by readers and writers, and it was great!
The convention started on Friday afternoon at 17h00, and lasted until Sunday afternoon. Every hour, panels and readings could be attended. The only problem was which panel to attend, and which to sacrifice! Writers would talk about their own experiences in the field, give pointers, and relate anecdotes. It was fun, entertaining and informative. I don't regret the 6-hour drive to get there. I had fun, and I got to see my friends from the writer's workshop I attended last fall.
So, who was there?
Guest of honour was David Brin, science-fiction author. Great speaker with interesting views. Didn't get to attend all of his panels because I focused mainly on the Fantasy genre, which I write. But I got to meet George R.R. Martin and attended his panels on Fantasy World Building and such. Very wise man. There was also Jo Walton, Keith deCandido, Tamora Pierce, Terry McGarry, the editors of TOR, and a lot, lot more.
Oh, and did you know that Terry McGarry, who's written "Illumination" was, and still is, a fantastic copy-editor? What's a copy-editor you ask? Interesting question. I don't know if the Australian publishing business has the same structure but here (maybe Fiona could comment on that), a copy-editor is the last person who sees your book before it goes to print. She's the person who'll make sure that if your character has blue eyes, they are still blue two books further in the series. She's also the person who makes sure that when you say someone is carrying one million dollars worth of cocaine in his backpack it makes sense for the time period. Or that Smith&Wesson really manufactured .22 calibre semi-automatic pistols. They're incredible people. I'm in awe of them. But why does Terry McGarry stand out more than most? Well, for one, she's the one who's been keeping track of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time! She's so good, that authors will request her by name to work on their book. Anyway, I plan on writing a post on the business of copy-editing, so I won't say anything more about it here.
It was a busy week-end, this convention. Panels from 10h00 to 23h00 on Saturday. Plus there was an art show and a book fair. Saturday night, I had a "get-together" with my workshop pals, and then it was party! I got to attend TOR's party for a little while (it was way too crowded!) and met with a Canadian author, Robert J. Sawyer, who happens to give writing classes in Toronto and Ottawa (only a few hours from where I live). I might attend one of those, even if his field of writing is science-fiction.
I went back home with a lot of information to digest, most of it I already knew from my workshop but it was nice to have my memory refreshed, and some of it I had read in many books and magazines. I was also reassured that my approach of writing and the Fantasy genre is a good one, so that was a boost. All in all, it was a great experience, which I recommend to every one of you if you ever have the opportunity to attend a similar convention. I think there's one coming up in Western Australia in a few months, the Swancon I believe. Look it up!
Check for my later posts on exposition and copy-editing.
">
My first convention. Ever. Well, I'll admit that I've gone on Star Trek conventions before, but that one was my first writing-related event. I wasn't certain what to expect at such a convention and I thought I'd see a lot of people dressed up as their favourite characters. There was no way I'd put on a chain mail bikini or stick a turtle head on my forehead (all right, DN and Soldier, I know you can't help yourselves, so I'll forgive you in advance for any comments you might want to make on that - as long as you suffer the consequences!
"> ), or even wear pointy ears no matter how cute they look! Didn't have to either. The convention was attended by readers and writers, and it was great! The convention started on Friday afternoon at 17h00, and lasted until Sunday afternoon. Every hour, panels and readings could be attended. The only problem was which panel to attend, and which to sacrifice! Writers would talk about their own experiences in the field, give pointers, and relate anecdotes. It was fun, entertaining and informative. I don't regret the 6-hour drive to get there. I had fun, and I got to see my friends from the writer's workshop I attended last fall.
So, who was there?
Guest of honour was David Brin, science-fiction author. Great speaker with interesting views. Didn't get to attend all of his panels because I focused mainly on the Fantasy genre, which I write. But I got to meet George R.R. Martin and attended his panels on Fantasy World Building and such. Very wise man. There was also Jo Walton, Keith deCandido, Tamora Pierce, Terry McGarry, the editors of TOR, and a lot, lot more.
Oh, and did you know that Terry McGarry, who's written "Illumination" was, and still is, a fantastic copy-editor? What's a copy-editor you ask? Interesting question. I don't know if the Australian publishing business has the same structure but here (maybe Fiona could comment on that), a copy-editor is the last person who sees your book before it goes to print. She's the person who'll make sure that if your character has blue eyes, they are still blue two books further in the series. She's also the person who makes sure that when you say someone is carrying one million dollars worth of cocaine in his backpack it makes sense for the time period. Or that Smith&Wesson really manufactured .22 calibre semi-automatic pistols. They're incredible people. I'm in awe of them. But why does Terry McGarry stand out more than most? Well, for one, she's the one who's been keeping track of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time! She's so good, that authors will request her by name to work on their book. Anyway, I plan on writing a post on the business of copy-editing, so I won't say anything more about it here.
It was a busy week-end, this convention. Panels from 10h00 to 23h00 on Saturday. Plus there was an art show and a book fair. Saturday night, I had a "get-together" with my workshop pals, and then it was party! I got to attend TOR's party for a little while (it was way too crowded!) and met with a Canadian author, Robert J. Sawyer, who happens to give writing classes in Toronto and Ottawa (only a few hours from where I live). I might attend one of those, even if his field of writing is science-fiction.
I went back home with a lot of information to digest, most of it I already knew from my workshop but it was nice to have my memory refreshed, and some of it I had read in many books and magazines. I was also reassured that my approach of writing and the Fantasy genre is a good one, so that was a boost. All in all, it was a great experience, which I recommend to every one of you if you ever have the opportunity to attend a similar convention. I think there's one coming up in Western Australia in a few months, the Swancon I believe. Look it up!
Check for my later posts on exposition and copy-editing.
">
#2 - 11th Jan 2008 07:50:00
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Envy you this, Manon. Sounds brilliant and the calibre of people in attendance astonishing. Lucky you. I hope if you ever see GGK you'll know precisely what to do on my behalf.
Copy editors are priceless and worth every cent they're paid. They will save an author and indeed editor's arse from time to time and I kid you not that they are picking up clangers right to the deathknock. Very important because they read with the freshest of eyes and immediately zero in on inconsistencies.
Look forward to the next post. Get writing then after all that inspiration!
Copy editors are priceless and worth every cent they're paid. They will save an author and indeed editor's arse from time to time and I kid you not that they are picking up clangers right to the deathknock. Very important because they read with the freshest of eyes and immediately zero in on inconsistencies.
Look forward to the next post. Get writing then after all that inspiration!
#3 - 12th Mar 2003 15:09:00
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#4 - 12th Mar 2003 19:05:00
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#5 - 13th Mar 2003 00:03:00
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I did have a great time, Soldier! Edited by: Manon Mooseketeer at: 3/13/03 12:07:18 am
#6 - 17th Mar 2003 00:48:00
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#7 - 17th Mar 2003 22:24:00
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#8 - 19th Mar 2003 19:34:00
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#9 - 19th Mar 2003 22:36:00
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"> Hope you'll be able to do that yourself, though, if he attends TorCon!
#11 - 24th Mar 2003 19:33:00
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I saw Tamora Pierce when she came to Melbourne two years ago. Great speech and all, pity it didn't go for longer, but then again, Isobelle Carmody was there too and this other guy...can't remember what his name is...
Tamora Pierce signed my copy of Realms of the Gods, though...YAY!
Tamora Pierce signed my copy of Realms of the Gods, though...YAY!
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