Reflecting back on World Fantasy2018, Baltimore

Where do I start? Probably with a huge huge shout-out to CreateNSW who made travel to WFC Baltimore possible by awarding me the Artist Quick Response Travel Grant.

Create NSW JS Breukelaar

This is the first time I’ve gone to World Fantasy with any assistance, and it lifted a whole lot of stress and allowed me to concentrate on networking, learning, making new friends and connecting with old ones. Another first for me this time was having my publisher front and centre. I owe a huge debt of gratitude and respect to Tricia Reeks, CEO of Meerkat Press for everything she did, and is. Finally, it was such a joy to reunite with my agent Matt Bialer and my brother-from-another planet Seb Doubinsky who is also part of the Meerkat family. I don’t want to write too many spoilers here because of a forthcoming article at LitReactor.com, but yeah, hi-jinks did ensue.

Here are some of the pictures, but they don’t tell the whole story. This is the convention that keeps giving for sure, in terms of friends, colleagues, and inspiration. I sold books. I connected with new readers. I read new work by some talented people. I panelated with, um, Alliete de Bodard. I drank a teensy bit too much with Ms Warren and Mr Jeffrey Ford. I slept way too little. Can’t wait to go back.


My hostel room the day before I moved to the Con Hotel. Luckily this was the bed I didn’t sleep in.
Mr D and me at WFC! Seb Doubinsky is my brother-from-another planet, but also the renowned French-Danish author of Lost Signals and the famous City-States cycle that has a cult following internationally. Seb pumped me to Meerkat and the rest is history. I love this smart and savvy author, not only for who he is, but also for who he makes me think I am – a real writer. I t was a joy to see him knocking them dead on his panels and at Barcon, where if his reputation did not already precede him, it does now.
Image may contain: 3 people, including Tricia Reeks and JS Breukelaar, people smiling, people sitting, people standing and indoor
Tricia Reeks, CEO of Meerkat Press, agent and padre Matt Bialer and me at WFC Baltimore getting business done.
Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, people standing
JS Breukelaar panellating with Aliette de Bodard and others in front of terrifyingly packed crowd. First panel of the con – Families and Fear in SF! #trembling. Image courtesy of Meerkat Press.

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