As we get closer and closer to JordanCon, I find it harder and harder to muster up the time to sit and write of those professional sounding releases I usually do. It probably doesn’t matter.

Anyways, I sent out the JordanCon progress report this weekend via email. Yes, I’m aware that a progress report really out to be released six months before a convention and not three weeks before. Work with me. I’m new at this. It’s pretty much a summary of what you can expect to see and do at JordanCon. You can download the PDF here.

The link to the schedule in that is incorrect. You should be able to access it by going here. There’s still a few things that need to be fleshed out, but you should be able to get an idea of what’s going to happen when.

I’ll see everyone real soon!

–Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Please note that preregistration for JordanCon 2009 will close this weekend. Membership for all three days is priced at $60 per person. This includes admission to all panels, discussions, workshops and performances. Guests this year will include Harriet McDougal, Wilson Grooms, Brandon Sanderson, Tom Doherty, the Dabel Brothers, Jendayi Bellydance, Big City Burlesque and The Lost Boys.

Please note that while there will be on site registration for JordanCon, we are unable to accept credit card payments at the convention.

JordanCon was featured in two media outlets this weekend. The first is a profile on “Convention Fans Today“, a blog that follows genre conventions around the country and the people who attend them. There’s nothing new in there if you’ve been following the updates here, but it’s nice to see us mention somewhere that isn’t Wheel of Time specific. The author of that blog will have a post up for reviews of the convention after we’re done, so if you have something to say afterwards, that’s another place you can do it.

The second is an interview with myself and my partner in crime, Jimmy on the 4th Age Podcast hosted by Dragonmount.com. This is also pretty packed with information, and I imagine there’s stuff in there you don’t know already. I can think of at least one thing I mention here that I haven’t posted anywhere.

Please pass the word along about JordanCon. Pre registration closes in a week.

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Even though there is still plenty of space in our expanded room block at the Embassy Suites, I’ve gone ahead and contracted with an overflow hotel. Hopefully this will make it possible for everyone to attend JordanCon that wants to.

Our overflow hotel for 2009 is the fabulous Hyatt Place at Northpoint. This hotel is less than a mile from the Embassy Suites and will be running a complimentary shuttle for convention members all weekend. Rooms start at $79 a night. We’ll have a link for booking online up later this week, but if you just can’t wait, you can call 888-492-8847 and ask for the JordanCon rate.

See you in April!

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Earlier this week, we received reports that our room block at the Embassy Suites had sold out. We’re happy to report that the Embassy Suites was able to add additional rooms to our block. So if you haven’t made your reservation yet, I highly advise that you do so immediately, before they run out again. You can get more information regarding reservations HERE.

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

As we count down the days to our first JordanCon (59, as I write this), I want to put out a little reminder for everyone coming to get their arrangements finalized as soon as possible.

First, have you pre-registered? Not only does pre-registered help the convention by allowing us to accurately plan ahead for the weekend, it also helps you out. Pre-registration will hopefully mean a shorter line for you (I say hopefully, because this is my first rodeo, and I can’t promise I know what I’m doing yet. But it’s a pet peeve of mine to pre-reg for a con, and then stand in a three hour line while the “at the door” people sail past me and get to enjoy the con.), and it also enters you into a drawing to own something from Robert Jordan’s personal collection of blades. The Jordan estate is keeping the exact item a surprise, but I am assured that it will be sharp and it will fit in a suitcase if you need to fly it home. Preregistration is currently $60. (A steal if you look at some other cons. Why oh why, couldn’t I have been a Twilight fan?). You can find details on pre-registration here.

Second, you need a place to stay. Crazily enough, most of the people currently pre-registered aren’t from Atlanta. In fact, there’s a rather significant minority of you from Europe. You all can’t be planning on commuting every day from Paris, so you’ll need a hotel room. Our host hotel, the Alpharetta Embassy Suites , has given us a block of suites starting at $114 a night. Yes, that’s right. I said suites. Your room also includes a cooked to order breakfast each morning and complimentary drinks at the nightly “Manager’s Reception”. You can get more information about booking a room and the neighborhood around JordanCon here.

While you’re here, you’ll need something to do. If our guest list doesn’t tempt you (Harriet, Wilson, Brandon and Tom Doherty) maybe you’ll be interested in seeing the performances by The Lost Boys, Jendayi Bellydance or Big City Burlesque. Though come to think of it, why are you at a convention called “JordanCon” if that guest list doesn’t make your socks go up and down? We’re also going to be doing a crazy amount of panels, contests, workshops and games. We’re still working on the ever elusive schedule grid, but we did put up a list of highlights a few weeks back. I’m particularly excited by the Sanderson writing workshops and the Cairhienin Ball. And if you’ve never played Darkfriend Hunt, well, you’re in for a surprise. And probably a brutal murder or three. Don’t worry, they killed Brandon Sanderson at DragonCon last year and still seems alright. Mostly.

Be sure to set aside a little time and money for shopping in our Dealers Hall. Remember, the Dealers Hall is a source of revenue to the convention, so we’d sort of like these guys to be happy and come back with friends in 2010. I know I always budget a few dollars for the Dealers Hall for any convention I go to. Our Dealers this year include:

Big City Burlesque
Bargain Basement Books
Dabel Brothers Productions
Heron Marked Scissors
The Lost Boys
Yoakum Books

I am almost certainly forgetting something here. If I haven’t answered your question, feel free to browse the forums or drop me an email at jordancon@ageoflegends.net.

See you in April!

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Due to the unanticipated demand for space in our program book, we’re extending the deadline to reserve your space. Hopefully this will accommodate everyone who is interested.

