California Dreamin'

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Apr. 26th, 2017 at 12:32 PM

I am off to California tomorrow.

First stop will be Long Beach, for Stokercon, the annual gathering of the Horror Writers Association and the presentation of the Bram Stoker Awards. (That's the one that looks like a creepy house, as opposed to the new World Fantasy Award, which looks like a creepy tree). This year's Stokercon will be on the Queen Mary, which I last visited for a Nebula Awards banquet in... ohmigod, could it really have been 1996? Where do the years go? (Thinking back, that must have been a few months before A GAME OF THRONES was published. Little did I dream how much my life was about to change).

I love old ocean liners (modern cruise ships not so much), so banqueting with my brothers and sisters in horror on the Queen should be a hoot and a half.

After that, it's down to San Diego for a fundraising event for Clarion. I'll be having a conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson.

Alas, I'm told the event is already sold out.

And, sorry, no, I will not be signing... just talking.

Current Location:Santa Fe
Current Mood: busy

( 23 comments )

missmatchedeyes

Apr. 26th, 2017 08:56 pm (UTC)

Have fun at Stokercon! I was on the Queen Mary once and since I hate boats it was a truly terrifying time for me!

How Winds coming along? Any chance you might be done and celebrating in CA?

Have a great trip, George and take care.

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grrm

Apr. 26th, 2017 09:48 pm (UTC)

Uh... was the Queen Mary moving when you were on it? I mean, it's been permanently moored in Long Beach for many decades now.

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missmatchedeyes

Apr. 26th, 2017 09:52 pm (UTC)

This was about 18 years ago, when I was in college, it was moored then but I still hate being on boats even if they're not moving. Guess I watched Jaws a few too many times...

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missmatchedeyes

Apr. 27th, 2017 10:27 am (UTC)

Ha! An earthquake was one of the scenarios I was envisioning while on the Queen Mary. Earthquake, then being adrift in the Pacific, then Krakens emerging from the deep...;)

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Jacopannis

Apr. 26th, 2017 10:18 pm (UTC)

Have fun, and sacrifice as many priests as you want! We want that kraken to be fat and healty George!

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Brad Thomas

Apr. 26th, 2017 11:55 pm (UTC)

Those are good burgers George.

Have an In and Out Burger for me would ya?

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mandarinsun

Apr. 27th, 2017 12:05 am (UTC)

You should watch the horror video I saw on Amazon Prime called Read Ghost Stories of California. They have an eleven minute video interviewing crew members of the Queen Mary about ghost sitings there. I am usually not scared of ghost stories at all, but that eleven minute video did give me pause and made me feel frightened for a minute or two.

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m777z

Apr. 27th, 2017 01:30 am (UTC)

St. Petersburg

Speaking of cons, I'm glad you added St. Petersburg, I hope to see you there! Does that mean you're done with WINDS??? I distinctly remember you said you wouldn't add new cons (besides Worldcons) until WINDS was complete...

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grrm

Apr. 27th, 2017 01:33 am (UTC)

Re: St. Petersburg

Russia has been in the works for four years.

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Sean T. King

Apr. 27th, 2017 01:59 pm (UTC)

Re: St. Petersburg

Funny (and frightening)!

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Alex McDonough

Apr. 27th, 2017 07:23 am (UTC)

RE: St. Petersburg

Come on now, you don't actually believe that SerG would skip out on Cons, do you? Btw, George, if you ever decide to visit China, I'm offering to be your translator.

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Rita Sloan

Apr. 27th, 2017 12:29 pm (UTC)

Are you coming to Worldcon Helsinki?
We don't have old ocean liners, but we have a replica Viking ship for re-enactment sailing.

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James Doerfler

Apr. 27th, 2017 02:04 pm (UTC)

Enjoy

Every comment asks for a Winds update, geez! Let the man breathe!

Have fun and enjoy. Thanks for the blog update!

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nafiul

Apr. 27th, 2017 03:08 pm (UTC)

ocean liners

Whats so nice about the old ocean liners compared to modern day cruise liners?

Also thoughts and opinions on 'singular they'

Much Love, Best Wishes. Looking forward to Winds.

