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Quintaglios:
Far-Seer
Fossil Hunter
Foreigner

A few quotes from attendees of science fiction conventions at which Robert J. Sawyer has been Guest of Honor:

People spend too much time talking about others when they do something wrong, and never enough time talking about them when they do something right. Watching you at Con-Version is a prime example, I think, of how to do something right. You are quite remarkable. You treat each and every person with respect and attention. You answer each and every question with respect and intelligence. If you had an off moment over the weekend, I didn't see it. You say 'thank you' often and with sincerity. You are generous with your time and your quite considerable store of knowledge. You have a wonderful public presence, and I don't know how often people tell you that, but really, they should.

— Robyn Herrington, Con-Version, Calgary, Alberta

It was really a pleasure meeting you at ValleyCon 22 in Fargo last week. I can't remember the last time we had such an entertaining and accessible guest author. Thank you, thank you! You were a great guest, and a damn fine storyteller, too!

— Kim Morrison, ValleyCon, Fargo, ND

I want to thank you so much for attending Windycon. One of our staff said you were the most approachable Author Guest of Honor she had ever met -- and I agree. I hope you and Carolyn had as much fun as we did.

— Bonnie Jones, Windycon, Chicago, IL

All of us at ConCat still remember what good sports both you and Carolyn were, and how totally accessible you were as guests, even playing Fan Family Feud with us.

— JaNell Golden, ConCat, Knoxville, TN

Thank you for being such a delightful Toastmaster for Norwescon this year. It was a pleasure to work with you!

— William Sadorus, Norwescon, Seattle, WA

Rob is a convention-goer's delight. You'll spot him prowling the hallways mingling with anyone and everyone. He is always smiling, jovial and — in the best Canadian sense of the word — polite.

— Tony King, Imaginative Fiction Writers' Association, Calgary, Alberta

I first met Mr. Sawyer at the Ask-A-Pro-Anything and signing session. I've navigated through ministers, corporate presidents, lesser authors, and even the odd student government official but this was the first time I deliberately sought out someone with celebrity status. I only knew of him through his Discovery Channel appearances and occasional articles in national magazines so I didn't know what to expect when I asked him to autograph a book for someone else. Knowing I was not yet a fan he obliged anyway.

Dinner with Rob — everyone called him that — was quite interesting. I feared a holier-than-thou author, but he was just a normal science fiction guy with a very genuine sense of honesty. We broke the ice with cordial chatter and garlic bread. "What we need is chairs on a conveyor belt," Sawyer remarked, "so everyone could see everyone."

As people became comfortable, the usual debates about politics and society ensued. What surprised me most was that Rob strained to hear the regular people as much as we tried to listen to him. He was another normal guy, who ate the same spaghetti we did. This casual Rob was perfectly consistent with the one who gave opening remarks.

— Ben Li, in The Guantlet,
the University of Calgary student newspaper,
following the SF convention Con-Version in 2002,
at which Rob was Toastmaster

My initial reactions walking into the auditorium was a concern that the [Aurora] awards ceremony was slipping a bit: the room was not crowded and everyone there was just sitting around in their day clothes — in contrast to the gala setting of some other years.

I needn't have worried. MC was Robert J. Sawyer, a consummate showman if there ever was one. Sawyer quickly established just the right balance of fannish informality and award night energy, delivering an upbeat line of patter that kept everyone interested and involved throughout. I particularly appreciated the way he broke up the necessary discussion of the history of the awards, balloting procedures, category descriptions, eligibilities, and so on into brief segments smoothly delivered between the introduction of presenters. Most impressive of all was the way Sawyer smoothly filled the gaps when there was no one present to accept an award, as happened several times: in such cases he just stepped forward and ad libbed a brief biography of the winner which felt like an acceptance speech.

— Robert Runté [2005]

Before closing the book on CanVention 27, I realize that I must proffer an official, formal and entirely heartfelt thank you for your masterful hosting of the Aurora Awards ceremonies at VCON 32.

From where I was sitting (and contrary to you blog entry of Oct. 23), your performance felt more like a nine. Perhaps that black-leather garment you were wearing was keeping the positive vibes being put out by your audience from reaching you but, I assure you, they were there.

— Michael Walsh [2007]

I first met Rob several years ago at a local SF convention (VCON), back when I was disguised as a beginning writer. I was struck by his generosity, warmth and down-home friendliness. Rob was extremely approachable and more than willing to provide advice and share his wisdom and experience in the challenging field of writing and publishing. I'm eternally grateful for his advice, especially for steering me away from that questionable green and orange dip in the hopitality suite.

— Nina Munteanu, Vancouver, British Columbia

Rob is also a hit in the virtual world. Here's what the organizer had to say about one of his appearances in Second Life:

Thanks to Rob for one of the very best events we've ever had! He is adorable, generous, and terrifically funny. The crowd enthusiasm was great, and he jumped right in for a spirited discussion of transhumanism and its discontents. Religion, elitism, uploading, the singularity, American and Canadian cultural differences — we hit it all in a cheerful and vigorous discussion. It was the treat of a lifetime for many of us to sit and chat with such a gifted novelist.

— Sophrosyne Stenvaag, Extropia Core, Second Life

  More Good Reading  

Robert J. Sawyer's stints as guest of honor
Robert J. Sawyer's upcoming appearances
Why authors attend Science Fiction Conventions