Kathy Campbell

aka JordanCon’s Officer of Communications

You’ll find her- in the wild enjoying herself around the con for most of the weekend!

Sunday session- Feedback & Leavetakings

Kitty Rallo

aka ½ of this year’s Toastmaster duo

Opening Ceremonies

Project Runway: JordanCon

Unlocking Shakespeare with Guy Roberts

Author Guest of Honor Spotlight

Artist Guest of Honor Spotlight

JordanCon’s Annual Costume Contest

Ebony Adomanis

aka JordanCon’s New Member Services Director

You’ll find her- Friday New Member Tours

Remainder of the weekend in the wild enjoying herself around the con!

Thom DeSimone

aka JordanCon Panelist

tWoTcast Live!

WoTionary: A Wheel of Time Game Show

Crystal Fritz

aka JordanCon Newbie

You’ll find her- in the wild enjoying herself around the con!

Kevin Angus

aka JordanCon Panelist

Looney Theories

The Wheel of Time Family Feud with Tar Valon After Dark

Erin DeSimone

aka JordanCon’s Director of Media Relations

You’ll find her- in the wild enjoying herself around the con!

With JordanCon just around the corner, excitement is building, and so is the need to pack smart! Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned attendee, having the right gear can make all the difference. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 essentials I pack to ensure my adventure is as smooth as a Tinker's dance moves.

1. VEGER Portable Charger: Never let your device die in the middle of capturing a memorable panel or snapping a selfie with your favorite author. This slim power bank is a lifesaver, with built-in cables for both iPhone and Android devices.

2. Veken Packing Cubes: Stay organized and maximize suitcase space with these handy packing cubes. They come in various sizes, making it easy to find exactly what you need without rummaging through your entire bag.

3. Pedialyte Powder Packets: Hydration is key, especially with all the excitement and running around. These packets are a quick fix to keep hydrated, helping you stay energized throughout the con.

4. Riemot Luggage Cup Holder: Juggling coffee and luggage is no joke. Attach this cup holder to your suitcase handle, and keep your drinks secure while you maneuver through crowds. Two drink slots in case you are a drink goblin like me!

5. Earplugs: Whether you're trying to sleep on a noisy flight, in a room near the party floor, or next to a snoring roommate, earplugs are essential for peace and quiet. I bring my Loop earplugs, which I use year-round to drown out the chaos of the office.

6. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes: Refresh your skin after a long day with these individually wrapped wipes. They're perfect for quick makeup changes between events or before bedtime. Unlike travel packs of makeup wipes, these won’t dry out because they are individually wrapped. This is especially handy if you don’t use these frequently. It will keep the rest fresh for when you do need them.

7. BAGSMART Toiletry Bag: This TSA-approved toiletry bag hangs conveniently and fits all your grooming essentials, keeping them neatly organized and accessible. 

8. 14 GRIDS Travel Pill Organizer: Keep your medications and supplements neatly sorted and easily accessible, a must-have for managing health on the go. It is so small, it can easily fit in any bag you choose.

9. Electronics Organizer: An absolute necessity to keep all your electronic accessories like cables, power banks, Apple watches, Fitbits, e-readers, and earphones in one place. No more digging through your bag for a lost charger!

10. Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen: From accidental spills to enthusiastic costume mishaps, this pen will be your best friend. It's compact and perfect for immediate spot treatment to keep your outfits looking great.

Packing these items will ensure you're prepared for anything JordanCon throws your way, leaving you free to focus on the fun, the books, and the unforgettable community experience. See you there!

*Note- contains affiliate links. Clicking through our links won't cost you any extra, but Dragonmount may get a small commission from Amazon. It's win-win for you and us!

Welcome to the 2024 Dragonmount x JordanCon Quest!

Join Dragonmount on a quest to interact with the amazing community at JordanCon, which comes together each year to celebrate The Wheel of Time and other sci-fi/fantasy works.

Here's how it's going to work!
Complete any quests from the list below by following the instructions and posting the photos to your social media account using the hashtag #DragonmountQuest.

Write the number of each completed quest in any box on the BINGO card on the back of your JordanCon program.

Get BINGO by placing any 5 completed quest numbers in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). 

When you've made a BINGO, search out a member of Dragonmount to confirm and authorize your win.

Important note: All photos must be taken with consent. Please do not interrupt or disrupt panels or conversations to take photos.

To be eligible to win BINGO all social media posts must be on a public profile using the hashtag #DragonmountQuest (so Dragonmount can authenticate and repost).

1. Selfie with a Dragonmount staffer
2. Screenshot of your Dragonmount.com profile
3. Selfie with someone in Aes Sedai cosplay
4. Screenshot of you following Dragonmount on Twitch with the alert bell
5. Post in the JordanCon 2024 chat on the Dragonmount Discord
6. Photo of someone reading a book at JordanCon
7. Photo of a Dragonmount ribbon on your badge
8. Selfie with an Author Guest and their book
9. Screenshot of your favorite video from Dragonmount's YouTube Channel
10. Photo of your Con Suite meal
11. Photo of a non-Wheel of Time cosplay
12. Screenshot of your favorite blog post on Dragonmount.com
13. Photo at a panel
14. Selfie with a Dealer
15. Repost your favorite Dragonmount TikTok and comment on it that you reposted it
16. Screenshot of you following Dragonmount on Instagram
17. Screenshot of the bookstore on Dragonmount where you can buy ebooks published by Tor Publishing Group
18. Post a video of yourself declaring <something> "From the slopes of Dragonmount!"
19. A photo of the Dragonmount logo somewhere at JordanCon
20. Selfie with a group of nerds
21. Dragonmount dance party! Find our dance party thread on our social media and post a pic/video of you dancing or a dancing gif
22. Photo of a purchase made from the Dealers Hall
23. Selfie with a piece of art you've purchased
24. Screenshot of you following Dragonmount on TikTok
25. Selfie at the JordanCon dance party
26. Selfie at the JordanCon store
27. Photo of your best Wheel of Time inspired pose
28. Photo of anything that isn't directly related to The Wheel of TIme but makes you THINK of The Wheel of Time
29. Screenshot of you following Dragonmount on YouTube with the alert bell
30. Photo of an awesome Charity Auction item

The first five people with a straight line BINGO will win one of the following prizes: a signed hardcover Origins of the Wheel of Time OR Books 1-4 of the Stormlight Archive. With book five, Wind and Truth, coming out this December, now is the perfect time to catch up on the series!

Anyone else with a completed BINGO will be entered for a chance to win any remaining copies as well as a variety of other amazing prizes from the Tor Publishing Group warehouse.

Special thanks to the incredible team over at Tor Publishing Group for sponsoring these amazing prizes. 

Stay tuned for Brandon Sanderson's Wind and Truth, which releases on December 6th, 2024. 

JordanCon 2022 wrapped up a few weeks ago, but that doesn't mean we're out of content!

Kitty Rallo got an opportunity to sit down and chat with Maria Simons, of Team Jordan, to get some inside information.  Maria shared her start with joining Robert Jordan as an office assistant, and how her role evolved over the years.  

You can check out the full video here:

For those who have been fortunate enough to chat with Maria, you can easily see how much of a treasure she is!  

Do you have a meeting Maria story you'd like to share?  Let us know in the comments!

