I won't be at LONCON3 - no money as usual, but seeing the titles of the two panels you are on makes me even more positive about the proposed Writing Historical fiction conference that Farah is involved with. I think there's a lot of crossover between 'historical' world building and stories set in 'real' historical contact. Could be a very interesting meeting.

"Your 'realistic' fantasy is a washed out colourless emptiness compared to the Rabelaisian reality." and Seeing the Future, Knowing the Past

I'm sure you'll be great.