Dragon Con 2013: The Good, the Bad, and the...Waffles?

A Steampunk Clark Kent reveals his
true identity at the Aether Lounge
party Aug. 29.

*Twitch*Twitch*Twitch*

Oops! You weren't supposed to see the traditional post-Dragon Con Dead Bug Routine. But this Dragon Con was so much more than usual--more people, more lines, more panels...

Did I mention MORE PEOPLE? Unofficial estimates put attendance at over 70,000 per day. There were lines for everything, including most of the writing track panels. Never saw that before! On the plus side, even the more obscure panelists played to packed rooms.

On the negative, people spent more time in line than they did at events, and at least some of it was spent in the rain--not good if you were in costume. The dealers and exhibit spaces were moved to the America's Mart, which meant that folks not in line were probably on their way to or from shopping. As a hardworking panelist, I didn't get in much shopping. If my roomie Jana Oliver and Glennis LeBlanc of The Missing Volume hadn't conspired on my behalf, I never would've been able to get a copy of Jana's new novel, Briar Rose.

The closest I got to shopping was the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab booth on the first floor of the America's Mart. There I went to town.

Author Faith Hunter (left) and Alison,
the embodiment of her series character
Jane Yellowrock. You should hear
the holy water clank when she moves!

Did I mention I was hardworking? There were nine panels listed on my Guest badge, not including my stint as a presenter for the Parsec Awards. I wound up on two more--one as an emergency fill-in; the other because there were already eight people on the panel, and they figured one more couldn't hurt.

I also recorded eight interviews for Buzzy Mag, including Jim Butcher, and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and Richard Epcar, two of the most distinctive voices from one of my favorite anime series, Ghost in the Shell. In the process I discovered that Faith Hunter has the best entourage. I mean, who wouldn't want to have Jane Yellowrock as their personal bodyguard? I also saw some amazing costumes.

But I must confess to a major fail in the photography department. I wasn't fast enough to photograph two women in the Hyatt's Elevator of the Damned. One had diminutive bats doing duty as pasties and a bikini bottom consisting mostly of cobwebs. Her companion had a bra of rubber chickens over a bottom of waffles. Yes, waffles.

I couldn't make this stuff up! I'm not that good!

For the rest, you can see the pictures (and a little light commentary) on my Flickr page, The interviews will follow in about six months. Then we'll be ramping up to do it all over again. I can't wait!

My Balticon Schedule

Balticon is this weekend—and I have schedule. Sort of. We’re talking Balticon, after all. Plans and schedules tend to be (ahem) fluid. The one thing you can be sure of is a lot of fun. So if you happen to be in the vicinity of Hunt Valley, Maryland, this weekend, I hope I’ll see you there! Friday 9 p.m., Salon A Steam-powered: Rage of the New Victorians Moderator: Jean Marie Ward Panelists: Martin Berman‐Gorvine, Richard Allen Leider, Neal Levin, Jeffrey P. Young From werewolves of property to anti-zombie airship pilots, the Empire has struck back. Meet the writers of this Brave Old World and learn about their stories and novels and where they get the ideas for those crazy gadgets. 11 p.m., Chase Room Cover Trends Moderator: Collin Earl Panelists: Richard Allen Leider, Starla A. Huchton, Philip Giunta, Jean Marie Ward What are the latest trends in science fiction, fantasy and horror covers? How are the new media changing the rules? What’s next? Saturday 4 p.m., Salon B Broad Universe Rapid Fire Readings Moderator: Kelly A. Harmon Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Gail Z. Martin, Christine Norris, Sarah Pinsker, KT Pinto, Morgen Rich, Roberta Rogow, Jean Marie Ward, Trisha J. Wooldridge Bite-sized readings from the amazing women/authors of Broad Universe. Sunday 7 p.m., Salon B Marketing and Promotion Moderator: Roxanne Bland Panelists: Ian Randal Strock; Cecilia Tan, Jean Marie Ward What marketing and promotion will publishers do, and how much of it? What marketing and self-promotion do publishers expect authors to do? Do the big houses do more for their authors than the small press houses, or do they only do more for their "big name" authors? 9 p.m., Parlor 3041 Balancing Creative Life with Real Life Moderator: Leona Wisoker Panelists: Phil Giunta, Jean Marie Ward How do you get your creative time in while still getting to work, having clean underwear and remembering to feed the cat? 10 p.m., Belmont Room Promoting Your Book Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Michael Ventrella What works in promoting a book? Do book-signings really help a small author? Are bookmarks and/or postcards effective at garnering attention? Does a blog help or hurt an author? Does an author have to have a website? How do you find good reviewers? What tactics do NOT work? What methods might work for an established author that wouldn’t work for a beginner?