JodanCon Day 3 is the saddest!  It’s time to say goodbye to friends and family.  It’s time to leave the hotel that offered us sanctuary for the past few days.  It’s time to put our costumes in the closet until next year (or the next local con).  Sunday feels bitter-sweet.  Looking back over the weekend, we had the time of our lives, but all good things must come to an end.

Here are some highlights from today.

Matt Hatch recorded a live Dusty Wheel episode in the lobby.  This amazing event—with lots of fan participation—is worth a watch.  You can see all of Matt’s JordanCon videos here.

The Wheel of Time Track had a panel on ranking our favorite scenes in the Amazon Prime Video television show.  Our own Kathy Campbell, as well as Maria Simons, gave their expert opinions.

The Charity Auction and Art Show Auction wrapped up.  Winners collected their items, or suffered the bitter taste of defeat.  I was so so happy to win a beautiful mixed medium artwork called “The Colors of My Sisters,” crafted by Lori of Morrow Makings.

I was looking forward to teaching a cross-stitching class and it did not disappoint!  We had a great turn out and got to pass along our Wheel of Time 8-bid designs.  We’ll have to do it again next year.

Finally, JordanCon is a charity.  Any money raised is donated.  This year’s recipient was the Mayo Clinic, to aid in the research of amyloidosis, the disease that took Robert Jordan from us.  This year, $19,800 was raised!  $13,500 was from the charity auction!  The signed script page was auctioned for $1,055.  We did amazing!  I love how the fandom cares so deeply about giving back.

If you attended the con, please make sure to leave feedback by following this link.

Now the con is over and it’s back to our daily lives.  Hopefully we’ll be getting season 2 of the television show to tide us over until next year.  Until then, keep up to date with Wheel of Time news and announcements by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

JodanCon Day 2 is the best!  It’s the only full day (unless you count CouchCon after the closing ceremonies) and that means it’s packed from morning to evening.

The annual costume contest falls on Saturday, so the cosplayers were out in droves.

Wheel of Time cosplays are expected.

https://twitter.com/AielMelindhra

Brandon Sanderson and cosmere are expected.

And at JordanCon, other fandom tie-ins are also expected.

https://www.facebook.com/42bananas?__tn__=-UC*F

Nothing is off limits for this fandom!  Keep that in mind for next year.  If you're hesitating over a costume idea, don't.

And speaking of the costume contest, here are the highlights.

Judges' Choice:

Judge Leslie: Jessica Jones as Pregnant Elayne

Judge Redfield Designs (Kathryn Paterwic): Ruth Carnejo as Egwene at the Last Battle

Judge Deana: Ris Harp as Blackbeard (from Our Flag Means Death)

Found Object:

tWoTCast and Taffy Bennington as The Best Hedge Rand and Mat Slept Under

Workmanship Award:

April Davis as a Nym

Winners:

Novice: Liz Willoughby as Bright and Fun Tinker

Journeyman: Chris Orndorff as Steampunk Ursula

Master: Seth Lockhart, Kate Helmly, Stephen Helmly, and Steph Greear as Heralds (from Rhythm of War)

Best in Show: Marcos Romero, Sita Romero, Theo Romero, and Brandee Anderson as Logain Ablar, Liandrin Sedai, and Red Aes Sedai

https://twitter.com/LeisaSedai

Justin Gerard—one half of this year's Artist Guest of Honor—had a live drawing panel.  The end result was an amazing Trolloc.

Dragonmount's own Rand al'Thor made an appearance.  Check out TikTok for all the videos.

Another Rand variant also put on a display.  Paul Bielaczyc reenacted the (in)famous cover of Lord of Chaos.

I spent my time today talking about detectives in urban fantasy and attempting to crochet a Doomslug—well, technically a friend of Doomslug.  One amazing thing about this convention is there is something for everyone. 

Tomorrow, I am teaching a Wheel of Time cross-stitching class in the Makers Track.  I can’t wait to show pictures from that!

Sunday’s coming on fast, but there’s still plenty of JordanCon left to indulge in.

Follow along to see me and other Dragonmount staff on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Which costume contest participant was your favorite?  Let us know in the comments below.

JordanCon 2022 kicked off today in Atlanta, Georgia.  Despite a smaller, in-person gathering last summer, this feels like returning home after a long hiatus for many of us.  Reuniting with friends and family I haven’t seen since 2019 was an amazing experience.  So many familiar faces are here.  And, so many new ones.

Although this may be JordanCon’s biggest attendance so far, the quality of people is still on par for what we expect from this intimate convention.  Today, I spoke to three random JordanCon first-timers and all of them were welcomed with open arms.  It’s good to know that a large audience won’t break the spirit we strive for: a feeling of family.

And while all JordanCon members feel like family, it’s also a great place to hang with literal family.

Our own Kitty Rallo and her sister Aleena.

My sister, Maggie, and I posing with our “not today, Shai’tan” shirts.

Speaking of Kitty, keep an eye out for a Q&A with Maria Simons, from Team Jordan.

It was a busy day for panels today.  After opening ceremonies with Toastmaster Rhed, I was grateful to be on the “There are books?? (The Wheel of Time for Beginners)” panel.  We got to talk to new readers and new JordanCon members and share non-spoiler aspects of the series we love. 

After that, I was a guest on the highly anticipated “A New Turning of the Wheel: Why Changes are Necessary in an Adaptation” panel.  Since JordanCon goers are the best, all discussion aspects and questions were civil.

Naturally I was busy and missed the huge cast announcement!  If you missed it, check out the Ayoola Smart as Aviendha article or our own Ebony and daughter Aviendha discussing this breaking news!

Tomorrow is a full day, so I’m looking forward to another adventure.

Follow along to see me and other Dragonmount staff on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Have you attending JordanCon before?  Plan on coming next year? Are you here now?  Let us know in the comments below!

JordanCon is hosting an event where cast members from Amazon Prime Video’s Wheel of Time television show will answer fan questions.  Here are the details from JordanCon’s Facebook page:

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Hey #JordanCon fam! Amazon Prime Video is doing something awesome for us! They’re going to create a video where a few members of the Wheel of Time show cast and crew answer YOUR questions! Use the form below to submit burning queries about costumes, props, acting experiences, music... anything! The form will be active for 24 hours, so be steadfast! Once it’s closed, JordanCon will provide Amazon Prime Video with selected questions. They will then create a video with as many responses as possible that will premiere at #JordanCon2022! And if you can't join us in person, no worries— the video will be available on our YouTube channel as well. https://forms.gle/gLUPukajDvh3ySKF9

Time is running out!  Make sure to submit your questions as fast as possible.

In 2019, a group project was put forward in the JordanCon Costumers Facebook group.  The idea--suggested by Christine Wessling--was to create a quilt.  Each block of the quilt would represent one of the books with The Wheel of Time, and each block would be created by a different crafter.  The idea was quickly embraced by many in the group and the books were snagged!

Here are the details from JordanCon:

Quote

On May 2, 2019 Christine Wessling posted in the JordanCon Costumers Facebook group asking if there was an interest in doing a group quilt for the Charity auction. She had experience with similar projects and wanted to give back to JordanCon after being embraced by the Con’s people. Within hours there was a flood of comments and interest.  Three days later Christine and Natalie Gehling had developed a plan for the quilt.  Each block was to be a book cover using the Tall Tales Quilt Block, but enlarged by 100%. By the end of the following week, all the blocks had been claimed by a JordanCon enthusiast and Joy Allen had agreed to take on the dauting task of quilting the blanket together.

