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San Diego Comicon diary
01/10/2005 . Source: Brandi Robinson 
I am now absolutely positive that nothing could have properly prepared me for the craziness that is San Diego Comicon. Prior to leaving for San Diego, I was both nervous and anxious about attending the convention. Well, I was more scared than nervous. All I had been hearing for the past months was how insane Comicon was. I kept thinking to myself, "Maybe being excited about all the toys and comics isn't really what you should be thinking about. Maybe you should be thinking about how you are going to keep your sanity in a virtual zoo. Maybe you should worry about maintaining organized author signings.
The word "maybe suddenly became the first word in every sentence regarding Comicon. The fear was taking over. I mean, as a representative of Del Rey's publicity staff, I knew I had to make a really good impression, and I didn't want anyone to think that I couldn't handle the stress. But I was really looking forward to going to California. I had heard nothing but good things about the weather out there, and anyway who wanted to stay in hot and muggy NYC.
Finally! July 14th arrived and I touched down in San Diego. Once I got in my hotel room, something told me to look out the window and see what kind of view I had. My room faced the Convention Center, and what I saw took my breath away. I saw a sea of people. There had to be thousands, and this was only outside the Convention Center.
My heart started racing and I instantly thought,"Oh no! What does it look like inside? I decided it was time for me to go and see. I made my way through a sea of fan boys and girls in cosplay, stormtroopers, elves, and vampires, and finally entered the main floor. It was amazing! There were so many people and so much to look at. I didn't know where to start. I headed to the Del Rey booth, all the while bumping into various different creatures as a result of not paying attention to where I was going.
Once I got to the booth a lot of my nervousness disappeared because I saw familiar faces. I was suddenly able to relax, and easily fell into my Comicon duties. It definitely was busy at the booth and having an extra set of eyes in the back of my head could have really helped. The Del Rey crew that worked Comicon this year was so much fun. I was able to work and laugh at the same time and laughter makes anything bearable.
I was so happy that I had this amazing opportunity. I mean, I was surrounded by great people, fellow SF/Fantasy and Manga fans, and toys that I didn't even know existed. It was a fantasy come true.
Because of the great team that we had, Del Rey's author signings were organized and successful and moved with a smoothness that other booths could only envy. So many people complimented us on our crowd control, and people really loved the authors. Orson Scott Card's line, as he was signing copies of MAGIC STREET, was never ending.
Everyone was going crazy for Amber Benson, who was signing advance galley copies of THE GHOSTS OF ALBION: ACCURSED her novel with Christopher Gordon. Richard Morgan (Altered Carbon, Woken Furies) and Charlie Huston (Already Dead) were a hit as well.
In addition to meeting a bunch of cool people and making some new contacts, getting to hang out with our authors was a huge highlight of the convention for me. Oh, and aside from having amazing conversations, I ate until I thought I was going to pass out. I need to better prepare myself when it comes to "stuffing my face on business trips.
All in all, San Diego Comicon rocked and I can't wait to go back. SF/Fantasy fans are really nice people. They really made working Comicon a pleasure. Next year I will be a lot more prepared, I'll map out my strategy for working my way around the convention. I know I missed some really cool booths.
See you next year!
Brandi Robinson
The following material is being reprinted from
the Del Rey Internet Newsletter. To
subscribe to their free, monthly e-newsletter, visit http://www.delreybooks.com. 
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