Inside Look at Outlantacon / Gaylaxicon 2013 #LGBT

Outlantacon 2013
Report by Kayelle Allen
ATLANTA, GA -- Just back from my favorite convention of the year -- any year -- Outlantacon. The conference is an Atlanta-based event for the Queer Geek audience. They have all the usual convention fare: discussion panels, gaming, costuming, special events, etc. with the difference being it all has a queer 'bent' to it. This year was the third time hosting Gaylaxicon, a national convention with the same themes. I have volunteered to assist on the board of Gaylaxicon and also to work with the Outlantacon PR Chair for next year.

Butt Pirates in Space
I attended panels on writing, blogging, gaming, social media, plus a release party for the book Butt Pirates in Space (see the cake image). The book was authored by five of my friends: Kiernan Kelly, Kage Alan, Angelia Sparrow, TC Blue, and Shae Connor. It became the running joke at the con whether you were a butt pirate or not one. I was unable to attend the late-night theater in which members of the audience read the sexy parts of books and another audience member acted out those parts with sock puppets. I hear things were broken due to people falling down laughing. *note to self: make plans to stay up later next year*
The con suite had delicious (free) food, and the hotel itself was wonderful. Anything we needed was handled immediately. My hubby went with me this year. He helped with setting up, taking down, and making sure everything went smoothly in transitions. He took photos and kept track of time so I was where I was supposed to be. The one time he managed to slip away and do something fun for himself, I managed to get myself into the wrong room and ended up on a fun panel -- albeit not the one for which I was scheduled. *facepalm* No one's fault but my own, but if you were looking for me in that social media panel and I wasn't there -- my apologies. Now you see why I need a keeper. ^_^

Panel: Gays in the Military
Edward deGruy, me, Vandy Beth
Outlantacon has extensive gaming, and I attended a workshop on game creation chaired by Andrew Greenberg. He's the president of the Georgia Game Developers Association and organizer of the Southeast Interactive Entertainment and Games Expo (SIEGE). Find him on Facebook or visit the gamedevelopers page. I'll be working on a new game designed from the one my immortals play in the Tarthian Empire books (Peril). You can see the shirt I had created for it here.
As I was looking over pictures of myself on panels over the years, I noticed the same water bottle in front of me. It's getting quite old, but it's part of my family's long-term commitment to recycling. We have a saying at our house: Use it up; wear it out; make it do; do without. Using the same water bottle to a convention and using it every day at home is one tiny part of it.

Moxie Magnus
The panel-type games were a blast, and the Match Game (link to image) was hysterically funny. You have to be there to appreciate how wild and silly the questions and answers can be. I was thrilled to see Ms Moxie Anne Magnus again this year. This time traveler is the Chief Cosmetology Officer aboard the USS Enterprise. You don't think those bouffant hairstyles just "happened" do you? The person behind Moxie is just as adorable. :)

MFRW Members:
Kiernan Kelly, Ally Blue, me, Eden Winters
It was great to see members of my Marketing for Romance Writers group there. We had a mini-meetup. Kiernan Kelly, Eden Winters, Ally Blue, and me. I have an online meeting scheduled this week to discuss the group and promotional possibilities for it with the developer of a new social media client system. More on that as I learn details.
If you're interested in learning more about this convention, see the links below. Can't wait till next year. I hope to see many of you there!

Find Outlantacon Here

Gaylaxicon http://gaylacticnetwork.org/ Website http://outlantacon.org/ Guests http://outlantacon.org/guests.htm Twitter https://twitter.com/OutlantaCon Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/OutlantaCon/ Kayelle Allen is an award-winning, multi-published author. Her heroes and heroines include badass immortals, warriors who purr, and agents who find the unfindable--or hide it forever. She is known for unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion.