My first time at the DeCONpression convention in Columbus was an interesting experience. A good time was had by all, which considering it is a fantasy, sci-fi, horror convention focusing on relaxing that is a good thing. I met new friends and visited with some old ones from other conventions. I was the guest narrator for the Ghost of Honor, Amelia Earhart. While participants competed in airplane throwing contests for accuracy and distance, I regaled them with fun facts, trivia, and quotes. Paper airplane design and making was taken to a whole new level. The scene reminded me of my older brother years back in high school. I won’t say how long ago that was. Some of you know. My brother and his friends would spend hours making the ultimate paper airplane. Their goal was to see how long the planes would stay aloft. My brother usually took home the honor. As with many things mechanical and scientific, he has always been gifted. I remember trying to sleep through the odors emanating from his experiments when we shared a room. It is a wonder I lived through high school.
But enough about that, in case you are wondering what Amelia Earhart has to do with writing and authors, here is a bit of trivia. Aside from penning a couple of books herself, Amelia was married to George P. Putnam (author, publisher, promoter, and explorer). On January 11, 1935, Amelia Earhart flew solo across the Pacific from Honolulu to California. She was the first person to do this solo.
Interestingly, each year DeCONpression chooses a new Ghost of Honor. I am looking forward to next year’s. Voting is going on right now to choose a pirate ghost. For all you geeks out there (no not me of course), yes there were female pirates as well.