All blocks were turned in by December 31, 2019 so the quilt could be ready for the April 2020 convention.  Some blocks were claimed by new people as life hit others. Thankfully all the books were claimed, and a piece was finished for each in time. Then 2020 hit everyone. Allen had finished the quilt, but it was decided the quilt should be held for the 2021 convention when more of the participants would have a chance of seeing the finished work in-person.

Now everyone can enjoy seeing the finished quilt as a preview prior to the July convention.  The makers hope many people will appreciate the work put into creating the piece. It was a labor of love by many different people.

Good luck to the winner of the Wheel of Time quilt auction!  May it bring you much joy and comfort as you read many books curled up under the quilt.
The bidding will be on Friday and Saturday of JordanCon 2021.

Note on the care of the quilt: Machine wash cold, delicate cycle. Line or lay flat to dry. DO NOT put this in a dryer!!

I feel so fortunate that I was able to contribute to this project!  I knew I wanted to make my love of Lan and Nynaeve apparent, so I picked Knife of Dreams.  There are so many wonderful Lan and Nynaeve moments--when Nynaeve breaks her block, her first confession to him in The Eye of the World, Lan giving her his ring and her Accepted testing in The Great Hunt--but the ultimate has to be Nynaeve's trek through the borderlands gathering her husband an army.  "The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai'don!" is the best line of the book.  I tried to capture that theme with a golden crane, crown, and lance on a field of blue.

I envy the lucky winner of this quilt!  It will be an amazing addition to any fan's collection!

You can read more from each of the contributors on JordanCon's website.

Good news, everyone!  JordanCon announced earlier today they are hosting an in-person convention over the summer!

Details are still being solidified, but we can confirm a few things:

JordanCon 2021 will be held July 16th through the 18th at the Crown Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta, Georgia.

All attendees, staff, guests, and volunteers are required to have the COVID-19 vaccine.

Masks will be required during the event and CDC guidelines will be observed.

More details are coming soon, but this is an amazing opportunity to see our fandom family and keep JordanCon going strong!  To read the rest of the JordanCon 2021 FAQ, you can click here.

JordanCon has been a staple--if not the staple--in the Wheel of Time fandom since its founding in 2009.  The outbreak of COVID-19 canceled the event in 2020 and the tentatively scheduled weekend in April 2021, causing the non-profit organization is calling on fans for assistance.  

A GoFundMe has been set up for JordanCon, a 501c4 charity, to help off set the costs associated with canceling the event and to help with planning any future conventions when it's deemed safe enough for us to congregate.  On the GoFundMe site, JordanCon states:

"JordanCon is a tax exempt 501c4 non-profit organization that holds a yearly sci-fi and fantasy literature convention to honor the late Robert Jordan by supporting the Mayo Clinic.  But we're also so much more than that. JordanCon is a family of incredibly diverse people who come together to celebrate not just their love The Wheel of Time, but also the many lifelong friendships they've made over the years. JordanCon often feels more like a family reunion than a convention, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

But Covid-19 stopped us from gathering last year, and we all felt the effects. We weren't just missing an event (though the event itself is fantastic); we were missing each other. JordanCONine allowed us to interact as much as we were able, but we missed the hugs, the high-fives, the dancing, the costumes, the panels, the… the things that make JordanCon so special. We missed being together in one big space, enjoying our favorite weekend of the year as a family.

Now 2021 is here and it's clear that Covid-19 is going to continue to cause disruptions for events and organizations moving forward. We already had to postpone our usual weekend in April, and now we're working hard to try and figure out how to continue to bring you the best JordanCon experience we can.

But we can't do that alone; we can't do it without our family. So as much as we didn't want to ask, especially since we know many of you are hurting financially during this time, we find ourselves in a situation where our operating costs are much higher than they've ever been. Like many organizations, especially non-profits, we're worried about the future. JordanCon doesn't make money. We've always focused on using the funds we receive to make the convention fantastic, and more importantly, to support charities such as the Mayo Clinic. Because of that, we don't have an emergency fund. And who could have possibly anticipated a global pandemic and the increased operating costs associated with it?

If you can't afford to help financially, we completely understand. Times are hard. But if you have some money to share, we would definitely appreciate any help you're able to give. We just want to make sure we can keep hosting this incredible family reunion (that is technically a convention) and donate to charities like the Mayo Clinic for as long as we possibly can."

There's a fantastic list of rewards for those who can contribute!  If you can, please donate to this cause and help us keep this family get-together going strong!

This weekend, JordanCon hosted an online version of the beloved convention dedicated to Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time series, and all things fantasy.  The Wot on Prime panel had some amazing panelist: Jennifer Liang, Shannan Lieb, Matt Hatch, Adam Whitehead, and Daniel Green.  But the surprise guest blew us all away: Rafe Judkins, the show runner for the Amazon Prime Wheel of Time show.

Rafe’s presence was a complete shock to watchers on YouTube.  Once everyone calmed down, the group talked about casting choices (discussing the amazing acting by Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones and how it won over the fans), the progress of the series (Rafe did nod when Matt said the series will not premier in 2020, and nodded again when Jenn said there won’t be 14 seasons), and how new fans who haven’t read the series might react to the show (Daniel promotes peace between book fans and show fans).

Rafe spoke about how fans will react to his adaptation.  A lot of factors play into it—alluding to what they could get a dog to do on a Saturday—but Rafe insists he’s keeping the heart and spine of the series whole. He’s casting actors on the ability to portray the soul of the character, or keeping the heart of the scene, even if it’s different from the actual scene from the books.

Rafe went into detail about how hiatus has affected the show, including having all eight scripts for season two finished before they start filming it and how that will positively impact editing and the flow of shooting.  He shared a story of Josha Stradowski (Rand), Marcus Rutherford (Perrin), and Barney Harris (Mat) sneaking out together in a very similar way the three ta’veren heroes are often out finding trouble.  Jenn asked why Rafe wanted to be involved in The Wheel of Time show and Rafe’s answer was perfect—and reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson’s answer for finishing the series—he doesn’t want anyone else to do it because they might mess it up.  Rafe continued on this topic and praised Brandon for his support on the project.  Adam asked about how gender will play into the show and Rafe answered that the Wheel of Time series addressed many gender issues when it was first released and wants to focus on making sure those points are made in a modern way (my interpretation is the show will not be focusing on feminism from the 1990s, but address it from a 2020-ish perspective).  He also talked about major themes of fate, hope and destiny will be prominent within the show.  Matt asked how the show will honor Robert Jordan, and Rafe answered there’ll be more of a feel of Harriet McDougal (Robert Jordan’s widow), Maria Simons (Robert Jordan’s assistant and member of Team Jordan), and Brandon Sanderson.  He also uses audio clips of Jordan’s book signings for help with pronunciations.  Rafe feels behind the scenes footage is better left until after the actual footage has been seen.  He says pictures will be released before any behind the scenes footage. Before leaving, Rafe did praise Wheel of Time fans for our kindness.  Jenn had to reiterate how we try to have a “No Jerks” policy in all our spaces.

