Good Times, Loncon3!

Wow. I'm three days from Dragon Con, and I haven't even summed up my final thoughts on Loncon3, the Hugos and everything that happened in London.

That's Art Life for you.....deadlines, deadlines, deadlines, and it's been nonstop since I returned home.

A few bulletpoints:

1) Great job by the Loncon3 team to assemble one of the best Worldcons in recent memory. Great job by Sara Felix, Colin Harris and team on one of the best art programming tracks I've ever experienced. Take a bow, folks. Well done!

2) Thank you to all who came to my programming and especially everyone who packed the room for The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (nice job, Irene Gallo, Joe Abercrombie, Greg Manchess, and Maurizio Manzieri) -- and a big shout to ALL who came and played Loteria on Sunday. You showed up big time, London. I wasn't sure how Loteria would fare in the UK, and wow -- that was one of the most fun lightning rounds of Loteria I've ever done.

3) Thank you to all who scooped up the limited run Loteria posters I brought with me. That was the only time those will be available in Europe. Atlanta and San Antonio -- it's your turn soon!

4) Chris Foss -- I know you're a legend but it was a blast visiting with you and Imogene after-hours. It was a pleasure interviewing you onstage (that was a breeze), and man, I hope that's not the last time we cross paths. That was my first time interviewing someone on a big stage with big audience. So much fun. Best to you and Imogene -- holler anytime.

5) I did not get to spend enough time with the BWB this year (schedule was so manic), but the time that I did have was stellar as always. Met Elio and Linda for the first time (great people), and to Mr. X, Xray, Regina, Jo, Raya, Andi, Ben, Dave, and everyone -- you know where to find me. :)

6) So many good chats and visits including GRRM, Parris, Joe Abercrombie, Emanuele Vietina, Silvia Bernardi, Steve Saffel, Eddie Schneider, Joshua Bilmes, John Berlyne, Leigh Bardugo, Maurizio Manzieri, Dave McCarty, Rian Hughes, Colin Harris, Seanan McGuire, Liza Trombi, Paul Cornell, and I-know-I'm-forgetting-a-ton-of-folks-but-yeah-apologies-deadlines.

7) The Hugos: Happy for you, Julie Dillon! Congratulations, and congrats again to all of the Hugo Award winners and nominees. I won Best Professional Artist in 2012 and 2013, and while I intend to keep working and improving every year, it's VERY good for the award that it recognizes the full spectrum of what is happening in sf/f art, in any era. From 1980 to 2005, only four people won the award in the Best Professional Artist category. Since my first nomination in 2005, this category has seen five different winners, and a host of new names joining the nominee list. Well done, Julie!

8) And also, congrats to the Chesley Award winners this year!

Best of times, London. Thank you for everything. I'll see you down the road soon. :)