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Author
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Comment
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Kate
Unregistered User
(4/12/02 11:55:51 am)
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WisCon
I know there was a posting earlier on this, but I looked at it and I'd love some updated information from people attending about what sort of programs you are participating in . . . though it is quite late, I am considering attending (if I can scrape up the money, no easy task). I see that Terri and Midori and Greg are going--anyone else?
What is WisCon like, also? Would I just be wandering around alone feeling foolish and small, or is it a friendly conference? I imagine it is not like the MLA, an abysmal experience . . . to say the least. Though one does meet wonderful people there and hear great ideas, too.
Just curious for any anecdotes or thoughts.
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Jess
Unregistered User
(4/12/02 11:59:36 am)
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Wiscon
Kate,
I don't know anything about WisCon, but you are a published author with great creditials. You should not just "wander around feeling small." I don't care who is there!
Hope you go and enjoy!
Jess
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Gregor9
Registered User
(4/12/02 12:51:11 pm)
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Re: Wiscon
Kate,
It's nothing like an MLA conference (is anything?).
Terri and others can tell you more about it. But you should go,
and you should tell them you are going. As Jess says, someone with
your credentials should be on the program. You can let them know
on their web site, I believe. Try this link-- www.sf3.org/wiscon/mainpage.html
Greg
Edited by: Gregor9 at: 4/18/02 10:47:54 am
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Kate
Unregistered User
(4/12/02 1:57:32 pm)
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WisCon
Jess and Greg,
Thanks for the encouragement, both of you. That is so nice. I feel will definitely research my possibilities--WisCon does look somewhat affordable for a couple of nights. And there would of course be added incentive to be somewhere on the program--it honestly hadn't even occured to me I might be able to get on the program! I am honored you say that, Greg. Of course it might be way too, way too, way too late for that to be arranged this year. Perhaps I can at least start to think about going next year . . . but I'd love any information on this year anyone attending has to offer.
Again, thank you Greg and Jess. So sweet. If you can't tell, I am having a self-pitying, isolated writer's day...
Kate
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Midori
Unregistered User
(4/12/02 2:58:03 pm)
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Wiscon Sisters
Ah Kate come!!
It's really a lovely convention--small and laid back enough to do what we love--talk endlessly together, in groups, in little clutches over food and drink, about writing folktales academia the business...really its remarkably friendly and inclusive. There are no real egos here--its runs the range from the intensely academic (a few papers) to the wonderfully bizarre--Mad Poetess Society slam poets--Heinz, Terri and I do one of the "living rooms" --the three of us talk more intimately about the process of writing in one of the suites where everybody hangs around on the rug, stuffed chairs and couches--it's really nice. Madison is my home town...it's right on hem of the college--food is great, the farmers market is fabulous on Saturday morning, and there is pretty good cappuccino....There are great writers there Karen Anne Fowler, Jonathan Lethem, Pat Cadigan, Suzette Elgin, and guest of honor this year is the splendid Nalo Hopkins. Hard core science fiction groups and hard core fantasy/mythic fiction groups all knocking back whiskey together talking, talking all of earnest and fun. The Tiptree Auction on Saturday night is simply not to be missed--it's great improve theatre. Editors show up...this year Sharyn November, the dynamo editor of Viking Press, perhaps Ellen Datlow, an Anthology Goddess, as well as small press editors...and there are the new writers, wonderful groups of fresh and wonderfully irreverent talent.."the Rat Bastards" from Minnesota--all of whom in the last two years have begun publishing stories...
I always enjoy myself, hugely. And lord no you won't be wandering lonely and lost...trust me! I can probably give you some help with accomodations if you like--I've an extra room reserved in the hotel...
I always come away from WisCon really happy.
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Helen
Registered User
(4/12/02 5:37:42 pm)
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WisCon ...
Thanks to the generousity of the lovely organizers, it turns out that I will be able to attend WisCon this year. I'm very excited, as it will give me a chance to finally match names to faces, and meet some of you in person! I'll be presenting my MA thesis, entitled "The Wooden Chest, the Donkeyskin, and the Golden Lantern: Evolving Metaphors of Femininity in Aartne-Thompson Tale Type 510B." Kate, if you're looking to save money (as I know I am) perhaps we might consider sharing a room? Laura and I shared one at the ICFA, and things turned out beautifully all around there ... just a thought.
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Midori
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 2:50:40 am)
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gettin' it right
Sorry all, I should have typed Nalo Hopkinson! Also guest of honor is Nina Kiriki Hoffman-- a wonderful dark/horror/fantasy writer who is a consummate short story writer.
Helen, Kate--if you are interested I do have an extra hotel room--my daughter was originally coming with girlfriends but is now going solo and so will bunk with Terri and I. I haven't cancelled the other room. Let me know....
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Kate
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 11:48:20 am)
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Rooms, etc.
I am thinking I will come, after all! I've got to look into plane fares and such, of course. And Helen: do you have a room already? I suppose I should email you both (Helen and Midori) off the board to find out more about prices, etc. I may try to see if I can get some money from somewhere somehow . . . other than from my small wallet . . . so please don't cancel the room, Midori, I think I will take it.
