I've just arrived home after my first World Fantasy Convention. I had a really fantastic time attending panels, going to readings, and meeting new people. Originally, I wasn't thrilled about having the con in Saratoga Springs, NY. However, after seeing the town and the surroundings, I was sold on the location. The con hotel was easy to get to and parking was free. The main street filled with lots of little shops and eateries was right outside – perfect for stepping outside for a quick bite to eat or a caffeine reload. All in all, it was a fine location.

The number of people who attended the con was staggering. I am the girl who doesn't like crowds. Put me inside a building with 1,000+ other people and I'm the one that will slip out the back door unnoticed. But WFC was different. For some reason, it felt like I was just hanging out with a bunch of friends. It was great! I have never seen so many writers, editors, and publishers all in the same place at the same time. It was utterly amazing to be surrounded by everyone from newbie writers to top tier publishers and authors like Gene Wolf and Jefferey Ford.

I went to several panels, but thought the best panel was "The Legacy of Shirley Jackson". There was some panelist switching and I think the final mix was Charlaine Harris, Alexandra Sokoloff, James Frenkel, Kelly Link, and John Kessel (who ended up being the moderator). John Kessel gave a brief introduction of Jackson's history and posed a variety of questions to the panel members that ranged from "Which of Jackson’s short stories is your favorite?" to "How has Jackson's work evolved in the public mind over time?" There were an array of other probing questions that examined horror themes, point of view, feminism, humanism, and more – all of which the panel really sank their teeth into. The answers were thoughtful and full of content that continuously spawned more discussion. I was very impressed by this group and the insight they brought to the topic. I wish all panels could be as intellectually stimulating as the Shirley Jackson panel.

( Click Here for More of Erin's WFC Report. )