As with Arisia, Boskone moved out of downtown Boston this year, relocating to the Westin Waterfront Hotel out near Commonwealth Pier. This area has undergone immense change over the last twenty years, particularly since the Big Dig redrew the map of downtown; the Waterfront hotel is far from just about everything, and a good healthy walk from South Station, but it's a terrific venue.
Boskone is a very literary convention, and attracts interesting guests and well-read audience members; the panelists always seem to feel a sense of accomplishment when the hour is done. This year's author guest of honor was David Gerrold, who despite boyish charm has somehow wound up being in his 60s. We met years ago and, I am happy to say, he recognized me (though I did not ask him to read my script.)
Met and Greeted
- Jane Yolen, with whom I did a panel on religion in fantasy. A very nice lady and great writer, who attended Smith College, my wife's alma mater.
- Shariann Lewitt. One of the most striking personalities I've ever met, she is a serious techie - a lecturer at MIT, and deeply knowledgeable. It is my objective to make her smile and laugh at least once at every convention we both attend. She knows it, I know it, and I still manage to achieve it.
- Brother Guy Consolmagno was a special guest. He's a Jesuit, and though that's slightly outside the time period on which I claim expertise, I knew enough to ask a few questions. He's also an astronomer and a Sox fan, thus a great guy.
Panels and Con Activities
- The (then) late John M. Ford had just died, and there was a wonderful memorial auction to benefit the John M. Ford Memorial Book Fund at the Minneapolis Public Library, now called the Hennepin County Library.
- Due to Gerrold's presence, there was a Great Tribble Hunt. It was an effort to stay clear of it.
