So I’m behind on posting about FenCon which was the weekend of February 23rd to 25th. I absolutely love attending fan conventions, especially as a guest panelist where I get to interact with fellow authors, as well as artists, musicians, performers, scholars, and experts on science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, poetry, art, and other subjects, and provide an entertaining and informative experience for the audience. Conventions are like a family reunion for those of us who have been attending for years, like myself, because often we only see our friends when we are at the conventions, once or twice a year. It’s always great to see old friends and make new ones. I started going to fantasy/science fiction fan conventions in 2011, which was the year that I first had one of my stories published. I was on some great, enjoyable, discussion panels this year with some really awesome people. If I listed all the wonderful moments and people at FenCon this year, this blog post would be three times as long, so I’ll spare you the long winded details. I met with many awesome old friends and made a lot of new ones too. You know who you are and I appreciate every one of you. I do have to give a shout out to a couple of people however: Michelle Muenzler a.k.a. “The Cookie Lady” for her offerings of free home baked cookies to everyone throughout the entire convention. The Earl Grey and the ginger honey cookies were my favorite. Also Rhonda Eudaly, FenCon Chairperson for inviting me to be a guest panelist at FenCon. I’ve know both of these amazing individuals who are excellent authors for years from the various conventions and other events we’ve attended together. They are always friendly and fun to be around.
I’ve been keeping a scrapbook of memorabilia from all of the cons I’ve attended over the years. It is fun to look back at the badges, panel schedules, and other things I’ve collected. If you are interested in FenCon, the website is at http://www.fencon.org
I got some awesome items for my scrapbook at this year’s FenCon from the North Texas Apocalypse Bunker table in the vendor room, courtesy of Mark Finn & Janice Schange. Check out the NTAB at http://www.northtexasapocalypsebunker.com for Mark’s blog and other cool and fun content. I spent four quarters on two 20 sided dice disbursed out of a gumball machine and got my favorite colors, blue and black. I bought a couple of Mark’s RPG books, Gobsmack, and Gobshite, (system neutral role playing game supplement rules for creating goblin characters and non-player characters) and the anthology The Best of Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, from editor and author Adrian Simmons, who had his books for sale at the NTAB table and who I got to hang out with a bit during the con and after party. I also was given two free books from the NTAB library book repatriation project, which they were giving away as a “mystery” book with each purchase that was wrapped up so you didn’t know what you were getting until you opened it up. I’ve known Mark for many years from previous conventions and Robert E. Howard Days and he’s a good friend. This was my first time meeting his wife Janice, as they had only married in April 2023. While Mark was away from the NTAB table doing panels, Janice determined my random goblin name using the tables in the Gobsmack book and the results of my 20 sided dice rolls. I got Zung Rubbones for my goblin name, which Janice said sounded like some kind of goblin porn star. Hilarious! I got an NTAB button, some stickers, and some cool activity pages. In March I decided to join the NTAB Bunker Essential Support Team (B.E.S.T.) as a member of the DEPARTMENT OF BUNKER OPERATIONS DIVISION with the Bureau of Special Projects. (Which sounds like I’ll be doing some kind of secretive C.I.A. type covert intelligence shenanigans.) What it really means is that by paying a membership fee I am privy to certain member exclusive NTAB content, products, and get a B.E.S.T. member packet with buttons, stickers, a guidebook and other cool swag. Fun stuff indeed.
I am all set to attend Robert E. Howard Days in Cross Plains, Texas, on June 7th and 8th this year. I have my hotel room booked and mailed my reservation for the Friday night awards and silent auction banquet. I’m looking forward to all the events, and fellowship with other Howard Heads, as we REH fans call ourselves. Some events that I’m especially excited about are the discussion panels, award ceremony, auction and banquet and getting to recite Howard’s poetry on the steps of his house which is now the Robert E Howard museum and a registered historical landmark. Hanging out with everyone at the pavilion in the park next to the Howard house and the Saturday night BBQ will be a lot of fun too. It’s been 10 years since I’ve attended Howard Days back in 2014 with my good friend Ethan Nahté, who introduced me to the event and many of the long time regulars attending. My return to this special event is long overdue. If you are a fan of Robert E. Howard’s stories and poetry, and have never been to Howard Days or visited the Robert E. Howard Museum in Cross Plains any other time of year, I urge you to go. This year, among the other many great Howard experts that usually attend, Jim Zub, writer for the current series of Conan the Barbarian comics will be a special guest. I’m really looking forward to meeting him and getting a few comics autographed.
Come out to Cross Plains and pay tribute to REH and his literary legacy and hang out with me and my fellow Howard Heads. http://www.howarddays.com
That’s a wrap for this entry. In the meantime, readers, I wish you and yours wellness and happiness. May fair winds fill your sails and your treasure chests always be full. Aaarrr!
Larry Atchley, Jr. 