It would be so neat to meet people face-to-face. And, Terri, it would make up for our Tucson mayhem!
Best,
Kate
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Jess
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 12:21:28 pm)
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Airfares
Kate,
Was able to fly to Chicago for under $200 from Seattle recently. Chicago O'Hare is only 4 hours from Madison. If you needed to fly out of Seattle for cheaper fares you could spend the night here - I am about 1 hour from SeaTac.
Jess
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Kate
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 12:44:59 pm)
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Hmmm!
Jess,
Thanks for the advice, and the offer of a place to stay--how incredibly generous of you! I am looking into tickets right now and it IS really expensive to fly to Madison! $800 round trip on one airline, and $550 on Travelocity . . . with a zillion plane changes. I'll check into the SeaTac idea now, and O'Hare. I really appreciate the advice and offer, so very much! I'll keep you up to date as my research into airlines continues . . .
--Kate
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Helen
Registered User
(4/13/02 2:00:08 pm)
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Re: Hmmm!
Kate, I did manage to reserve a room at the last minute - it's $89 a night, so, from the 24rd to the 27th, a three night stay will run me about $300 (which is more than this penny-pinching starving grad. student can brook) or around $150 apiece if I should be lucky enough to find someone to share with. Apparently, flights are always cheaper from larger terminals, as I discovered *after* paying $600 for a flight from Lebanon, NH, to Ft. Lauderdale, FL ... would have been less than a hundred from JFK or LaGuardia. Good luck finding a cheap flight! I find that TravelCity gives the best options ...
Midori, thank you so much for the offer! When I realized that I has less than a month and a half, I totally panicked; luckily, they did still have at least one room available when I frantically called them on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to this so much!
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Jess
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 2:35:47 pm)
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Airfares
Kate,
Check www.Orbitz.com I found fares from April 24-27 with one stop for $226 from Seattle to Chicago O'Hare. You may want different dates.
Jess
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Jess
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 2:46:54 pm)
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O'Hare to Madison
According to Rand/McNally, it is 2 hours and 15 minutes (135 miles) from O'Hare to Madison. I guess I always got stuck in traffic. lol - oh, and now you know what that means.
Jess
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Midori
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 3:01:42 pm)
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Milwaukee
Kate,
Think about flying into Milwaukee--can you get on Midwest Express where you are? Milwaukee is its home base--come on thursday or friday and drive over with me (and Terri?)
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Kate
Unregistered User
(4/13/02 8:02:53 pm)
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Wow!
Thank you all for the terrific travel advice, and all of the generous invitations--into your very homes, even, and, well, I'm just floored. I'll do my homework and get back to all. Really, astounding generosity on this board. Midori--Midwest Express is not familiar to me, but it sure will be by night's end! I hope it does come here.
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Charles Vess
Unregistered User
(4/17/02 12:36:28 pm)
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See you all there...
Hey all,
I just booked a room and sent in for memberships (for my wife, Karen and I) to attend WisCon. We had a blast the last time we attended and are both really looking forward to more long, interesting conversations late into the night.
See you there.
Charles
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Laura
Registered User
(4/17/02 6:24:49 pm)
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much sadness ....
What I wouldn't give to be joining all of you .... alas, the conference budget for this year is more than expended. Instead I think I'll struggle along, trying to salvage my academic career -- everyone send positive vibes toward Indiana for me, ok? :-)
Do post an update for the rest of us, though. We're dying to hear all about it!
Laura S.
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Richard
Parks
Registered User
(4/17/02 7:36:50 pm)
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Wiscon
I'll have to settle for WorldCon this year. Maybe one day...
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Jess
Unregistered User
(4/19/02 7:46:24 am)
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Wiscon
Kate,
Were you able to make arrangements to go? Hope so.
I look forward to hearing from all of you about it. Living vicariously
here.
Jess
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Laura
Registered User
(4/19/02 9:22:49 pm)
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thinking ....
Well, apparently your good vibes worked!
Turns out Indiana accepted me back on February 22 -- the letter never arrived here. Apparently Fate just felt like $^#@ing with my head a little. So, no more teaching in Japan for me -- Bloomington, IN, here I come! All this angst and agony and woe, and here I was admitted all the time .... thank goodness I faxed Indiana to try to clear things up!
Woo hoo! I's a Hoosier! Anybody know someone there looking for a roommate? ;-)
Meanwhile, Helen and Greg are trying to get me to come celebrate at WisCon. I've heard a rumor I might be able to get the membership fee waived (I'm pretty undeniably broke at the moment) -- anyone know if that's likely? And as for plane fares, I've found some in the $210-230 range from Atlanta to Madison. Really not sure I can afford it, what with rent and moving costs coming up. We shall see ....
Laura S.
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Jess
Unregistered User
(4/19/02 9:41:52 pm)
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Indiana
Laura,
I may be mistaken, but I think Alina is at IU too. Congratulations.
Jess
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