Canister X – A.P. Fuchs: Zombie, Paranormal Romance and Superhero Novelist, Blogger, Artist, Publisher

Getting ready for C4 Lit Fest this weekend where I’m one of the guest writers. Really looking forward to it as it’s been a long, long time since I spent a concentrated amount of time with other writerly types. (Yes, I know, that last bit sounded pretentious.) Was thinking maybe I should wearing a turtleneck, indoor scarf and blazer with elbow patches to look the part just like Michael Douglas did in Wonder Boys? Don’t even know who started that ridiculous writer’s wardrobe, but I’ve seen it in real life and, well, like Gob Bluth says, “Aw, come on!” I should just go in a robe and toque like Douglas also did in Wonder Boys and see how many heads I turn.

Anyway . . . I’m preparing my workshops for the weekend and thought I’d pop in here to say so.

Topics I’ll be covering include:

- writing as a full time job
- Plotting vs Pantsing (co-panel)
- self-pubbed vs indie vs traditional (co-panel)
- 10 things authors have little to no control over (co-panel)

If you can’t come down to the show, I hope to include these in my upcoming how-to book, Getting Down and Digital: How to Self-publish Your Book, as bonus material. While I realize there are quite a few how to self-publish books out there, non save a couple are comprehensive, so that’s where mine will differ. I’m dumping nine years of self-publishing experience into this baby so you can learn how to do it without screwing up like I did and without getting inundated with all the hype surrounding self-publishing now. It’s better to have a single go-to source than seven books that are basically the same.

But if you are in Winnipeg this weekend, come down to the Place Louis Riel Hotel and join us for a weekend of books and words.

Was at the C4 Pop Culture Expo this past weekend. Good times were had by all. C4 has a small show in the spring and then the big whoo-ha in the fall. This year, the spring show was pretty big, about 1/3 the size people-wise as the fall show. Superstar guests included Adam West, Burt Ward and Yvonne Craig. (They were Batman, Robin and Batgirl, respectively, in the 1960s Batman show, for you young ‘uns reading this entry.)

My wife tabled with me. I sold some books and comics; she sold comics and crafts. Met some people, made some cool connections (hello, GMB Chomichuk), and just spent time being a geek. Loved it.

Here are some pics from the event, with a video at the end where I talk about my table, books and comics after being a dork for the first couple seconds.

My wife’s display

My display

Close up of part of my display

Zombie survival pack containing all three Undead World Trilogy books, survival list, exclusive chapbook, capgun and more.

A stack of my kid’s fanzines. They weren’t for sale, but my kid wanted people to see and read them, so why not?

Giant chess

Ben Reilly Spider-Man

Can’t think of the name offhand, but I know what toy series this Batman is from.

Sketch cards I had for sale

More sketch cards

And more

Me and the “new” Spider-Man

My wife mad a Batman wool cap at the con

The Mrs. and Batman

Me and Captain Jack Sparrow

I’ll be making an appearance at the C4 Central Canada Pop Culture Expo this weekend. It runs Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 6pm both days. Just look for my table in Artist Alley. I plan on cosplaying as Wolverine so look for the chubby guy in a tanktop and funky hair and that’ll be me. If I can’t pull of making some homemade Wolvie claws, then I’ll probably be wearing my Superman one-piece PJs, so look for the nerd wearing those.

I have lots of book deals planned, special packages, and more so be sure to stop by even if only to say hi. Please note that unlike “real” celebrities, I don’t charge for autographs so if you have a book of mine you want signed, bring it by the table and I’ll be happy to lend my John Hancock for free.

The more distinguished guests at the con will be Adam West, Burt Ward and Yvonne Craig of 1960s Batman fame. The classic batmobile will also be there so that’s definitely worth checking out.

On Sunday, Rhiannon Paille and I will be doing a panel entitled “Lit Fest Preview,” in which we’ll be talking about the upcoming C4 Lit Fest–I’m a guest there–and what you can expect to see at that writer’s conference.

I tabled at the spring C4 show last year and had a blast. Really excited for this weekend. Hoping for a good turn out, and I hope you can be a part of it.

This year’s C4 Comic Con was the most successful than previous years for both Coscom Entertainment and myself. Loads of books went, lots of fans were met, lots of autographs were signed, lots of pictures taken. It was awesome.

Usually I report on the con over the course of three days. Well, I’m shaking it up this year and am giving you a mammoth report now. All pictures taken are below.

It was also thrilling to be surrounded by so many people I work with. My wife, Roxanne, was there with a table for her Fuzz Society comic books and her 24-hour comic, Average Jill. Axiom-man cover artist Justin Shauf was there, and he and I promoted our special edition minicomic, Meet the Maximums. Rhiannon Paille was there promoting her debut novel, Flame of Surrender. From out of town came J.L. MacDonald (author of the Nightcat book series), and J.B. Robb. They both appear in the upcoming Metahumans vs the Undead anthology that I just edited and is going to press soon.

What was really cool was Roxanne, myself, Justin and Rhiannon were all in the same area in a kind of U-shape, making it easy for us to refer fans and readers to our respective tables for signatures and sales.

Last, thanks to everyone who came out and bought a book, comic, artwork, said hi, and checked out our stuff. Because of folks like you, we can keep creating and sharing it with the world.

Here’s a pile of pics from the con from over the weekend, displayed in the order they were taken.

Comic con is my favorite time of year aside from Christmas. I’m still sitting here processing all that went down (including say hi to Kevin Sorbo, giving Jonathan Frakes a nod in the VIP room, and walking past William Shatner as I went to get a sandwich).

Sunday was the final day of the con. It was also Halloween. The con puts on a thing called “Safe Trick-or-Treating” so kids who go up to your table and go “Trick-or-treat” get a treat. They gave you a sign and some candy. However, they were out of candy when we went to the info booth, but thankfully we brought our own.

Sunday’s an interesting day at the con in that it’s busier than Friday but not as busy as Saturday. It’s also the day of “last minute purchases” so it’s important to not tear down your station until the very end (some folks start packing up an hour early).

After the con, we had to rush to my folks’ place to ensure we got our kids going door-to-door at a reasonable time.

Here’s Sunday at the con.

Thanks for tuning in to this year’s con report. Hope you liked it.

Saturday at the con was the busiest day. Traffic was steady for the first couple of hours, then when afternoon hit, the place was just packed. This lasted until the evening and even when it began to thin out, there were still a ton of people.

Roxy and I dressed up on Saturday. She wore her Lyra Ladybug costume from Fuzz Society, and I wrote my Star Trek: TNG uniform. Even got some compliments on it and plenty of live-long-and-prosper signs.

Here’s Saturday:

Part Four coming up tomorrow, in which we look at what went down Sunday.

Welcome to Part Two of my report of this year’s comic con.

The following pictures are from Friday, October 29. Friday is considered “preview night” and the con ran from 4-9pm.

I think we arrived there around 3:30-ish and got set up.

Here we go:

Stay tuned for Part Three tomorrow.

The Central Canada Comic Con was this past weekend. Coscom Entertainment had a table there.

It was loads of fun. I took a ton of pictures, and, as promised, I’m reporting on what went down at the con this week.

Since we just got a new Blackberry complete with data plan the week before, I was able to report hightlights live from the con on my Twitter feed.

So, to kick things off as I report on 2010′s convention, here’s a re-post of my tweets from the weekend.

