Interview with Salathiel Palland, Motor City Steam Con, part 3

Welcome back for the conclusion of our chat with Salathiel Palland, organizer of Motor City Steam Con in Michigan.

Read part one here.

Read part two here.

 

Airship Ambassador: Do you talk with other convention organizers to trade ideas?

Salathiel Palland: Yes, Eric Jon Larson, the producer of Teslacon and Morgan Kollin the producer of Youmacon have been the truest and most generous mentors a girl could ever wish for. They have given freely other knowledge and have been nothing but supportive. Truly wouldn’t even have done this without their support and their belief in me.

 

AA: For the aspiring convention planner, what lessons did you learn along the way for Motor City Steam Con?

SP: Pick your people very carefully; plan a budget and stick to it!; plan, plan, plan!

 

AA: With all of that work, you’ve had a chance to meet a lot of people. What kind of networking, associations, and new friendships have come out of your work on Motor City Steam Con, before, during, and after?

SP: I have met so many wonderful con heads and traded table space and website advertising. Most of the time I have been in the vendor room and it feels like coming home when you see familiar faces. I met one of my best friends in the world, Elisabeth Martin and her amazing an talented husband Alex at a con in their booth the Blonde Swan. I have a wonderful customer, Ginger Vaughn, who I see at almost every can and I just want to give her free stuff all the time because she is so supportive. I have met some truly beautiful people

 

AA: What are some things you would have done differently?

SP: Nothing, really. It’s all about the journey.

 

AA: What suggestions and encouragement would you give to people who want to attend?

SP: Please just come prepared to have drama-free fun!

 

AA: How might someone prepare for this year’s events?

SP: Practice not sleeping and dancing until you drop.

 

AA: What should a first time attendee know about the convention, and what shouldn’t they miss?

SP: That we were all first time attendees and we know how you feel. That if you are feeling too shy to talk to people, but still want to be engaged, that we have “talking benches” you can sit on that will let others know that you are open for conversation. And that we don’t bite…hard.

 

AA: What other steampunk things are you involved with?

SP: I am in the Detroit Steampunk Collective group, I organize various steampunk gatherings, parties, and concerts during the year.

 

AA: Looking beyond steampunk and Motor City Steam Con, what other interests fill your time?

SP: I am a serious bibliophile, I love books, I love singing, I love dancing, knitting, pop culture, trivia!, movies, and honestly I just love producing events.

 

AA: How do those interests influence your work?

SP: In so many insidious ways…

 

AA: There’s only so much time in a day – what interests don’t you have time for?

SP: I don’t get to bellydance or dance as much as I used to and my reading time has taken a major hit.

 

AA: What other fandoms are you part of (as a fan or participant) ?

SP: I grow up in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy fandom, I am a Supernatural freak, Firefly, comic books forever, tabletop RPGs forever – I’m just a big ‘ol nerdy nerd and proud of it.

 

AA: What is on your to-be read -watched-listened pile right now?

SP: I can’t even look at that right now. It is so large, I’m afraid if I sneeze, the mountain will fall off the night stand and bury me alive in an avalanche.

 

AA: Ha! I know that feeling! Are there people you consider an inspiration, role model, or other motivating influence?

SP: My mom, Eric Larson, Morgan Kollin, Don Watts, Sue Watts, Elisabeth Martin, and too many more to name.

 

AA: What is the best advice you’ve been given?

SP: The buck stops with you so make sure the final product is your vision.

 

AA: When you do interviews, what is something that you wish you were asked about but haven’t

been?

SP: Why are you so damn sexy!?!

 

AA: Well, that’s a pretty good question! Why are you so damn sexy? Any final thoughts to share with our readers

SP: I love that you all yearn for something magical and different and that you keep pushing us event producers to dream bigger. And we will keep thinking of you and the fun you deserve!

 

Thanks, Salathiel, for joining us for this interview and for sharing all of your thoughts. We look forward to hearing about your next projects!

Keep up to date with the latest news about Motor City Steam Con on their website.