I’m back from MileHiCon, the oldest literary sci-fi and fantasy convention in the Rockies!

Since I’m fairly new to Colorado, this was my first MileHiCon.  I found the convention very friendly, intellectually stimulating, and fun!

My first panel, Mad Scientists, was on Saturday. I knew in advance that we were in for a great time, when I saw that one of my fellow panelists, Gary Weston, was wearing a lab coat and an epic Einstein wig. He shared some great insights about Tesla. Meanwhile, MileHiCon’s Guest of Honor Seanan McGuire entertained us with diabolical threats of a smallpox outbreak.

I talked about mad scientists in video games (Mass Effect and Bioshock), classic literature (Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), and graphic novels (Watchmen and V for Vendetta). I also got to wear my blue Science Officer uniform from Star Trek!

After the Mad Scientists panel was over, we got to enjoy the convention for awhile. There were talks and readings and games, and I saw a corseted blue TARDIS dress in the dealer’s room that my inner Whovian desperately wanted.

But conventions have a way of saving the best for last, and MileHiCon was no different. On Sunday afternoon, when everything was winding down, I moderated a panel on Border Crossing: Non-Western Fantasy. It was seriously the Best Panel Ever. The speakers included several extraordinary, talented, and thoughtful authors. I learned so much from them, and I felt incredibly privileged to join in their conversation.

Stant Litore writes beautifully lyrical zombie novels set in biblical times. (That may sound like a contradiction, but believe me: it is not.) TL Morganfield writes Aztec-themed fantasy, and her new book The Bone Flower Throne was impossible for me to put down. Novelist Matthew Boroson knows everything there is to know about transnationalism, Chinese ghosts, Miyazaki, and Lafcadio Hearn. (Can you see why I was absolutely thrilled to be on this panel?) All of the panelists had a great passion for folklore and mythology, and a profoundly respectful approach to synthesizing non-Western elements into their writing.

As for me, I brought along a big old stack of books, a lot of coffee, and a whole bunch of enthusiasm.