Random Readercon notes I

Without going into my prior rant about charges for internet access at relatively pricey hotels, this is the first time I’ve had an opportunity to post anything on Readercon. It would be far too difficult (and likely boring to the reader) to go into detail about the various panels and discussions I’ve attended. Instead, I’m going to just do a couple posts of general thoughts and observations. The other will come after the con ends Sunday.

• I guessed right in thinking that if I were ever going to attend a science fiction convention, this is probably the right one. Virtually the entire focus is on books, writing and reading. I would wager that at least a third of the people waiting for the next panel or something else are reading a book while they are waiting.
• There are a few people who seem, at least from my perspective, to have crossed the line from interest in to total obsession with SF and fantasy, particularly the latter. I am also somewhat of an outsider, as so many of the attendees are from the northeastern U.S. (the con is in Burlington, Mass.), resulting in significant groupings of acquaintances and friends. Many of the pros and dealers are surprised that I came from South Dakota for the con. Still, the, shall we say, extremists are certainly a minority. Moreover, the writers, editors and critics I’ve met and talked with are very articulate, highly intelligent and extremely friendly.
• Most of the panels have been enjoyable and thought-provoking. It is refreshing to see such attention and devotion to SF and fantasy as legitimate literature and to engage in serious discussions about its various aspects and influences and where it’s been, where it is and where it may be going.
• There are thousands of new and used books and publications for sale in the con “bookstore.” So far, I have been fairly well behaved. At this point it looks like I’ll return home with six books, two-thirds of which will be autographed or inscribed.

Readercon founder Bob Colby