After Rafe left, panelists speculated about tidbits Rafe said.  The first being the reference to a dog not doing what it was supposed to on a Saturday—Jenn suggests it might be the scene where Mat flours Haral and Alsbet Luhhan’s dogs?  There was also heavy emphasis on how Rafe is a huge fan of the series and how similar his answer was to Brandon Sanderson on why he got involved with the show.

You can watch the recorded video on JordanCon’s YouTube page, including real-time fan chat!  You can check out other JordanCONline videos here!

So what do you think?  Will Rafe’s fan status ease your worries?  Let us know in the comments below!

Though the annual JordanCon was canceled in the physical realm, they’re taking the party to a mystical place similar to tel’aran’rhiod… the internet.  More specifically, JordanCon’s website, their Discord server, and other meeting apps like Zoom.

Today, JordanCon released this weekend’s schedule:

Thursday night will have a JordanCon countdown.  Join the Discord server and party till the party starts!

Friday’s events start with the “Kilts and Crowns Kickoff on our Social Media.”  This event can be accessed several places, including JordanCon’s website, their Facebook group, Twitter, and Instagram.  Don’t say they’re not giving you options.  There will also be a “Dragonsteel Kickstarter” where Brandon Sanderson and Dragonsteel will reveal their latest project.  There will also be livestreams with artists Ariel Burgess and Paul Bielaczyc—Ariel’s will be demonstrating digital painting techniques, while Paul’s will host other artists for a game of Drawful.

As usual, Saturday is the day for cosplay!  Follow or post your own pictures on all of JordanCon’s social media accounts.  Jennifer Liang and Adam Whitehead, along with other panelists, will discuss “WoT on Prime,” delving into all we know about the show and other things we can guess.  No Texas Hold-em Tournament this year, but JordanCon is still raising money of the Mayo Clinic—this year’s game of choice will be “Celebrity DnD.”  And no JordanCon is complete without the Saturday dance party!  You’ll need to head to Zoom to see the dancing and Discord to hear the music.

Sunday concludes the convention with “Fantasy Debate,” where the panelists will discuss Wheel of Time versus fantasy elements.  And finally, Jenn and Jimmy Liang will end the event with the JordanCon Awards.

Though we can’t be together all in one place, at least we’ll be able to spend digital time with people we love and discuss the series that brought us all together.

Keep up-to-date with the details by following JordanCon on social media, or check out their website!

It’s with great sadness our friends at JordanCon announced they will have to cancel the convention for 2020.  In a statement released earlier today, Jennifer Liang, the convention chair of JordanCon said:

Quote

Friends, it’s with great sadness that I announce the cancellation of JordanCon 2020. This is not a decision we make lightly. However, in light of the current state of emergency in Georgia it became clear that hosting JordanCon would be irresponsible of us. We initially tried to work with our host hotel, the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, to find alternative dates this year. However, nothing suitable was available. We understand that this comes as a disappointment to many of you and some of you will have financial concerns. We want this situation to be as seamless as possible for you, so we’ve prepared a FAQ that hopefully answers your questions. We will also continue to update our website and social media channels with information on how you can help members of our community affected by the coronavirus outbreak. We thank you for your patience and support during these trying times.

It may take some time to work out all the details, including prepaid merchandise, members's tickets, and the hotel room blocks.  Showing patience and understanding during this hectic time can go a long way for the JordanCon staff and board of directors.  

Many of these smaller conventions are taking massive hits from the Covid-19 pandemic.  As a non-profit, JordanCon functions year to year, and this hiccup could cause lasting damage.  I’ve seen many people on social media call for those who are fortunate enough to donate their ticket fees to the convention.  This could help recoup some of the losses on the horizon.  

I am more than happy to support JordanCon and all it stands for.  I purchased two tickets--one for me and one for my husband--and I will donate that to the convention instead of asking for a refund or having the paid price apply to next year.  

There will be other ways we can support JordanCon authors and artists.  Many of them are also struggling with so many conventions being canceled.  For those who earn their livelihood on the con tracks, now is a scary time.  You can find the full list of JordanCon guests.  If you’re able, buy a new book to read during quarantine!  Support an artist and buy a new print to brighten up your living room!  JordanCon is a family, and we want to show our family we are here for them.

Keep up with the latest from JordanCon on Facebook, Twitter, their website, and the FAQ.

JordanCon is a little more than a month away, and while we’re all looking forward to seeing our Wheel of Time friends and family again, we need to take a moment and address the current state of the world.  As the Covid 19 virus is becoming more widespread, JordanCon wants all members—past, present, and future—to know they are taking every necessary precaution.  JordanCon stated on Facebook earlier this week:

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JordanCon takes the safety of its members very seriously. We are currently monitoring the spread of Covid 19 and reviewing our policies and procedures to meet this goal.

We are following the recommendations of the CDC and the city of Dunwoody regarding best practices for containing the virus. 

We are also working with our host hotel to ensure a safe JordanCon. We’ll have more updates as decisions are made and we see how it’s impacting us.

If the situation changes we will update via our social media channels, website, and newsletter.

If you are in a high-risk group and have specific questions, please reach out to us at operations@jordancon.org.

 

Obviously keeping everyone safe is the top priority.  But as long as conditions remain stable, the show will go on!  Purchasing refundable plane tickets might be something to consider if you haven’t invested in tickets yet. Also, follow the recommendations of the CDC while traveling.

JordanCon will take place at the Crown Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 17^th through the 19^th.   You can still pre-order tickets to all three days on JordanCon’s website.  The pre-order option is available until March 20^th.

The deadline to purchase the JordanCon 2020 anthology Become Legend is fast approaching!  Order by March 25^th to ensure you get a copy. This week’s author interview is with Saki Marie Harp talking about her addition “The Storyteller.”

First, can you tell us about your writing?  Is this your first published work?
I have been writing for fun since my teacher told me I had written a brilliant story in first grade.

After a spinal injury, I began writing for sanity.

I don’t have the stamina to write proper novels, so I tend toward short stories and poetry.

Though recently I spend much of my time focused on writing and arting comic books. I also love to verb.

While I have had some poetry published long ago, this will be my first published short story.

Where does your story fall on the speculative fiction scale?
It’s fantasy, but there’s not really a lot of magic or anything. Just a dash of demon-human interbreeding.
 
What excited you the most with writing this story?
The story I submitted was unfinished. It was a mishmash of ideas and feelings that began as an exercise in writing a scene for a signing audience. It’s been exciting to see it change into a cohesive story with a meaningful message that I’m rather proud of.

Are there any themes you want readers to get a sense of?
The fantasy genre is full of interesting cultures and manual languages, but somewhat devoid of deaf or mute characters and cultures.

I’m just doing my part to represent diverse abilities in fantasy.
 
Is there a specific inspirational source you used for this story?
The theme of the anthology is legends. In my research, I looked for folk tales featuring deaf people and found only one obscure Japanese myth. I was also inspired by the legend that the Plantagenet family descended from demons. I combined the need for more deaf stories and demonic fun times to create a new legend and a meta-legend. One plus one is three, I guess.

What else would you like to say to your readers?
Thank you for reading. I hope you like it. I’m looking forward to writing some more stories and comics featuring dis/differently-abled characters. I may even revisit these characters at some point, because now I’m curious about what they get up to after the end of the story.

Thanks for talking with me Saki!  You can find out more about Saki and her writing by following her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or checking out her website.  To pre-order your copy of the anthology, you can visit JordanCon’s website.

