How can I contain my Ad Astra Wrap Up a single post? Quite simply, I can’t and I’m not going to do the event a dis-service by trying.

Ad Astra is a volunteer run, not-for-profit convention for fans of the written word in the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (to use the broadest description of the labels) held in the Toronto area. First and foremost, thank you to the team behind Ad Astra for planning a great event and including me in your programming!!

I’m pleased to say that I was as thrilled with this year’s Ad Astra schedule, organisation, panelists, artists, gaming, photo shoots, cosplay repair, anime, vendors and attendees as I was in 2014. The only thing that could have made it better was a trip in the Doctor Who Tea Party Tardis to the start of the weekend to do the event all over again and attend all the panels and functions that I missed in the stacked schedule… including the Toronto LEGO Users Group‘s incredible display.

The event hosted Friday workshops requiring pre-registration with topics ranging from casting your own molds to constructing fictional worlds. Sadly, I don’t have personal experiences with the Friday workshops to share in this Ad Astra wrap up post because I have Volunteer’s disease. I spent Friday afternoon helping Desiree Kern and her team set up the amazing art show. Pieces ranged from wearable art such as steampunk jewelry and kitschy pins to ornate, and suitably large dragon paintings valued at $5000. Artists of every age are encouraged to display and sell their work, including children.

Sharon Sasaki‘s “Fraternal Twins” won Best in Show, Philippe McNally won Honourable Mention and Barb Corbette won People’s Choice with her “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” scene. I don’t know if the winner’s pieces were photographed, but I’ll look into it and repost if I get permission.

After opening ceremonies with guests of honour Anne Bishop, Charles de Lint, Denis McGrath, MaryAnn Harris, and Monica Pacheco with co-chair Paul Roberts, the panels and book launches began with many intriguing topics from which to choose: Taking apart tropes, macabre humour, the modern state of aviation, adapting classical stories to speculative fiction, remakes and neverending sequels, thermoplastics for costuming, imagining the future, guidance from recent post-secondary grads… the opportunities for panels and book launches stretched into the midnight hour!

I loved being on a panel with Ellie Di Julio and the energizing James Alan Gardner about creating people with alternate histories and the worlds within which they live. We had a very interactive audience who raised dynamic questions. My favourite moment was Jim’s description of urban fantasy: Fantasy wherein there are hamburgers. In other words, if the fantasy world occurs before the invention of the hamburger, or is a world in which hamburgers aren’t possible, then it isn’t an “urban” fantasy.

And I hope Jim forgives me if I’m paraphrasing him incorrectly!

Saturday is a fully packed day at Ad Astra from the start of opening panels until well through the night. There are so many panels, talks, brunch signings with authors, book launches and activities that it isn’t possible for someone to do everything! Additionally, more of the Cosplayers comes out on Saturday, from traditional book characters such as Tolkien hobbits to new faves like a weeping angel from Doctor Who.

I wasn’t able to attend Dennis McGrath’s guest of honour session, but I had the opportunity to panel with him in a discussion about researching beyond Wikipedia with Joel Sutherland. Before we even started, though, I confessed the litte hero worship I have of Dennis (and writer Mark Ellis), both alumni from my high school (drama geek that I am). I don’t know whether I embarrassed myself or not (hoping not). Nevertheless, I came across an audience member later in the day and he said our panel was both enlightening and inspired him to dig deeper for richer sources of information. I loved how Dennis described holding historical documents in his hands with protective gloves on as part of the experience of research – something you totally won’t get with a Google search!

My evening plans were higgildy-piggildy, however, they included meeting new acquaintances, and re-connecting with people whom I haven’t seen for months. Going solo in the publishing industry put a bit of a cramp in my social life.  I had a panel scheduled at the same time as Heather Dale‘s concert (which I missed, whaaa!) but I managed to scoot up to book readings by Ellie Di Julio and Catherine Fitzsimmons (yay!). I saw jupiter and her moons thanks to Patrick McDonald’s “Astronomy in the Parking Lot” (happy 48th birthday to your turtle, btw).

I also tried staking out the ChiZine party in the hopes of chatting with Matt Moore. However, I had to step out and by the time I returned, the party had… what’s the correct term…. been requested to shush. With their doors closed and unknown guests inside, I decided to head back to my hotel room, given the late hour. Thereupon, I stumbled into Montreal smoked meat and new faces to chat with across the hall.

As I toured the lobby Sunday morning, shamelessly bribing people with cookies to come to my reading of The Queen’s Viper, I bumped into Matt Moore. He was a panelist in Ad Astra 2014 about writing good villains. This panel really helped me focus my thoughts about my villainous protagonist. I wanted to share that with Matt because I think it’s important for people who put themselves before an audience to know when their words make an impact. Later in the day, he paid me a huge compliment and I think I’m still gushing.

Ad Astra is over, but the energy it stirred up in me is in full tornado effect. I want to quit my day job and spend all my energy polishing my craft, pitching up the ying yang and setting myself towards my re-invented future. Of course, all of that requires $$ so I can’t actually quit my day job. And, after speaking to many fellow panelists and Ad Astra attendees, it makes me feel better that they also have day jobs which drag them away from their creative pursuits. Until then, my life is a tightrope of time management.

What were the highlights of your Ad Astra?