Between the holidays, a nasty bout of the flu, and being busy with preparing Fall books for design and getting next spring’s books well on their way, I haven’t had much time to even think about what I’d post here lately. If you’re interested in my flittering day-to-day thoughts, follow me on Twitter—it’s not much more there lately, but it’s more!
I pop in here today to let you know about Life, the Universe, & Everything 29: The Marion K. “Doc” Smith Symposium on Science Fiction and Fantasy. I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about it in previous years—it’s one of the best little cons I’ve ever been to. It’s a local convention run by BYU students and Utah Valley residents who are fantasy & SF buffs. In recent years, it’s always been free. This year, they decided to charge a nominal amount so that the budget woes they’ve had to deal with (the previous venue required them to offer it for free) will be solved. But $20 still isn’t that much for a 2 or 3-day convention, and if you’re a BYU student/staff/faculty, you still get in free.
ETA: It’s not just BYU students, I’m told, that get in free. It’s anyone with a student ID, including other colleges and younger kids w/ student IDs for high school, for example. An email recently went out that if you home school, there are ways to show that too.
What will you get for your $20? Pretty much the best that Utah has to offer in science fiction and fantasy—and that’s saying a lot. James Dashner, the author of The Maze Runner, will be the Guest of Honor. My friends, authors Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells always go (though I don’t see Brandon on the schedule, so something may have come up for him), as well as webcomic artist Howard Tayler (the Writing Excuses trifecta). Tracy Hickman, Jessica Day George, Mette Ivie Harrison, Bree Despain, Janci Olds (who has a book forthcoming from Macmillan), Eric James Stone, Robert J. Defendi, Rebecca Shelley, John Brown, Larry Correia, Julie Wright, Robison Wells, Jake Black…
I know I missed somebody there. Oh—ME!
And it doesn’t matter if you’re an aspiring writer, a pro, or a fan—there’s something there for everyone.
Once my schedule is pinned down a little tighter, I’ll post it here. You’ve got a month to plan–if you’re in Utah (or want to take a trip there), plan for Feb. 17-19 at BYU. It’s no longer in the Wilkinson Center–it’s now hosted by Conferences and Workshops. Register here (or give them a call at the number on that page). That means better parking, even if there are fewer easy lunch options in the Conference Center on campus.
Hope to see you in Feb.!
Love LTUE. It’s sad that it’s gone pay, but I would have payed $40 for something like that, so I’d call $20 a win. Now the debate is on as to whether or not I want to do the dinner on the third day this time around.
Personally, I’m very happy they’ve started to charge. It’s a nominal fee for such a conference, and they’ve been in threat of losing the whole thing each year for several years because of lack of funding, despite attendance numbers that continue to shoot upward. And it’s still free for students, who are generally those who can’t afford it.
It’s not just BYU students who get in free: anyone with any current student ID gets in free too.
Cannot wait to go to this for the second year in a row. It makes me sad to think about all the years I missed it previous to finding out about it for the first time last year. I was wondering if you would be back, Stacy, and I am excited to find out more about all the panels.
Glad you’re coming! Tell all your friends. 🙂
I live too far to be much of a help! My boyfriend is coming with me. That’s my sphere of influence.
Talking to Brandon last weekend, I found out he’s going to be at ConDFW, so he can’t be at LTUE.
Thanks for the update, Eric. I figured there must have been a conflict of some sort. Which means I probably won’t catch him while I’m in town either. Hopefully Emily’s gotten the invite for lunch anyway.