ConFusion
January 24th, 2012
Back from Detroit, somewhat jet-lagged and with a cold, but had a brilliant time – can’t remember more fun at a convention, in fact. Some highlights?
Doing a reading alongside Robin Hobb.
Being taught the correct coastguard method of sticking my ass out while shooting by Myke Cole.
Being mistaken for Admiral Akbar by John Scalzi.
Visiting Subterranean Press’s warehouse of awesome books, nerf guns and foam-rubber swords.
I accidentally shot Brent Weeks with an arrow. Then he tried to kill me with a sword. Then I tried to kill him with a dagger. Then, while I plotted on how I would rob Pat Rothfuss’s manservant’s strongbox, he tried to pick my pocket. Then we kissed. And the whole thing was never mentioned again. It all happened in a game of D&D, incidentally…
Meeting a whole load of hugely enthusiastic readers, bloggers and fans.
I even signed a few books. And licked one. And sat on panels and haunted the bar with far more articulate authors like Pat Rothfuss, Peter V. Brett, Scott Lynch, Elizabeth Bear, Jay Lake, Michelle Sagara West, Bradley Beaulieu, Douglas Hulick, Saladin Ahmed, Jim Hines, Cat Rambo, Merrie Haskell, Howard A Jones, Tobias Buckell and I daresay others I apologise for overlooking . . . it really was an incredible author attendance, and great to put faces to names that I have long been aware of, admired, envied, and dreamed of destroying.
Overall I was treated wonderfully well by the convention and by the guys from Subterranean Press, I had a blast. Incidentally, Justin of Staffer’s Musings stood up for three hours in order to record the authorial D&D game, so an edited version may appear at some point, on the off chance that some of the readers of this blog can think of nothing more entertaining to do with their limited time on earth than watch some other folks roll dice…
EDIT: You can catch Myke Cole’s account of DMing the all-star authorial D&D game over here. Brent Weeks gives his account of the playing experience over there. It was quite the nostalgic laugh. Unlikely as it may be, I look forward to the day that daring thief Darque Shadeaux enters the fray once more. Or at least hides behind it at a safe distance…
20 Responses »
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DrGonzoJanuary 24, 2012 • 1:58 pmYay,… ehhm I mean who would waste his time listening to that?
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MichaelJanuary 24, 2012 • 4:11 pm
Darq Shadeaux, am sure I saw him support Classix Nouveaux around 1982 at Walsall town hall….
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A-drainJanuary 24, 2012 • 4:12 pm
Man, is Confusion always so packed with authors? It might make it worth while to fly to Detroit next year.
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JustinJanuary 24, 2012 • 4:41 pm
@A-drain
It’s a tremendous Con — everyone said so. It was my first, so I don’t have a comparison, but it was a blast.
Thanks for the mention, Joe. Glad you made it home.
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Joe AbercrombieJanuary 24, 2012 • 4:43 pm
A-Drain,
I don’t know about always, but it’s local for a few authors and Subterranean Press is in Detroit so they’re closely associated with it. It’s them who invited me, Brett, Weeks, and Robin Hobb, giving things a bit of an epic fantastic flavour this time around… -
Nick CJanuary 24, 2012 • 8:21 pm
Sounds like a blast, can’t wait to see the d&d highlights (I’m a professional zip line guide, I have nothing better to do in the offseason, don’t judge..).
Oh, speaking of good ways to kill my time, how come I can’t get the first law trilogy on iBooks? I want to reread it but I would rather do it on my iPad, plus you get to sell it to me again, what’s up with that? Imagine how much larger that big comfy pile of gold in your treasure room could be with that pro zipline guide money…
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Joe AbercrombieJanuary 24, 2012 • 8:30 pm
Nick,
I take it you’re in the US? It comes up OK on UK IBooks. -
Nick CJanuary 24, 2012 • 8:35 pm
Yes. I’m in the US. We only have BSC and The Heroes unfortunateley.
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DanJanuary 25, 2012 • 9:51 am
“…on the off chance that some of the readers of this blog can think of nothing more entertaining to do with their limited time on earth than watch some other folks roll dice…”
Huh?
Did you end up playing Yahtzee instead?
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CarrieJanuary 25, 2012 • 6:03 pm
Confusion was absolutely impressive! I turned into a sputtering tongue twisted fool when faced with Joe, Robin, Pat and others. It was my first con; I don’t know if I will do another . . . what else (local!) can compare? Thanks for coming to Michigan!
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Brad BeaulieuJanuary 25, 2012 • 10:14 pm
Great meeting you there, Joe. I envy you guys that D&D game. It sounded like it was a blast. I would have paid just to see Saladin make sound effects and voices. And the backstabbing and thievery. And the kissing…
Plus, you’re out to destroy everyone, and there’s something admirable in that.
I started The Blade Itself on the plane ride home. Really enjoying it so far…
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JacobJanuary 26, 2012 • 2:14 am
Abercrombie’s Darque Shadeaux (who he’s playing more like Face from the A-Team than a Frenchman) rolls a 1–and “accidentally” shoots me.
Brilliant.
Joe, you do realize that your ever so loyal servants of the blog would like to see weekly installments of this man’s adventures, correct?
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Kim and GaryJanuary 26, 2012 • 3:57 am
My husband and I had a blast meeting you and all the other authors at the Con. It was our first con and it was really amazing. Sitting with you, Peter V Brett, and Brent and Kristie Weeks at the dessert reception Friday night and chatting for like 2 hours was an experience we will never forget. Thank you again for making the long flight out.
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Joe AbercrombieJanuary 26, 2012 • 10:36 am
Brad,
I play no favourites. All other authors must be destroyed. Good to meet you – hopefully we’ll see each other again, out there, though it’s hard to imagine such a great group of authors coming together in such laid back surroundings. It was a real good time…Jacob,
Do you know, the idea of a humorous piece centered on the misadventures of Darque Shådeaux had occurred….Kim and Gary,
Glad you had a good time. I quite enjoyed that dessert myself…. -
YulweiJanuary 27, 2012 • 7:13 pm
It would never have occurred to me otherwise but you do have something of the Akbar about you
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Joe AbercrombieJanuary 27, 2012 • 7:59 pm
Yulwei,
It’s the air of serene goodness and authority. -
CodyJanuary 28, 2012 • 8:04 am
Wow, I have always been a big fan of Brent Weeks, before he was was even slightly famous. I was linked here by his site. I have never read any of your books Mr. Abercrombie. However, I like the humor and the way you talked in this post. As well as many others on your site. I will definitely be picking up at least one of your series.
Trackbacks
- Epic Wrap-Up | Bum Scoop
- Author D&D | Chadwick Ginther
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I will be one of those readers watching other folk roll dice.
But I know I won’t be alone.