Today's featured author of the JordanCon Anthology Become Legend is Vincent E.M. Thorn, with his submission entitled "The Witch Hunter."

First, can you tell us about your writing?  Is this your first published work?

I decided I wanted to be an author at a pretty young age, so I’m pretty excited to finally be in a position to share the fruits of that dream. My contribution to the anthology, “The Witch Hunter,” is my second published work, the first being my debut novel titled Skies of the Empire, which launched last year.

Set in a land much like the wild west, “The Witch Hunter” is a coming of age story following a young girl named Harper, whose life is changed when the titular Witch Hunter rides into town. It was a fun challenge to write this one, which went through a couple iterations before it really came together.

Where does your story fall on the speculative fiction scale?

“The Witch Hunter” is pretty firmly in the Fantasy side of things, leaning hard towards High Fantasy. The titular character is going after a legitimate, magic using witch, and there’s no room ambiguity on that front. Multiple mythical creatures are treated as par-the-course, as well.

What excited you the most with writing this story?

There were a couple things that had me excited for this.

From the actual writing side of it, it was the challenge. Short stories don’t come naturally to me, as I have something of a complexity addiction. I suppose that comes from the fact almost everything I read falls into the ‘epic’ category. In my original attempt to tackle this story, the scope was too large and the point of view was wrong for a short story, so retooling that was an interesting task.

Outside the work, I was thrilled by the prospect of sharing page space with other writers I’ve met and gotten to know over the years. That’s just awesome.

Are there any themes you want readers to get a sense of?

There are a few themes in “The Witch Hunter,” some deliberate, some I probably wove in subconsciously. On the intentional side, two I’m particularly fond of are taking charge of your own fate, and the end of one era is the beginning of another.

Is there a specific inspirational source you used for this story?

There were a couple direct and indirect inspirations behind the scenes. Most prominently, I was inspired by the Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski, which also centers around a roving mercenary who fights evil through meticulous preparation and forethought. There is also a similar theme regarding the end of an era. The similar names, however, is entirely coincidental; Witchers don’t even hunt witches.

More for setting itself, I like Weird West stories, and I’m particularly fond of R.S Belcher’s Golgotha series, and think that more fantasy needs to take advantage of just the rich potential of the old west. I mean, come on, the gunslingers and sharpshooters are the American equivalent of knights and samurai.

Also, while I was writing, I made a historical discovery that I felt I absolutely needed to incorporate into the story: a weapon developed in 1856 called the LeMat Revolver, which was both a revolver and a shotgun. As soon as I learned that was real, there was no way I was leaving it out.

What else would you like to say to your readers?

I hope you all enjoy “The Witch Hunter” and the other stories in the Become Legend anthology. This has already been such a fun experience, and I’m stoked to see this book in your hands.

Thank you, Vincent, for talking with me today.  You can find out more about Vincent's other works at his website, or follow him on Facebook.  The JordanCon 2020 anthology Become Legend is available for pre-order until March 25^th.  You can purchase it on JordanCon’s website.

It's two months and two days till JordanCon (but who's counting?) so I'm here to feature another author in this years anthology, Become Legend: Rosemary Williams with her submission "Urban Planning."

First, can you tell us about your writing?  Is this your first published work?

It is!

Unlike a lot of writers, I had no idea I was going to be one when I was young. The closest I came was online roleplaying when MUSHes were still a big thing. (Though as it turns out, it’s a really good way to get a solid percentage of your Million Words of Crap out of your system.) Then there I was, in my late 30s and minding my own voracious reader business, when I had just finished a particular book by my current favorite author and then there was an audible *pop!* and a new gear abruptly engaged in my brain. Suddenly I wanted to put new characters in and play around in the sandbox with new plots and characters and what was happening to me?

I’ve been toying around with fan fiction for a few years to try to shake out some of my rookie writer mistakes, and I’m now to the point where I feel competent enough to write my own original work. I’m really pleased with how it turned out, which is thanks in very large part to my editor, Debra Dixon. She was amazingly helpful and kind to my poor newbie writer's soul.

Where does your story fall on the speculative fiction scale?

It’s comic horror with enough connection to urban fantasy that I could take future stories with these characters in that direction pretty seamlessly.

What excited you the most with writing this story?

It was just gloriously weird and fun to write, and it gave me a chance to showcase some of my hometown of Kansas City. If you find yourself reading and going, “Wait, is that a real thing she’s referencing?” the answer is probably yes.

Are there any themes you want readers to get a sense of?

I wouldn’t really call this an attempt at highbrow literature - it’s a fun romp, and I hope people enjoy reading it. Writing a decent story that clocked in under 7,500 words was quite enough of a challenge for me. But as I mentioned earlier, I have ideas for writing future stories with these characters, and have planted a few seeds of greater depth that will have time to germinate and grow as I improve my skills.

Is there a specific inspirational source you used for this story?

So, as you probably know, the anthology theme this involves legends. This story is based on an urban legend - albeit one I made up and have fun with joking about with my friends - that the all of the weird-shaped intersections in Kansas City are designed that way to hide mysterious eldritch glyphs that are keeping a giant monster asleep beneath the city.

If you like the story, you should find a moment to thank your fellow JordanConner Mark Lindberg for his part in inspiring me to write it. I had shared a picture on Facebook that supported my silly theory and blathered away about it, when he replied with, “So when do I get to read this story?” This was about two weeks from the anthology deadline. If he hadn’t made that little push, I might not have gathered my wits quickly enough to get it written in time.

What else would you like to say to your readers?

Thank you! Please be kind to my massive case of imposter syndrome; I’m still half-convinced I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. Don’t be afraid to say hi to me at the con!

And remember: the Mistcorn loves you. The Mistcorn loves all.

Thank you, Rosemary, for talking with me today.  The JordanCon 2020 anthology Become Legend is available for pre-order until March 25^th.  You can purchase it on JordanCon’s website.

Be you newbie or a veteran attendee; a Wheel of Time fan since the first release of The Eye of the World or someone who only discovered the series recently; a staunch and steadfast devotee of science fiction/fantasy or someone merely taking your first foray into the genre—JordanCon 2020 is here for YOU.

What is JordanCon?

Officially, JordanCon is a Science Fiction/Fantasy literature convention. Founded in 2009 by Jennifer Liang, the convention exists in honor of The Wheel of Time series creator and author, Robert Jordan.

JordanCon is most certainly a Wheel of Time fan’s paradise; finally, a place where nearly everyone you meet will get your WoT references (“Tai'shar Manetheren!”) and will actually care that you started another re-read over Christmas break (and will ask, without judgment, “how many is this for you?”). You will have the opportunity to discuss the upcoming television series, the politics of Tear and Andor, and view some of Robert Jordan’s handwritten notes, drafted as he built the world in which we immerse ourselves again and again.

But JordanCon attendees, initially brought together by their love of a fantasy book series, represent so much more, including diverse fandoms across the board. Attendees become friends, and these friends become family at this warm, inclusive, and genuinely unique convention full of merriment. 

(Note, the above is not a stock description pulled from a website; this is the impact of the con made on yours truly. I showed up to JordanCon 2018 armed with one buddy, information from JordanCon.org, and the WoT knowledge accrued from being a fan of the series since 1996. I left that Sunday with new friends, new memories, and an actual slew of new book, movie, and TV show recommendations.)

