I was an Author Guest at ArmadilloCon in Austin, Texas this September. It was my first home-state convention and it was a blast.
Being in Austin there were tons of gluten free options local to the convention hotel which made traveling a lot easier. It was also only a three hour drive instead of twelve to fifteen, or worse, a flight!
But the highlight was the PANELS! I have never been to a convention where I felt the panels were as organized and intentional. Marshall Ryan Maresca was the programming director and every choice that he made as far as what panels to have, moderators, and panelist was on point. Everyone gelled well together, conversations flowed and all of the panels were just SO DAMN GOOD.
I had the privilege and honor to moderate the Artist Guest of Honor interview with the one and only Ariel Burgess who has been my friend for well over a decade. I have over twenty pieces of her art in my home (and will most likely be adding more soon). I ended up coming home from the convention with four of her prints and a tiara kit from Sara Felix!
Another highlight was the Writer’s Workshop.
The morning was for panels and talks, which was fun. The panel topics were interesting and the format was unique. There were sixteen to twenty (I didn’t count) professionals. We all took turns answering questions and speaking on topics, then they opened it up to the audience.
I am not overly open or transparent here with the extent of my physical disabilities. I update from time to time but I try not to go into deep detail because I don’t want to “get people down”. I was pretty open during this panel because I want other writers that they aren’t alone if they aren’t “normal”, whatever that is.
I have ADHD, C-PTSD (and talking sure made me anxious, but it is important). I also have three autoimmune diseases (a suspected fourth because I am lucky?) and I was hit by a truck when I was fifteen. I spent some time talking about not holding yourself to the standards of others and that no one path or the way that people hit their goals is perfect for everyone.
I had some of the most meaningful experiences with writers who came up to me after I bared it all. Some were neurospicy and others had disabilities. Some, like me, have a mixed bag. Because I was willing to be open, they felt seen.
I even sat in the floor to ease my hips during the panels because that is what disability means… doing what I need to do to be present. Accommodating my body and its needs so I can be the best writer that I can be.
And Armadillo was absolutely welcoming on that score. No one made me feel self-conscious.
A HUGE Bonus: my best friend and chief Alpha Reader flew in from the Northeast to hang out for the weekend. I finally got him and my husband in the same room. We spent an evening and most of a day playing board games and I introduced him to Texas BBQ.
If you are a writer, a fan of Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Horror, you need to come to ArmadilloCon. The best little con in Texas, in my humble option.