Liberty: A Voice Among Friends
Convention, Conversation, and Commerce
Outlaws! I return to you from the land of Aquariums and Choo Choos!
Chattanooga is not the finest city on earth, but one weekend a year, just like Atlanta has my beloved Dragon Con, It contains some of the finest people. LibertyCon this year was my second adventure as a panelist and my first official convention as an “Attending Professional.”
The short version is that this was probably the most productive convention of my carrer from a networking and buisness perspective. I got to talk about my stories. I got to explain the significance and history behind them. I got to throw up a table for the first time, and see if I could actually hawk my wares. Thankfully the table fee is $5 per hour, so earning out was easy! I sold a whopping three whole books! Soon I might even be like
and have dozens of fans! Dozens!
Not bad for 10 minutes and $50 bucks worth of set up materials.
All joking aside. LibertyCon is about the people.
My first panel of the Con was on It Came From The Trailer Park. Sitting with
(Thanks for the chance!) and a bunch of other legends like . I’m so greatful for my first editing credit, and the opportunity to bring Hydra King to life.
Myself, Hillbilly, and Tim “Cajun” Biscoff at the later Three Raven’s panel.
and I met via Discord, and face to face for the first time last year at my first ever Liberty. He resides in the top of the northeast, and is generally 16 or so hours away. LibertyCon is the only time we see one another. Outside of my future wife and the men that have guarded my back since childhood, I could not have a better friend. David is my tireless advocate and advisor. He’s also a brillant author and absolutely hilarious. Ask anyone there about the ash outline of a rubber chicken. is part of David’s Mirthquake Family. Though between multiple appearances and hosting the show once, I suppose its our Mirthquake family. Another stalwart friend from the interwebs who I was able to spend face to face time with. Logan is just starting his adventures in writing and already showing himself skilled and strong. Logan spent the whole weekend running around supporting his friends.K.B Carlisle (no substack, I’ll tag you on other apps brother) also belongs in the Mirthquake crew. A big man with a bigger heart and a joyful smile. Him and his lovely family ran around between signings, panels, and being a family. Making just enough time for some good jokes.
Mallory, my other half, put up with long nights and early mornings. Ran errands while I networked, and captivated an audience I normally don’t reach. Without her support and the magic she wields naturally, I would not be where I am. Combined with David’s other half, Jacklynn, and KB’s Jody, they made a powerful support team that let us all work at a higher level. Without them, none of us are all we can be.
I did not get enough time with my Mirthquake family, and it is a family of sorts, When people make the conscious choice to support you through anything you decide to do. I did, however get time with them, and until next year that will have to be enough.
David, Jaclynn, Jody, KB, Myself, Mallory, and Logan
and were always on the move, but a cosntant smile or qucik word as they hustled to panels and to sell books.If you hav never heard
sing, you are missing a treat. His singing is almost as good as his Gladius Leagues series. underknown, and Underrated by far.James Pittman made a fine meal companion, and has been a long time friend since we sat together o nthe Blasters and Blades Podcast. James is another friend that never stops promoting me, and including me.
I also met new Family.
greeted me as an old friend. We have upcoming projects together, and It was great to finally spend time with him in person. Jesse is fantastically quick witted, and caring. Often fast on the draw with solutions and generous in understanding. In my wandering the seas of panel, books and parties, Barrett stood as a lighthouse. To the shock of many stangers and no friends,
and I pretty much instantly got along. The salty Marine was already a friend via the Alpha Mercs, but the rapid adjustment from Dude I Kinda Know to Dude Who’s Circle I’m Welcome In Is the perfect example of how fast a good enviroment can forge friendships. Alongside Nick Nethery, the two formed a dangerous pair always either working thier asses off or creating mischeif. While I never served, I’ve always been blessed with the mindset to get along in a veteran crew, and this was no exception. Especially when the character of the crew is quality.
Spearman Burke and I on the Alpha Mercs panel
The
crew is just that, quality. When I walked in the door on Friday, Jonna and were aquantinces of sight. People I had seen in passing or shared a few polite words with. That was until Jonna spent two hours with me, asking me all about who I am and where I have been as she sewed up peoples costumes and proceeded to give me buisness tips. By Sunday I had already asked her for heartfelt advice several times and called her Mom once. While I think she took it as a crack at generational diffences, I meant it as a compliment. This is a woman that cares for all around her.Ian was no less a treasure. Easy going, but clear on expecations and his stances. He made it clear if I was to ever join the team, the deadlines were set in stone. Our conversation lead to the most memorable exchange of the Con for me. “I’m looking for a home.” I said at one point. “ Then come home.” Lawdog answered without hesitation.
and I were another Discord pairing, Alpha Mercs as well, and Matt has been kind enough to review works for me in beta. Matt and Jamie “Trains” Henson along with JT “Railgun” Arralle made for fantastic dinner companions on Saturday night, offered sage advice, and brought some of my old friends into the fold of our Mercenary writing group.The Crazy thing? I didn’t even get enough time with even more people.
moderated but were were always passing ships. Hillbilly was as busy as ever. Tons of other Mercs like , , and more only saw me for moments, but showed nothing but kindness.I have a hellish amount of work to do, but it’s the good kind of work, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds with these new connections, along with the established friends I have.
The crazy thing is, at this place, for the first time ever, people knew me for my work. As a author and an editor. People commented on my projects, asked me about my processes, and what my aspirations were, that had only ever known author Jesse.
Not fighter Jesse, or Football Jesse, or Dungeons and Dragons Jesse; Author Jesse who was in X antho or wrote X story or was on X show and Editor Jesse who was making a new antho. I was not simply the kid trying to make it this time. I was the young man who had done it and would do it again.
“Your hustling, and people are starting to notice.” Mike said to me in the first 30 minutes we spent together.
It was an amazing feeling to finally be what I wanted to be. Now I just have to keep being a better version of that me, a better Author Jesse.
When it was all said and done. When the car was packed, and the panels all done. We sat down for one last meal with friends, and made the long walk back to the elevator. I was struck with a heavy melancholy. Being frank, it bordered on tears. My time in this world of dreams was at an end. As all things come to pass, so had this time among the new tribe.
I miss all of those people and more. Even the ones I barely saw. Sometimes especially those.
I have some amazing things coming. I have new stories and a novel on the way soon enough, but LibertyCon 37 will always be a time I miss, probably for the rest of my days.
If I wish you anything out there on the trails, Outlaws, it’s that you have a set of days that make you feel the same one day.
May We All Find What We Seek,
Jesse James Fain
Great meeting you and the rest of the crew at LC! You guys were rolling deep!
I have a Substack! Thank you for the kind words 😊 It was awesome getting to finally meet you guys in person this weekend!
https://substack.com/@kbcarlisle