If I don’t finish this novella I’m working on today, someone from New Jersey will come and break my legs, so this is the last you’ll hear of me today. But I know how you all lose all sense of personal purpose when I’m gone, so to keep you busy, I have a question for you:

The elusive Tasmanian Badger. What do we really know about it?

Some people say it doesn’t exist; specifically, my friend Justine Larbalestier, who fancies herself an “Australian,” whatever that is, has said to me “there are no badgers in Tasmania, you mad, ignorant fool.” But I ask you: if the Tasmanian Badger didn’t exist, then why are there so many stories and legends about them? You might as well say that unicorns don’t exist either! Or dragons! Or the man-eating Indonesian wood finch! And we all know how laughable it would be to say any of that.

So: share a fact, legend, fable, rumor, myth or tall tale you have heard about the Tasmanian Badger. And don’t be afraid to contradict or correct others (politely) when your information differs from theirs. Between the lot of us, we should finally be able to get a bead on this magnificent creature of song and story. And, heck, we can’t end up any less correct than a Wikipedia article on the subject, could we? I think not.

I await your wisdom on this subject.

Just a reminder to folks that in two days, you’ll be able to see me at ArmadilloCon in Austin, where I am Guest of Honor, along with the fine people that you see listed in the picture above. If you are anywhere near Austin, or, heck, indeed, Texas (because it’s such a small state, you see), I do hope you’ll come by. We’re going to have a great time.

For those of you who are coming, here’s my schedule of panels/appearances:

Opening Ceremony
Fri 7:00 PM-8:00 PM Phoenix North
Anderson, Crider*, G. Haldeman, J. Haldeman, Persons, Scalzi, S. Williams
This kicks the convention into full swing.

New Space Opera
Fri 10:00 PM-11:00 PM Phoenix North
Duggins, Fletcher, Mills, N. J. Moore, Picacio*, Reasoner, Scalzi
The subgenre established by Doc Smith, Edmond Hamilton, and Jack Williamson has persisted and evolved to a new tradition upheld by Iain M. Banks, Lois McMaster Bujold, Elizabeth Moon, John Scalzi, and others. Our panelists will discuss this evolution, where they think Space Opera is now, and where it’s going.

In the Beginning
Sat 11:00 AM-Noon deWitt
Latner*, Scalzi, W. Spector, M. Wells
Our panelists look at worldbuilding for writers, artists, and game designers.

Guest of Honor Q&A
Sat 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Phoenix North
Scalzi

Fannish Feud
Sat 4:00 PM-5:00 PM Phoenix North
Anderson, Babcock, Bobo, Crider*, Docherty, Gelb, G. Haldeman, M. Hall, Persons, Picacio, Scalzi, S. Williams
Join the fun at our game of trivia pitting fans vs. pros.

Forever Wars
Sat 5:00 PM-6:00 PM Phoenix North
Duggins, J. Haldeman, Person, Rosen*, Scalzi, Swann
Our panelists discuss military sf inspired inspired by or written in response to Robert A. Heinlein’s classic Starship Troopers. They’ll compare and contrast portrayals of war from WWII through today.

Movies
Sun Noon-1:00 PM deWitt
Hale, Klaw, Leicht, Miles, Scalzi, Person, M. Williams*
This has been a booming year for science fiction, comic book, and fantasy movies. Our panelists tell us which ones you should have seen, and which you can safely avoid. Of course, they’ll probably talk about movies of the past as well.

Autographing
Sun 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Dealers’ Room
Kenner, Rountree, Sarath, Scalzi, Wedel

Guest of Honor Reading
Sun 3:00 PM-4:00 PM deWitt
Scalzi

For those of you wondering what the reading will be, I suspect that I will be reading from the first chapter of The High Castle, since it’s fun and since it’s pretty likely that, as this will be my first time in Texas save airport transfers, few of the folks at the reading will have heard it yet. It’ll be worth staying late on Sunday to hear, I promise.

Also, I have it on good authority that, yes, there will be at least a few copies of Zoe’s Tale available for purchase at the convention. Which means that unless the book arrives here at home today, some of you will get your copies of the finished version of the book before I will. The irony! It burns!

When I’m not at my panels and other appearances, I’ll likely be just hanging about with my surprisingly large contingent of Texas-based friends (Chris Roberson and I are scheduled to have a rumble — watch for it!) and generally trying to be available, as behooves me as Guest of Honor. Do feel free to say hello if you see me.

So: Who will be at ArmadilloCon?