We have achieved Richmond

[jeanmarieward]

 Roomie Jana Oliver and I arrived safe and sound, and ate at a fabulous seafood joint, Croaker's Spot, in one of Richmond's more historic neighborhoods.  I never realized how much Richmond architecture resembles New Orleans'.  Hope to do some touring tomorrow in the Shockoe Bottom district to see if it's a general trend.  Meanwhile, I thought I'd post my RavenCon schedule in case anyone can make it.

Friday, April 25

6 p.m.  Reinventing Paranormal: Making Love to an Alien, Fairy or Werewolf.  For my sins, I'm moderating this one.  There are only three--count 'em three--listed victims...er, participants, and I happen to know one of my co-panelists, jer_bear711, is taking a train that isn't scheduled to arrive in Richmond until 4:45 p.m.  It's gonna be close, folks.  Plus, the panel's supposed to be about injecting new life into the tropes of paranormal romance.  This one should be really interesting.  Hmm, wonder if it's too early to bring rum.

8 p.m.  Opening Ceremonies.  Not much for me to do there except stand around looking harmless.  Another challenge.  Guess I have to forego the rum.  Dang!


Saturday, April 26

9 a.m.  The Best Little Series You Never Saw.  Yes, you read that right--A.M.  Needless to say, I've written up copious notes on all the TV shows I loved which never made it past their first or second season, and brought toothpicks to prop my eyelids open so I could read them.

Noon.  Blogging for the Modern Day Writer.  It's a craft panel discussing the utility of blogs for new and established writers.  I'm moderating this one too, but a host of people are on the guest list, so there should be a lot of opinions to choose from.

7-10 p.m.  Book Launch/Pre-Publication Party.  With dessert!  And liquid-type stuff (for which we may need to card)!  In honor of Jeri's Wicked Game (first in a new series, pub. May 13) and Jana's Madman's Dance (third in her Time Rovers series, pub. September), we'll be opening the suite to friends, relatives and anyone who will consent to take home a bookmark and promise faithfully to buy...er, express interest in the books, including With Nine You Get Vanyr.  (Hey, I'm sharing the room too!)

9 p.m.  Le Bad Anime.  I'm gonna miss part of my own party!  Wah!  But at least I'll be able to dis my least favorite anime in the fashion they deserve.


Sunday, April 27

9 a.m.  Urban Fantasy.  Yes, another day for the toothpicks.  I think the programming director hates me.  And she doesn't even know me!  *sob*  The description of this panel poses the musical question: "Why are there werewolves, vampires and ghosts in a world that should be primarily fey?"  That buzzing you hear is my next attack of Devil's Advocate coming on strong.

2 p.m.  The Popularity of Parnormal in Both Nonfiction and Fiction.  The juxtaposition of both should give this panel a nice twist.


Hope to see you there!

Comments

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"and ate a fabulous seafood joint, Croaker's Spot"

My, you must have been hungry!

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks for the catch {{{{realthog}}}}. Fixed it. Hugs and smiles, Jean Marie

[squirrel-monkey.livejournal.com]

*Should be primarily fey?* Says who?

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Exactly! That only applies if you believe urban fantasy begins and ends with early Charles de Lint--which even he most assuredly does not. Something tells me there's going to be a lot of ad hoc retargeting of panels on the fly. Either that or my inner Devil's Advocate is going to have a field day.
I'm also considering volunteering for next year's programming committee, if only to keep myself off the red-eye panels. 11:30 p.m--no problem. 9 a.m.--you're kidding, right?
Cheers and smiles,
Jean Marie

[arhyalon.livejournal.com]

Wow, you put your panels on your blog, what a clever idea! I should do that from now on...both entertaining and a good chance to get my ideas together!

Wonderful sharing so many of the panels with you!

Jagi

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Ditto on the sharing! I was really fascinated by your descriptions of your Prospero's Daughter novels. I can't wait to see them in print. Fingers crossed all the production issues get resolved quickly so the books can make it to a bookstore near me soon.
As for posting the schedule, I stand on the shoulders of giants...unfortunately, they refuse carry me around the cons that way. (And I always wanted minions. *sigh*)
Hope to post some pictures of the con soon. If any shots of you or John turned out well I'll post them or forward via email.
Cheers and cyber-hugs,
Jean Marie

[arhyalon.livejournal.com]

So glad your interested in reading the Prospero novels. I'll keep you informed!!

I read about your book on your website. It sounds like great fun. Will it be at my local bookstore?

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *buffs nails*
Actually, all the good stuff in the novel was Teri. I'm the boring one. (And isn't that scary!)
Right now, Vanyr is hard to find in the stores. Small press novels (and Samhain was very small when they signed us) tend to vacate the shelves at Borders and B&N within six months of their release. But all Samhain books can be ordered through Borders, B&N or Amazon. Or Samhain itself.
No pressure or anything.
Hugs and grins,
Jean Marie

[cymreiges.livejournal.com]

"and ate a fabulous seafood joint, Croaker's Spot"

Truth is, we could have eaten the whole place. We were both starved and it took some time before the lone waitress (at least in our section) could get to us. The poor thing was moving as fast as she could.

"I'm the boring one."

I think the proper answer to this line is "Pull the other one, it's got bells on" (as the Brits would say). I just spent a weekend with this lady. Boring isn't her idiom.

Jana