If you weren’t present at the YALSA Genre Galaxy preconference on Friday, you missed a day of great networking, learning, sharing, and yes — swordfighting. ‘ Our speakers did a wonderful job of both educating and entertaining attendees, who enjoyed a full day focusing on genre fiction (and nonfiction!).
For a taste of what we experienced, here’s Elizabeth Bird’s video of author James Kennedy kicking off the day with a little commentary on his ability to best Neil Gaiman and win the Newbery!
Mr. Kennedy himself recorded the event far better than I ever could. Go to http://jameskennedy.com/2009/07/13/i-win-the-newbery/ to see him wrest Neil Gaiman’s Newbery from him in an untimely manner. And yes. There was swordfighting.