What. A. BLAST!! Those are the only words I need to describe ConCarolinas.
After a long-awaited convention hiatus, I finally got up the nerve (and got my vaccine) to attend a convention this past weekend and this was the one I chose. I can't believe how much I missed these things. And judging from the attendance, I wasn't the only one.
Now before you say anything, I didn't attend as a guest. I attended as a fan to support my author friends who had the sense enough--unlike me--to sign up for this in 2020. I found out that since the convention didn't happen physically last year, they bumped up the guests to this year. Who would've thought? Had I known then what I know now, I would've signed up as a guest for 2020.
Nevertheless, I was amazing and exciting to see my friends there. It was almost like a reunion of sorts. I tried to hit all of their panels, but I know for a fact that I missed at least two and that bummed me out. But still, I got to see them, hug them (we all had been vaccinated), and hang out with them. That's what matters in the end.
The kiddo and I went and she had a blast, too. In fact, she had such a good time that she wants to take on DragonCon now. Uhhh. Oh boy. *sweating*
Don't get me wrong,I love DragonCon, but boy is that a monstrosity of a convention, and I mean that in a good way. When I say monstrosity, I mean in terms of the hordes of people who go. I think the last time I went, about 70,000+ people had attended that year. It's crazy, wild, and like a Disneyland of conventions all rolled in one. I love it!! But, it can be overwhelming all at the same time. So, to make sure she has a chance to experience it, we're going as fans and she's planning to cosplay as Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler.
But back to ConCarolinas.
Even though I didn't get a chance to be on a panel, I did get called out by my fabulous editor, Nicole Givens Kurtz, to talk about my experience of working with a publisher and my contribution to SLAY, A Message in a Vessel. That was really cool! I haven't had to speak about anything I've written in a while and even then, it was as my other alter ego. And before I forget, my next manuscript is already in Nicole's hands. So cross your fingers she likes it.
Anyway, I would definitely attend another ConCarolinas--eyeballing 2022--and this time as V.G. Harrison with some books in tow. But, if I do that, I'm going to be thinking about new bookcovers, too.
Next stop DragonCon!!