briefly recapping the Big Honkin' Vegas Convention

I'm still pretty wiped out from the Big Honkin' Vegas Convention, but it's a good, satisfied type of exhaustion. If you were there, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the whole thing.

Here are mine . . .

Thursday
Arrived in the afternoon after making Ryan listen to The Transformed Man in the car on the way there. Got my stuff set up in the dealer's room, and sold my first copy of Happiest Days, as well as the first Chapbook, to longtime reader, WWdN tourney poker player, Earnest Borg9 improviser, Cruisetrekker, and friend Dave Westbay. There's only one "first" book ever sold, and it was symbolic and awesome that both of them went to someone who I've known for years who has been totally supportive of me.

My performance Thursday night was my best in years. I did Blue Light Special and Exactly What I Wanted from Happiest Days of Our Lives, and read my review of Justice from the Chapbook, to the greatest audience ever. I was totally connected to the material, the audience was totally on my side and connected to me, and as a result, I could connect to them. Even though Creation gave me a terrible time slot and put me in a terrible room (where they misspelled my name on the screen, which is very symbolic, I think) it was nearly full when I started. By the time I was done, it was packed, and I even got a standing ovation! I got to say this individually to a lot of people on Friday, but if you were there, I'd like to say it collectively: "Thank you for giving me a chance to entertain you. I know there were a lot of other cool things to do when I was speaking, and I'm very grateful that you chose to spend your time with me."

I wish there was some way to get TPTB at Creation to understand that I do something unique at these shows, but considering how hard it is for me just to get invited, I'm not holding my breath for an appearance on the main stage or a time slot that's not against something else. Of course, I could also look at this another way: I'll just keep on doing the best that I can so audiences will slowly continue to build. Until then, we're, like, totally underground and indie and shit. \m/

Friday
I overslept by two hours, so I grabbed a bearclaw on my way to my table, planning to eat it when I got there. The small problem with that plan was that when I got there, people were already lined up for me. It was about 30 people deep, I guess, and quickly grew. For the entire day, the line of people who waited to meet me and get my books and stuff went down the aisle, around the corner, and in some cases (according to Ryan who scouted it out) went down another aisle and around another corner.

I never got to eat my breakfast, but I did get to sell a lot of books and meet a lot of people who were at the show Thursday night, as well as people who read my blog (hello, again!) I was absolutely stunned that there were so many people who wanted to meet me, but I was overjoyed to meet so many people who read Just A Geek and Dancing Barefoot, and wanted to get The Happiest Days of Our Lives.

Friday night, I played poker with a bunch of friends and fans. We played 3/6 mixed at the Hilton's poker room, and after about four hours the game broke. I was up 95 bucks after being down 60 at one point, mostly because I rivered a two outer against my friend Dan in O/8 to scoop a huge pot. The game was social and fun and exactly what I hoped it would be when I set it up. Ken, the poker manager there, was a great guy, as were all his dealers. It's a great room, and while I didn't like much of anything else about the Hilton, I'd encourage you to go play there when you're in town.

Saturday
There weren't nearly as many people as there were on Thursday, so I got to relax and visit with just about everyone who came over to my table. I met a lot of people who are about my age, who all told me that they were inspired by Wesley Crusher the way our parents' generation was inspired by Scotty. It was all a bit overwhelming, but it gave me a great idea for this week's GiR.

When the day was over, I'd sold three and a half boxes of books, all of my Dancing Barefoots, all but one of my Just A Geek: Teh Audiobooks, 171 of 200 chapbooks, and signed so many autographs my left hand was stained black and silver. It was totally awesome.

Overall, it was a great couple of days. I got to see people I really like who I only see when I'm at a con, I got to meet new people who I hope to see again, and I got to share my writing, which is very important to me, with them all.

Oh! One of the top five moments? A woman waited in my autograph line after my performance and carefully set down a cast photo from season three. Everyone else had signed it, even Patrick and Brent.

"You're the last one," she said, eyes gleaming. "I've been carrying this around for ten years to all these conventions, and I can't believe I'm going to finally finish it!"

I signed it as carefully as I've ever signed anything, and when I finished, I looked up at her. Tears fell from her eyes.

"Thank you so much!" She said.

"Thank you," I said, "I'm honored that I got to be part of this moment."

Comments

[PA_ChanMan]

Sounds like a great experience. I really need to fly out to Vegas for one of these conventions one of these years. I'm not a big convention guy...if your not looking to buy stuff there is not always enough to do. Plus I'm sure the crowds were nuts.

