LOTS OF FUN AT MARSCON 2023

Jim and John had a blast at this year's Marscon, held in Virginia Beach, Jan. 13-15 at Holiday Inn, Va. Beach/Norfolk, a new venue that the con staff adapted to with enthusiasm.  Altogether we served on nine panels.  Jim chaired "Researching for Your Story," "Creating Alternate World Histories," "Piecing Together a History of Witches and Warlocks," "World Building: Overview," "Swearing in Sci Fi" and "I Got a Great Idea for a Book."  John showcased his librarian background in "Banned Books? Seriously?" He also enjoyed "OH NO! Writer's Block" and "Using Social Media Effectively to Market Yourself and Your Book."  As usual, the outstanding Cosplay competition filled the conference with fantastic costumes and John has posted some great photos of Krampus and several of the other winners on our Facebook page JMR Gaines.  Booksellers, jewelers, craftspeople, weapons makers, visual artists and others crowded the vendors area and adjacent passageways. The Amazing Teapot Racers were back for their humorous hijinks.  Some wild music echoed down the halls, including inexplicably at one point a rendition of all verses of the Hymn to the Soviet Union.  I almost felt an urge to hammer on something at a tractor factory.  We were overwhelmed by the energy and togetherness of the event and can't wait to go back.