New writers are often given the advice that they should attend conventions. But what conventions and where? Back in March of 2008, SFWA member John Joseph Adams issued a challenge to readers of his blog, wishing that someone would, “Gather up data on all of the science fiction conventions held every year (here’s a good place to start) and set up a database so that users can enter their zip code to discover which cons are closest to them.”

Nathan Lilly, of Green Tentacles, did exactly that. The Convention Finder searches a database of cons based on location, making it easy to find the convention nearest you.