[alikitty619]

Wish I could have been there. A friend of mine saw you speak and said you were amazing.

[Tara]

I wish I could've been there. Maybe next con I'll try:) I'm glad you had a great weekend!
Is there anyway I can get my hands on one of the remaining 29 chapbooks? Please Please Please *on my knees begging now* Please!!!
~~TARA~~

[Samurai Avon Lady]

It sounds like a wonderful time! (:

[Jax]

It's posts like these that make me realize that there are people out there who feel the same way my dad did. Rest his soul. He collected everything Star Trek, and passed it on to me. There are two photographs he .. I have that are missing some sigs. One is missing Scotty and Spock, and the other is missing you and Troi. Apparently Spiner was a complete ass to my dad when he had it signed. I say it was a bad day.

I never had the chance to go to a Con with Dad. Maybe someday, I will make it to one that you are at, and I will have the photo with me.

Namaste. And I'm glad you were a part of such a trek.

[pegret]

It sounds like it went well for you - I'm glad. I hope Ryan enjoyed it too. What did he think of that musical interlude you provided on the way there? ;-)

[SarahD]

I'm so glad the con went well - wish I could have been there! Did you get to catch up with any of your old TNG costars?

[Myshtuff]

Wow that sounds like fun. I wish I could have gone. You wouldn't happen to be coming to cincinnati anytime soon would you?

[watcher652]

Are you going to sell more of the chapbook online or were you only selling those 200? Because I so want that chapbook also. I couldn't go to Las Vegas or Comic-Con and it looks like I missed some good times. I'm glad Vegas was such a great experience for you.

[gbina]

Top five moment....Wow, Wil. Your autograph, the final one, is probably the autograph she will remember forever. Lucky you. That's really special.

[ShempLugosi]

Wil, you said "I met a lot of people who are about my age, who all told me that they were inspired by Wesley Crusher the way our parents' generation was inspired by Scotty."

I want you to know that although I am of the generation that was inspired by Kirk/Spock/McCoy, I was also inspired by Wesley Crusher and YOU, Wil Wheaton! You continue to inspire me. Thanks!

[AGirlNamedE]

Happy Left-Hander's Day, Wil!

Wish I could have shared in the Big Honkin' fun. I hope to play you in poker someday! I'm sure you'll walk away whistling with my money in your pockets, but I'm ok with that. Congrats on the success at the convention!

[iamturok]

Wil,
Thank you for sharing your "brief" review of the con. I was there and met you Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (but that was just to support my friend Kirsten) -- I was so embarrassed you'd think I was a stalker! I was Tanya (pronounced correctly on the West Coast!) and you gave me a signed still from Stand By Me (I will treasure it forever!). Meeting you was a wonderful highlight!

You were GREAT on stage. I was personally a little bummed because I had already read all three pieces. Even so, I thought they were great samples to share with the crowd. And seeing you perform them brought something new, especially with all the ad libs :) I loved hearing the fans be so receptive to your snarky review of Justice! (the dis on The Last Outpost script aside.) I think Blue Light Special is probably my all time favorite story. I was really PISSED at Creation for screwing you again with the time and the room (although I LUCKED out with seating because I had general admission and got into the second row). I think you're right that they'll never change...

This was my first con ever. I was sort of unaware of these massive conventions until last year's 40th (which I did not attend). This year was important to me mainly because of the 20th anniversary of TNG. I got to see all the rest of the Next Gen performers, which was very meaningful for me too. And I got a picture with Brent and Jonathan, and Suzie Plakson at her table. I also met some great fans while waiting in lines and stuff. There were quite a lot of scary fans, but some really nice ones too.

Wil, thanks again for taking so much time out of your personal life to be so accessible and friendly to all your fans. I saw those lines to meet you -- your efforts were superhuman! You really know how to make people feel special and important and feel like they know you. Thanks :)

[iamturok]

ps -- Wil, I also loved what you said during your Q&A about how Wesley was supposed to reach the kids, and you succeeded with that!

[darla8855]

I didn't get to go, but my friend Jackie stood in the "longest frikkin'line" for 1 1/2 hours to get a book for me! Cool friend. I can hardly wait to get the book!

[gleek]

what a great weekend! and how awesome for that woman to have everyone sign that photo. you must be tickled that you were the last to put your john hancock on it.

[szark]

Wil - it was wonderful to finally meet you on Friday. Your reading Thursday night hit every mark perfectly.