Picturespicturespictures!

I'm back, with a first look at Ben Fogletto's amazing cover art for Hellfire Lounge 4: Reflections of Evil, coming in August to a bricks-and-mortar and online bookseller near you.



And if that weren't enough, Edd Coutts has done a stunning job of capturing the moment when Eddie Woodhouse meets the Luftwaffe on the Hindenburg. Yep, "Glass Transit", my contribution to the anthology, features Eddie and Ducky "Duke D'Or" Orr, everybody's favorite hard luck sorcerers, on Nazi Germany's biggest flying bomb. Don't say you weren't warned.



And I've posted pictures of RavenCon! The short version can be found in my Thursday Thirteen for Beyond the Veil. But there's more, lots more, on my Flickr page. Enjoy!

#

Boosting the Signal for a Good Cause and a Fun Promotion

Nope, no RavenCon pictures...yet. But give a girl a break. I've got over a hundred photos and three interviews to assemble.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd join the chorus pimping David Farland's Book Bomb. Per the Book Bomb Facebook page, David's son Ben suffered catastrophic injuries earlier this month. Conservative estimates, place the cost of his care at over $1 million. I don't know David or his family personally, but like many folks, I've learned a lot from his journal and frequent kicks in the pants. Now's the time to say thanks by helping out.
On a much happier note, my good friend and frequent co-conspirator Danielle Ackley-McPhail has an interesting promotion in the works. In her own words:
Hi, All. I received a wonderful review yesterday for my solo science fiction collection, A Legacy of Stars (DTF Publications/Dark Quest Books). It made my day, but it came with something of a mystery, which I’ll quote here: “One of the cleverest first contact stories to come along in a long time.” (Analog, June 2013 issue)
Where is the mystery, do you ask? See…there are two first contact stories in the collection. Now I could just ask the reviewer which one he thought was the cleverest, but where is the fun in that? I say this calls for a contest. For the next week I will be taking a poll on what you thought was the cleverest first contact story in the book.
How it works: If you really like me and want to give some support to a small press author buy the ebook version of the book for $2.99 and give it a read.
Kindle
NOOK
Or, email me at greenfirephoenix (at) aol.com and I will send you a PDF file of the two stories in question. Whichever route you take, read the stories: "Building Blocks" and "To Look Upon The Face of God" and click the rafflecopter below by April 20 (EST) with your pick for which is the cleverest. Afterwards the reviewer, Don Sakers, will answer the question on my Facebook page. Two people will win a free, autographed copy of the print version of A Legacy of Stars.
Rafflecopter
To help share this promo visit this link. Click here to read the full review
Danielle Ackley-McPhail

#

Heading to RavenCon

Between deadlines and conventions, 2013 is shaping up as a wonderfully busy year.

For those of you who missed it, I was one of the guests of honor at James Madison University's Madicon the first weekend in March. I had a great time with old friends and new, and as usual, I have the pictures to prove it.

This weekend will find me in Richmond at RavenCon. This year's writing guests of honor are Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta. The artist guest of honor is The Devil's Panties creator Jennie Breeden. I'm looking forward to all their panels, but I confess, I'm especially looking forward to Jennie's. Her web videos are laugh-so-loud-you-scare-the-cat funny, even when she's hawking merchandise. I can only hope to compete on my five panels.

