I took more photos at this year’s World Fantasy Convention than I have at other recent cons, perhaps because I’ve also been using Instagram more, inspiring me to send more contemporaneous pics out into the world. Whatever the reason, the pics (such as the one of me and Irene Gallo below) now exist, and that’s all that matters.

You can check out all of my WFC photos over at Flickr.

If nothing else … they should make you hungry.

I’m home from the World Fantasy Convention now—well, not completely home, as we’re on Day 8 of no Internet, and I’ll be spending lots of time in cybercafes until this is fixed—but before the week gets away from me, here are some pics to represent the final day of WFC. I hope to eventually get around to a full con report …

… someday.

Waiting for the banquet to begin with Nalo Hopkinson

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Were you in Toronto this afternoon to watch the World Fantasy Awards ceremony?

No?

Don’t worry. Someone has taken care of that for you …

(You’re welcome!)

And once again, I’ve been having too much fun at the World Fantasy Convention to have any time left over for a full write-up, so these five photos will have to stand in for the details, which I hope to share in a full report in the future.

Hanging with Andy Duncan and Brett Cox

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So you couldn’t make it to the World Fantasy Convention this year—or perhaps you could make it, but wasn’t able to figure out a way to be omnipresent—and are pissed? Don’t worry. There are at least three readings you didn’t have to be present to witness.

And here they are …

F. Brett Cox

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I was up until nearly 3:00 a.m. last night, and once again have no time to share with you in any detail the fun I had at this year’s World Fantasy Convention. That’ll just have to wait until I get home. Until then, let these five photos stand in for the friends and food and general good times I had.

Deep-fried soft dumplings of Berkshire pork at Lai Wah Heen

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Since I’m having too much fun at the World Fantasy Convention in Toronto to write up a full report just yet, let these six photos suffice for now to let you know what my first day was like.

Vatican City burger at Burger’s Priest

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And when I write that I’ll be eating in Toronto during World Fantasy Con, I mean, yes, I’ll be eating in Toronto during World Fantasy Con … which though it bills itself as a Toronto convention, is actually off in Richmond Hill. But I’ve rented a car so I can head off on foodie expeditions, bringing along with me as many other victims volunteers as I can stuff in the car.

Assuming, of course, that the coming Frankenstorm doesn’t mess with my plans.

All six of these buzzworthy destinations are in Toronto, about a half an hour away from the hotel, and some have asked—how can I dare to tread so far from the convention itself? Won’t I be missing out? Nope! When I go, with four or five others in the car, it’ll be like I’m taking the con with me!

So … what’s on the menu?

Thursday’s lunch: The Burger’s Priest

When I asked for advice on which Toronto burger joint was the best, the responses got so heated you’d think I was in a conversation about the presidential election. But a consensus soon formed around The Burger’s Priest, which has a secret menu not posted at the restaurant. Which means you can only order something like The Vatican City—”a double cheeseburger squeezed between two grilled cheese buns”—if you find out about it online. (more…)

I just received my programming assignments for next month’s World Fantasy Convention in Toronto, and unless there’s shuffling about to accommodate the schedules of others, here’s where you’ll be able to find me.

REMEMBERING TWILIGHT ZONE MAGAZINE
Thursday, Nov. 1, 9:00 p.m. (Vaughn East)
Our panelists—several of whom contributed to the late, great Twilight Zone Magazine—will include writers discussing how they broke into the TZ market, their relationships with TZ editors (including the legendary T. E. D. Klein), and their own personal memories of the magazine. Other panelists will reminisce.
Lawrence C. Connolly (M), Nancy Baker, Scott Edelman, Elizabeth Hand, Darrell Schweitzer, Steve Rasnic Tem.

OUR SELVES, OUR MONSTERS
Friday, Nov. 2, 2:00 p.m. (York B & C)
The best monsters—ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies—all begin as human beings, as US. All have their roots in the ideas of lost/strayed/stolen humanity. Freud alludes to the factor of semblance in The Uncanny, and that idea, with the tensions inherent in duality/dichotomy—an otherness both projected, and found within—is crucial. Think of works such as Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde, and Dracula like a hall of mirrors, begetting their own reflections. Is our continued fascination with these monsters our way of grappling with our own demons? And which fantasy characters are most persuasive in convincing us that they are not really monsters; that they are, in reality, a reflection/distortion/creation of us? A second opportunity to hear this fascinating discussion with an alternative set of panelists.
Ellen Klages (M), Patricia Briggs, Scott Edelman, Jo Fletcher, Anya Martin, Ben Percy.

And now that I have the full schedule in hand, I can decide which of the other panels and readings I want to attend and finalize my culinary adventuring.

Those of you who’ve been paying attention know that when I travel to conventions, I hate to eat in hotel restaurants and do my best to track down memorable eating experiences. And since it looks like all of the places I plan to hit during November’s World Fantasy Convention are a distance from the hotel, which is in Richmond Hill, about half an hour outside of downtown Toronto, I’ll be renting a car—the first time I’ve ever done that internationally.

But as you’ll see below, it should be worth it.

The Black Hoof

The #1 restaurant I want to hit during the con is The Black Hoof, which is a cash only, no reservations establishment. But with a menu featuring such delicacies as roasted bone marrow, beef tendon & grits, foie & nutella, and spicy horse tartare, how can you pass it up? Adventurous eaters, please raise your hands if you want to tag along. (more…)