ConQuesT39 Roundup

Or...Sandy Lender enjoyed her participation in the Sci-Fi Fantasy Convention last weekend

From panels on blogging to sci-fi and fantasy content, from signing to reading scenes from Choices Meant for Gods, I had an active convention experience at ConQuesT39 over Memorial Day Weekend. The Kansas City Science Fiction & Fantasy Society invited a variety of speakers to educate and entertain attendees, and everyone seemed at least entertained. :)

Watching the security detail detain a man for being "too hot to wear that kilt," I decided security was best avoided at this con. (Much like the police in Collier County, Fla., they didn't need a real excuse to pull you over...) But my friend Sunshine won a free movie pass to a Kansas City area theatre by spinning the Wheel O' Death in the security area. Go figure!

My friends Christine and Marly, who drove over from St. Louis for the event, were particularly thrilled with the Dr. Who screenings Saturday evening. My roommate from college and her husband, Kim and Chris, enjoyed the masquerade Saturday night. The gaming room was packed to what looked like capacity every time I passed the open doors with people earnestly hunkered over boards and tables and each other...It looked intense at times. The readings garnered attention from folks seeking new authors (which pleased me) and the autograph sessions gave me an opportunity to meet some new contacts.

If anyone reading the blog was there, please leave a comment about your experience. I can only speak from one point of view, but it was a very positive view. I'm looking forward to next year's con. And if you were there and didn't get your copy of Choices Meant for Gods, you can order it at the publisher's site or at Amazon.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, ConQuesT39, blogging, Dr. Who, dragon

The Two Posts Today
Or…You're either here for the Duran Story or the Author Island contest excerpt

Either way, what you want is right below this post. This is just your explanation so you know you're in the right spot. Because first, we have the inspirational quote of the day. (It's just the way we do things here at The Dragon, in case you're a new visitor. And if you're a new visitor: WELCOME!)

Also, if you're a new visitor, this is Sandy Lender's official main blog where each day (except today) I post a Word of the Day with a clever and sometimes humorous use and give you the opportunity to use it in your own creative and sometimes humorous sentence in the comment field (see past posts for examples). Each day we also have the quote of the day to get you fired up for creativity or coping with whatever you might have happening in your life. And there's sometimes an extra post about writing or marketing or an interview with an author or a book review or a contest announcement or an update on one of my book releases or a scene from the books, etc. You get the idea. Today…we're going to rave about meeting Duran Duran (because that's freakin' inspiring) and I'll post a scene for the contest I'm "doing" during the Author Island all-day chat today.

Visit www.authorisland.com for info on the chat. It's a great chance to meet new authors and hear about new books while discussing recipes and books with other readers.

Visit my publisher's site for info on my fantasy novel, Choices Meant for Gods.

To comment and drive traffic about the ConQuesT39 convention where I'll be speaking this weekend, visit Tina Murray's blog, Jamieson Wolf's blog, Nigel's blog or the Author Island blog. There may be more soon, and I'll let you know as they pop up.

Tuesday's Inspirational Quote of the Day
"Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances which we know to be desperate."
— G.K. Chesterton

Fantasy Author Sandy Lender wishes you a great and hope-filled day!
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: inspirational quote, quote of the day, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, dragon, hope, G.K. Chesterton, Duran Duran, Author Island, Choices Meant for Gods, ConQuesT39

ConQuesT39 Announces Faculty List with Sandy Lender

Or...The Dragon's going to Kansas City for ConQuesT39 over Memorial Day weekend

In exciting news, the organizers of this year's ConQuesT in Kansas City, Mo., mailed out the Faculty Handbook for Fandom University. That's right: if you're a sci-fi/fantasy/horror fan, you're in for a schedule sure to set your imagination alight at Fanimal House 2008 this May 23-25 at the Airport Hilton in good ol' K.C., Mo. Yours truly, Fantasy Author Sandy Lender, will be on hand to speak about blogging and trends in homosexuality in sci-fi/fantasy lit, and to read from my first fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods. If you bring your copy to the autograph session Saturday at 4:30 (or any other time you bump into me at the con), I'd be happy to personalize it for you.

Now, there's more to draw you to ConQuesT than my happy mug. The special media guests this year are Ellen Muth of Dead Like Me and Jeff East of Young Clark Kent. The guest of honor is Joe R. Lansdale; the artist guest of honor is David Lee Anderson; and the toastmaster is Wm. Mark Simmons.

Seminar tracts include anime, blogging, British TV, comedy, creative writing and publishing, filk, gaming, literature, science and more. Saturday night's masquerade promises to be a Kodak moment and the Story-in-a-Bag contest should bring plenty of laughs (with prizes). It's going to be a great event, and I encourage anyone who hasn't already made plans to consider getting out to Kansas City for the long weekend. The festivities end with "graduation" Sunday afternoon so you have plenty of driving time on Memorial Day...

Down to business: If you'd like more information about ConQuesT39, check out the site here.

If you need a copy of Choices Meant for Gods, get free two-day shipping at Amazon here. I'll have some copies on hand that I can sell and sign on-site, but you shouldn't count on the dealers in the dealer room being well-stocked. I've learned from past conventions that they don't always communicate well with the distributors like Ingrams and Baker & Taylor.

Hope to see you in Kansas City over Memorial Day weekend!

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: ConQuesT39, fantasy, blogging, Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, Ellen Muth, Jeff East, dragon