Yeah, you know what's coming--my RavenCon schedule:

Friday
3 p.m., Room F
Steampowered--the Rage of the New Victorians
From werewolves to anti-zombie airship pilots, the Empire has struck back. What is it about this genre and time period that is so appealing. Is it the machinery? The celebration of intellect? Or is it the clothes?
Carl Cipra (Moderator), Laura Anne Hill, Jean Marie Ward, Susan Zee

11 p.m., York Room
Yes, But is it Funny? Comedy in Science Fiction
...And presumably everything else. This is the late night panel. You really think we're going to stay on topic? Mwahahaha!
Jim Bernheimer, Bud Sparhawk, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Joan Wendland

Saturday
2 p.m., Anna Room
Judging a Book by its Cover
What are the latest trends in science fiction, fantasy and horror covers? What do you love--and hate--about book covers? And what are the latest trends?
Betty Cross, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), J. Andrew World

4 p.m., Room E
Beyond Steampunk
Gaslight fantasy. Weird west. Dieselpunk. Cyberpunk. Explore the punked-out fictions that are not set in a British Victorian or Edwardian past.
Betty Cross, Laura Anne Hill, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Susan Zee

Sunday
1 p.m., Room E
The Discreet Charm of the Historical Fantasy
What prompts otherwise sane writers to spend years researching Imperial Japan, the Silk Road, or the Ripper's London. How do they know when they've gotten it right?
Day Al-Mohamed, Maggie Allen, KT Pinto, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)

Hope to see you there!

#

Hellebore & Rue is back in pixels

Thanks to Steve Berman and the other great folks at Lethe Press, Hellebore & Rue has been reissued electronically. You can now download the multiple award-winning anthology to your reader for the bargain price of $6.99. What are you waiting for? All it takes is a single click.
Meanwhile, I've been adding a number of new items to the web site--mostly links to new Buzzy Magazine video interviews on the And Stuff page. As you can see from the sidebar, my 2013 calendar is filling up, too. I could've even included an event in 2014, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. And nothing beats adding a link to a new review, this time for The Modern Fae's Guide for Surviving Humanity. You can find it on the Books page.
Now back to work...

My Capclave Schedule

This weekend—the real Columbus Day weekend—you can find me at Capclave, my hometown con. The guests of honor will be John Scalzi and Nick Mamatas. But they’ve given me some really nice panels, too. Come join us in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and see for yourself.

Friday
4 p.m., Frederick Meeting Room
Required reading
Students are required to read many novels. Is this a good thing? Can High School students truly relate to the Joads? Does being forced to read hold back students? Panelists: Roger MacBride Allen, James Morrow, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)

Saturday
Noon, Bethesda Meeting Room
Reviews, what are they good for?
They said what!?! What is the value of book blogs and review sites? Should you engage? Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Brenda Clough, Gayle Surrette (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward

3 p.m., Salons A & B
Romancing the Paranormal
Witches and werewolves and vampires in love. Why has paranormal romance become so popular? Is this a fad or a lasting subgenre? Have publishers started cutting back? How much romance needs to be in the book for it to be paranormal as opposed to urban/modern fantasy? Panelists: Victoria Janssen (Moderator), Sherin Nicole, Jean Marie Ward

4 p.m., Bethesda Meeting Room
Has Steampunk gone mainstream?
New York editors are acting like gears and coal-fired engines are the new vampires. Has the genre become too popular--and is that a bad thing? And what exactly is steampunk and is it fantasy or science fiction? Panelists: John Ashmead, Jonah Knight (Moderator), Alan Smale, Elaine Stiles, Jean Marie Ward

7:30 p.m., Salons A & B
Capclave Signing
All Guests

10:30 p.m., Salons A & B
I Swear It’s All True
Panelists regal fans with their best “true” stories about things that happened to them. The moderator will give prompts, “Things that happened when I was supposed to be writing,” “Craziest thing that happened at a convention,” “Weirdest interaction with an editor or agent,” and “How I learned a lesson I’ll never forget.” Panelists: Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Lawrence Watt-Evans

Sunday
11 a.m., Bethesda Meeting Room
WWI Comeback
It has been nearly a hundred years since the War to end all wars, is this a setting that still has potential? Will the movie War Horse and the TV show Downton Abbey spark a new interest in fiction set during World War One? Panelists: Tad Daley, JD, PhD, Andrew Fox, John G. Hemry, Victoria Janssen (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward

#

Dragon*Con, Here I come

It's the most wonderful time of the year...
No, silly, not the winter holiday season.  I'm talking about Dragon*Con, where you too can be surrounded by forty thousand of the closest friends and acquaintances you never met before--like these charmers.

