Writer's First Worldcon

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I first attended a professional speculative conference in 2023 when I attended World Fantasy Convention. It was in Kansas City, my hometown, so that made it easy. Since then, I’ve attended two Nebula Award conferences. And just last weekend, my first World Science Fiction Convention, AKA Worldcon.

I have a pattern with these. The first time I go, I don’t really know what to expect. By the time I’m done, I know how to do it better the next time. To be clear, I mean better FOR ME. Everybody is in a different place in their writing career, so what they need is different. Some early-careers writers are trying to meet agents or publishers. Fortunately, I have both right now, so that’s not my focus.

Some writers are trying to just meet their heroes. Some are trying to attend panels to absorb information. You get the picture.

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Worldcon is a different beast from World Fantasy or the Nebula Awards. Those conferences are aimed squarely at industry folks. Worldcon, on the other hand, is also open to fans. Sure, there are industry people there. There are workshops and networking events. There are also parties and cosplay and vendors aimed squarely at the fans.

How Did I Worldcon?

So, what did I do at Worldcon? I started by attending panels. Lots of panels. I’m of the belief that there’s always something to learn from everyone. Sure, I have an MFA and I’m nearing mid-career in terms of my writing, but I still jotted down at least one note from every panel I attended. I went to panels based on the information rather than who was presenting, so I didn’t just run to panels featuring Martha Wells or other big-name guests.

But that wasn’t the right way to do it. Not for me. After meeting up with my friend Elise Stephens, she reminded me that I needed to be spending my time networking. Sure, I already have an agent and a publishers, but connections are still SO important. And that’s absolutely true. I met Elise at World Fantasy. I have friends like Philip Drayer Duncan, J.H. Fleming, Greg Leunig, and Mary Robinette Kowal that I met at conventions. Finding and fostering those relationship aren’t just good for my career, but they’re good for my soul.

Still, I had some pretty cool experiences at Worldcon. Elise and I sang “Phantom of the Opera” at the SFWA karaoke party. I took part in the speculative poetry workshop, finally helping me understand the intersection of my speculative and poetry brains. I absolutely met new people, exchanging business cards and bookmarks. Annalee Newitz sat next to met at a Concurrent panel, and that was a delight.

And my wife and I got to enjoy Seattle a bit. It is our favorite American city.

How I’m Going to Worldcon

For next time? While I’m not sure if I’ll be attending LACon next year, I will certainly be attending future Worldcons. I need to prioritize networking in the future, as I said. I also need to be on panels, not just sitting in the audience and taking notes. Maybe it’s my theatre background, but I’m good in front of a crowd. I also love educating, so I relish any opportunity to prepare for a panel and talk in depth on a subject.

I also feel that speaking on panels is the best thing for my career at these events. I’ve always met people and sparked discussions after these panels. I’ve also generated book sales from these panels.

Why do I share all of this? If you’re a writer attending a professional convention, give yourself some grace. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to “do it right,” but to learn what’s best for you, then do that in the future.

Also, go meet people. Yeah, most writer are pretty socially awkward, but it’s so important.