My GenCon Schedule

So I'm writing this Wednesday night, preparing for my trip to GenCon over the next three days, which takes place right here in Indiana, about 45 minutes from my home. In case you somehow don't know, GenCon is "the original, longest-running, best-attended, gaming convention in the world." Last year's attendance was over 65,000, and they are expecting to easily break that number this year. With so much to see and so much to do, you'd best have a plan to prioritize what's most important. So today I thought I would share mine:

1. Most of my scheduled time are classes through the GenCon Writer's Symposium, which is a series of lectures and workshops given by some of the most successful genre artists in the business. This year's guest of honor is Robin Hobb, but many other notable authors will be there as well. I'm signed up for sixteen different classes (although I probably won't attend them all), which cover such diverse topics as short story markets, how magic affects worldbuilding, how to break characters down, and medieval fantasy cuisine.

2. I will also be attending at least two Q&A sessions: one by guest of honor Robin Hobb, the other by Critical Role.

3. My wife and I will be participating in two RPG sessions: one is a Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Adventure's League session, while the other is playtesting Howard Taylor's Planet Mercenary RPG.

4. I am also planning on playing two specific board games: Tyrants of the Underdark, which I signed up for a guaranteed spot, and Mistborn House War, which I hope to demo in the exhibitor's hall.

5. Finally, my wife and I will also be present for 2 hours worth of Writing Excuses, the podcast about writing put on by Brandson Sanderson, Howard Taylor, Dan Wells, and Mary Robinette Kowal.

And of course, in addition to all of that, I plan to play a bunch of other board games, wander the exhibit hall, gawk at all the cosplayers, and generally have as much fun as possible. Maybe I'll even come home with a new game or two.

If you're reading this and will be at GenCon this weekend, let me know in the comments below. I'd love to meet you!