Had me a good time at CONtraflow Con. I got to meet David Brin, whose work I admire. I didn’t really get to talk to him very much because he always seemed to be on panels at the same time as mine. My most successful panel was one on Robert E. Howard. I had several enthusiastic attendees and we had a wide ranging discussion about Howard and his work.
I also sat on a panel called “Our Vampires are Different” with a number of other writers. We compared vampires from the Dracula era to the Twilight Era, and I tried to make the point that the Twilight vampires are “fantasy” vamps rather than “horror” vamps. I also argued that vampires have moved from villains in the early days, to anti-heroes after Anne Rice, to straightforward heroes in books such as Twilight.
I also gave a panel on writing and had about five folks, including a young man of High School age to whom I gave a copy of Write With Fire. I didn’t think it went all that well but I did get a lot of questions and that was good.
I sold a few books at the Howard panel but that was about it. I bought a lot of books, though. The CONtraflow charity was the New Orleans library and they had a book sale table there where I spent a considerable sum of money. I was glad the Dealer’s Room had a couple of book tables since fewer and fewer cons have much in the way of books in the dealer’s rooms these days.
I put in about fifteen straight hours today and got a lot done, but certainly not enough. A few more fifteen hour days should get me caught up at least, although not ahead. What I’d like to work on is a set of galleys for a new collection of my stories, which have been sitting on my computer for about two weeks without me even having time to look at them. This will be a collection of my hardcore horror work, which will be entitled In the Language of Scorpions. Maybe soon.
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23 comments:
Sounds like a great weekend.
That is a sweet title-I look forward to the collection.
Keith, tiring but very nice.
David J., I kind of like the title myself. It's a line from a poem I wrote once upon a time.
Great weekend, it seems ^^
About New orleans, Idon't know if you talk stillabout the disaster. but believe me, here is forgotten by the media
Just a quick stop by to say hi...Hi Charles.
Charles, were you able to point out that at least Ann Rice's vamps were interesting?? Unlike all these 'faux vamps'? I still tend to go old school with Barnabus Collins being the ultimate vampire. You know, sleep in coffin, wear a cape and NEED blood!
Deka, most of us have just gone on after the hurricane but I still see a lot of local discussion about it. I just got a research proposal on my desk from someone wanting to do research on it.
Mark, hi back. :)
Jodi, we did talk about Dark Shadows on the panel. Most everyone remembers old Barnabas fondly. And we talked about the comic, Crypt of Dracula.
I am in awe of all you do...
Thoroughly enjoyed your ater-action report here. Sounds fun, with interesting observations.
Good points on vampires. I was just reading about Vlad the Impaler, how his notorious exploits were early grist for the printing presses 500+ years ago and big sellers.
p.s. after-action . . .
Charles I look forward to your next book. Interesting that the first vampire book was 'The Vampyre', by Polidori, Byron's hairdresser. He took him to Mont Blanc with him. It's quite unmemorable apart from its historical place. I think the best thing penned by the Romantic crowd while there was young Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', which although immature in many ways, is a brilliant novel. We have Byron's 'Manfred' as gothic. And did you know Percy Shelley wrote a Gothic novel in 'Zastrozzi'? I think one of the enduring apppeals of the vampire myth has to lie in its sexual appeal. Is that connected to the overthrow of what the Elizabethans referred to as the little death do you think?
Interesting point about vampires.
I like the title of your collection!
Alex, I live tired.
Erik, humans love a scandle, and a big one is better than a small one.
Richard, I agree on Frankenstein. What incredible raw talent on display there. I will have to give some thought to your question. Interesting one.
I like reading about your conferences. It takes me into familiar territories which I used to do (in the past life:)). You get things done Charles and I admire that. I like the title of your collection.
O my word I would have loved the vampire one....I am huge Ann Rice vampire van....hmmm...
Go for the language of scorpions, sounds so kewl:)
Oceangirl, thanks. I like that title too. I enjoy coming up with titles a lot.
Drizel, We talked about Ann Rice. I actually heard a tape recorded message from her the week before that was sent to her fan club in New Orleans for the annual vampire ball.
Sounds like you were busy. I would love to send you all my sitting on the couch-watching-t.v. time so you could get in those 16 hour days, but I don't think I can figure the time-space continuum to do it. Sorry.
Carole, I could use it at the moment
Cons are always fun. Wish I had time for more.
Sounds like an interesting weekend...
I think I would have liked to have sat in on the vampire panel. I wonder what it says about societal change if vampires go from horrors to heroes.
dunno whether to be sad, few showed for your writing panel, or glad, which means some wannabes got it in their heads, writing well truly is one of the most difficult undertakings one can take...
glad things went well, overall
Sidney, I don't travel for 'em anymore but if they are close.
Sage, was indeed.
X-Dell, I know. It's interesting, but I've seen it happen in literature before. It's already happened somewhat with serial killers. look at Dexter.
Laughingwolf, eh you win some and lose some
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