This week, Ian and I are paying a visit to RENOvation. It’s Worldcon, a very large fan convention that hosts many authors, editors, agents, artists, costume makers, game designers, cartoonists, and much more. To give you an idea of what to expect, George R. R. Martin, Dr. Demento, and Brandon Sanderson are here, to name a very few.
This is the first time we’ve attended something so large, and I’ve got to say I’m a bit nervous. I was able to formulate a kind of itinerary of my own. It goes something like this;
Keep Eyes Open
This also includes “Pen ready” and “camera on”. I might be so busy that I won’t have the time to really internalize everything I take in until later… but I can sure be ready to absorb. Information, good vibe, awesome art; I’m open to Zing of all kinds.
Turn Smile On
Elana Johnson offered me this tidbit of advice; “Put aside all your insecurities and talk to everyone.” That’s pretty much become my creed for this entire event. The most important thing I can do at this con isn’t get inspiration for a story (I’ve got enough of those unwritten!) or sell a book (which isn’t ready yet). No, the best thing I can do is involve myself in the community. To get to know other people that are as serious about this as I am? Heavuuuuuun…
Have a Blast
I don’t know if I can avoid this part, but specifically I mean taking the time to really enjoy every minute. Even during rest moments I can be soaking it up in the dealer’s room, admiring people’s art or visiting the gaming area. Heck, standing around talking will probably be a blast here. I intend to soak it up.
Samuel Loveland 
That’s fantastic! Do have a blast!. Elana’s very wise. Definitely take her advice. Besides that, the writing community peeps are awesome and fun to get to know.
Psst… there’s a pretty good-sized library across the street in that thing they like to call a mall (Reno Town Mall). Today, 7 different authors (see below) are taking an hour each to speak at the library (Sierra View Library).
From http://www.washoecounty.us/library/
Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention, will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center from August 17-21. The convention, sponsored by the World Science Fiction Society, is expected to attract more than 4,000 science fiction devotees for four days of programs, special events, an art show, exhibits, a masquerade and awards.
Washoe County Library System is proud to be part of this major convention that draws sci-fi fans from around the world. An “Authors in the Library” event will take place at Sierra View Library, 4001 South Virginia St., on Wednesday, August 17, starting at 11 a.m.
“Authors in the Library” will include author readings, question and answer sessions and autographs from some of the greatest science fiction authors of our time. Below are names and brief biographies of the authors who are scheduled to attend. Please call Sierra View Library at 827-3232 for details. For information about Renovation, please see http://www.renovationsf.org/
Schedule and author biographies:
Cory Doctorow – 11-11:45 a.m.
Cory Doctorow is a science fiction author, activist, journalist and blogger— co-editor of Boing Boing and the author of Tor Teens/HarperCollins UK novels like For the Win and Little Brother. He is the former European director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. His upcoming books are Context (an essay collection,) Anda’s Game (graphic novel,) Outspoken Authors (chapbook), Pirate Cinema (YA novel), Rapture of the Nerds (novel with Charles Stross). Born in Toronto, Canada, Cory now lives in London.
Walter Jon Williams – noon-12:45 p.m.
Williams’ first novel to attract serious public attention was Hardwired (1986), described by Roger Zelazny as “a tough, sleek juggernaut of a story, punctuated by strobe-light movements, coursing to the wail of jets and the twang of steel guitars.” In 2001 he won a Nebula Award for his novelette, “Daddy’s World,” and won again in 2005 for “The Green Leopard Plague.” He is the author of 27 novels and three collections of short fiction. His latest book is Deep State, a near-future thriller set in the world of alternate reality gaming. He was a writer for the alternate reality game Last Call Poker, and has scripted the recent mega-hit game Spore.
Connie Willis – 1-1:45 p.m.
Connie Willis is the award-winning author of Doomsday Book, To Say Nothing of the Dog, Passage, Bellwether, The Winds of Marble Arch, and numerous short stories. She has won six Nebulas and 10 Hugo Awards in multiple categories. Her two-volume novel Blackout/All Clear is about time travelers trapped in the London Blitz and is nominated for a Hugo this year. She is currently working on an alien abduction novel involving UFOs, Roswell, Las Vegas and Area 51. It is, of course, a comedy.
Jo Walton – 2-2:45 p.m.
Jo Walton is a science fiction and fantasy writer. She has published two poetry collections and nine novels, most recently Among Others (Tor, 2011). She has won the John W. Campbell Award (2002), the World Fantasy Award (2004), the Prometheus Award (2008) and the Mythopoeic Award (2010). She reads a lot and blogs about it on Tor.com. She now lives in Montreal but was born in Wales.
Steven Gould – 3-3:45 p.m.
Gould is a science fiction author and teacher. His debut novel, Jumper (1992) portrays a young boy who discovers that he can teleport. A sequel, Reflex, was published in 2004, and in 2008 Jumper was made into a movie. Other novels by Gould include Wildside, Greenwar, Helm, Blind Waves and his latest, 7th Sigma, published this year by Tor. Steven lives in Albuquerque with his wife, author Laura J. Mixon.
Sharon Lee & Steve Miller – 4-4:45 p.m.
Lee and Miller have written 16 science fiction novels, most set in the Liaden Universe —a space opera geography of their own devising. They have also written two dark fantasy novels and dozens of short stories. In addition to collaborative works, Sharon has published two Maine mysteries, and a contemporary fantasy set in an only-slightly fictional Maine resort town. Brand-new Liaden novel Ghost Ship is due out from Baen in early August 2011.
Carol Berg – 5-5:45 p.m.
Since her first novel was published in 2000, Carol has taught writing in the US, Europe, Canada and Israel. Her 12 mythic fantasy novels have earned national and international acclaim and multiple awards. Her 2011 novel, The Soul Mirror, received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, which called it “Compelling and altogether admirable.” Her forthcoming book is The Daemon Prism (Roc, 2011). Carol lives in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.