November 9-11, 2018 Lombard IL. Fan-run, friendly, laid-back & fun. This'll be my fourth one. Hard to believe it's been 4 years since Controlled Descent & Flight Plan came out.This year I took the big step of signing up as a programming participant, which meant gambling on life remaining calm so I wouldn't have to back out. LIFE COOPERATED!  I will be on panels as well as hanging out in the dealer room . Without further ado, here is my schedule:

Pass the Kleenex - Friday 9:00 - 10:00 pm - Lilac DNot all stories are upbeat and hopeful. A discussion of depressing SciFi/Fantasy stories.

Reading - Saturday 12:00-1:00 pm - 1631 (Reading Room)12pm Deirdre Murphy 12:30pm Karen Herkes

Guilty Pleasures - Saturday 4:00-5:00 pm - Muller Grand Ballroom GWe all have them. It could be a drugstore book or a cheesy movie. Let's admit it and share them out loud!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! - Saturday, 11-10-2018 - 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Lilac CYou've written your book/story now you need to promote it.

Yeah, that's right. I'll be doing a reading, so I'd better bring my A game.  And yes, I am now secure enough in my authoring identity that I'm willing to speak about promoting books. I mean, sure, I don't follow a lot of the "rules" but I know which ones I'm breaking and accept the consequences. That counts, right?  (Yes, right.)Of course I'll have copies of my books there. I'm hanging with Rich from Games Plus to help cover the store's booth, and also pitching in to help at a table with some other fine, local authors, so... yes. THERE WIILL BE BOOKS YOU COULD OWN for the low, low price of some money.Obligatory I-sell-books reminder made, onward to personal musings.I love WindyCon for many reasons. First off, it's local! (45-60 min drive, so local-ish, I suppose.) That's always a plus. Second, a WindyCon was the second-ever fan-run con I attended as an author, and it was the first one where I sold books.So. I am full of warm fuzzies for the kind and hard-working people who plan and run WindyCon.  (Next year, if all goes well, fingers crossed, I might be able to volunteer, too. If. Life. Cooperates.)I am very much looking forward to seeing all the friends I met at past WindyCons and last year at Capricon, Keeping touch through social media is no substitute for hanging out in person. I'm not naming names because I would forget someone I adore and then feel horrible about it, but <waving>  HIYA, yes, I'm thinking of you! See you soon!On reflection, that whole paragraph right there ^^^  is a matter of sudden, wondrous astonishment & joy.I have con friends. Wow.