Ann Crispin is one of those friends, and Yesterday’s Son, her first book, is a monument to patience. I met Ann at the 1979 August Party Convention near Washington, D.C., where I’d unveiled the just-completed Covenant by reading chapters to audiences. Ann was verrrry pregnant at the time, and I think we bumped into each other (figuratively ... or was it literally?) in the typically crowded, incredibly slow convention elevator. I really don’t recall exactly what we talked about—that’s no reflection on Ann, just the fact that much of my time at conventions is spent talking about writing. Many fans are excellent writers, trying to build up the nerve to submit their work professionally. I’m not a parent, but I’d imagine that sending out your first would-be pro story is even worse than sending your child to the first day of kindergarten. After all, most kids survive their first day of school—very few get mailed back with rejection slips.