Programming

Held in Atlanta, GA, JordanCon includes programming geared toward all aspects of the genre, in addition to Robert Jordan and The Wheel of Time.

A few examples of last year’s program tracks: 

Art & Artists Track
Fantasy Track
Gaming
Science Fiction Track
Workshops
World of the Wheel
Worlds of Brandon Sanderson
Writers Track 

Within each track, attendees will discover panels, discussions, presentations, and activities tailored to that year’s carefully procured list of eclectic and distinct topics. As track directors finalize details, the list of JordanCon 2020 programming will be available soon.

Art Show, Dealers Hall, Guests of Honor, Gaming Hall

As if the tracks and panels and workshops and meet-ups weren’t enough, attendees are treated to art (at the Art Show) and books (at the Dealers Hall) from established and up-and-coming artists and authors. Art and books (and a veritable plethora of other items like chain mail, leather-bound journals, jewelry, and elf ears - that’s right, ELF EARS) are available for both perusal and purchase. In the “established” category, JordanCon 2020’s Artist Guests of Honor are Annie Stegg Gerard and Justin Gerard; this year’s Author Guest of Honor is Faith Hunter, bestselling (New York Times and USA Today) author of the Jane Yellowrock series and the Soulwood series.

The Gaming Hall provides an all-day venue for open gaming. Whether you drop in for a break from panels and activities, or are in it for the long campaign, attendees will find tabletop games, a Magic: The Gathering draft, and the now-famous Seanchan Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, a JordanCon charity event.

Charity Auction

Speaking of now-famous, the JordanCon Charity Auction has grown year after year, raising thousands of dollars for the Mayo Clinic’s amyloidosis (the blood disorder to which Robert Jordan ultimately succumbed) research and patient care center. Items up for bid at past auctions have included signed books and cover art, handmade crafts (Wheel of Time-themed or otherwise), even memorabilia from the personal collection of Robert Jordan himself. Items are donated from fans all over the world, as well as from our talented attendees, panelists, guests of honor, and staff members.

Get Your Membership Badge (and your t-shirt! And your Anthology!) 

Go to JordanCon.org to purchase your attendee membership, granting you access to a full weekend of JordanCon. 

This is also where you can purchase your official JordanCon 2020 t-shirt.  T-shirt pre-sales are the only way to be certain you'll score this year's shirt. A limited number of shirts will be for sale at the convention, but they do sell out quickly. Remember, shirts can only be picked up at the JordanCon store during the convention.

The same goes for the JordanCon Anthology. Available through pre-sale (with a limited number available for sale on premise) and only picked up at the con, “Become Legend: The JordanCon 2020 Anthology” houses 20 short stories written by JordanCon guests and attendees. Each story incorporates this year’s theme, “Con of Legends.” All anthology proceeds go to charity.

You can read all about these talented contributors as Dragonmount’s own Mashiara Sedai features anthology authors in the weeks leading up to JordanCon with this interview series.

More Info

The website offers all the information you need to prepare for JordanCon 2020. You’ll find links to New Member Info (lookin’ at you, newbies); a blog filled with such nuggets of knowledge as themed drinks, breaking Con news, and a first-timers’ survival guide; and The Source, the official JordanCon newsletter (to which you can subscribe).

JordanCon’s social media community will connect you even more closely to this vibrant and inviting gathering. Follow JordanCon on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and find out why one of the most-used hashtags among the JordanCon family is #welcomehome.

#JordanCon
#JCon2020
#isitAprilyet
#welcomehome

Last year, JordanCon started what I hope will be a timeless tradition: it asked members, past and present, to submit short stories for an anthology, with all proceeds going to the JordanCon charity of choice.  This year, the tradition did continue with Become Legend: The JordanCon 2020 Anthology.  This is a great way for writers to reach an audience of typically like-minded individuals.

Leading up to JordanCon (which is April 17th through the 19th), I want to highlight some of the amazing authors who have contributed to this year’s anthology.

First up is a returning author, P Andrew Floyd with his story entitled “Hipshot.”

Can you start by telling us a little about your story for this year’s anthology?

“Hipshot” takes place in an alternate America where just after the Civil War a giant meteorite struck the Dakota Territories, leaving pieces of itself all over the world. Old west metal smiths turned the pieces of that meteorite into weapons that can be used for various magical purposes. Though, mostly folk just use them to shoot each other. Hipshot is a “hexslinger” who just wants to get her cargo cross country to San Francisco. Unfortunately, the magic space rock had another side effect – it woke up long forgotten magical creatures from hibernation and she may just have to fight her way through a horde of orcs to finish her job.

Since this is your second year being featured in the anthology, can you tell us any helpful hints you learned last year that you applied to your story this year?

I got lucky. I had written this story before the anthology theme was announced and it ended up being a perfect fit. I actually tried to write another short to fit the theme and make it more personal to JordanCon, but I ended up shelving it about halfway through because it wasn’t working. It felt way too forced. So, I guess for me what I learned was I need to write to write and if I have something that fits a theme, great! If not, there’s always next time. But that’s just how I work personally.

You survived last year’s JordanCon Anthology signing sessions.  And, you came back for a second helping.  How was your experience attending JordanCon as an author?

It was definitely a roller coaster! (I love roller coasters, btw!) I had a lot of fun while at the same time being really nervous. There was a lot of me thinking, “No one’s gonna want my signature or talk about my story. Why would they?” And then being ecstatic when I was proven wrong, and then feeling nervous again when I worried they’d regret their decision, then realizing that’s silly because no one’s going to think that over an autograph. But I met a lot of cool people both in and out of the book and I got to do one of my favorite things: talk about my writing!

Last year, your story “Doorbuster” was jokingly called “suburban fantasy.”  Is your addition this year similar, like within the same world or series?  Or did you go a completely different route?

I went a totally different route, actually. I was inspired by a character from a Magimart Universe (Doorbuster) story, though. There was a woman who struck me as a modern day gunslinger. I had envisioned this spell casting maneuver for her that was basically like quick drawing guns, but instead of pulling out weapons, she would swipe her fingers across a foci hanging at her hips then fire off blasts of energy from “finger guns.” I thought it would look both awesome and hilarious. But I ended up deciding it didn’t fully fit the magic system I had created. So… I did what any sane writer would do and built up an entire new world around that concept. The world that was born from it ended up being very outside my wheelhouse, but I ran with it after deciding a challenge would be a good thing. With a few exceptions, I’ve never been a huge fan of Westerns. Also, I typically like writing light, humorous stories that focus on character over action. “Hipshot” is an alternate history Weird West with a serious tone and a decent amount of complex action sequences that were super frustrating to write and edit (I’ll have to raise a glass at Con to my editor, Venesa Giunta for dealing with me to get those perfected!). But despite all that, I’m extremely happy with the results.

When I was lucky enough to talk to you about the anthology last year you said, “…keep an eye out for me. I’ve gotten a taste of what it’s like to see my words in a printed book, and I’m not going to stop until it happens again and again.”  It seems it became a prophecy!  What other works have you been dabbling in this year?

