I just went back to my first convention in years.
My goal going forward, now that I'm gainfully employed and healthy enough to travel, is to make a trip to the UK once a year. Like a proper trip where I take time off work, relax, see friends, shop, go to a show, you know. This year I got absolutely wild because apparently I'm doing two, and one (which has happened) lasted five days total including travel and consisted almost entirely of going to a single-day event in Derby.
I've intended for a while now to go back to conventions, but something always stopped me. I did ODUcon for a few days - a local college con - but even that made me kind of shaky. While I've spent something like half my life doing cons of all stripes and having a great time, something sufficiently unpleasant can knock it straight out of you. But I realized that, given the trajectory I'm on with my writing, I should probably get back used to them again or I'm going to have a difficult time networking and selling and getting myself out there.
Hence, Whooverville: located in Derby and in its 16th year this year. It's a single-day event, it's so far from home that it would be extremely difficult to back out if I got cold feet, and I would finally get to meet several people I've worked with for years but have never actually been in a room with.
Did I have a good time? Yes. Did I get what I wanted out of it? Yes. Will I ever do a five-day round trip with no fixed address like this again? Probably not unless someone else is footing the bill. But I'm still glad I did.
Thursday
Headed out of Norfolk International (kind of a misnomer) and had a stopover in JFK. This was my first time getting to try out the airport lounges, since I'm making it a point to fly business where I can. Gotta rack up those miles for the holiday trip (and also there's no other way I can sleep). They are pretty nice. If nothing else, for a working holiday like this, it felt good to have a place I could sit comfortably, plug in my laptop, have tea, and get things done.
At this point, I kind of have a plan for British Airways flights: have some drinks and watch Traitors UK 'til I pass out. That worked again as usual here. Food on the flight was fine - but honestly, because I was a little anxious about the trip as a whole, I didn't eat much.
Friday
Normally this would be the stage of the trip where I catch a train to my friends' place, unload my luggage, and rest for a bit before going out into London. But that is not how this trip worked, so I was straight out into the city with all my goods in hand. Stopped at a Costa for some tea and reading time before navigating my train to Derby. Did stop to say hello to Paddington on the way in from Heathrow, though. As you do.
I was told to keep an eye out for the "Mr. Booze" (styled a la Tesco) across from Derby Station, and yes I did indeed see it. But mainly it was a matter of getting to my hotel, having a shower, and meeting up with people. Most were still piling in, but I touched base with Stephen Hatcher (one of the Whooverville runners), Jenny Shirt (a very lovely and very active fan of all things Who), and John Isles (an old friend from Westlake).
Later that evening was a show from We Sound Familiar paired with a quiz. Excellent stuff, and not just because John and I placed in the quiz. I'd never heard WSF's stuff before. If you're ever at an event where they're performing, keep an ear out. They're excellent. (Also one of them is currently the War Doctor for Big Finish.)
Derby QUAD, where Whooverville is held, is a really nice venue. Multiple-floor event space with meeting rooms, two cinemas, and a cafe downstairs. 757 types, imagine the Naro, but more so. Would love to have something of that scope in our area.
Saturday
The day. Was I nervous? Sure. But it helped a bit to have friends there. I had one panel with Obverse Books. Sitting alongside Stuart Douglas, Paul Magrs, and Nick Wallace (lovely fellows, all of them) felt a bit... wrong? Like they belong up there talking but I don't. I've been at this for something like ten years, but I still feel like a bit of an intruder in this space. But it was nice to see and hear from fans, as well as finally meeting fellow Obverse writers Jay, Selina, and Jon. (Even if Jon was here and gone swiftly.)
Additionally, finally got to tease a Faction Paradox story I have coming out eventually. If you were there, you know.
There was a vendor's room with lots of merch and books, and it was great to see Obverse, Cutaway, and others (including Fio Tretheway and Georgia Cook) getting lots of positive attention from the fans. It can be hard to tell at this distance what kind of readership the more fringe stories get, but seeing writers and publishers do well in the venue felt really nice.
I took things easy for the rest of the day, dropping in on panels and catching up with friends. Of course, I had to see Jo Martin's panel at the end of the day. She seemed really lovely, very friendly and warm to the fans, and I'm pleased she's getting a chance to do more in the Who space.
While this was definitely different from a US con, there was plenty that was the same. TARDIS photo booths, people in costume, and the opportunity to socialize beyond the event space were all very welcome. It was the perfect way to ease myself back into that kind of space. And we had some great curry afterward.
Sunday
Breakfast with Scott Liddell and Stuart before we all hit the road, and then it was a day of travel for me. Though I did dip through Covent Garden to pick up some tea to bring home.
In hindsight, a little more time in Derby would have been nice. I only really saw the Cathedral Quarter, but it was genuinely lovely there. I was also told there are a lot of recent Doctor Who filming locations not too far away in Sheffield, so I may have to double back and check those out at a later date.
But frankly, watching YouTube videos and eating an egg sandwich at the airport hotel was about my speed at this point. (It was an okay egg sandwich.
Monday
An early start made easy by the Hotel Hoppa. The trip back was on American Airlines, which meant no Traitors UK for me. But I did have some good chicken for lunch and watch the first three episodes of Severance, so I finally understand what everyone's on about.
A very long layover in Philly, during which I got some more work done, and then home to Virginia.
In an ideal world where this trip wasn't at the end of busy season, I would have spaced things out and done more. Oxventure were doing some live shows at World's Lair in London, which I missed by a matter of a few hours. But, like I said, the trip served its purpose. I did a convention again. I saw people I like. And I'm pretty sure I'm back at it convention-wise.
So, what's next? I'm planning that out. I do feel revitalized when it comes to writing, which I've been doing in the background but which I've always felt a little imposter-y about. Talking with fellow writers over the weekend helped that a little bit, though I'm not fool enough to think that feeling will ever go fully away. And I did hear from readers who want to know more about what's going on, so I'm going to do my best to be better about actually talking about things as they happen.
If you're local to Derby, you really ought to do Whooverville. If you're as far away as I am... well, that's really your call.
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