In which Seanan is booking 2017.

[seanan_mcguire]

Well, there we go: the first unmovable object has been dropped into my 2017 calendar, and all else will now need to work around it.

2017. Wow.

I do a lot of conventions. I have a lot of book release parties. I try to get to Disneyland as often as I can (mostly for the sake of my sanity, following the first two items on this list). This means that I am scheduled very, very far in advance, and have to keep careful notes about where I am when, to avoid situations like, oh, Seattle one weekend and London the next. To give a non-specific example that didn't cause me to spend three days awake due to jet lag, honest.

No. Not honest. Lying. I did not avoid that situation, and it's dreadful.

What makes it tricky is that frequently, I can't say "I am booked for Memorial Day weekend in timezone X," because the convention I'm going to be guesting at hasn't made their announcement yet. As someone who used to organize conventions, being able to control that announcement is very, very important, which is why I never say anything without permission. But it means that my schedule may look completely clear, when really, there's a cascade of conventions that's about to be revealed, ha ha, fooled you. (Everything goes on my schedule as it gets revealed, and can be found on the front page of my website.) This is why I sometimes have to decline invitations with a "please consider me for next year." I really do mean it.

I love conventions. I love travel. I love meeting people and doing things.

But oh, sometimes, I want a nap.

Comments

[lysystratae.livejournal.com]

You could add a TBA marker on your calendar for those.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Not really. There are only so many conventions on a given weekend, and the process of elimination could be very simple, depending.

[lapislaz.livejournal.com]

As much as we love you and want to see you, please remember how to say "NO". We want you rested and happy, and a jet-lagged sleep-deprived Seanan is not a happy Seanan.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

What's scary is I do say "no."

[djonn]

As I approach middle age, I am coming to a much greater appreciation of a Father's Day card I gave my father many, many moons ago.

Front of card: Charles Schulz's immortal Snoopy, sitting on his doghouse. "In honor of you on Father's Day...."

Inside: Snoopy now lying atop the doghouse, nose to the sky, eyes closed: "...a nap has been taken in your name."

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Ha!

[grenacia.livejournal.com]

I was excited to hear at the closing ceremonies of Minicon 50 that you'll be a Guest of Honor at Minicon 51 next year (and you're also listed as such on their website: http://mnstf.org/minicon51/). I don't know anything about the other conventions you haven't announced yet or the process of waiting to announce, but I would think since they've announced it you'd be safe to announce it too. Though I wouldn't be surprised if you've just been too busy traveling to have a chance to add it to the schedule on your website.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I not only wait for permission, I wait for the "news cycle" to catch up. Saying "hey, I'm GoH here" in a week where I have two new releases and am on tour means the news gets buried, and no one notices. I'm pretty good at timing my own announcements.

[grenacia.livejournal.com]

Makes sense!

[thedragonweaver.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I'd be tempted to put "More Disneyland" or "Family Obligation" in those slots, at least as a placeholder. For variety, throw in "Sanity-Saver" a couple of times, and explain that you really do need to schedule those far in advance, given as you're so busy.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Heh. Good thought.