Capricon 46

Another year, another Capricon, and another post-con coma (which seems to be stretching through the entire week this year - ugh). XD

Due to heightened anxiety issues the second half of 2025, I decided not to be a panelist this year. Thankfully that annoying anxiety stayed away for the con itself. However, I did help a writer friend with the party she hosts yearly. Which included having my books out for sale and signing. Both Friday and Saturday night turned out pretty awesome, especially since I sold some books!

This year, I took it a bit easy with most things, aside from the aforementioned parties. The panels I attended were: Loving Something When The Creator Is Toxic, Geek Out About Genshin Impact, Star Trek At 60, Geeky Gardening, and Non-U.S. Tropes. All fun!

Of course I spent a lot of time in the Game Room. I played Sushi Go, Trivial Pursuit, Twisted Cryptids, and Zombie Kittens. Hubbie and I participated in a couple scheduled games. Weirdwood Manor was the first, and let me tell you, what a challenging game! So I ordered a copy because... challenge accepted! We also played Flamecraft again. Amelia brought her adorable buddies Meat and Bread this year, and they watched over our playthrough. So cute!

Then of course the parties I helped with. All the books! Donna J. W. Munro (the best party host ever) threw a release party for her collection Dark Workings of Wild Women on Friday night.

Saturday night Deanna Sjolander joined the party, featuring the collaborative book she edited Blue Plate Special, the first in the Dark Reflections series.

And then I had my titles on display as well, along with some of my Speculative Stitches crochet. Honestly, the best part of Capricon this year was hanging out with Donna and Deanna. Always a blast to catch up with writer friends!

I'm planning to attend in 2027 as well, though I'll definitely have an adolescent in tow... Let's see how that shakes out - lol.

Capricon 45 (2025)

Is it true that you feel like a zombie after a convention? Yes, totally, absolutely. I got back from Capricon on Sunday, and I slept most of Monday. XD

Last year was my first year at Capricon, but I mainly went to have fun with my family (yes, we brought the kids along in 2024 - they have some nice options for the younger crowd, too), instead of promoting my own writing. This year, I decided to do a little bit of author stuff as well.

The best part about this year - no kids! Lol. Hubbie and I wanted a kid-free con this time. It honestly allowed us to chat and get to know some new people, which is tough for me in the best of circumstances. Thankfully, Capricon is a welcoming convention, and for the most part everyone is an awkward geek, so it's less intimidating for those of us with social anxiety. ;)

Overall, I had a blast. I attended panels like Across the Rainbow: LGBTQ+ Representation & Diversity, which had wonderful writing insights. And I enjoyed the discussions in Tricksters and Other Morally Complicated Beings, as well as Common Motifs Across Mythology.

On Friday, I read two scenes from Dead As Dreams, which wasn't as nerve-wracking as I'd feared it would be - heh. Both Friday and Saturday night, I hung out at Donna J. W. Munro's parties. She's an author friend I've known for a long time, and she graciously allowed me to display my books (you should go buy her books if you like horror). And on Saturday night, Deanna Sjolander joined us, another mutual author friend who had her release party for The Case of Too Many Albins (another great buy, along with the first in the series).

I spent a lot of time gaming on Saturday. They have a gaming room that's open all day, including through the night on Friday and Saturday. A lot of card and board games are available to check out and test, and they also usually have a scavenger hunt that encourages you to try a variety of games. Hubbie and I signed up for a game of Flamecraft, led by one of the gaming room staff, a fun and adorable game (that's now on our to buy list - our kids will definitely enjoy it, too). I also took a look at The Witches, an out-of-print Discworld game, and played a couple rounds of Lemming Mafia with some new acquaintances.

And I also couldn't avoid the Dealer's Room! Since I can't seem to stop buying tea, I bought three loose leaf blends from Apothecary Teas. Oh, and I found a Discworld puzzle (also out-of-print) - looking forward to putting it together. Hubbie, who usually buys hardly anything, spent the most at Phylos World Building. He saw this Green Dragon and couldn't resist!

So, aside from the exhaustion this week (thank the gods for caffeinated tea), Capricon 45 was an awesome experience. Hopefully we can go to Capricon 46 next year!

P.S. Yes, I finished revisions for Leave No Dragon Stone Unturned right before heading to Capricon!