Currently at Mile Hi Con in Denver.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

16. Thank you for your posts, and especially

for your delightful history of s-f cons.

I was vaguely aware of them from an early age, but didn't even think of attending any for far too long. In 1990 we moved to Overland Park, KS, a suburb of Kansas City, MO, which has a very active s-f community. Border's bookstore at the time had a number of active book discussion groups, one of which was science fiction. Pat Cadigan (look her up if you need to) was a member of the group, and she's also wonderful.

I also took a writing class at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, from Jim Gunn, another incredible writer. Another student in my class, Chris McKitterick, eventually took over from Jim, and is currently teaching writing and science fiction at KU.

I was also a Writer of the Future many years ago, which was amazing and wonderful.

Back to Connie. In January, 2017, at COSine in Colorado Springs, Connie mentioned that they'd be at the upcoming total eclipse in Nebraska. I went up to her at the end of the session, and asked if I could see the eclipse with them. Well, of course, they said, and acted as if they'd be delighted to be with me. We booked hotels about a mile or so apart, and they picked me up and drove me to the eclipse and to dinner while there. The best part for me was at the eclipse and walking around Connie who is, as already mentioned, the friendliest person in the world, and clearly no one had any clue who she was. She had a wonderful chat with a young couple who were there with their three or four children whom they homeschooled. I learn a lot just from being in her presence.

I have done a small amount of writing and editing myself, and I need to get back to that. A recent health issue is a reminder.

My s-f history/connection seems to be somewhat recent compared to yours. It's a shame that too many people automatically look down on s-f. Worse yet, they think crap like "The Handmaid's Tale" is s-f. because they've never read the real thing. Beyond frustrating.

We all understand that we have different reading preferences, but trashing someone else's preferred reading is at best rude, but mostly ignorant.

Thank you for your post.