Sadly, Creation probably wil(l) never learn. Though it could have been worse -- for Scarlett Pomers (Naomi Wildman on Voyager) they had a different actress' photo on the banners. I think both of those mistakes show a great lack of respect.

[moonunit]

It was great to meet you on Saturday and pick up the new book, which I started reading later that afternoon. I'm surprised they (the Creation-izers) haven't realized your draw and put you in a better slot. Did they not see the constant lines at your table? Sigh.

I sent an e-mail last week re a proposal to get you some press (and me a byline). You've been hella busy, but give it a gander if you get a minute. I think the timing and audience are right.

It was an okay con, but I think I've turned into a more garden-variety geek. I admit I enjoyed Comic-Con more. Haven't been to a Trek con since the 80s... KvP spurred me into going to this one.

Thanks for smiling at me even though I was the 761,561st person to stop by the table. Muy classy. :)

-moonunit

[beelkay]

"I was absolutely stunned that there were so many people who wanted to meet me"
And just think, Wil...those were just the people who could afford to come or who were able to get the time off or whatever! There are a lot of people that would like to meet you. Cuz you're cool.

[Dave Westbay]

Wow. First, I am honored to have been the person who bought the first copies of your chapbook and of THDOOL. I am even more honored, and touched, that you consider that one of the highlights of the convention for you. Having the chance to spend a bit of time with you at the con, and play in the poker game, were certainly among the top highlights for me.

You killed at the reading. You have every reason to be proud of your performance that evening. I'll tell you what, though: I'm not sorry that you were scheduled for the smaller of the two event rooms. It brought the audience closer to you and made for a more intimate experience for them, and for you, than anyone would have had in the enormous cavern they used for the "main" attractions. One of these days Creation may "get it" about you; but even if they don't, there will still be those of us who will know who the real main attraction is.

Thanks again for making the con such a great experience, for me and for everyone who attended and was touched in some way by you.

[piekid]

Wil, you were the highlight of the 12 hours I spent at the con on Thursday. The autograph line for Gates made me a few minutes late to your reading, but I still caught the majority of it, and your performance was incredible. I too stood in that long line Thursday night to get two copies of THDoOL and one of the Chapbook. It was great to meet you and your books kept me occupied while I stood in another long line on Friday, when I got 'Dancing' and we chatted a bit about webcomics because you liked my shirt... "A wizard has turned you into a whale." I figured I'd link you to the webcomic it came from, Dinosaur Comics.

(I'd love to hear more about the webcomics you read if you haven't blogged about that already and I somehow missed it.)

It's unfortunate that TPTB are clueless with regards to you, but until they come around, in the words of the genius RStevens "Nothing is any good if other people like it." Indie is for the elite!

[Meg Kribble]

Hey Wil - this was my first con, and I found it a bit disappointing overall. Arrived Saturday to catch the end of Frakes and Spiner goofing off. I enjoyed the bits about how Nemesis would have been better different had Frakes directed it, but that was the only real content, and I’m just not enough of a groupie to enjoy random banter. I couldn’t believe there were only two tracks. The vendor hall seemed dark and depressing after the brightly lit exhibit hall at the professional conference I attended last month. It honestly felt like a rip-off for the first half of the afternoon.

After lunch, we came back and met you (as promised, here we are!), and it was the highlight and turning point of the day. After you, we caught the beginning of the costume contest, which was a lot of fun to watch.

I likely won’t attend another Creation con--definitely not more than one day--unless someone like you is there (and who else is there like you?) or it’s a multi-fandom event (I’m still sorry I can’t get to one of the Star Wars/Trek/Battlestar triple threats—everything I need) with more activity choices. Funny, given how Creation treats you.

Anyhow, thanks again for taking the time to talk and visit with everyone. It was definitely appreciated. I’m looking forward to reading the books, and so is my sister, who didn’t know about your blogging/writing until I dragged her along.

[Freeman]

I had tears in my eyes when I read your account of the woman getting your autograph on her photo. What a touching moment. I have my PayPal card waiting to purchase one of your books. Sorry I couldn't make the convention.

[neneski]

I also had tears in my eyes when I read about the woman with the TNG cast photo. That was so cool!

[C_Doc]

Ya know how the day after you get beat up at school, when you THEN think of something REALLY awesome you COULD have said?? Well, I was that way, the day after asking Wil about seeing his own action figure in the stores for the first time. Here goes: Wil! If you could have chosen an accessory for your action figure, would it have been a towel, or a bat?