From now until the end of the month, you can reserve a “business card” sized ad in our program for $25. This is 2.5″ x 3.8″ of space that will be seen by hundreds of Wheel of Time fans, as well as Harriet, Brandon and a host of other notables.

What kinds of things can you put in your ad?

-Businesses
-Websites
-Other conventions or events
-Shout outs to friends
-Thank yous to Brandon
-Condolences to the Rigneys
-Anything else you like, within the bounds of good taste.

For more information, please see our information page.

Tom Doherty, the founder of Tor Books, the publisher of The Wheel of Time series, will be attending JordanCon. Doherty formed Tor Books in 1980, after a stint as publisher at the venerable Ace Books publishing house. Since 1988, Tor has been selected by Locus Magazine readers as “Best Science Fiction Publisher”. Tor authors include the late Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin, Terry Goodkind, Orson Scott Card, Mercedes Lackey and many other notables. Doherty will be appearing on panels regarding the upcoming publication of A Memory of Light, the final book in The Wheel of Time series and on the future of fantasy publishing in general.

JordanCon is the first convention dedicated to exploring the literary legacy of Robert Jordan and his ground breaking The Wheel of Time series. JordanCon takes place April 17-19, 2009 at the Alpharetta Embassy Suites in Alpharetta, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. Pre registration is currently $60. Other guests include Harriet McDougal, Wilson Grooms, The Lost Boys, Big City Burlesque, Jendaiyi Belly Dance of Atlanta and Brandon Sanderson. For more information, please see our website at http://www.ageoflegends.net

Age of Legends, LLC is pleased to announce program highlights and additional guests for the upcoming JordanCon. JordanCon is the first convention dedicated to exploring the late Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series and his rich, literary legacy. JordanCon will feature appearances this spring by Harriet McDougal, Jordan’s wife and editor of his novels, as well as Brandon Sanderson, the New York Times bestselling author chosen to complete the final novel in Jordan’s epic saga. The convention will also feature performances by Big City Burlesque, Atlanta’s first and only all retro, vintage vaudeville and burlesque troupe and the Lost Boys, a popular mainstay at many southeastern conventions and Renaissance festivals.

In just one hundred days, JordanCon, the first Wheel of Time convention will bring you the following events:

Friday

The Westlands and Beyond: A panel discussing the nations of the Wheel of Time, focusing primarily on the information contained in the famous Big White Book.

The First Annual Darkfriend Hunt: Oh noes! Our village is infested with Darkfriends! Save us Children of the Light!

Seanchan Hold ‘Em Charity Poker Tournament, benefiting the Mayo Clinic.

Saturday

The One Power and Those Who (ab)Use It: A panel discussing the members of the White Tower, the Black Tower, the Kin and the way they differ in their use of the One Power.

Bringing the Wheel of Time to Life: A panel discussing how the fans, have used costumes, role playing, and the internet to make the Wheel of Time into something larger than a series of books.

Jendayi Bellydance Studio of Atlanta will provide a dance workshop and performance.

Workshop with Brandon Sanderson: Characters: Brandon delivers a lecture-style workshop focusing on how to write compelling characters. There will be plenty of time for Q&A with Brandon on writing-focused topics.

Workshop with Brandon Sanderson: Worldbuilding: Brandon delivers a lecture-style workshop focusing on how to develop settings and magic systems for fantasy novels. There will be plenty of time for Q&A with Brandon on writing-focused topics.

The Cairhienin Ball, featuring a live performance by The Lost Boys, a charity auction benefiting the Mayo Clinic and costume contest.

Big City Burlesque, Atlanta’s first and only all retro burlesque and vaudeville troupe since 2002 in a special performance.

Sunday

The Other Worlds of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (non-WoT): Do you love Conan, or the Mistborn, or the Fallon trilogy? If so then this is your forum, as the various works of both Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, outside of the Wheel of Time, are open for discussion.

Brandon Sanderson Signing

What Was, What Is, What Could Have Been: The Alternate Worlds of the Wheel of Time: A panel discussing the worlds of the Portal Stones, and all other alternate worlds of the World of Time.

An Hour with the Dabel Brothers: A Q&A session with the DB Pro regarding the upcoming The Eye of the World graphic novel adaptation.

JordanCon programming will include a host of other topics including gaming, trivia contests, sword form workshops, costuming and much, much more!

JordanCon is pleased to announce the following merchants will be represented in the Dealers Hall:

Big City Burlesque
Bargain Basement Books
Dabel Brothers Productions
Heron Marked Scissors
The Lost Boys

There is a limited amount of space still available in our Dealers. Please contact JordanCon@ageoflegends.net for rates.

Preregistration for JordanCon is currently $60. JordanCon membership covers all three days, all panels, events, demonstrations, concerts, performances, contests and a host of other activities. Workshops requiring a materials fee will be noted in the program. Pre-registration enters you into a raffle to win something from Robert Jordan’s blade collection. JordanCon will take place April 17th-19th, 2009 at the Alpharetta Embassy Suits in Alpharetta, GA. Alpharetta is a suburb of Atlanta. To receive a discounted room rate of $114 per night, please make sure to say you’re with JordanCon when making hotel reservations.

For more information, please visit us on the web at http://www.ageoflegends.net

The deadline for discounted pre-registration runs out in a few days. Silly me, setting this right around the holidays. So, if you’re like me, and are not on speaking terms with a calender most days, you now have until Jan. 5th to be able to pre-register at the discounted rate of $55. Pre registration is the BEST possible way you can support JordanCon. So get off your duff and get to it.

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair