Tag Archives: event

Minicon 56

This past Easter weekend, I spent three days at Minicon 56, a science fiction convention in the Twin Cities. One of the oldest science fiction conventions in the Midwest, I had never attended this convention before, either as a vendor or a guest. Not only was this new, but this was my first multi-day book event since before Covid. Needless to say, I was excited.

Author-man

The Table

My primary reason there was to be author-man. I had an eight-foot table with electricity, which was more than enough space for my two books. My location was at a corner, so I was starting down a long edge of the dealer’s area.

I set up my picture frame with the wallpapers scrolling through angled to be visible from either direction and my recruiting poster visible down the long approach. I had my ‘Library of the Renaissance’ display up (the real books that Sasha reads during the series), my array of cards and fliers, and then my books themselves.

With all this space I had enough room to have my laptop out, so I could work in my downtime. Which was great, because over the course of three days, I certainly had enough of it.

The People

The other vendors in the room were a mix of more established writers, sellers and craftsmen, and a few first timers. As I’ve always found, everyone was friendly, happy to discuss their tables and projects. It’s always fun to be around eager and inventive people. I met with science fiction and fantasy writers, jewelry makers, and a podcaster who covers cryptids.

The guests of Minicon were a standard mix of longtime convention goers, newer attendees, and everything in between. I saw some Manticon and TRMN people I recognized from my first conventions (and some of them recognized me as well). It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything the TRMN, but I still remember them being a fun group.

During my time at my table, I got to speak with a lot of people who came up to find out about my book. Some of them got drawn in by the artwork. Some of them came in because of the ‘Library of the Renaissance’. And some talk to every author in the room to find out about their books. I had people buy my book, or decide it wasn’t for them.

The ‘Library of the Renaissance’ got a bit of interest. Grant’s Memoirs sparked a few conversations, as did Art of War and Laura Cereta’s Letters. Red Badge of Courage not only sparked conversation, but someone got upset over the book. I’m still not clear on why; I’m not sure he was clear on why I had it out. Overall, the Library idea went over well, with the only thing I would do differently is add a ‘not for sale’ sticker to the books so people understand it’s a display.

The Panel

One other exciting experience from the weekend was my first official panel, with microphones and a name plate and everything. The topic was ‘Writing the Twin Cities.’ Now, I had two reasons to be nervous. First, public speaking, always a worry of mine. Second, while my books are set in Minnesota, they’re post apocalyptic. I was worried that might come off poorly.

Turns out, every author up there destroyed at least part of the Twin Cities. I guess it’s not uncommon. I’m sure there’s a master’s thesis about why somewhere out there.

The panel itself went well. I answered a few questions about writing in Minnesota, and how I treated historical landmarks. The last half of the discussion got into the various tunnels and caverns of the Twin Cities, which I know nothing about, so I didn’t get to say much there. But that happens.

Overall, I’m glad I got to participate, but I do have to work on my presentation. I thought I kept rambling while trying to get my thoughts in order. Not too bad, but enough I want to work on it.

Conclusion

I absolutely loved the convention. It was a blast, with great sales, great people, and more than enough time to work on my projects. I have already registered for next year, and I’ve promised myself that I will have at least one more book on my table.

Minicon 57, here I come.

November Update

October was a good month. I figured out the last few big hurdles for my big projects and read a lot. I also completed the Inktober challenge, one drawing a day for 31 days. My drawing is getting better (though it’s not great), but the big thing is comfortable I am with showing some of it off. It kind of reminds me of my writing group preparing me for publishing a book, in that getting used to a small audience prepares you for a bigger one.

Book Projects

The third book the Renaissance Army series (tentatively titled The Colonel Lieutenant) is at just below 20,000 words. The good news is I figured out one of the subplots and worked out the events of the book, the last few hurdles I was dealing with in terms of preparation. A few minor things I’ll have to puzzle out, but I can at least get a lot of writing done.

