Ten Things I Brought Back from MegaConOne large, sturdy canvas tote embroidered with the MegaCon 2011 Logo
One "Bleach" metal necklace with a portrait pendant
One artbook, Draw and Paint Fantasy Females by Tom Fleming, signed by the artist
One set of seven art note cards and blank envelopes featuring Tom Fleming's "Monarch" artwork in black and white
Two YA Fantasy novels, The Fire and the Light and The Search for the Unnamed One by Tracy A. Akers. These are books one and two in her The Souls of Aredyrath series; both are signed by the author, who also included a set of sixteen absolutely fabulous character cards.
Four utterly gorgeous art bookmarks by Paul Vincent from his original oil painting "Four Seasons"
I know, technically that adds up to more than ten, but it's all going in the tote along with some freebie promo stuff I picked up. If you'd like a chance to win the whole pile, in comments to this post name the coolest thing you've ever found or seen at a conference or convention of any kind (or if you can't think of anything, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. I will draw one name at random from everyone who participates and send the winner the MegaCon tote packed with all the goodies. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something at PBW in the past.
To see some of the photos I took at the convention, stop by my MegaCon photo album.
The coolest thing I got at a convention: a free massage. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to many conferences, but I was fortunate to be able to attend WorldCon in Melbourne (because I lived minutes away at the time) last September. The coolest thing I saw?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.downunderviews.com/wordless-wednesday-star-wars-style
If you don't like clicking links, it's a picture with some Star Wars fans dressed up. Poor stormtrooper.
In general I've seen some pretty amazing costumes are various anime cons.
ReplyDeletethe coolest thing I have ever seen at a convention well it never seems to get old to me but it has to be the costumes I mean there some people who put in a lot of time in them some of them look great.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of fun! That Time Machine model is amazing. I just went to the Nova Albion Steam Exposition and will be going to Wondercon Comic Convention next week (courting burnout and con crud). It strikes me, having looked at your pictures, just how much convention centers look alike inside.
ReplyDelete*tosses name in hat*
ReplyDeleteI once saw an elderly woman in full ren-fair archer regalia, at a comic-con. 80 if she was a day and still knocking back a silver stein of ale. I can't remember why she was there but I can still remember her clearly.
ReplyDeletethrowing name in hat ..................please and thank you
ReplyDeleteThe costumes, definitely :)
ReplyDeleteI got a drawing of myself as a comic character, together with my favourite comic character...
ReplyDeleteYeah. Comic convention ;)
But I really, really like books too. And art. And have serious "OH PLEEEEASE! I got to have! My precioussss"-vibes from your post.
I just got a personalized drawing from one of my favorite comic strip artists at a comic convention. (www.girlswithslingshots.com) I know that is pretty standard at a comic con, but I am just thrilled to death. :)
ReplyDelete-DiDi
My blinky the three-eyed cow earrings are currently the coolest thing that's followed me home from an SF-con.
ReplyDeleteWay back when I still lived in the States, I remember once going to a book convention and getting to meet a couple of my favourite authors. Though one turned out to be a pretty terrible human being, the other was amazingly sweet and I can still remember the way she tried pronouncing my last name (it's 17 letters long). Kinda tame experience, especially compared to the 80-year-old ren-fair archer above, but the memory still makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteOooh~ I don't go to things like this. :( So~ just tossing my name in the hat. :)
ReplyDeleteThe coolest thing I have ever seen has to be a kid trying to hug a dalek while the dalek was valiantly trying to fight a storm trooper. The child emerged unscathed and happy. I'm not so sure about the dalek.
ReplyDeleteThe only conventions I've ever been to were for my old life as a manufacturers' rep selling electronic components. Lots of cool things there - like resistors the size of grains of pepper and heat guns and ergonomic screwdrivers. =o)
ReplyDeleteMany, many years ago I won an Alpha-Smart at the New England RWA conference : )
ReplyDeleteI love the actual artisans at Renaissance Fairs! I watched some real blacksmiths working a forge and creating custom orders while showing off for the crowds around their stall. It was amazing to see.