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voltandoao405

Apr. 27th, 2017 03:31 pm (UTC)

russia's issue

hi, george, no WINDS question here, but a political one. of course 'sabotage' a travel to a country because of its government isn't exactly fair or effective, but how do you feel about those horrific things happening in Russia nowadays? for example, there are complaints that they are building concentration fields to murder gay people. i mean, you are a well known LGBT supporter, and i'd love to know what do you think about avoiding a country or sabotage any event there because of its acts.

you're also a well known writer and an influence to a lot of people. i see people asking to artists to not go to some places, like singers asking their friends and collegues to not perform in Israel. so, repeating myself, i'd really love to hear your thoughts about that matter.

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grrm

Apr. 27th, 2017 06:28 pm (UTC)

Re: russia's issue

I have seen this same issue arise a hundred different times in a hundred different places over a hundred different issues during my lifetime. Fandom debated whether to go worldcon in Phoenix in 1978, because Arizona had not ratified the ERA (Harlan famously semi-boycotted by staying in a trailer). Jimmy Carter took the US out of the 1979 Olympics in Russia because of Russian actions in Afghanistan. There were questions as to whether American athletes should have gone to the '36 Olympics as well. I could go on and on... so could you, I have no doubt...

I have never seen any evidence that any of these actions are effective. All Jimmy did was deny a lot of US athletes the chance to win medals; Russia's Afghanistan policy did not change. Arizona never did ratify the ERA, despite being denied the income from Harlan's hotel room. Jesse Owens did more good by winning gold in '36, with Hitler watching, than he would have done by staying home. IMNSHO, at any rate.

I'm going to Russia as a guest of Russian fandom and my Russian publisher, neither of whom is responsible for Putin's policies.

I may not approve of those policies... but I don't approve of what Trump is doing either. I know some writers and fans from overseas are saying they won't come to the US so long as Trump is in power, and I respect their right to make that choice... but it's not the choice I'd make in their place.

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J�lio Gutheil

Apr. 27th, 2017 08:06 pm (UTC)

Brazil

Hi George! A few years back you said that you would come to Brazil in 2017, is that still up? I really hope so, I would go anywhere to see you if you come here :)

Thank you and have fun in California!

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grrm

Apr. 27th, 2017 09:37 pm (UTC)

Re: Brazil

I am afraid the Brazil trip had to be postponed. Maybe in 2018 or 2019.

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Rachel Carvalho

Apr. 29th, 2017 03:28 pm (UTC)

You and Kim Stanley Robinson!

I would really love to see 2 of my favorite authors talking about their writing! Is there any chance this event will be broadcast online or at least recorded?

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William T Lloyd

Apr. 29th, 2017 06:45 pm (UTC)

Possible to view online?

Pretty much my two favorite authors in conversation - will there be a stream set up at any point for viewing?

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ajohn020

Apr. 30th, 2017 11:53 pm (UTC)

Stokercon

Sounds like fun! I am green with envy of those who are Abel to go. I will probably be old and grey by the time I am actually Abel to attend one of these events. I'd love to hear you talk about cultures like the accursed Ironborn or places like the mysterious Barrowlands. Your ancient Westerosi history is also fascinating. My brother and I are big fans;) Will your stokercon discussion mention your ASOIAF series and will your appearance be available on youtube?

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dustman818

May. 3rd, 2017 12:52 am (UTC)

Mr. Martin, my name is Dustin and I would like to ask do we get to learn any of the other Houses Mottos. I'm most interested in House Dustin's motto. If it is a spoiler please let me know. I know you you get a lot questions asked about your books and god knows what else, and this is my first time asking a question of you, but don't be burdened to answer me, it won't destroy me if you don't and I won't hate you for it. I'm just curious to know if you'll eventually let us know what House Dustin's motto is or House Manderly or House Umber and so on. If it is a spoiler let me know so that I can eventually read it. Thank you for your time and I hope you have a lovely time here in California.

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Simmy San

May. 4th, 2017 11:45 pm (UTC)

russia!!

any chance you'll stop through dubai on your way there? you have an open invitation to dinner if you do!!!

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( 23 comments )

April 2018