Now, prophecy is totally in my wheelhouse! I’m so happy to be in the second anthology and that my words came true because of that. Though, the original meaning behind that statement was born from a bit of naïveté. I was always planning on submitting to anthology two, but my goal was to have something else in the works in between. I had been querying for maybe two months at that point and I was under the impression that if I were to get an agent I would know for sure yes or no by the end of the year. Like, I think I actually thought six months would be enough time to know if that was going to happen. Ha! Little did I know that publishing is THE slowest industry in existence. I am *still* querying over a year later and I am also waiting on multiple full and partial requests from agents. Since then, I did write “Hipshot,” but a lot of my 2019 revolved around my novel. Querying, but also editing. Early last year I won a contest called RevPit and got the chance to work with professional editor Jeni Chappelle to do several passes of my novel to help strengthen it for querying. I took the advice from that and made the best draft I could. Currently I’m working on a new Sci-Fi novel I’m excited about and brainstorming a few short stories that have been tickling the back of my head. And, hey, maybe one of those will be in Anthology 3!

Is there anything else you’d like to say to your readers?

If you missed last year’s anthology, you can read “Doorbuster” at my website here. I also have the first chapter from the novel I’ve been querying up. Also, also, still keep an eye out for me. Publishing may be slow, but I’m still doing the thing and I’ll at least be trying out for the anthology again next year!

Thanks P. Andrew Floyd for talking with me today!  The JordanCon anthology can be pre-ordered from now until March 25^th.  After that, only a few copies will be available for purchase at the convention.  Make sure to get yours ordered now!  Find out more details at JordanCon’s website!

JordanCon 11 kicks off this Friday afternoon!  I can’t wait to mingle with other Wheel of Time fans.  It’s like a family reunion getting to see familiar faces and meeting new additions.  If you’re able to be in attendance, don’t forget to check out the Anthology signing session on Sunday morning at 10:00!

Our last interview is with Sarah Sover, talking about her submission “A Faerie Tale.”

First, can you tell us about your writing?  Is this your first published work?

I write fantasy hybrids, but this is my only short story so far. My debut novel, a comedic fantasy about grog-chugging trolls pulling a perilous heist, releases in September. So this is my first published work of fiction by 5 months!

Where does your story fall on the speculative fiction scale?

Fantasy meets Horror.

What excited you the most with writing this story?

The most exciting part has been discovering that there are people who appreciate my deranged brain-children. My weird stories finding a place to exist in the world is something I never actually thought would happen, let alone twice in one year. As exciting as the actual writing is, that beats it all, hands-down. And working with Robyn Huss. She’s amazing.

Are there any themes you want readers to get a sense of?

I’m going to have to go with the dangers of messing with forces beyond comprehension and flat out nihilism. For my work as a whole, there’s a definite baby-eating theme.

Is there a specific inspirational source you used for this story?

An image popped into my head and remained there for an entire day, so I had to jot it down. The story grew from that black-and-white picture and sat on my desktop, untouched, until I saw the call for submissions two days before the deadline.

What else would you like to say to your readers?

I’m thrilled to have my story featured in this Anthology alongside the works of some fantastic authors. I hope you’ll check out Double-Crossing the Bridge in the fall, and, as always, #BewareTheGoats. You can find me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @SarahJSover.

JordanCon is quickly approaching, and our eagerness is beginning to show!   This week's interview is with Tim Lewis.  He tells us about "Switch," his addition to the JordanCon Anthology.

First, can you tell us about your writing?  Is this your first published work?

This will be my first published work! I’ve been writing for decades, but only for myself as one of many hobbies. Richard Fife’s idea to create short stories for the anthology inspired me to finally stop procrastinating. The publishing process is very daunting and this was a tremendous opportunity to break into the writing world. As to my writing, is “chaotic sugar induced child at a puppy farm” a style? I have piles of notes about writing best practices from the Writer’s Track at JordanCon, and I tried to incorporate each to some level as I work to find my niche. In the beginning it was random pieces as ideas came to mind, then slowly stitching them together, reluctantly killing a few “little darlings,” and then finally obsessing about each word and phrase until I had to walk away.

Where does your story fall on the speculative fiction scale?

After Googling “speculative fiction scale,” this is a soft science fiction story based on a near future to add some plot devices to move the story along, but it could be placed in any era. I started down a fantasy route but as the pieces begin to evolve then sci-fi seemed to be the best world for the story.

What excited you the most with writing this story?

My wife reads in bed and I can gauge how good a book is when she has an emotional outburst (and wakes me up). Whether it is a laugh, a cry, a gasp, or swearing like an East Indian sailor, I can see how much joy she gets from reading. When writing “Switch,” I tried to create each of those elements, and if I’m lucky, I may have succeeded with one.

Are there any themes you want readers to get a sense of?

I tried to paint a normal person that people could relate to that, of course, is put into extraordinary circumstances. I have always been a fan of the reluctant hero that rises to challenge rather than racing to it head on. I also added a few references to our current political and social climate that some may find entertaining, or even frustrating. Mostly I just wanted to be able to tell a story of a person that people could identify with as themselves, or someone they know, to create that emotional connection.

Is there a specific inspirational source you used for this story?

I drew inspiration initially from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep to create a future with minor changes in technology, but grounded in something relatable to the reader. That is why the story takes place in my home city of Huntsville, AL, so I had some specific ground to build on. I walked down the streets and by the buildings of the exact places that are talked about in the story to inspire the writing; at one point running like an idiot around the courthouse to see if my character could actually do what I described. For the science, a YouTube video about acoustic physics and the floating drop of water became the impetus for the technology. The story also evolved into a pseudo detective noir theme, not by intention, but just organically possibly from my obsession with watching movies. The biggest inspiration and the drive of the secondary narrative was a personal view of society and unconscious bias that I wanted to portray, but I will leave it there so as not to reveal spoilers. And a huge nod to the professional editors Robyn Huss and Chris Kennedy, who were critical in pulling me off the puppy farm to get everything together into a cogent story!

What else would you like to say to your readers?

Simply, thank you. I hope this gives you a moment to disconnect from the world and find some enjoyment; and if I was able to get you to wake your partner up while reading my story in bed, then my work was done! If you would like to see more, check out my site at www.LewisVenture.com.

For our next entry in the first ever JordanCon Anthology—So You Want Stories?—I got to talk to Alexandra Hill about her submission "The Bakery: Prelude to a Fairy Tale."

First, can you tell us about your writing?  Is this your first published work?

I read really broadly, and I think that translates into what I write; I’ve either finished or am in the process of stories in a number of genres, including sci-fi, mystery, fantasy, memoir, and so-called “literary fiction.” Fantasy feels like home, though, especially in atemporal or modern settings. I love how the genre lets me ask “what if…?” not just of my characters, but of the world in which they live.

I’ve published academic writing under my real name – I’m a computational biologist by training, and have a few papers out under my real name – but “The Bakery” is my first work of published fiction.

Where does your story fall on the speculative fiction scale?

I think the title gives it away! “The Bakery: Prelude to a Fairy Tale” is fantasy, and sets up the world before “Once upon a time.”

What excited you the most with writing this story?

A million years ago, my Grade 12 English class was able to pick whatever topic they wanted for their final project. My subject: “Freudian Psychoanalysis and the Evolution of the Modern Day Villain.” I had a blast. I interpreted how Freud would have interpreted the backstories of villains in three 90s Batman Movies and three novels (Perfume, Harry Potter, and Hannibal Rising).