ReplyDeleteA convention years ago that had the most delectable food samples for all. Beautiful and artistic.
ReplyDeleteIn my formerlife in law enforcemnet, I used to go to their conventions. I still have a LARGE red plastic crab paperweight from Maryland and a matching set of prisioner-made ashtrays made from old state licence plates. They always encourage a conversation, especially when someone has had a drink or two (mostly about why I have them on display!).
ReplyDeleteA memorable caricature which I have framed.
ReplyDeleteDoes a hug and a long conversation with Neil Gaiman count? If not, probably the coolest thing I ever found at a convention was the corset lady, who convinced me that corsets are not just for pretty young things but are good for old ladies like me!
ReplyDeleteLast year I went to Japan to visit with friends and show my husband around. I'd seen online that a particular store, Kotobukiya, was making a line of X-Men character statues and picked out two that I really, really wanted (one for me, and one for a friend). When we finally went to the store on our last full day in the country, one was sold out and the other wasn't being released until the next week. I was devastated.
ReplyDeleteTwo months later, FanExpo Canada came and on a lark I bought us tickets. Guess what we found in the first aisle? Yup, both statues - and only those two - from that company.
Conventions are great for finding cool artwork and other nifty things.
At Bouchercon 2009, they had matchbooks for Michael Connelly's 9 Dragons. Given the flames on the cover, it made lots of sense to me!
ReplyDeleteI have seen some great costumes and steampunk jewelry.
ReplyDeleteLynn,
ReplyDeleteI have never been to any kind of convention. But, your giveaway sounds great! Throw my name in the hat please.
Tami
Jacksonville
I can't even remember how old I was (6 or 7?), but one of my first conventions involved me dressed up like an ElfQuest elf, howling at the moon with members of a local Holt. I think reading that comic with my grandma was the beginnings of a lifelong love of SF/fantasy.
ReplyDeleteJust tossing my name in the hat, though I must say that I agree with CrystalGB, I've seen some great steampunk jewelry too....
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, everyone!!!
As dorky as it sounds a keychain. But, it was a keychain with a secret compartment (that I unfortunately didn't find for 3 years) with a pretty neat pog (yes a pog). How sad...
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a conference of any sort, but I am sure one would be all chalk full of wondrous goodies!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
Kate
mleger0546 AT rogers DOt com
At the first convention I ever attended, I met Barbara Hambly, one of my all time favorite authors. And I listened to her read the first chapter from her first hard cover, Those Who Hunt the Night. It is still my favorite vampire book.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anything please toss my name in the hat. Thanks
ReplyDeleteLauraine D.
I have an infinity for bookmarks for the simple fact that at anytime I could be reading 3 books at a time and they are always plentiful..
ReplyDeleteWould love this tote!
The coolest thing I saw was a person. I met Nichelle Nichols at a Star Trek convention. Such a nice gracious lady!
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking of us!
I don't think I've ever been to a convention. Thank you for putting my name in the magic hat!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Tossing Name into hat.
ReplyDeleteSari from MI
Just tossing my name in the hat, since I've never been to a convention! It's one thing I hope I get to do before I'm too old to remember my name.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to one either but all this stuff sounds great! Please put my name in the hat too. Thanks.
ReplyDeletewww.academiaadventure.blogspot.com
Honestly - I have never been to a CON...I want to go but no one will every go with me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really attended many conventions or conferences, but when I was in high school, I worked at the Texas Renaissance Festival. While I was selling garlands two period-dressed young men came up to me and discussed my manner and dress as though they were in the middle of a historical lecture. It was fascinating. They were completely in character and I played off their comments until we were all laughing. As they bowed slightly and left I noticed one really awesome thing...they each had a distinct Star Trek emblem on the left side of their costumes.
ReplyDeleteThe were on the holodeck! It was a total geek moment and I loved it!!
I went to dragoncon. I saw storm troopers. In kilts. The empire has invaded Scotland. The emperor has already won. . .
ReplyDelete