Bubonicon 43

And while I’m thinking about conventions—and before I forget to mention it for another six months—I ought to mention that the superb people behind Bubonicon have invited me to be toastmaster for Bubonicon 43.  It’s quite an honor.  I’m thrilled by the invitation!

But it’s not the opportunity to go down as one of the worst toastmasters in Bubonicon history that has me so thrilled.  (As exciting as that is.)  I’m jazzed because this year’s writer Guest of Honor is none other than my Wild Cards cohort Steve “S. L. Farrell” Leigh, and the artist Guest of Honor is the amazing John Picacio.

That’s such a good lineup that my job as toastmaster should be easy.  All I have to do is keep out of the way and let the Guests of Honor charm and delight convention goers.

Steve and I worked together very closely on the WC novel Suicide Kings, and (for me, anyway) it was a true pleasure.  It was a great and very rewarding collaboration.  Steve is a terrific writer, a truly fine human being, and a monster musician to boot.  (Or maybe that last part is S. L. Farrell.  I get them confused.  But I try not to say that too loudly because I hear Farrell resents it when people mistake him for Steve Leigh.)

Feel sorry for Steve.  He’s going to be signing a lot of Wild Cards novels while he’s in New Mexico.  He doesn’t get out here very often, so there’s a huge backlog of books in the area signed by all or most of the authors but him.  Steve is probably the most elusive of the first-generation Wild Cards gang.

John Picacio is one of the best artists working in the genre today.  His work always stands out to me at convention art shows, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what he brings to Albuquerque.