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Mar 12, 2012

On the road to Continuum

contOver the weekend sometime, I was gently directed ( I have a bruise1 ) towards applying for National Australian Fan Funding funding to attend the National Science Fiction Convention to be held concurrently with the Continuum 8 Conference in Melbourne2 .

I had been asked by a number of Melbourne peeps and writers if I was going and my initial response was that unfortunately funds are quiet low (the start to the school year has been disastrous for TRT work – not enough teachers calling in sick or spending money on T&D).

It’s been interesting time, not quite at the level of Ramen noodles but still, purchasing anything other than the essentials brings waves of guilt and has me thinking about why I have two kidneys.

Enter the NAFF

But the national convention has a really good program for supporting fans who would like to attend cons, who work with the community and otherwise might not be able to attend.  I believe it’s expected that the winner will be able to bring some aspect of the convention alive for those living interstate.

So my road to Continuum starts here.  I will shortly be sending in my nomination form to the organisers after receiving some very generous nominations from some people I profoundly respect.

I will keep you updated as to what’s happening and how you can vote etc.  I’d also be keen to hear from readers what you might like me to attempt to do if I am successful. 

If I don’t win and the financial situation picks up between now and June I had planned to conduct audio interviews for distribution through Galactic Chat and to report on interesting panels I attend.

I’d also like to encourage readers to support the nominee even if it isn’t me. I will keep you updated on details.

Feel free to throw suggestions at me in the comments


1. I don’t actually, they were very gentle and its quite an honour to be thought of as someone worthy

2. Continuum is held in Melbourne each year, but the National convention jumps around from state to state, last year it was held concurrently with Swancon


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Comments (16)

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Cat Sparks's avatar

Cat Sparks · 678 weeks ago

I'll vote for you!
3 replies · active 678 weeks ago
I'll bring coffee :)
Sue Bursztynski's avatar

Sue Bursztynski · 678 weeks ago

I'll be happy to vote for you. You support local writers and keep us all informed. Besides, it would be nice to meet you. :-) I'm hoping to do a panel on book blogging, perhaps you'd like to be on that, if it happens?
Thanks. But just so you are forewarned I believe it costs $5 to vote - its part of the way in which they generate funding.

I would be up for any panel that a) I have some expertise in b) that I don't take the place of an equally or more qualified woman or member of a minority group.

I would of course love to meet you :)
Good stuff!
1 reply · active 678 weeks ago
Yay Sean! If you go to Natcon, you should be a guest reporter sitting next to Alex and Alisa (Tansy, are you going?) for a special Galactic Suburbia Ep AS WELL AS doing the Galactic Chat interviews you were already going to do AS WELL AS going on a panel with Sue AS WELL AS live streaming the Ditmars AS WELL AS wearing TPP pink and a coathanger halo hung with 12 planets for the duration of the con :D

(never let me write any funding applications for you. Ever ;) )
3 replies · active 678 weeks ago
If I get nominated and win I will wear a hot pink mankini... I mean Galactic Suburbia Tshirt for at least one of the days.
Excellent! Oh, and I forgot, it's a crafty con. You will also have to knit something :D
Eeeeek! Can I carve something instead, a lino cut p'raps
This National Australian Fan Funding sounds like a great initiative. You've got my vote.

-m
3 replies · active 678 weeks ago
Thanks, I think its a great initiative. I wish I had known about it sooner. I would have been able to commit funds to last years winner
I will be coming along to Continuum this year, so hopefully I'll see you there!

-m

My recent post Aurealis #48 (March 2012)
Fingers crossed. I actually got paid for the first time in 3 months today
$5! Oh, ok Sean, you've twisted my arm. I think you've given me more than $5 value in blog posts, paper.li, amusing tweets etc etc etc
Good luck :)
1 reply · active 678 weeks ago
awww shucks. I'll have to work even harder now. Will let everyone know if I get selected and where to vote. I think nominations finish the 30th March.

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