Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 11:43:19 -0500 (CDT)
From: <samlubell at verizon.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Ravencon ?
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

Many pros are also fans yes, but they are also one of the main attractions that cause fans to attend specific conventions (And it is the fans who give us their money).

I've run programming and it is far more common for pros to complain about not being on enough panels (or at least to suggest that they be added to additional panels) than to complain that they are on too many.

Ravencon had three tracks.  So checking some authors
Wright - 5 panels, a Koffee and a signing,
Ringo - Six panels and a signing
Burnstein - 5 panels, a Koffee and a signing

So writers had about 7-8 program hours out of 29 hours of panels/events.  This to my mind shows that three tracks of progrramming would still leave plenty of hours for writers to do other things and while enabling fans to see their favorites.

I'm positive that any author who felt this was too much could easily find another willing to take his/her place on a panel or two.