I was going to conventions long before I became a writer, and the main difference since I became one is that, with some relief, I can look at my participation on panels as my contribution to the convention. I do very badly at all aspects of running conventions and I'm not really that great of a badge-checker, either; long ago, I challenged somebody who was aggressively ghosting a very small con, and he pulled me off my chair. Lots of large imposing fans immediately showed up, but I can't help feeling that I handled the challenge badly. ANYWAY, I go to conventions see people I don't see otherwise and to participate in the amazing community of fandom, or my piece of it. While I'm there, I do panels and readings and autographings if I'm asked, and those are fun, but I don't think I'd go just to do that if I didn't want to see people.

P.