I make no secret of the fact I’m a total fangirl and geek at heart. I know far more than a person should admit about Superman and Star Wars mythology. I have spent probably a good portion of my young life glued to the boob tube ooooh-ing and ahhhhh-ing over shows like “The X-Files,” “Supernatural,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Oh yeah, and there’s my newest obsession — “True Blood” and Eric Northman. Yum.
I’ve wanted to go to Comic Con and DragonCon for years and years and years, but I always get the same response from my friends. “Ewww. No, Angie. No.”
I finally decided, to heck with it, and I made the journey alone to Atlanta for a day this year for the 25th anniversary of DragonCon. I did it under the pretense of research. You know, because they have authors who attend DragonCon for signings and stuff.
DragonCon is the southeast’s largest comic book/sci-fi/fantasy/gaming convention. Yes, it would be fair to imagine me rubbing my hands in delight and drooling over the schedule. It’s true. I embarrass even my cat. Poor kitty.
After my day-long adventure at this year’s DragonCon, I can now safely say that you haven’t lived until you’re hanging on a street corner waiting on the light to change behind a Jack Sparrow and wedged in between a Gumby and a chick poured into a leather X-Men costume that looks dangerously close to popping off her.
I swear I tried to play it cool by walking around in my plain clothes, pretending I was just a causal attendee, but I just couldn’t stop myself from stopping and staring in fangirl delight whenever I saw a Stormtrooper walk past me, or hey, wow! Look at that epic Sailor Moon costume over there! (Jumps up and down with delight)
By the skin of my teeth, I managed to squeeze into the Q&A panel with “True Blood” stars. I mention this only because Ms. Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse books, was also on the panel. Yes, I fangirl over authors too.
It warmed my heart to see so many DragonCon guests asking Ms. Harris questions instead of the actors. Authors rule! And it made my heart leap with joy when Ms. Harris responded to one person’s question by saying, “My first book in this series was rejected 10 times before anyone wanted to publish it. Now when I think of those 10 publishers, I wish I could tell them —“ pointed at the actors beside her “— ha ha!”
What kind of world do we live in if even the Sookie Stackhouse books were initially rejected?!
Needless to say, I had a blast at DragonCon, and I can’t wait to go back next year. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could round up some fellow fantasy/paranormal authors to go with me to do a group booksigning?
That reminds me, if you haven’t read Abby Niles’ book “Defying Convention,” you are missing out. I laughed so hard before I could relate, and yes, I am gonna have to go back and read it again now that I’ve actually been to a convention. I'll probably be in stitches!
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