I’m
new to the writing convention scene, that much is for sure. I attended my first convention last year
around this time-----World Horror Convention in Provo, Utah. As most of you who
follow me on my Facebook, Blog, Twitter, and by the occasional smoke signals I
send, know I attended Stokercon 2017 on the illustrious Queen Mary in Long
Beach, California this past week and I feel it is time for a recap.’
If
you don’t follow me on Facebook, Blog, Twitter and such, then shame on you but
I’m willing to forgive for I am generous and wish for followers and support!
Writing
careers can’t happen without readers after all.
So
where was I… oh yes…
I
arrived in Los Angeles and stepped out of LAX into a place that smelled vaguely
of burned rubber. Now, I’ve been to San
Francisco and I loved it, thought it was extremely nice in fact.
Los
Angeles was a different monster entirely.
As
we drove through the crowded traffic, cloying air, and smog that obscured the
mountain ranges that surround the city, I briefly wondered if I had left my
world behind for something out of a less rain soaked Blade Runner or that huge
slum from Elysium.
These
feelings disappeared as I reached the Queen Mary---a huge ship that looked like
the Titanic ---straight out of 1912 and right into Long Beach. It was massive, it was retro, and it was going
to be my home for the next few days.
I
registered and checked into my room. It
was a suite and I felt like Kevin on Home Alone 2 as I saw that extremely
comfortable looking bed and thought: “Wow a huge king size bed just for me.”
That
room was also haunted.
Turns
out the Queen Mary is renowned for its ghost sightings. My room had some strange things happen while
I was there but if you want those stories, you’re going to have to ask me in
person.
I
dropped off my things and refreshed myself after the long flights before
venturing out to explore.
I
immediately reunited with my good friend and mentor Linda Addison who was staying
in the same floor as me. I hadn’t seen her since last July and it made
my heart leap for joy to be hanging out with her again.
The
deck that contained most of the promenades, restaurants, and conference rooms
was one floor above where my room was and several publishers were out in force
hawking their wares… so, so, so many books.
I
bit into that hook line and sinker.
My
collection expanded as well as my friends with selections from John Urbancik,
Weston Osche, Scott Edelman, Erick T. Johnson, and Gene O’Neill. I’m really glad that I’m not a drug addict
because if my book buying habits are any indication, I would be the worst
crackhead that ever existed.
Example:
Myself:
You’ve got like 50 books you still have
to read at home you don’t really need another…
Inner
Me: Just one more… just one more… just
one more…
I’m
never able to say “no” to a book, though I suppose there are worse addictions.
I
threw myself into the convention going to several panels and readings
including: How to Do Collaborations, Editing: Is it Necessary?, Linda Addison’s
Poetry Workshop, Creepypasta and the Formations of Modern Urban Myths, etc.
It
was a fun time for sure and I made several new friends including the
aforementioned. I was also honored to
meet Meghan Arcuri, Lindsey Barlow, Tish Jackson, Hal Bodner, R.B. Payne, Mackenzie
Cox, Lee Murray, Chuck Wendig, Bill Bridges, Billy Ingreso, and Zach Snow (I’m
assuming since he was cosplaying as Jon Snow), and Tom Montleone.
It
was nice seeing my old friends who were in attendance as well. I don’t see these people nearly as often as I
should.
Now…….time
for the events that were beyond interesting:
1.
Convention buddies.
You
usually find someone to pal around with at a convention but I’m a social
butterfly and like to talk to everyone.
Besides Linda Addison (for this one), I had Gene O’Neill.
Gene
was born in 1938 and has had what some would call an “adventurous” life. I can only hope to reach his age and have
half the stories he told me under my belt.
As well as published works, he’s won two Bram Stoker awards and is a
phenomenal guy.
He
also took a newbie like me and introduced me to everyone he knew. He gave me a ton of advice from his own life
and career, and just generally was my friend.
It
was very humbling.
2.
Scott Edelman and I began conspiring on epic prank calls and talked food.
3.
Ghost Stories
On
the deck of the Queen Mary I told ghost stories with two phenomenal people. Mackenzie
Cox and Billy Ingreso. (Guys if you are
reading this, all I have to say was that was a thrilling time.) I still break out in chill bumps a week later
when I think about “Lily” and the “blood on the chair.” If any of you want to hear those stories, you’re
going to have to ask Mackenzie and Billy.
Maybe they’ll be gracious enough to tell you… if you think you can live
with the nightmare.
Oh,
we will definitely meet again next year to share more----no doubt.
4.
Pitch Sessions.
One
of the greatest things about conventions is the opportunity to get your work
out there in front of publishers and show them just what kind of writer you
are. I unfortunately didn’t know that there were pitch sessions when I
registered for the convention.
By
the grace of God, I managed to scrape and claw my way into two different
pitching sessions. I can’t confirm anything yet but one session went incredibly
well. A synopsis and sample chapters were asked for from me and *fingers
crossed* they like it and the project will proceed further.
5.
A Ride with Tom, Elizabeth, and Damon Monteleone.
The
convention came and went and I found myself on Sunday morning checking out of
the hotel with all the gusto of a dog lying under the hot sun. I was not relishing having to return to my
labor in Oklahoma City.
Despite
the fact that I was looking forward to leaving Los Angeles, it still sucked
that I wouldn’t see most of my friends here for several more months---if not an
entire year.
I
had scheduled an airport shuttle the previous evening and as I lugged my stuff
downstairs, I sat glumly wondering what book I would start on first when I
boarded my flight.
Fate
however intervened and I happened to be sharing a shuttle ride with Tom
Monteleone, his wife Elizabeth, and son Damon.
I’m
pretty sure I paled when I realized who it was I was talking to----you see, the
previous evening, he had won the lifetime achievement award and my own mentor
looked up to him.
It
was an incredibly pleasant ride to the airport and the conversation that
followed was equally awesome.
Wouldn’t
have traded it for anything.
Now
the good things are over and it’s time to talk about the bad things…
There
is only one…
LAX…LAfreakingX.
Because
I fly standby, I sometimes have trouble making flights due to people having
been on this list forever and United Airline’s somewhat controversial policy of
overbooking (4 out of 5 doctors still recommend us… too soon? HE GOT $50,000
DOLLARS I CAN MAKE JOKES!)
Long
story short I was stuck in LAX overnight.
I slept on the floor, couldn’t brush my teeth, and had to endure crappy
overpriced airport food.
I
made it home the next day and collapsed from exhaustion.
It
was a good trip.
Wile E.
World News
Well
North Korea has been causing noise again.
I
would call them the world’s most hilarious dictatorship if it wasn’t for the
human rights abuse.
This
is the part of my blog that I like to call, “North Korea What Are You Doing?” Your
country is like the sad kid still trying to dunk the basketball at the
playground as the sun goes down.
Not
to mention their leaders keep claiming to be gods and then they die, literally
a dead giveaway there… oh well, I guess it is fun to watch their missiles fail
every time they test them.
Enjoy
this themed meme.
Interaction
of the Week
Nefflix: I’m going to
download the dark web.
Wile E.
Young: Pretty sure you can’t download the dark web but if you manage to
make it down there and get kidnapped I’m not paying your ransom.
Well that is all for now. Time to work on some projects and paint a giant rock to look like a tunnel----think I have the roadrunner this time.
