It’s nearly Silicon time! I will be at table 69 in Artist’s Alley, along with E.M. Markoff (and Loren Rhoads in spirit and books). Stock up on your autumn reading, or just stop and say hello! The chapbook that’s front and center in the picture is the first part of my upcoming novella, which is serializing now at primamateria.online. I’ll be giving them out free with purchase! So check it out and then join me online as I write “the vampire War & Peace” haha.
Some people have taken me aside and said, in a nice, gentle way, “really, L.S.? In person? With Delta circulating?” Everyone’s risk assessment, both to themselves and others, is going to be different right now, because we’re all in different situations. Here’s where I am:
- I’m vaccinated (team Pfizer), in good overall health with no immune system issues. My spouse is also fully vaccinated and comfortable with my attending. We have no one else in the house besides ourselves.
- I’ll be testing before and after the event, and quarantining immediately afterwards.
- Masks are mandatory at Silicon, and at our table we’ll also be wearing gloves, maintaining distance, and sanitizing regularly.
- My unemployment has dried up, yet the bills remain … and one of the things I’ve learned about this career is that not only do you have to build an audience, you have to maintain that audience. I need to get back out there.
So that’s where I’m at, and I know a lot of creatives who are in similar positions. The good news is that I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from friends attending cons this summer, who are all reporting they felt safe and supported. The bad news is, well, it’s COVID. If you’re immunocompromised, if you have children under 12, if you have health issues that put you at greater risk, if you’re just (justifiably!) afraid of getting sick, please please stay home! Fingers crossed we’ll all be in better circumstances next year.
