I returned from Kansas City a few weeks back and thought I’d share some highlights from the annual science fiction convention (ConQuesT).

I appeared on two panels (one on American Gods, one on Doctor Who) and had reading that included parts of Gears and God and a short story called “Boomaland” that’s still under construction.

The highlight, however, was artist James Hollaman’s Room Con party, which featured Bland Lemon Denton and the Lemonades playing one of their marathon sets of blues classics, 60s singles, and deep cuts from Texas songwriting legends. Photographer and Guest of Honor Keith Stokes was there to document it (as he has many SF events). That’s yours truly on the second page of photos.

I should explain. I’ve jammed with Bland Lemon Denton exactly once (at one of KU’s summer writing workshops). Apparently, I was just not awful enough for him to trust me with his guitar temporarily, while he grabbed another guitar (with a wireless connection to the amp) and sauntered off into the hotel hallway to perform a solo. I was happy to add to the show for a minute or two.

Also, in their alter egos, Bland Lemon Denton and Caroline “Honey Badger” Spector wrote a killer short story in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe last year. Check it out.