New version, June 2025
Patric has also answered our new set of questions to reintroduce himself. He is our IT mate in charge of the engine room – to use a seafaring/spacefaring metaphor. The ship is in good hands.
- Tell us about you!
My name is Patric Schirrmann, born in 1969, a science fiction reader since around 1978 – it’s hard to say exactly when, but definitely early on. Science fiction has accompanied me throughout my entire life so far through school, physics studies, and my IT career. Since the late 1990s, I can also be found at cons. In Germany at the small literary, far too rare SF cons, and sometimes also at a WorldCon. - What genre is your home?
Science Fiction. Horror isn’t for me, and when it comes to fantasy, my enjoyable reading experiences are limited to Tolkien, Moorcock, and Terry Pratchett. - What is your role at MetropolCon – and why are you involved?
The engine room is my domain – ticketing, WordPress, Nextcloud, email accounts, provider bills. So I work more behind the scenes, except at the con itself, where I’ll probably be found at the reception desk again. That’s great – it’s the only place at the con where absolutely everyone passes by at some point. I’ve been attending SF Worldcons and literary cons like BuCon, ElsterCon, and formerly DortCon for over 25 years. I was in the right place at the right time when Claudia decided she’d do this herself. It does involve work, but the fun outweighs everything, and being part of it is simply fantastic. - It’s Saturday night at some con: Where will you be found?
Saturday night? Very likely somewhere eating and/or having a relaxed drink. Just like on all other con evenings, really. - What has been your most magical con moment so far and what do you particularly look forward to at cons?
There have been many beautiful moments at past cons. What particularly stuck in my memory was the elevator ride with Terry Pratchett. That was in 1999 at the EuroCon in Dortmund. I was young, inexperienced with cons, and was so awestruck that I couldn’t get a word out. What I look forward to most is meeting many friends – and if there’s still time, attending talks and discussions on the most unusual topics that you only get at cons. - Which artifact accompanies you through your everyday life at a con?
The T-shirt – ideally at least one for each day. Always with a hopefully witty design, the nerdier the better. - Which sentence do you probably say 100 times on a con weekend?
“I last saw them at the bar/in the café” alternating with “I’ll meet them later at the bar/in the café.” - Best fictional sidekick of all time?
Zaphod Beeblebrox or Holmes’ Dr. Watson – I can’t decide. - Which mythical creature (or android) would you most like share a flat with?
I really can’t think of anything. I don’t associate any mythical creature (or android) with the relaxing peace and balance I wish for when I come home. - If you had a superpower – which one would help you at the con?
Bilocation – the ability to be in two places at once. I could close my eyes somewhere, relax in peace, and simultaneously talk, talk, talk non-stop in crowded rooms. - Your ultimate survival tip for the MetropolCon?
The people at reception are totally nice, look forward to everyone, and are happy to help, even when things get hectic sometimes. - You just won a week-long trip to a fantasy/SF world of your choice: Where will you go?
Into the universe of Ian M. Banks’ Culture novels. - And to which world would you send your worst enemy?
Also into the universe of the Culture novels? I don’t care – main thing is he’s far away. - One work of speculative fiction (whether book or film or series or game) you would strongly recommend we all check out?
Fitting with my previous answers: Ian M. Banks’ Culture novels. - What are your wishes for the future of the speculative genres, particularly in Germany?
More courage from the major publishers, knowledgeable and expert program coordinators, and from authors the willingness to tell a complete story in just one book.
One work of speculative fiction (whether book or film or series or game) you would strongly recommend we all check out?
Echoing the previous question: my unconditional recommendations are the Culture novels by Ian M. Banks.