…they get drunk enough to say “yes” when I ask them if I can put this up on Whatever:
This is one big reason why I love New York: there are so many writers here that every day is like a science fiction/fantasy convention. Today’s photo comes from the aftermath of Saturday’s “guerilla reading” by fantasy author Blake Charlton and friends. Lots of fans, editors, and authors were in attendance, including those who read along with Blake — Laura Anne Gilman (who took this photo and graciously shared it with me), fellow Altered Fluidian Saladin Ahmed, and David Barr Kirtley. Others were there just for moral support, like me and Peter V. Brett, seen above (left) with Blake.
Afterward, we all went out to a bar called Valhalla, because where else are a bunch of fantasy authors going to go drink? And as you can see from the above literal demonstration, it was one great big fantasy author lovefest. Things got a little wild after that third horn of mead, or maybe it was the ValhallaDogs and AsgardWurst (no, I’m not kidding) that did us in. Anyway, thanks to the guys for being such good sports as to let me post this here for your shameless ridicule admiration.
ETA: Gah, fixed URL for Laura Anne Gilman’s website, and added URL for Altered Fluid. Sorry, guys.
Was Scalzi there? Because that would be the ultimate threesome.
Christ @ #1,
Not unless he was the mysterious hooded guy in the corner smoking a pipe.
Or invisible.
Invisible Scalzi could be anywhere!
nkjemisin@2 – If you have a gathering of fantasy authors and you see a hooded guy in the corner smoking a pipe, it’s actually the ghost (or possibly reincarnation) of Tolkien himself keeping an eye on everyone.
A.J.”
Lol that was strangely heartening :P
Wow and just like that I want to live in NYC. Huh. Its amazing how its the little things that can sway you.
“Invisible Scalzi could be anywhere!”
The smell of bacon will always give him away.
The lack of tongue disturbs me. That is all.
I would think that writers would want to live some place more affordable than New York.
Aw man. Looks like a blast. Maybe I can get in on that “action” the next time I hit up NY.
Great pic.
The things I miss out on by moving south. Alas! I shall just have to shanghai authors and make them travel further south. I swear to you, NC isn’t a total cultural wasteland! Do I have to waylay publicists and break their brainwashing?
Guess @9,
It’s a question of what you consider affordable. I pay more in rent than somebody in a smaller town would, yes, but I don’t have, or need, a car. Had one before I moved to NYC and gave it away to a relative when I got here, in fact. I pay at most $80/month for my MTA Card, which is way cheaper than a car note, insurance, maintenance, and a gas bill. I pay less in utilities, too; back when I lived in Boston, I paid $400/month for heat sometimes, and that’s with me cranking down the thermostat, wearing sweaters, wrapping myself in blankets, and catching colds every other week. While here in NYC, heat is almost always included in the rent, and they’re not stingy with it. Even when I’ve paid separate heating, it’s been $50/month rather than $400. And while the cost of living (e.g., food, etc.) is a little higher here, so’s the average salary. New Yorkers pay more, but they also make more, so it generally balances out.
It’s tough to come to New York, if you’re used to another place and are bringing capital earned in that place; startup costs here probably seem insane to folks from smaller towns. But like I said, I’m coming from Boston; New York has actually been significantly cheaper for me.
I tried to move to Boston from Columbus, Ohio a few years ago. In Columbus, a thousand bucks a months gets you a beautiful, brand new townhouse with vaulted ceilings, a fire place, a yard, a balcony off the master bedroom, and three bathrooms. In Boston, a thousand bucks a month gets you a hovel from the dawn of man. Since I would have had the same job and salary there, I decided against that. I’d love to have all the amenities of the city but I think I’m too spoiled to give up how far my dollar goes in the suburbs.