Tuesday, June 22, 2021

A Few Quiet Words of Thanks for the People Putting on Discon III

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Yesterday, I reserved my hotel room for Discon III. And that put me in mind of the first and only time I was on a con committee.

This was in the 1970s, before I made my first sale. I'd only been to a few science fiction conventions but I knew the guy in charge of putting on a con whose name I conveniently forget and, doubtless for reasons of fannish politics, he filled the committee with his friends, despite the fact we none of us had any experience at the tasks we were assigned.

Long story, short. I did a terrible job. And I've never volunteered to serve again. Because even if everything goes perfectly, your reward for putting on a convention is not getting to experience it.

So I'd like to express my gratitude to the Discon III staff, both present and past. That includes everybody who quit for reasons of principle and everybody who decided to tough it out, also for reasons of principle.

This has been a star-crossed year for the Worldcon. I won't bother to list all the problems: Acts of God, acts of Man, acts of Fans. We all know them. It must have been maddening to be at the white-hot center of them all.

Which makes this a good time to say: Thank you.

I've got my room and I've got my membership and I'm looking forward to the first ever Christmas Worldcon with glad anticipation. After this past year, I really need it.

And my past record proves that I couldn't have done it without you.


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3 comments:

Meg Phillips said...

I remember well the joys and pains of cons gone by. I keep trying to get one last con but it just hasn't worked except for the virtual ones this past year.

I agree anyone who is helping put on these events deserves giant thank yous and appreciation for taking on the job!

Hugs

Cat Rambo said...

Looking forward to seeing you at Discon this year. :)

Allen said...

On an unrelated note, I just finished reading iron dragon's daughter for probably the 8th time! Amazing book. Probably my all time favorite. Thanks for writing it!!!