Overdue post about Eastercons

[dc]

I actually started writing this a month or more ago. Other things got in the way, including some health problems (sinusitis so I couldn't really read well didn't help).

Dysprosium, this year's Eastercon, was at Heathrow in a hotel I hadn't previously been in.  It had a slightly odd layout, but was friendly and comfortable enough. The con was fun. I saw some programme (I know!), it was interesting and amusing, did some Ops shifts — the usual, really. The main fun is hanging out with old and new friends, and there were plenty of them.

Next year's Eastercon.... They are supposed to be bid for two years in advance, but last year no one bid for 2016. There was quite a bit of chat about this in the hotel bar on the Thursday. The indefatigable Dave Lally had done some preparatory work and been in touch with VisitManchester. This blossomed into the Mancunicon bid, led by Pat McMurray. This literally was brought into being on the Thursday night before Dysprosium, and voted in at the Sunday bid session. It will be held in Manchester from the 25th March to the 28th. Hotel is still to be finalised, but the team is looking at four potential venues in the city. The The con will be held in the Hilton Deansgate, in probably the most striking building in the city. Guests of Honour are Aliette de Bodard, Dave Clements, Ian McDonald, and Sarah Pinborough.

The year after, Eastercon will be in Cardiff. Pasgon (it's pronounced pass-con, basically). Now I can talk about something which stunned me speechless (I tell no lie, ask those who saw me at the time) at Loncon III. The Pasgon team have asked me to be one of their Guests of Honour. This is an immense honour, and quite humbling. The other GoHs are Jo Walton, Lyndon Evans and Judith Clute. I am looking forward to this immensely... when I can get my attention away from the ever-approaching Mancunicon.