LoneStarCon3, the 71st World Science Fiction Convention, is only five weeks away, and the committee has circulated a rough draft of the program. So if you’re heading to San Antonio, too, here’s where you’ll have a chance to see me (not counting any reading or kaffeeklatsch which may be assigned later).

Stories From the Bullpen
Friday, August 30, 15:00-16:00
The Marvel bullpen and the DC offices were magical places in the 1970s and 1980s, full of wisecracking pros, hardworking artists, and tale-spinning editors, if you believe the letters pages. But what was it really like? Get a peek behind the curtain with our panelists!
with Bob Wayne, Anthony Tollin, and Phil Foglio

Remembering Carmine Infantino
Friday, August 30, 20:00-21:00
One of the great artists and editors of DC comics passed away recently. Join us for a discussion of Infantino’s contributions to the science fiction comics and super hero comics of the 1960s and his stewardship as editor on such titles as Batman.
with Weldon Adams

Playing in Other People’s Sandboxes: Writing Comics that aren’t Your Own
Sunday, September 1, 15:00-16:00
Whether you’re writing Spider-Man, Jonah Hex, the Incredibles, or Fruit Ninja, you never get to really own these characters. But they sure are fun to play with! Hear some stories about what it’s like dealing with today’s corporate overlords.
with Alan J. Porter, Paul Benjamin, and Howard Tayler

Arouse Is Not the Past Tense of Arise
Monday, September 2, 12:00-13:00
Why do so many new writers have problems with grammar? How important is grammar? Has it lost relevancy in communicating with some portion of the reading public?
with Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Ginjer Buchanan, and Alberto Chimal

But there’s one other place you might see me—if you’re insane for BBQ, that is.

Thursday morning, before Worldcon begins, I plan to make a road trip to Franklin BBQ, which by all accounts makes the best brisket, not just in Texas, not just in the U.S., but in the world. They’re open from 11:00 a.m. until they sell out, which only takes a couple of hours. There are generally 300-400 people waiting before the door swings open, so I’m aiming to get there with some folding chairs and some friends (and a uke!) around 8:30.

To understand why it’s worth driving an hour and 15 minutes from San Antonio to Austin, check out what Texas Monthly has to say.

Experiencing Franklin Barbecue right now is like watching Lance Armstrong or Barry Bonds at their performance-enhanced best, when they seemed to magically tower over everyone else. Except Aaron Franklin is doing it clean (not counting the enormous amount of espresso he consumes every morning).

I suspect not even Aaron Franklin will be able to keep this up forever, so we have a small window to experience bucket-list level brisket. If you’ll be at Worldcon and think you’ll be up for an early morning road trip, get in touch—I still have a couple of spaces left in the car.

Let me know. After all, you wouldn’t want to end up like … Hitler.