Killercon Austin
I didn’t post that I was going to Killercon Austin before the convention, because I wasn’t. And then that changed. So instead of getting a heads up, you’re getting an afterthought. Not really a write-up, just a written version of my proof-of-life pictures.
I was a teenage… no wait, wrong story! I was a last-minute decision/stowaway. Just coming from Scares That Care, I had almost no inventory left—a handful of these and maybe two or three of each of those. But I boxed them, shipped them, and hopped a plane to sit at a table. I sold out rather quickly (which was lovely and unexpected and delights me). And then, because I wasn’t a planned guest—I had no panels, I had no reading, I had no responsibility—I just enjoyed the con.
And enjoy I did. I got to see, hang out, and barely behave with old friends. I was fortunate enough to make some new friends. I enjoyed wandering and chatting and panels from the audience side. It was wonderful. And yes, I’ll be back.
I’m here to tell you, you need to go to this.
If you are a beginning writer wanting to learn, go. If you have books to sell, go. If you are a reader, go. Killercon is an amazing little convention that mixes the traditional horror crowd with the bizarro gang and tosses the splatterpunks in there to mix things up. It’s all horror. All love.
And (shhhh, come closer) the dates have been chosen for next year, but it’s not officially announced. (August 16-18, 2019 shhh…) Stalk the facebook page or twitter account for the official “go!” post.
In case you didn’t get it yet, Killercon was a great convention, full of friendly faces, and run smoothly by people who care about writing, writers, and readers—props to you, Wrath James White, you made it look easy! To everyone who helped or were otherwise a part of the background, good job. And to those who came and participated… wasn’t that fun?
Thanks for letting me make that decision at the eleventh hour and show up… I’ll see you all there next year!
Scares That Care 5
Scares That Care convention weekend (5) is coming very quickly. For those unaware, Scares That Care is a wonderful, awesome, fantabulous charity, staffed by a crew of loving, amazing volunteers. Needless to say, I love them and it, and you should too!
Scares That Care (the org) raises and donated monies to three chosen recipients each year. For more on the people we’re trying to help this year, or to donate directly through the site, please visit them at scaresthatcare.org
Scares that Care (the convention) brings together authors, actors, special effects, independent movies, vendors, and a hotel full of fans for a fun weekend designed to raise money for the charity. That weekend is quickly approaching:
» » » August 3-5, 2018 at the Doubletree by Hilton, in Williamsport VA « « «
More information on the convention, guests, programming, tickets, etc. can be found on the website at scaresthatcareweekend.com. No plans for the weekend? Live close by? Come on over with a day or weekend pass and enjoy yourself while helping others!
I will be there… my schedule is as follows:
Friday
5:00pm – 9:00pm (celebrity room) My home for the weekend unless otherwise noted
9:00pm – 10:00pm (author reading room) Panel: Lost Highways w/ D. Alexander Ward (moderator), and authors Rio Youers, Jonathan Janz, Rachel Deering, Kelli Owen, Robert Ford, and Matt Hayward.
Saturday
10:00am – 7:00pm (celebrity room) except where noted below
12:15pm – 1:15pm – (author reading room) Panel: Creative Couples w/ Frank Edler (moderator), Elizabeth Massie and Cortney Skinner, Jeff Strand and Lynne Hansen, C.V. Hunt and Andersen Prunty, Kelli Owen and Robert Ford.
8:45pm – 9:45pm – (author reading room) I am not on this panel, but am in the anthology and will be in the audience for it. Welcome To The Show w/ Matt Hayward (moderator), Jeff Strand, Mary SanGiovanni, Rachel Deering, Matt Serafini, Adam Cesare, Glenn Rolfe, Patrick Lacey, and Somer Canon
Sunday
11:00am – 3:00pm (celebrity room)
3:15pm – 4:00pm (podcasting room) recording the BUTTERCUP OF DOOM finale. Come play—bring your final questions, your wrapping up an era thoughts! This is the very last episode, taped live as the last podcast of the weekend. Check out of your room, pack your car, grab snacks, and come be part of the end of everything…
and what will I have with me? Well… This year’s Scares That Care sees the debut of my vampire novel TEETH, as well as a fun coloring book The Atrocious Alphabet based on my ABC poem with amazing illustrations by Chris Enterline
(click images for larger views, titles for information pages)
Scares That Care… awesome, all year, but inviting everyone to gather in their awesomeness for one weekend a year. See you there!
