The Takeaway — What Useful Things Did I Learn from My Con Experience?

After attending Farpoint Con 2022 — what did I learn?

The author at his table during Farpoint 2022.

For the first time since 2016, I attended a con. Farpoint in Hunt Valley, Maryland, is a sci-fi con that’s got a rich history and has been ongoing for years.

I attended as a guest. Thus, I sat on several panels, did a reading from one of my books, and had scheduled times to sign and sell books, too.

I was told by many that this was not a typical Farpoint. And I utterly understand why.

There was a mask requirement. Though they were not as diligent about enforcing it as they had said they would be — I’d say 95% of those in attendance were good about masking. Because of COVID fears — and the reality that we’re not out of the pandemic woods yet — many canceled last minute. That’s how I wound up the moderator for one of my panels.

Though they also restricted attendance, I suspect it wasn’t wholly necessary to do so. Even in the most crowded events at the con, I never felt like people were on top of each other, and social distance was observed. However, the wedding party also at the hotel during the weekend was a wholly different issue.

Though I wasn’t sure what to expect — there were things learned at this con that…