By Diana Tixier Herald
I’m in Atlanta at DragonCon, a huge convention that focuses on science fiction and fantasy in all its different formats. In addition to the 30,000 plus attendees, stars of page and screen are abundantly present. Costuming is a major attraction, with people dressed in a variety of costumes from intricate renaissance gowns, to sexy almost not there whisps of sheer fabric, to big, heavy, furry full coverage costumes. For some of the programs featuring movie and TV stars, participants stand in line for hours to be admitted to the rooms.
Fortunately, even though the book events are well attended, everyone who wants to attend usually can get into the room. However, a panel on “steampunk” books had people lined up for yards and yards to get in. I suspect that many of the people in the line attired in neo-Victorian attire probably were there because they saw the “steampunk” and missed the “book” part.
There are several different book related tracks. I’m here to appear on panels in the Young Adult track, along with people like Tamora Pierce, award winning fantasy author, Bonnie Kunzel, co-author of Fluent in Fantasy: The Next Generation, Susan Fichtelberg, author of Encountering Enchantment, and Heidi Anne Heiner of SurLaLune Fairy Tales. Other tracks that feature book related content include the SF Literature track, the Dark Fantasy track, and a few tracks that focus on specific authors and series such as Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time track and Anne McCaffrey’s Weyrfest track. Fun!