At the con. Just got set up. Hungry, but ready to have a ball. http://yfrog.com/28onwvj
29 Oct

Some cool costumes spotted.
29 Oct

My current POV http://yfrog.com/jn79452881j
29 Oct

Some people here r offering zombie makeovers. Sweeeeet…
29 Oct

Books are moving!
29 Oct

Cel phone died earlier. Charging now. More updates Sat. Night.
30 Oct

Convention day two. I’m in uniform today. (Star Trek: TNG) stay tuned …
30 Oct

Roxy dressed as Lyra Ladybug http://yfrog.com/jt3snpj
30 Oct

Another shot http://yfrog.com/j0ozfvj
30 Oct

Having a good con. Books and comics moving.
30 Oct

For my horror peeps http://yfrog.com/50zdpj
30 Oct

Some zombie babes http://yfrog.com/juid8xj
30 Oct

And Justin’s MIA
30 Oct

Justin showing his art http://yfrog.com/5oagskj
30 Oct

Hope this stuff is getting on FB
30 Oc

Sitting down. Feet sore from standing.
30 Oct

This place is really hoppin’!
30 Oct

Just sold A werewolf book
30 Oct

Roxy has totally ditched me!
30 Oct

The Mask is at our table. http://yfrog.com/2fw2tsj
30 Oct

Pardon me but do u have any zombies? Why yes, yes I do.
30 Oct

Hehe…I just met Spider-Man!
30 Oct

Roxy’s at the costume contest right now.
30 Oct

Had a greek feta wrap for a snack. So amazingly good. And…my wife’s been missing for 2.5 hrs At the costume contest.
30 Oct

Iron Man http://yfrog.com/6zxw6yaj
30 Oct

Con wraps up ibn about 40 mins then back at 10 tomorrow morning
30 Oct

Welcome to Comic Con Day 3!
31 Oct

Axiom-man trading card. http://yfrog.com/mg72087909j
31 Oct

The only downside if being a dealer is that there’s not much time to buy comics. Lots of good deals here.
31 Oct

Someone hit the bat-signal! The Riddler’s here! http://yfrog.com/3vbqarj
31 Oct

The A.P. Fuchs corner of the Coscom Entertainment table. http://yfrog.com/61m1jfej
31 Oct

Foot traffic’s picking up the closer we get to noon.
23 hours ago

People love zombies. Here’s our “virtual” table on the Net: http://www.coscomentertainment.com Thanks.
22 hours ago

Loads of costumes again today. Really cool. Taking pictures.
22 hours ago

Heeeerrreee’s Pinhead! http://yfrog.com/6dqccjj
21 hours ago

Boy, the con is busy…
21 hours ago

People are digging the Axiom-man cards!
20 hours ago

Spy vs Spy! http://yfrog.com/mgdsqmhj
20 hours ago

Some Twilacs for you. http://yfrog.com/4yeanrj
20 hours ago

People love Roxy’s comic!
20 hours ago

Animal and Medusa–good match, if you ask me. http://yfrog.com/49wtkxj
19 hours ago

Do the robot: http://yfrog.com/ht9m5zj
18 hours ago

This concludes comic con 2010. Hope u enjoyed it.
17 hours ago

Con report continued tomorrow . . .

Things are pretty busy here at the Coscom office as we prepare to launch off for the Central Canada Comic Con this weekend.

That said, I apologize there will be no Zomtropolis this week. Between the booksigning last night and con prep all week, I haven’t had time to write the new installment. Don’t worry, we’ll be back next week with a vengeance. Thanks for your patience, and please don’t let that stop you from swinging by the convention this weekend. I’d love to meet you in person.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Like last year, I’ll be conducting a post-con report right here.

Peace.

Heading off to Ai-Kon this weekend with my wife. Three days of manga, anime, video games, folks in costumes and general Japa-geekiness.

I’m excited. This is my first anime con so I’m eager to see what a convention dedicated solely to Japanese comic culture is all about.

I’m a manga fan, sure, but, I realize, not to the extent some folks there are. Presently, I read MegaMan, Black Cat, Ruruoni Kenshin, and I enjoy their anime counterparts.

My wife’s a huge Final Fantasy fan and was thrilled when she found out last night they’re going to have a Final Fantasy-themed ball. Um . . . better hide the tux, cape and my three-foot-tall spiky wig.

If you’re in Winnipeg and will be at the con, feel free to come and say I if you see me plodding around, looking at the manga and trying to find where they’ll be serving Japanese cuisine.

The Ai-Kon website and details about the con can be found by going here.