Ad Astra 2018
In July, I attended Ad Astra 2018. Now in its 36th year, Ad Astra is the longest-running SciFi-Fantasy convention in Ontario, the Canadian province where I live. The venue turned out to be a mere couple of hours’ drive from my home. With a “focus on authors and other creative professionals”, Ad Astra 2018 was this newbie author’s chance to connect with other local SciFi writers.
No pictures from Ad Astra
I’m kicking myself, but I didn’t take any pictures. That’s because I’m (a) really shy, and (b) didn’t know anyone at Ad Astra, and (c) don’t want to take pictures of people without asking permission. So, because of (a) and (b), (c) happened.
What Ad Astra Was Like
Even though I didn’t take pictures, Ad Astra awesome. Amazing panels. Interesting people. Author readings. A masquerade with fabulous costumes. Supper with an old friend because it turned out that (b) was incorrect. Parties which I didn’t attend because of (a). Book launches, one of which I did attend because the author invited me while I was picking up her business card after a panel. Tons more.
As far as panels were concerned, there was something for everyone. Here’s a cross-section of topics.
Publishing your novel.
3D Printing for Prop Makers.
A Beginner’s Guide to Roleplaying Games.
Writing about Fighting.
The Business of Writing.
Coming Soon, the Flying Electric Robot.
Game of Thrones, How Will It End?
I attended panels led by impressive people. Authors with dozens of books to their name. An instructor of mounted combat (as in, a lady who teaches the use of swords on horseback). A space physicist. A Wattpad Ambassador.
In the hallways, I saw ladies in Victorian dresses, a beautiful alien woman with blue skin, and Imperial Storm Troopers.
Meeting Real Writers — First in the Dealers’ Room
I met my first local science fiction writer in the dealers’ room. The dealers’ room is where you can buy books, hand-made jewellery, books, sculptured wands, books, action figures, books… You get the picture.
I struck up a conversation with Sharon Sasaki, who was there selling – what else? Her books, along with the novellas of Canadian fantasy author Richard Stephens. It turned out that Sharon works in the OR at my local hospital. How cool is that?
On the Saturday evening, I got really daring and attended a book launch. It was up on the 10th floor and I had to get an Ad Astra ‘gofer’ to show me the way. Jane Ann McLachlan, the author, is a fascinating lady. She has written across multiple genres, and is a teacher and traveler. The book she was launching, ‘The Sorrow Stone’, won the Royal Palm Literary Award for Historical Fiction pre-publication. Check it out, it’s a really good read. I also spent some time chatting to her husband, Ian Darling, and came home with his book ‘Amazing Airmen – Canadian Flyers in the Second World War’ . It’s not SciFi or Fantasy, but it reminded me of my dad’s stories from those years.
Last but not least, I met the guy in a kilt whom I’d noticed a few times over the course of the day. He turned out to be Canadian author Ian McKinley. I’m presently reading his first novel, The Gallows Gem of Prallyn, a fantasy story about an arrogant, militant church, a weak monarch, a foreign religion, and a dragon. It will appeal to people who enjoy a complex plot, a large cast of characters, and lots of military action backed by intricate politics.
Final Words
As someone taking up authoring as a second career, I came home blown away by the creativity in my small corner of the world. It was a little intimidating, but also heartening to know that I’m not alone, plinking away at my computer. I’m planning to go back next year, and when I do, I promise to take some pictures!