...I might as well screw with some of my friends who are there. How do I do that? By holding another contest!

Some of may recall that I attempted this last year with the New York Comic-con, when I released the hounds in search of friends David Mack (infinitydog) and Keith DeCandido (kradical), but it was an idea I didn't have until the Saturday of the con, and at least a few folks who would've participated didn't know about my little scheme until after they'd gotten home that day.

Still, we managed a minor success:


Check it, yo.

So, there's room for improvement, along with a bit more advance notice this time around. There's also more people to hunt down, so here we go again! Your mission, assuming you're going to this weekend's Farpoint Convention in picturesque Timonium, Maryland, and wish to accept this daunting assignment:

1. Make a sign (write it on paper, whatever) that reads: "Dayton Made Me Do This."
   
   
2. Find any or all of my friends and fellow word-slingers who will be at the con this weekend: Keith R.A. DeCandido, Mike Friedman, Howard Weinstein, Allyn Gibson, Bob Greenberger, the guys from the SciFi Diner Podcast, Peter and Kathleen David, Aaron Rosenberg, Glenn Hauman, and/or Dave Galanter. I have no idea what their respective schedules are throughout the weekend, so you're on your own.
   
   
3. Have a picture taken of you with them, and them holding the sign. They're free to give me the finger if they're so inclined. However, several of the folks I've listed are kind, gentle souls, so it's not a requirement.
   
   (That said, if Allyn or Keith don't do it, should you succeed in cornering them, I will be very disappointed.)
   
   Special instructions for specific persons:
   
   
   
   • If you run into Dave Galanter, tell him I still have that 10 bucks I owe him, but I can't even remember why I have it anymore.
     
     
   • If you run into Keith, ask him what the hell is up with that shirt he's wearing. It doesn't matter that I don't even know which one it'll be. That's the point, people.
     
     
   • EDIT: If you run into Kathleen, Peter's probably going to have words with you. Your move, yo.
     
     
   • If you run into Allyn, tell him Mark K. sez hello, and wants him to be a reference on a resume or job application. For Diamond.
     
     
   • If you run into Howie or Mike, give 'em a hug from me, and tell 'em I look forward to seein' 'em in July.
     
     
   • EDIT: If you run into Aaron or Glenn, ask them why they're not on the con's guest list.
     
     
   • If you run into Bob G., give him a hug from me, and tell him he's a dead man walking. I'm writing roast jokes as we speak.
     
   
   
4. Send me the pic via e-Mail (daytonward AT kc DOT rr DOT com), along with your snail mail info.
   

NOTE: The folks listed here don't have to play. Or, maybe they'll want to play, but they'll also want to make you suffer a bit before ponying up the photo op. Who am I to get in the way of that? Consider yourself warned, glory-seekers.

The reward for your efforts, should you complete the quest? An autographed cover flat for the recently-released Paths of Disharmony. Suitable for framing, and everything!

Yes, it's a rather lame prize for the effort I'm asking you to expend, but it's the best I've got at the moment. In the unlikely event I run out of those, I have other cover flats that I can use as substitutes. Look at it this way: By participating in this little endeavor, you're helping me clean out my closet.

Should you choose to accept this assignment, I will disavow all knowledge of your activities.

Good luck.