World Horror Con 2003
(Kansas City, MO, 16-20 April 2003.
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Captions by Brian A. Hopkins

What a motley crew!  Writers Workshop Guest of Honor Mort Castle, Special Guest of Honor Forrest J. Ackerman, Publisher Guest of Honor Don D'Auria, Toastmistress Laurel K. Hamilton, Artist Guest of Honor Nick Smith, Writer Guest of Honor Brian A. Hopkins (henceforth referred to in the first person), and Grand Master Award winner Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.  This was snapped right after opening ceremonies.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

One of the high points of the convention: Deena Holland autographs and presents me with the beautifully framed and matted art for my story "Diving the Coolidge."  This art will be the cover for Earthling Publications' limited edition Sampler, which will also include stories by Gary Braunbeck, Michael Marshall Smith, Jeffrey Thomas, Simon Clark, Tim Lebbon, and Brian Evenson (but Deena and I got the cover, guys, so there!).  The gift came as quite a surprise and warranted a big hug.  (Photos by Judi Rohrig.)

Don D'Auria and me.  Yes, we did have to fight off the ladies!  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)  Yours truly reading from The Bikini Bottoms Optional Oyster Bar (Martin Zolotow's latest adventure) during "An Hour with Writer Guest of Honor Brian A. Hopkins."  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

Me and some of the lovely ladies from the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society (KaCSFFS), hosts for this year's World Horror Convention.  Standing, left to right: Allison Stein, Robin Crawford, Ann Donovan.  Kneeling at my feet (heh heh): Sherri Dean.  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)  Artist Guest of Honor Nick Smith with his display in the art room.  There's a bag of rocks hanging on Nick's belt -- 50 of them to be exact -- and he'll show them to you if you ask.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

Sherri Dean gets even with me for throwing her over my shoulder at the party which the Yard Dog crew usurped from Dark Vespers (you had to be there).  If anyone got a picture of her over my shoulder, I would dearly love to have a copy!  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)   Forrest J. Ackerman, Special Guest of Honor, talks to an adoring fan.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)  The incomparable Ed Bryant displays the April issue of Locus, for which he was the guest editor (and for which, at Ed's invitation, I wrote an article on the small press).  Ed's one of my favorite people in the biz, even if he does wear camo.  But who am I to criticize, since I'm wearing my jammies in the above photo.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

Grand Master Award winner Chelsea Quinn Yarbro autographs books for photographer Kim Taylor.  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)  Author and artist Alan Clark at his reading.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

Selina Rosen mixing the infamous concoction known as a Hurling Monkey at the Yard Dog Press party.  When you see Selina, be sure and ask for her interpretive dance "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."  It's not to be missed.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)  Kim Taylor sharing a Hurling Monkey with Graham "Buy Brian's Books!" Masterton.  I'm not sure whether Graham has a weakness for Hurling Monkeys or redheads, but he was the life of the party that night.  (Photo by Brian A. Hopkins, having taken his camera away from Kim long enough to take this one shot.)

The BAH table at the Guest of Honor Brunch.  The food was good, but the company was grand.  KaCSFFS President and Publisher Ken Keller is seated on my right.  On my left: Judi Rohrig, Dawn Stanley, Michael Slade, and Sebastien Pharand (Sebastien should have one of those "eek!" marks over the first "e" in his name, but I ain't that fancy in my html coding -- sorry, Sebastien).  Judi Rohrig at her reading.  (Photos by Kim Taylor.)

Photographer Kim Taylor and Jimmy Johnston discussing Kim's display in the art room.  Jimmy was often confused at the con for a black man named Maurice Broaddus (who incidentally won the Weird Tales short story contest -- congrats, Maurice!).  Go figure.  I didn't get a picture of Maurice, but he was a swell guy who now holds the record for most Hurling Monkeys downed in a single sitting.  With that sort of achievement under his belt, I imagine he'll soon be a Yard Dog Press author (which is most definitely a good thing!).  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)

Me accepting Graham Masterton's 1996 International Horror Guild (IHG) Award, Ed Bryant presenting.  Unfortunately, I had to give it back after the ceremony.  Convention Chairperson Dee Willis presents Chelsea Quinn Yarbro with the Grand Master Award.  Way to go, Quinn!  (Photos by Kim Taylor.)

Michael Slade and I at the 13 Horrors panel.  Michael appears to be checking the back of the book to see if his name is spelled correctly.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

Opening Ceremonies: Toastmistress Laurel K. Hamilton, Grand Master Award winner Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, memyowndamnself, and Publisher Guest of Honor Don D'Auria.  I appear to be scanning the horizon for incoming.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

The 13 Horrors panel.  Project Coordinator Jim Loehr, Publisher Ken Keller, artist Allison Stein, me as the grand pooh-bah editor (What the hell am I laughing about anyway?), and contributing authors Michael Slade, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and Ed Bryant.  The book cover is featured on an easel to the far right (partially obscured by someone with the beginnings of male pattern baldness).   (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

Pixels versus Paper panel.  Dark Fluidity's John Urbancik, Alternate Realities' Joan McCarty, Shocklines' Matt Schwartz, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and moi.  IMO, this was one of the better panels at the convention.  Lots of good questions from the audience.  Lots of good information relayed by the panelists.  (Photo by Kim Taylor.)

My good friend Gary Jonas and I in conversation, while Graham Masterton and Darrell Schweitzer eavesdrop and later chase Gary off.  (The mask and fangs were provided by the convention for the masquerade ball that night.  Good sport that I am, I wore them, no matter how ridiculous I looked or how it mussed up my hair.)  (Photos by Kim Taylor.)

The Lone Wolf Publications table in the Dealer's Room with yours truly hoping for customers.  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and I sign autographs at the mass signing event -- always my favorite part of the convention.  Quinn stayed pretty busy.  I had time to do my nails.  That's Alan Roberts in front of me there with money in hand -- what a guy!  In addition to his hard-earned money, Alan also brought some gifts for me to the convention, a box of really cool t-shirts (featuring el dia de los muertos) and a deck of cards (featuring wolves).  Alan's one of the good guys.  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)

British author and all around nice guy (not to mention the only contributor to all five volumes of the Extremes anthology series) Simon Morden (on his first trip to the United States!) and Canadian author Gord Rollo.  In this photo, I believe they might be discussing how awful American beer tastes.  (Photo by Judi Rohrig.)

It was a fantastic convention.  Many, many thanks to the folks with KaCSSFS for hosting it and treating me and the other guests like royalty.  Many thanks to all the fans and friends who came out and had a great time with me.  Let's do it again real soon!