Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 23:04:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at keithlynch.net>
To: WSFAlist at keithlynch.net
Cc: mike.nelson at seahunt.org, prather at netzero.net
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Capclave flyers
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Elspeth Kovar <ekovar at radix.net> wrote:

> I will say that I'm looking at our room block at the Hilton and
> getting more than a bit concerned about the lack of publicity.
> We've had a signed contract and Guest of Honor for some time and
> the only mention on the net is the flyer that Keith posted to RASFF
> earlier this month.

Actually, it was Sam Lubell who posted it, on April 16th, to that
newsgroup and to alt.fandom.cons.

Unfortunately, that's all he did.  He was under the impression that
I would publicize it to other newsgroups and to the appropriate web
sites.  I was under the impression that he would.  I didn't notice it
hadn't been done until I searched several online lists of upcoming
conventions for cons conflicting with Capclave, on May 13th.  I
immediately mentioned on this list that it hadn't been done, and asked
if I should have done it.  Nobody replied, so I only did it after
talking to Sam at the meeting on the 17th.

The fact that I am not an officer, not on the publications committee,
was explicitly asked NOT to publicize Capclave as recently as early
last month, and had my Capclave '02 page replaced rather than upgraded
by Sam made me reluctant to act on my own initiative.  Especially
after last month's bombshell, after which I came extremely close to
resigning from WSFA.

WSFA and WSFA events such as Disclave have given me much pleasure over
more than 22 years, but last month's public accusations have caused me
tremendous pain, and continue to seriously interfere with my sleep and
with my ability to enjoy life.  They continue to occupy large amounts
of my time and energy, like a tongue endlessly and pointlessly
exploring a broken and painful tooth.

However, shortly before Balticon, having finally gotten the go-ahead,
I started publicizing Capclave.  I posted to the rec.arts.sf.announce
newsgroup, and to numerous web sites including Locus, SF-LOVERS,
Pegasus, Southern Fandom Resource Guide, BSFS, NESFA, and Arisia.
I plan to do more.

At Balticon, I manned our table for several hours.  More importantly
I chatted with dozens of people all over the con, many of whom are
fairly local but hadn't heard of Capclave, handed them flyers, and
directed them to our table.  On Tuesday I helped unload the truck at
the BSFS clubhouse, and I put my remaining flyers on their flyer rack.

I have a few left over at home, which I will take to the Transhumanist
Dinner on Thursday the 6th.  Then I hope I can pick up more at the
WSFA meeting on the 7th for me to take to other upcoming events.

Despite our success at Balticon, I'll be surprised if we get as many
members this year as last year.  For one thing, the Worldcon is much
further away this year, so fewer people there will be in our catchment
area.  But I'm optimistic about '03, since we should be able to start
publicizing it *during* Capclave '02, if not earlier.  I look forward
to working closely with Sam on '03.

As for Capclave '04, my feeling at this time is that I should have
nothing whatsoever to do with it, except as an attendee, since I don't
feel I can work with its chair.  But it's really too early to tell.

Many thanks to Rebecca, who emailed me this morning to point out that
the Capclave page doesn't have the hotel rates on it.  I will correct
that, and make sure it contains all the information on the flyer.
(I'm CCing her, and once again inviting her to join this list.)
--
Keith F. Lynch - kfl at keithlynch.net - http://keithlynch.net/
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