I'll be doing my thing on five panels this year:

Friday, August 31, 1 p.m. (Hyatt, Fairlie Meeting Room)
Talking Cats and Clever Rats--Animals as symbols and characters in SF and fantasy.
Panelists: Lynn Abbey, Diane Hughes, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)

Saturday, September 1, 2:30 p.m. (Hyatt, Greenbriar Meeting Room)
Good War/Bad War--How have recent conflicts shaped or influenced today's SF?
T.C. McCarthy, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Michael Z. Williamson

Sunday, September 2, 5:30 p.m. (Hyatt, Greenbriar Meeting Room)
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading--Well-known and up-and-coming women writers read from their works.
Too many writers to count.  ;-)

Monday, September 3, 1 p.m. (Hyatt, Fairlie Meeting Room)
SF Win, Lose or Draw--The third annual Win, Lose or Draw competition comes to Dragon*Con.  Put together a team or join one when you arrive.

Monday, September 2, 2:30 p.m. (Hyatt, Embassy D-F)
Writer's Wonder Panel--Writers discuss the wonders--good and bad--of being a writer.
Lynn Abbey, Carole Nelson Douglas, Nancy Knight, Jennifer St. Giles, Jean Marie Ward, Janny Wurts

Looking forward to seeing you there!

#

Old Town Synchronicity

You just can't make this stuff up. Last week, Diane Whiteside received a letter from a fan of her novel, The Shadow Guard. The fan was seeking the grave of Col. John Fitzgerald, aide-de-camp to George Washington at Valley Forge and prominent Alexandria cit mentioned in Diane's book. When the usual sources (Wiki, Google, etc.) came up empty, Diane asked me if any of my friends at Alexandria's historic Carlyle House might know. I promised to ask the next time I volunteer (sometime after Dragon*Con). In the meantime, I started rooting around in my local library.

Fitzgerald was the driving force behind Old Town Alexandria's first Catholic Church, St. Mary's, so I started with the records for St. Mary's Cemetery, copies which are conveniently located in every Alexandria branch library. From there I went to compilations of The Alexandria Gazette obituaries and the records of the Hustings Court. (Fitzgerald was a big wheeler dealer on the local real estate front.) I confirmed his town home was located on the corner of King and Fairfax Streets, where the main branch of Burke and Herbert Bank now stands, but hey, that's a no brainer. They've even got a plaque to that effect on the bank.

Today Diane and I met for lunch. By some odd quirk of timing, we drove into the Market Square parking garage in Old Town at the same time. We planned to lunch at O'Connell's but power was off on that side of the street, so I asked, "Would you like to eat Italian? There's Landini Brothers and Il Porto across the street. Which one would you prefer?"

"Landini Brothers--you mentioned it first."

After lunch we headed for the Queen Street branch of the Alexandria library, home of the local history collection. Julia, the librarian on duty, wasn't quite sure where to look. I'd already searched the St. Mary's records. So we rooted around in the transcriptions of Alexandria tombstones. Nada. Then Julia pulled out Ethelyn Cox's Historic Alexandria Virginia Street by Street. It contained a page on Fitzgerald's King Street warehouse which noted his burial site as Warburton Plantation, the present site of Fort Washington.

Oh, and the warehouse? It's the same building where we ate lunch.

I love Alexandria.

You may have noticed a new con in the sidebar at JeanMarieWard.com. Madicon 22 has invited me to be a guest along with longtime buds (and great writers!) Jana Oliver, Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine, as well as friends-to-be Jonah Knight, Megan Amberly and R.S. Belcher. The dates to remember are March 8-10, 2013. The place is James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

For the here and now--or the hear and now, if you insist--I read a selection from "Lord Bai and the Magic Pirate" in this month's BroadPod, the Rapid Fire Reading of the air sponsored by Broad Universe. I've read bits and pieces from this story before, but never this section.

I've also posted the opening of "Burning Down the House", my story in Hellfire Lounge 3: Jinn Rummy. If you put it together with the excerpt here, you can get a real taste of the tale. Yes, that was another bad pun, but you'll have to read the excerpts to find out why. Enjoy!

#