Convention Recap: Multiverse 2022

Sadly Multiverse is now in the rearview mirror. Because this was hands down the best con I have attended not named Dragon Con, and really the rest don't even come all that close. I am kicking myself for not taking Friday off so that I could enjoy the programming on that day, and I will certainly be remediying that next year.

Friday:

After a day of work and a hellish drive to Atlanta I found my way to the Hotel where I was staying, that hosted Multiverse. I arrived after registration had closed down, which meant I had to miss any of the late night programming. What I didn't have to miss was hanging out in the bar with a ton of great folks. When you sit down at a table and across from you is Jeff Strand, you know you are in for a treat. I got to share drinks with friends like John Hartness, Rachel A. Brune, and Venessa Giunta, as well as meet new folks like Jeff and Darrell Grizzle. I stayed up way too late of course, which would be the theme of the weekend, but it was worth it. Around 1ish I crawled into bed, in an attempt to hit the next day well rested.

Saturday:

I started by munching a bagel, then getting to hang with Rachel up until it was time to go to the first panel of the day. 'What's Next In Horror Publishing?' was very informative, as was the following panel, 'Selling at Conventions.' Then I took a break to go find food, hang out a bit with Darrell, check out the Writing Tribe meetup where I got to meet a bunch of rad folks, and then go try to watch some of the Bama/Tennessee game. Which ended up turning into a nap, until it was time to hit the 'Business Planning for Authors' panel. One thing that was really cool for me was the fact that in both the 'Selling' and 'Business Panels' I didn't really learn all that much...because most of the things they recommended that folks be doing, I already am. I of course got some nuance and a few tips on how to do the things I am doing better, but it was so nice to know that I'm not out here totally fucking up. Well, I mean I am, but at least not in this realm!

Somewhere during all this I wandered into the vendor hall. I managed to not purchase any physical books, instead grabbing cards so I can scoop up the Kindle versions. And I was going to behave and not buy my usual too much art. I had every intention in fact. Then Rachel all but grabbed my wallet and flung it open at the very first artist I came upon. It was all up/down hill from there, and as always, I bought more art than I have wall space for. Damn you Brune!

After that I joined Darrell, Jeff, and a few others for supper at a nearby restaurant. Sated, I wandered into the after hours Adult Storytime Panel. Mother of god, it was the most I have laughed in a panel since the Hentai Dubbing Panel at Dragoncon that had the Obama impersonator. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you are at a Con and see a Storytime Panel hosted by Venessa Giunta, GO. Don't walk, run.

With the content done for the day I got down to the real business: hitting the bar. It was here that I finally got to hang out with Joe Compton (pictured above), which had been a long time coming. Alongside Adam Stemple and Jim Nettles we closed down the bar. Then we wandered outside by the firepits. Joe produced a sack full of Guiness, like the Irish Santa you always wished would show up. And though Adam didn't partake, the rest of us did. Until 3:30am, where the debate became should we just stay up until our next panel. If there had been a Waffle House within walking distance, I think we would have. We were having that kind of magically fun night, just enjoying each others company while swapping the insane stories of our lives (authors universally have bizarre lives it seems), and we didn't want it to end. But all good things must pass, and as one of those good things, I went and passed....out.

Sunday:

A brutally short time later my alarm went off. Grabbing a bagel and a shower I got ready. I managed to track down some caffeine, then made my way into the Write Track panel room. I was a panelist on 'Social Media and Digital Marketing for Authors' (thanks Venessa!), and I like to think I did a pretty good job on there. It was fun, and I got to at least bask in the knowledge that Joe and Jim were on the panel with me, and equally as miserable.

Once that was done I joined my nemesis, author Madilynn Dale and Joe for a live stream discussion of Multiverse over on the GoIndieNow channel. We were joined initially by the ineffable Adam Geffen, and then briefly by Jim Nettles, as we talked about how our con went. So if you want to hear more than just my written rambles here, and listen to other more reputable folks chat about how it went, check out the video below.

When we wrapped that up it was time for me to hit the road. I wished I could have stayed longer, but frankly I hadn't gotten to see the LadyFriend since Monday morning, and I just wanted to get home to her and the KitKats. But all in all it was a mind-blowing experience, and I wish it didn't have to end. 10/10, this Con, like Dragon Con, has made the list of Cons I will now be attending forever.