The first year, no one knew what to expect.
The second year? EVERYONE worked to exceed expectations.
We had more panels, more panelists, and more than 50% more attendees than last year. I saw cosplays everywhere, and author signings were scheduled constantly in their own dedicated space.
AlwaysRollsAOne sponsored that signing room this year and organized an awesome display of book cover wall posters, so people waiting in line to meet the authors had some sweet things to look at and take selfies with. I got an official book signing spot this year, and was thrilled to meet everyone who showed up to meet me, as well as the people who stopped by to chat after talking with Travis Baldree and Will Wight!
I’d met Travis briefly previously, and he was as charming and gracious as always, but I really enjoyed getting a few minutes of Will Wight’s time, as I’ve been a fan of his for a long time, and I recently got a chance to look over an ARC of his upcoming Overworld series, which (like Apocalypse Parenting!) will be brought to traditional bookstores by Tor Books!
We didn’t have long to talk, but he seemed excited to talk to someone who’s a big fan of his House of Blades series and nerd out briefly over Magic the Gathering. (I like Cradle, don’t get me wrong, but I love the uniqueness of House of Blades!)
I got to be on the Women in LitRPG Panel again this year, which was, as I expected, was a highlight of the convention. It was great to reconnect with KT Hanna and Rose “TJ” Reynolds (who I met the previous year), and to meet Misty Zaugg, Jay Boyce, Allora Lee, and Zura Johnson. We also pulled all female authors out of the crowd to come join us for a pre-panel group photo. If you’re a lady thinking of writing LitRPG, please know: the community spirit from your fellow authors will be 100% the best you could hope for.
Later that day, KT stole me to come out to dinner with her, Jay Boyce, and Tao Wong, and we had an excellent time!
I got to be on three other panels as well: one on healing limitations moderated excellently by S.M. Boyce, an apocalypse panel moderated by Hunter Mythos, and a worldbuilding/magic system panel moderated by Sam Boyd’s team.
Those were all awesome! In addition, I managed to steal Hunter Mythos to eat lunch with him afterward, which was a fabulous time… Plus we got to nerd out over our mutual love of The Wandering Inn. Hunter is so charismatic, matter-of-fact, and down-to-earth, and on top of that, he has some wild stories to tell. I love that guy.
Last but far from least, I got to meet up with the Apocalypse Parenting narrator, Laurie Catherine Winkel again, and meet the Engineer’s Odyssey narrator, John Pirhalla, for the first time! I would have enjoyed spending more time with both of them, but meeting them was a delight regardless. 🙂
I’m looking forward to next year!