What a fun day it was yesterday. It was launch day and all seemed right with the world. After gym, I met with Rydges to discuss Conflux 9 arrangements. That went really well and you know April isn’t that far away. I needed to sort a few things so we can finalise the program. I know we had this idea of it being nice and compact and well shit that doesn’t cut it. The program is so jampacked, it’s splitting its packaging. BTW to find out more check out the Conflux website, which is now http://www.conflux.org.au
Then after a bit of work at home, I drove to Young, which is about 2.5 hours away by car. I’d never been there before but I wanted to have coffee with Valerie Parv (the amazing romance author). Valerie used to live in Canberra and used to be handy. However, she abandoned us for the lovely town of Young. I must say I was very impressed with the place. Valerie is now also writing science fiction. I’ll tell you a secret. In her younger days, Valerie was an SF fan. I found her name in some old fan stuff a few years ago. So I thought I’d let her know about Conflux natcon because she has a book out called, Birthright. Here is the link to Amazon. Some great reviews there. http://www.amazon.com/Birthright-ebook/dp/B00A0C07BK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1357853906&sr=8-13&keywords=birthright
And both Nicole and I thought that Conflux is the place for her to come and shout out about her book.
Anyway we had a great natter together for a couple of hours and then I came home. I love driving and I love seeing new places.
Donna Maree Hanson, Author and PhD Candidate 
It was lovely seeing you too, and I did notice the strategically placed brochure for Conflux in the lovely book you gifted me (with your story in it). Bribery will get you everywhere LOL Yes, my SF connections go a long way back, as does my space junkie cred and I’m thrilled to reconnect with that side of me through Birthright, which combines several passions: SF, suspense and a touch of romance. I’m currently working on the follow-up book, Earthbound, which continues the adventures of the beacons. So far my research has ranged from SETI to high tech torture, The joys of being a writer. I shall no doubt find out for myself how your Conflux program pans out – it sounds suspiciously like the chest-bursting alien. *waves to Nicole* I see you grinning back there.
I can’t wait to read Birthright. I’m taking it with me to Sydney.
Valerie… Conflux is always awesome – this year will be my third visit. My first was the first Conflux and that blew me away so I can imagine I’ll hardly need the plane to fly back to Brissie afterwards.
See you there! Barb
*Waves back at Valerie* I hope you’ll be able to come – would be great to catch up again. Unfortunately I headed back to work a week earlier than Donna, so couldn’t join her on this trip.
Conflux is THE AWESOME 🙂