TEETH
These are not your mommy’s vampires.
They don’t sparkle. They won’t hypnotize you. They don’t even necessarily prey on the weak, the sleeping, or those with throbbing neck veins.
These are vampires for the 21st century — completely reimagined, dropped into society, and given every problem, issue, and headache any other minority would encounter… these just have different Teeth.
Drive-by Updates
…Just buzzing by with a handful of updates.
Sechs Tage (the German version/translation of Six Days)
Beautiful cover art and a wonderful translator to work with, it is sad to report, this book has been pulled from the publisher. It is no longer available through them and will not be in print in German for the foreseeable future (until it and the rest of the library find a new home). I do have a handful that I will be bringing to Scares That Care. This will be your last chance to snag a copy. I only have a couple, so it will be first-come-first-serve. If you are not going to the convention and are interested in one, you can purchase direct from me while supplies last—contact me for details.
Lost Highways: Dark Fictions from the Road anthology, edited by D. Alexander Ward, coming from Crystal Lake Publishing, will include my short story Jim’s Meats. Available through press online as of July 20th, and they will have a table in the dealer’s room at Scares That Care. For more information stalk the Facebook page.
Welcome to the Show anthology, edited by Matt Hayward, coming from Crystal Lake Publishing, includes my short story Open Mic Night. Available from press online as of August 3rd, and they will also have a table at Scares That Care. For more information check out the publisher’s Facebook page.
The next update will include all the details for the upcoming Scares That Care convention weekend, and of course, the recently finished vampire novel.
Now Available – Gracie
Once upon a time there was a nail, and an entire room of men crossed their legs in unison. Later, another chapter came along and made yet another room uncomfortable. These two stories about Gracie—originally published in Fresh Blood and Mia Moja respectively—were put together for a limited edition flip book for STC 2015. Now, Gracie’s back, and you can finally get them in ebook!
LEFT FOR DEAD: When Susan’s 8-year-old daughter is brutally attacked, she becomes consumed by her need for revenge but mere punishment is not enough…
FALL FROM GRACE: Grace has spent seven years adjusting to the tragedies of her youth, and now teeters on the edge of the abyss and smiles at the monsters inside…
Note: there is a trigger/parental warning on this one.
* * Grab it for only $2.99 * *
Cobwebs
Wow, it got dusty in here! Sorry about that. But I’m back… let’s clear the cobwebs.
With the shutting down of the Buttercup of Doom podcast, I shall return to more regular posts on the website. After all, a girl still needs a platform to lament, right?
In the meantime, how about a quick update? (Sure, Kelli!) Hmm, I fear I might have been hanging out with myself for too long, I’m now answering myself when I type. Oh, and then speaking about it in third person. Why does the voiceover sound like me though? I want a better voice actor! Okay, so I may have gone a bit stir crazy in here by myself. We’ll work that kink out as well. Where were we? Oh yeah… updates:
- There’s a new facebook group for fans, a better way to have open conversations than some of the other options.
- I have a short in the upcoming anthology Welcome to the Show, edited by Matt Hayward — very exciting premise and TOC in that one, check it out.
- yes, I’m writing a vampire novel.
- yes, I will have something fun and weird for Scares That Care Weekend this year (as well as the vampire novel) and it involves an artist
I think that covers it. Life was a bit tactile for a couple years, and while it changed some things (buh bye Buttercup), others will be returning (like the blog!). I’m here. I’m still me. You can’t get rid of me that easy…
Now, where’s the duster? I’ll clean up a little around here and then I need to get back to those fangs…
My playlists:
Shut Up & Write
The Neighborhood
Floaters
Live Specimens