does it make you sarcastic and gassy? (I'll see myself out)

Thank you for the shoutout Vanessa! ☺️

My strategy is to try to recycle the info into spec fic concepts. I may not need embryogenic gene regulation later but you know who will? My sad alien protagonist.

Overall, 1000/10 experience that gave me enough rocket fuel to last until Montreal. Hopefully see you all next year!

5.) Getting my favorite people in the world in one place and watching them all meet each other while I schemed an Evil Plan to make my friends into one big friend group.

4.) Meeting so many incredible writing community friends in person including @angelaliu.bsky.social @clairejiawen.bsky.social @vivianhchou.bsky.social and @tarvolon.bsky.social! Y'all are amazing.

3.) Meeting with my fellow Astounding finalists (huge congratulations to Antonia Hodgson for the well deserved win!!) and having an Avengers-style photoshoot behind the pre-reception hall.

2.) Meeting the wonderful people who stopped by my table talk including @inkfoundry.bsky.social who gave me a spectacular souvenir!

Fun fact, I watched the recording of Amal El-Mohtar's wonderful speech later because I spent the majority of it backstage in a state of senseless shock. I cannot express how immeasurably grateful I am to the SFF community for this honor. NEV would call you Those Kind Readers. Thank you all.

You’re the best Tia, congrats on your nomination! You’re such a ray of sunshine in the spec fic community, ditto excited for Montreal!

Yes I remember! It was very nice to meet you too, thank you for stopping by the Clarkesworld table for a chat and hopefully our paths cross again next worldcon!

THANKS JAY! :)

Thank you for listening! Kate did an absolutely phenomenal job and I’m really pleased this story is inspiring people to get tacos (and support immigrant businesses!) Angel’s Tijuana is the best and I’m also partial to Tacos Los Cholos in OC.

So many things to say now that I'm home and transitioning from Worldcon overwhelmed to normal med school overwhelmed. As soon as I'm not trying to somehow watch two lectures at the same time, I'll write out my feelings here.

Haha thank you!

Thank you so much!

Thank you so very much!

Thank you Scott it was a pleasure to meet you yesterday!