Brandon O'BrienOct 19, 2020

#FIYAHCON2020 did all of this in its first year, digitally, with available resources, with *months* of prep, with accessibility & representation in mind, including an awards ceremony, *and* @Ellethevillain still givin’ allyuh de blueprint.

No one can say they didn’t know.
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RT @Ellethevillain
We did #FIYAHCON for under $25k (mostly live captioning, server upgrade, swag fulfillment).

Including staff, Ignyte finalists, panelists,…
https://twitter.com/Ellethevillain/status/1318018670170394624

Brandon O'BrienOct 18, 2020
This last day of #FIYAHCON2020 is still blowing me away! Woke up just in time to catch the 'What Makes A Good Book Cover' panel with @AshiaMonet, @JohnPicacio, @C_L_Clark & moderator @sillysyntax, and it's reaffirmed everything I want in book covers for PoC writers.
Brandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020
Ahhhh! Congrats to @fictograph on your Best Artist Ignyte Award win!
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RT @fiyahlitmag
Congratulations to @fictograph for winning Best Artist!!! #IgnyteAwards #FIYAHCON2020
https://twitter.com/fiyahlitmag/status/1317580692893573121
Brandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020
I literally just gave my nephew a copy of Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky as a post-exam gift a half an hour ago, and now I get to tell him it's won an Ignyte Award! Congrats, @KSekouM!
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RT @fiyahlitmag
Congratulations to @KSekouM for winning Best in Middle Grade!!! #IgnyteAwards #FIYAHCON2020
https://twitter.com/fiyahlitmag/status/1317574513681264640
Brandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020

I only feel half-dressed up, because I know folks will be coming in their very best threads for the #FIYAHCON2020 #IGNYTEAwards! But I have my favourite pins on!

Congratulations again to all the finalists! Let’s make this virtual ceremony a shindig to remember. 🔥

Brandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020
Really dug #FIYAHCON2020's Middle Grade SFF panel with @WriteTeachPlay, @EdenRoyce, @LMDavisWrites, @RoanhorseBex & @KSekouM - not least of which because now I have a long list of gifts to get for my book-loving nephew.
Brandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020
A shame - I just got back up for this one! But the Discord is still lively with discussion, so really, #FIYAHCON2020 is becoming more like (the very best version of) a real con with each passing moment - even when tech fails us, the conversation continues.
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RT @fiyahlitmag
Our deepest apologies, but tech does not seem to be on our side this morning. Due to some unforeseen issues, we are having to cancel the New Magic: Roots in Diasp…
https://twitter.com/fiyahlitmag/status/1317488249682632704
Show threadBrandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020

Big up again to the entire #FIYAHCON2020 team for this dream of a convention! The first night has already been so brilliant.

But now, I must go back to sleep. Enjoy the rest of the con! 🔥 🔥 🔥

Brandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020
I just want to say, as #FIYAHCON2020 Fringe content comes to a close, that I’m really glad that @IoriKusano and @laviecestmoi made such an amazing series of panels available for folks in what many westerners may consider ‘uncooperative’ time zones, because NOW WE GET TO FEEL IT
Brandon O'BrienOct 17, 2020

I'm up! And I have another #FIYAHCON2020 Fringe panel in an hour!

WE WON'T PHONE IT IN FOR AN ANGLOPHONE AUDIENCE at 7a EST at the Mezzanine! See you there!