The big re-write of my first fantasy novel (Orcfyre) is coming along. I wrote the ending chapters of the book earlier this month, because I needed to know what characters I had to introduce and what themes to play up. Maybe it’ll change, but for now I’m working up to it.

As for short stories, I’m still working on a couple. Want to have the first Tales of the Templars collections out next year sometime, so I’m trying to work out what stories to put in. If you’ve read Templar Scholar, feel free to head over to the voting page and chose which ones you’d like.

Movies and TV

Haven’t watched too many new things recently. Still working through What We Do in the Shadows, the vampire comedy show, about an episode every two or three days. I do like it, but I’m well into the second season and I’m wondering if the characters are going to stagnate. Since it keeps getting renewed, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.

Reading

Managed to get through four books in October. Reread Dune in preparation for the new movie. Started a new series, ‘The Plantagenet and Tudor novels’ by Philippa Gregory, a set of historical fiction novels working through the War of the Roses and the following histories. Reading them in chronological order, I got through Lady of the Rivers and The White Queen. Also read through the book 2034, a novel about the next world war and the impact of cyberwarfare on its outcome.

Gaming

Finished off Black Book, a video game set in Russia in the 1870’s. The main character is a witch, but in Slavic mythology that means something different than what we’re used to in western practices. Her quest to gain power to retrieve her dead fiancé delves into eastern mythology, and the company that made the game (a Russian studio) took efforts to help the translation to a western audience. The gameplay itself is pretty good, combat being done as a card game where new levels unlock new combos. There wasn’t a single fight I got into that I couldn’t figure out with what I had on hand.

Started up Horizon: Zero Dawn as the next story game. An adventure game with the same feel as a Farcry game but far sci-fi. I’m maybe a tenth of the way into the game, but it managed to pull a fantastic surprise on me. I don’t want to spoil it, but the introduction game was setting me up for a very different game than the one I found myself playing. It was fantastic.

In the Future

I’ve got a Books and Beer event coming up in December at AZ Gallery, so at least a chunk of November will be set aside to deal with that. No other events planned, but I expect to get into a couple in 2022.

Book and Beer Pop-Up Bookstore

This last Sunday I had a chance to join more than twenty other authors as the Books and Beer Pop-Up Bookstore, held at the Blackstack Brewery in St. Paul.

The format for the event is pretty simple. First, it takes place at a brewery. The authors, all local Minnesotans, get a portion of a table, enough to see up some books and a few display bits. Patrons can come to drink beer and mingle with the authors, buying books and taking cards as they see fit. And there you have it: a Pop-Up Bookstore.

It only lasted five hours, but with about 25 authors there, there was a lot to see.

A picture from the event, posted by Books and Beer on Facebook.

I didn’t get around to giving everyone the attention they deserved, but I did see enough to appreciate the broad range of authors there. My table alone had gothic horror (written by an author who graduated from my high school one year after I did), and a techno-thriller book. I also saw horror comedy, children’s books, and historical fiction set in ancient Egypt. There was something for everyone.

I certainly enjoyed myself. I got to try some new beer, and meet a number of local authors. We traded writing stories and tips to get around writer’s block, inspirations and problems we’ve faced as authors. I got some resources and ideas for social media and other events to check out. And I got some people interested enough to buy my book.

I look forward to doing more of these Pop-Up Bookstore events in the future. The coordinator wants to keep the authors cycling through, so I probably won’t have a table at the next one, but I’ll still stop by.  It is always fun to meet other authors, and see what they’ve created.

Books and Beer

I’ve got a table at an upcoming Books and Beer Pop-up Bookstore.

When: Sunday, August 6th, beginning tat 1 PM.

Where: BlackStack Brewing, 755 Prior Avenue North, St. Paul.

Join me at at least 24 other Minnesotan authors. Finds some drinks, start some conversations, and support your local writers.

I’m looking forward to it. Hope to see you there!