Convention Recap: Dragon Con 2022

So sadly I have returned from the wonderous space and time that is DragonCon, back to reality. But I thought I would offer a quick recap blog to hit the highlights!

First and foremost I was able to jump on my very first DragonCon panel! It was titled 'Indie Publishing vs Traditional Publishing,' which as you can imagine was right up my alley! It was moderated by the excellent Venessa Giunta, the head of the Writing Tribe on facebook (which you should check out if you are a writer). Sharing the panelist role with me were: Terry Maggert, Michael R. Miller, Oriana Shani Leckert, James P. Nettles, and Alexander Gideon.

I got to spend a lot of time hanging out with Ben Meeks, one of my favorite author buds. It's always great hanging out and talking writing, he's someone very much on the grind like me, looking to have that big break out moment. So it's nice to be able to commiserate and scheme together.

I also got a great tip from John Hartness, who I got to spend a decent chunk of time with: 'When on a panel, don't talk about your book, talk about your craft.' It's solid advice, and something I will make sure to keep in mind as I guess on other panels in the future.

As for other authors, I got to meet/have good talks with a variety of folks. Darin Kennedy, Bobby Nash, Alexander Gideon, Joelle Reizes, James P. Nettles, and no doubt lots of others who I have likely forgotten because I'm trash like that.

Some panels/events I went to that I enjoyed: Grave Humor: Comedy in Horror Fiction, The Fantasy Gather, Paranormal Florida, Best Writers Con Ever, You Couldn't Do It Without Me: Secondary Characters in UF, Starfleet Medical Discusses Real World Medical Advances, Curse Like A Brit, and Hunting Monsters.

Of course I also hit up the Art Show, Vendor Hall, and Comic and Pop Art Gallery. The last is where I got to take a moment and talk to my favorite comic artist of all time, Ben Templesmith, who was just as awesome in person as I had imagined.

I do wish I had been able to do a bit more networking and panel going...but there are only so many hours in the day! Plus, I got a pair of gnarly blisters on my pinkie toes thanks to some new shoes, which left me a bit more hobbled than I would have liked, precluding me from going to the Writing Tribe Tea.

The food was great as always, and the people watching was top notch. We got to stay in the Westin once again (second year in a row), which has fast become my favorite hotel I have stayed in for the con. I went with the best group of folks as well, though I may be slightly biased in that regard...

Anywho, my goals for next year:

• Get on a lot more panels. My goal is six, now that I know a little better how to go about it.

• Network more. This is such a great chance to talk to the pros in my field, I need to make the most of it.

• Bring books to sell at the Fantasy Gather if allowed.

• Get some badge ribbons made?