Quick Denvention Updatery
Posted on August 8, 2008 Posted by John Scalzi 30 Comments
The first two days of Denvention were the ones in which I was the most heavily programmed, with a numbers of panels plus a signing and reading, and I’m very happy to say that all of them went off very well. In particular I thought the reading was very good. As you may remember, I wasn’t actually scheduled for a reading, but my friend Mary Robinette Kowal offered to split her time with me, and we had a great deal of fun alternating reading short stories.
The highlight of the reading for me was when we joined forces and Mary read the first chapter of “The Sagan Diary,” which I wrote. In this picture (graciously sent to me by Tom Suter), you can see me watching Mary as she reads from the story. What you can’t see all that well is that I’ve tears running down my face. I can’t actually read TSD in public because I can’t through reading it without getting choked up; apparently I can’t get through it when Mary reads it without doing the same. She’s very excellent.
Today and tomorrow I’m very lightly programmed; today I have to attend the Sidewise Awards, at which I am a nominee for this story, and then tomorrow I have a kaffeklatsch and the Hugo awards ceremony. In case you’re wondering, I’m feeling rather relaxed about the last of these, in particular because I’ve spent quality time here at Denvention with most of my fellow nominees in my categories, and I like of them enough to be delighted for them if they win. It’s nice when it works out that way. But not being completely slammed for programming the next couple days means I have time to visit and hang out with friends and fans, which in the end is mostly what Worldcons are about: A massive gathering of the sf/f geek tribe.
Have a good Friday; I’ll check in with all y’all later.
My author friend Lawrence Watt-Evans will at the kaffeklatsch aswell. You guys will have a blast.
Just so you know, my wife hates you. Or more correctly, hates that you write such excellent books. I’ve been getting so engrossed in reading “The Last Colony” that I’ve been staying up till midnight reading. Which makes it almost impossible for her to get me up in the morning, and then I’m grumpy to boot. 3/4’s of the way through so only have another night or two to add to her misery.
That is a lovely photograph.
That’s a great picture, John.
Ahhh Mary is such a lovely, wonderful, talented person. I’d listen to her read the phone book. :)
Say hi to my novelist son, Adam Stemple. He’s there doing stuff, too.
Jane
I’ve spent quality time here at Denvention with most of my fellow nominees in my categories, and I like of them enough to be delighted for them if they win.
Yeah. There’ve already been multiple sightings of your ninja assassin team training near Denver. There’s actually a pool going on about how much time the Hugo winner (assuming he’s not you) will have to enjoy the award.
MRK kicks ass in many glorious ways. I have to say her chapters from TSD have become my favorites, edging out even the velvet voice Cherie Priest.
The gentle furrow on your brow speaks of tears. I bet hearing her read it in person is quite powerful.
The thing Scalzi didn’t say was that at the end I had teared up, too. The Sagan Diary is quite possibly the most perfect love letter ever written.
I know I cried when I read it so it must have that kind of effect on people!
Yea, with The Sagan Diaries you really blew your facade of snarky blogger who wrote some military SF ’cause that’s what was on the shelf when you wandered by the bookstore one day and thought it would sell.
It’s nigh literary.
My wife who’s working on becoming a literary academic approves of the word “interstices” in the first chapter, as it’s one of her favorites.
Did anyone record the reading by MRK? We’d all love to hear it!
Excellent, excellent photo.
The Sagan Diaries were my first exposure to John’s book writin’s, so I knew he could write. It was lovely.
There are recorded readings available here from a whiles ago, including MRK’s renditions of the Preface and Chapters One, Seven, and Eight. It’s not the same as the one at Denvention of course, but it will tide ye over.
Personally I like best Elizabeth Bear’s reading of Chapter Two, which is also my favorite chapter in book or audio form.
John, I love the picture. Your expression looks so soft. Of course there’s also the soft lighting in the picture to do that. Still though.
Good luck to all the nominees!
Lovely picture, John. Kudos to Tom Suter.
I was sorry to have missed the reading AND the Liberals and Military Sci-Fi panel. It sounded fabulous. I had to earn my Friday off by working on Thursday, unfortunately. >:(
Yesterday I had a completely geeked out moment meeting Elizabeth Moon. I’ll try not to be incoherent if I manage to meet you today. :)
I very much enjoyed the readings. Your readings were the only ones i managed to get to unfortunately, but it was a definite con highlight for me. And now I have a huge urge to go find the audio version of The Sagan Diaries, and I’m generally not a fan of audiobooks
Real men aren’t afraid to cry. TSD jerked more than a tear or two from me, as well. I feel, perhaps, that was the intention.
You’re good at this wording thing. You thought of doing it for a living?
I’m so sorry that this is off topic, but i just got into your novels, and I love the crap out of them! I’ll try to be on-topic next time.
Not sure if you have time or are checking e-mail, but if I can buy you a drink at the con, I sent an e-mail to your address. Otherwise, have a great con.
Thank you for the excellent kaffeeklatchness, John! I had an absolute blast. (I know you won’t see this until well after the Hugoness, but what the hey.) Sorry I didn’t manage to get my wits in order in time to (briefly) introduce you to my husband shortly thereafter (the nice man in the white shirt to whom you caught me most uncouthly griping on our way back to the hotel). Perhaps we will all meet up at the bar or consuite or whatnot and I can make up for the lack of introductions (and the gripiness). Over a game of Girl Genius: The Works, perhaps, or a confetti-throwing rematch. Or something.
Hey, John, congrats on the Fan Writer Hugo! Well deserved!
Congratulations!!! You’re a class act.
I echo the kudos… the photography is excellent!!!
And thanks to Arachne Jericho for the link!!!!
Congrats on the Fan Writer Hugo, John! and Congrats to Mary Robinette Kowal, as well. A most worthy addition to the list of Campbell Award winners!
Ohio represents! Wooooo!
Keep up the good work!
Seriously. Like right now; I’m bored.
XD
Congratulations on winning the Dave Langford award!
Congratulations, John, on the win. It was well deserved, especially considering your great features like The Big Idea.
Congratulations also to MRK! Well deserved.
Never mind, finally found it. FUCKING SWEET.
The OMW trilogy (uh, quintology?) makes me cry. And laugh. And cry. And smile.
Damn you. No, thank you.
On topic of WorldCon, but not of the reading.
How many people did you get to autograph the naughty hamster book?
Your joint reading with Mary was one of the best parts of Denvention for me.