Writing this story felt as fun as that project. I loved creating my own spin on the backstory of a female villain. I think the world sees a lot of stories of men behaving badly, and having some kind of origin story for their evil and/or redemption arcs, but historically, women’s stories haven’t been explored that way. I don’t think that Elle’s life justifies any of her more “established” story, but I hope I’ve managed to create more depth to the character!

Are there any themes you want readers to get a sense of?

I’ve always been fascinated in peoples’ opinions of themselves. I think most people think that they’re fairly good people, but situations like Elle’s, where you’re stuck between impossible options through no fault of your own, mean that most people’s moral sense gets thrown out the window. I hope that readers ask themselves what they’d do in her place – and then really ask themselves what they’d do if they were her.

Is there a specific inspirational source you used for this story?

Yes.

…What, you think I’m going to give away the ending?

What else would you like to say to your readers?

I hope you enjoy this story! If you see me at JordanCon, be sure to stop and tell me who your favorite fictional villains are. 

Thanks, Alexandra, for joining us at Dragonmount! 

And don't forget today is the last day to preorder So You Want Stories? from JordanCon's website.  The convention will have a few copies on hand, but don't risk it!

With JordanCon fast approaching, I want to take this opportunity to give a preview of what the 2019 anthology, So You Want Stories, will entail.  First some background information. This is the first year JordanCon put out a call to past and present members, seeking submissions of speculative fiction short stories to feature in an anthology—with proceeds going to JordanCon Charities, which get donated to the Mayo Clinic. Twenty of the submitted stories were chosen, and some are written by authors we know and love, including Brandon Sanderson and Jason Denzel!  Some, however, are relatively unknown. Leading up to JordanCon, I will feature one of the lesser known authors each week.

This week’s author is Andy Floyd, with his contribution “Doorbuster.”

First, can you tell us about your writing?  Is this your first published work?

It is my first published work! But it’s definitely not the first thing I’ve written. The very first thing I ever wrote was Deep Space Nine fanfiction. I was in high school and it was just before the internet became a huge thing, so I had no idea what fanfiction was. I just thought I could write a Star Trek novel and submit it to someone to be published! After that, I mostly dabbled in song parodies and web comics until I graduated college. Then, a friend of mine (who also happens to be the one who introduced me to DragonCon and cons in general) told me I should join him for NaNoWriMo. I felt overwhelmed, but I had a blast and actually made my goal word count! All I wanted to do after that was write. Though, thankfully everything from that era is lost to a hard drive crash as it was all very, very terrible. (Seriously! I fridged not one, but TWO characters in my first novel. It’s all better off lost to the ether.) But, I kept it up until about ten years ago when for a number of reasons I just stopped. I continued having ideas, but with a very few and minor exceptions, I didn’t write them down. Then, a couple of years ago I got an idea for a novel about magic tech support. So, with motivation I hadn’t felt in nearly a decade, I sped to around nine thousand words... and then I got stuck. Fast forward to JordanCon 2018. It was my wife’s and my first JordanCon and we were blown away! Not only that, but the whole thing inspired me to write again! I picked back up that novel and tried to get back into it. But, no matter what I did, I just couldn’t connect with my characters. Then, the anthology contest was announced. I decided I had to submit something, anything to it. After a lot of thought I finally decided on a prequel to my novel. I thought it’d make a great short story, but could maybe also help me connect with my characters. It worked like a charm! As soon as I finished it, I launched into the novel and completed it as well. So, not only is “Doorbuster” my first published work, but it’s also the first story I finished after a very long writing hiatus which makes it very special to me. I’m extremely excited to see it in print!

Where does your story fall on the speculative fiction scale?

I mean, it’s probably just Contemporary Fantasy, but I like to say it’s “Suburban Fantasy.” This started off as a joke to me, because it has a lot of Urban Fantasy elements, but the whole story takes place in a big box store at a shopping center during broad daylight. But, I really liked the idea, so I googled it. I was sure someone else had used it before, but the only reference I could find with my very quick searching was, “Untitled Pixar Suburban Fantasy Movie.” I figure, if it’s good enough for Pixar, it’s good enough for me. So I’ve stuck with it and that’s what I use in my queries.

What excited you the most with writing this story?

That it got me back into the writing habit! But, really -- and actually I should clarify first -- even though my JordanCon Anthology short story “Doorbuster” stands on its own, it’s hard for me to separate it from my novel. I wrote them at the same time and one leads right into the other. So, some of the things that really excited me about writing it don’t really pay off until the novel. I’m sorry if that’s cheating, but it’s true. And those “things” were getting to explore how I felt about my day job and where I wanted to be five, ten years down the road. “Doorbuster” is about how the main character Taryn first gets into magic support, which mirrors my own story with tech support. Then, the novel jumps to five years later and we really get into her (and my) thoughts and feelings on being stuck in a job while also self sabotaging herself into not moving on to anything else. Getting all of that out onto the page really helped me not only do what I love by writing more, but it also helped me start the process of finding a different and better day job myself.

Are there any themes you want readers to get a sense of?

I’m not their English teacher! They have to do their own homework! Kidding, but not really? It’s not that there aren’t themes. There are. I mean, that keeps things interesting, right? But I enjoy genre fiction for its escapism, so that’s really the main thing I want people to get from my writing. If they get anything else out of it, that’s a huge bonus, but not necessarily the first thing I’m thinking of when crafting a story.

Is there a specific inspirational source you used for this story?

You mean apart from JordanCon? Well, my day job is tech support and I keep a Google Doc open the entire time I’m working. I’m constantly adding either transcripts or cliffs notes of calls I get. Every single “magic support call” in “Doorbuster” and my unpublished novel comes from that file. Apart from that, the characters are mostly based on friends. I tend to give them the positive traits I love from my friends and then add my own flaws and insecurities on top.

What else would you like to say to your readers?

First off, I really hope that if you can get a copy of the JordanCon Anthology You Want Stories? that you enjoy Doorbuster. Though, if you can’t get your hands on it, don’t worry. Once the publishing rights revert to me, I’ll put it up on my website. Until then, you can follow me on the tweeter (@pandrewfloyd) and check my site for other content. It’s still under construction, but I’ve got a few things up like the first chapter of Factory Defect (the aforementioned novel sequel to “Doorbuster”) and a deleted scene or two.

Second, keep an eye out for me. I’ve gotten a taste of what it’s like to see my words in a printed book, and I’m not going to stop until it happens again and again.

Thanks, Andy, for joining us at Dragonmount today!

If you would like to get a copy of So You Want Stories? preorders are available until April 8^th.  Check out JordanCon’s website for more information.

This past week, Dragonmount's second-in-command Jennifer Liang participated in an Ask Me Anything discussion for JordanCon!

The questions asked range from favorite con memory:

Jenn: When I got the Chodan Kal at opening Ceremonies last year. I was so shocked and touched that y’all did that for us.

To "what's your favorite thing to do at JordanCon" (asked by Jimmy, her husband):

Jenn: Bother you.

She also talked about this year's JordanCon theme:

Jenn: This year is “Shai’Con”. We decided to embrace our darker natures this year. So expect an evil twist on the usual things like opening ceremonies and the dance.

And the growing trend of wearing tiaras:

Jenn: At #JordanCon? In 2013 I was elected Pres of the Southern Fandom Confederation. Jimmy did not believe I’d win & promised to buy me a tiara if I did. I proved him wrong and now I have five.

To learn more about Jenn and other JordanCon shenanigans, you can read the whole thread here.