It wasn’t until mid-2019 that I learned about conventions for speculative fiction literature. In this particular case, a close friend of mine strongly suggested that I should register for LibertyCon. I bought my first pass on July 13, 2019.
Little did I know then that the world would change, and it would take me three years to attend my first literary convention.
In June 2022, I attended LibertyCon, where I met a lot of very successful authors. I attended numerous panels and learned quite a bit. But that was not the amazing part. Valuable, absolutely, but not amazing.
No, the amazing part was getting to talk to people. First, my friend, Jay Maynard, the Tron Guy, took me around the con and introduced me to many different people. And not just influential fans but fellow authors. I spoke about theoretical faster-than-light travel with Stephanie Osborn and genetic engineering with Dr. Robert E. Hampson. I was asked to read and give thoughts about The Spacetime War by Les Johnson after winning a copy from Toni Weisskopf in the Baen Traveling Road Show. (My sincerest apologies to Mr. Johnson for not having finished his novel yet!) I even got to listen to David Weber speak. (Admittedly, I could have jumped into the conversation, but I was maybe a little star-struck. Sorry, David!)
I even met an editor that I hope will give me helpful feedback on Whispered Skirmish now that the novel is complete. (Oh, yeah, sorry about the radio silence in my blog here, my master’s program has taken its toll on me.)
LibertyCon was a marvelous experience. One I fully intend to do again next year.
But that’s not where the real surprise lay. Let’s fast forward to September 16, 2022. Insert time warp graphic here.
At FenCon XVIII, there were a lot of people I didn’t know. This time, I didn’t have the luxury of a guide walking me around the place and introducing me to folks. What amazed me is that folks who were in Tennessee back in June remembered who I was from LibertyCon. I went to Dr. Hampson after the opening ceremonies, and he instantly recognized me. Of course, he is a neuroscientist specializing in memory, but it surprised me that he remembered me. Stephanie also recognized me. That, to me, was absolutely amazing. And both of them seemed happy to hear my novel was scribbled out and in the revision and editing phase. That meant a lot to me.
That circles us back to the other half of this topic. Literary citizenship. This is such a vague, uncertain topic on the surface. For one thing, I have never found a definition of what it is. But, now that I have experienced it, I know it.
I define literary citizenship as “interacting with fellow authors and readers in a positive and supportive way.” Dr. Hampson practices literary citizenship because he is so approachable. If you come up to him, holding him on a pedestal, he will jump off so he can talk to you directly. And he is very good at it.
As the guest of honor, Dr. Hampson ensured he was reachable. Instead of hiding, he would often sit in the lobby area and talk to people. Sometimes he’d talk fiction, sometimes theory, and sometimes serious medicine. He is a fantastic gentleman.
In fact, there’s an amusing little tale here from LibertyCon. I’d attended his Saturday reading from his latest novel and wanted to ask about my created “anthromorphs.” I caught him as he was rushing to another panel or class and was quick about my explanation. Well, he said it wasn’t possible and rushed off. I was a little disappointed that my theories were inaccurate, but not with how he handled the situation.
After closing ceremonies on Sunday, Dr. Hampson called me over, and he actively apologized for dismissing me out of hand. I didn’t feel (and still don’t) that I was dismissed, but it was appreciated. He then started probing deeper into my species and theory and agreed it was possible. He went so far as to explain how it could be done and many of the unknowns we would have to solve to make it happen.
Doctor Hampson’s handling of his perceived slight against me shows just how much literary citizenship means to him, regardless of how he may label the concept. (I am not sure if he would call it “literary citizenship” or something else.) I can only hope that I maintain the humility and integrity that he exhibited toward me.
Stephanie Osborn is also approachable. When she’s not talking in a panel, she is often found at her table in the dealer’s area. At LibertyCon, I think I spent 20 or 30 minutes talking to her about theories of faster-than-light travel, and pretty well nailed down what theory I am going to use.
To me, this is literary citizenship. And this is what I will strive to do as I establish myself as an author in the speculative fiction community.