Dragoncon Fast Approaching
Aug 23, 2026 6:01 pm
Which probably means I've forgotten something major.
The count down to Dragoncon is on and I think I'm ready. In ten days I head out to pick people up from the airport and then dive in and get ready to sell books, be on panels, and see friends. I'm excited, but already dreading the sore feet, lack of sleep, and panic about stock. But that being said if you're going to be at Dragoncon and want to find me, here is where I'll be.
Friday:
11:30 AM Thank you for being a Friend: Golden Girls Courtland Grand: Macon
1:00 PM Herstorically: Women who Changed the Tide of History Courtland Grand: Macon
8:00 PM Gather - Hyatt International Ballroom
Saturday:
11:30 AM Thieves World Marriott L401-L403
2:30 PM. Herstorically Speaking: Iconic Women Courtland Grand: Macon
Sunday:
10:00 PM Howl's Moving Castle 40th Anniversary Marriott L401-L403
Monday:
1:00 PM Did Someone Say Snackies? Food as World Building Hyatt Embassy CD
I'm so excited about the Thieves World panel and getting to meet Lynn Abbey. I'm bringing books for her to sign! Other than that, I'll be trying to pace myself and enjoy seeing everyone.
Book Recommendations!
Two Brothers who hate each other. One Girl who Could Destroy or Save an Entire World. A Foretold Destiny that None of them wanted. Don't you just hate it when fate has other plans for you? Check out The First.
A long lost love, an impending invasion, political attacks, and a prophecy that might be their only chance. But what price will Jonathan pay? Check out The Skorath Prophecy. Available free from the author!
Weekly Micro Story
Champion
"This is your last chance, space rat. Forsake your claim and I'll let you live." The senior officer of one of the many ships that docked at the space station sneered down at the child. She might have been ten, but odds are she was closer to twenty, just deprived of things you needed to grow - food, clean water, light - minor things.
The girl, AKeys, lifted her chin and met his glare with one of her own. "No. I will not forsake my claim to my pet." The pet in question wrapped around her neck, with a glare as fierce as the girls. A tercat. They were rare, valuable, and if fertile the breeding fees alone would lift her out of the bowels of space station poverty. They weren't pure cats, but somewhere some idiot had spliced Terran house cat genes with a spider monkey and a sugar glider. Tercats were smart, fast, possessing thumbs, claws, prehensile tail, and a very long memory.
"Fine," the officer spat, his spittle hitting her face. He drew his sword and stepped back. "Draw your weapon so I can kill you and claim my prize."
His sword was taller than she was, but she didn't back down. Instead she bared her teeth at him. "I have a champion to fight you."
"Fine. Call your champion. I'll defeat any spacerat on this two-bit station."
Her smile got wider. "Champion Magenta, I call you to defend my honor." Her voice rang out in the space and audience went silent. My name wasn't a space station name by any means, but there are only sixty color knights, our names were known.
I stepped out of the shadows, or more accurately, I dispelled the shadows and let the lights of the station brush over me.
The officer went white and for a moment his blade threatened to drop. The intimidation of a child had just transformed into something that might take his life.
I smiled, not that anyone could see it. With a flourish I bowed to the girl. "As agreed." She nodded her head more regally than some rulers and I turned to the dead man. "At your pleasure."
You fought duels for honor, for business deals, and they were always fought with steel. Lasers, plasma, bullets, any of those could damage a hull. No, you fought with blades or fists.
And I never lost.
~*~
So this was an old one, and I keep thinking there is a story here, maybe a series. Thoughts? What do you think this would fit in? I'm thinking scifi and the Color Knights. 18 of them.
Dragoncon - Atlanta, GA Sept 3-7
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