This notice is to inform you that FanQuest 2020 has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns as the City of Winnipeg has suspended all festival and event permits until the end of June. Some suggestions are being batted around on FanQuest‘s end regarding either a make-up date or skipping this year or something else. When I know more, I will keep everyone posted.
Apologies for any inconvenience. Hopefully FanQuest 2020 will still happen somehow.
Ps. Today, the latest chapter of Gigantigator Death Machine hit Patreon! In this episode, Dave finds himself in the water. Most of the book is now uploaded. Read this latest chapter and the archives for just a buck by joining my Patreon journey here. Thank you in advance for your support.
I’m pleased to announce I’ll be attending FanQuest in June in Winnipeg (specific dates still being determined; please keep an eye on my Convention and Book Signing Schedule for them). You’ll find me tabling there with author Melinda Marshall. I’ll bring loads of monster and superhero books and art for you to check out and enjoy.
FanQuest is a newish show. I think I’ve tabled it twice in the past. Regardless, it’s good times.
Pretty sure I’m stuck in an accelerated timestream.
Anyway, I set out into 2020 with specific goals now that all my prelim work is pretty much done. (All discussed in my newsletter.)
And so . . . here is where some projects stand a couple of weeks into 2020:
Project Rebuild: First batch of second editions are my Undead World Trilogy. The new cover style–which looks incredible–is almost done. Layout to begin soon. Here is the original announcement.
Patreon: New tiers and options to be added once some second editions come out. Gigantigator Death Machine is the current feature playing as a serial novel with a new installment every two weeks. This will run until May, if I counted out the installments correctly. A new serial novel will start up after this first one is done. Please go here to start reading the previous chapters so you’re ready for the next episode.
Artwork: Putting the final touches on a commission. Have permission to share it on-line once the client receives it in the mail.
Freelance: In the middle of a project for someone and still have my client that requires two days a week. (Which slows down my published work output but, hey, need to keep the lights on somehow.)
New published work: This involves all the various projects I mentioned in previous blog posts and in the newsletter. As of this writing, the plan is to do a few second editions first then release something new then more second editions then new work, and so on. This plan keeps me at a pace I can manage, which in turn benefits you by giving you a pattern for 2020 and something to look forward to.
YouTube: The channel is growing and content is going up at, on average, a video a week. Your subscription to the channel helps keep the writing and art machine running so please subscribe if you haven’t already.
Daily blogging: Still on the Monday-to-Friday schedule. I’m doing my best to give you something each day that entertains or informs at least one person. Check back daily for new entries. If you check back and the blog hasn’t been updated, check back again later. Lately, my blogging hour has been shifting for various reasons.
Vacation: Though I took a break over the Holidays, it wasn’t really a break. In the end, I had a few days for a breather because it took me until Boxing Day to finally slow down and just relax. Throw in some Holiday activities during that relax time and I didn’t end up having a genuine break. I was back at it on the 30th. So, things are in motion for a legit winter holiday, but by the time all is arranged, that won’t be until February sometime. Watch this space.
Conventions and public appearances: One convention has been announced. I have irons in the fire in others and am waiting to hear back.
Posted through my social channels this morning:
“Hoping to find new inroads in the publishing world (books and comics) in 2020. I’m convinced the current standard system is terrible. That said, it’s up to creators to create the market, not companies. We need to get that straight first otherwise it’ll be same old, same old.”
I stand by the idea that creators create the market. Read my essay, “Why I Quit the Publishing Industry and Opted to Just Make Books Instead,” to find out my thoughts on the current climate and my general attitude toward it. If you’re a creator reading this, please check out the essay. We’re not at the mercy of various companies to get our work out. They’re at your mercy to provide them work to distribute. They don’t have a business without you. Take that to heart. Stand strong. Make new roads. Find out new ways to share with your readers. You and your readers are the ones in control, not these companies.
Okay. That’s all I’ve got for now. Thank you for checking in.
Please note I will be tabling at the Winnipeg Comiccon on October 30 to November 1, 2020. You’ll find me and author Melinda Marshall in Artist Alley with a couple of tables full of monster and superhero books, comics, and art.
This is the first show I’m booked for since taking a break from conventions and appearances in 2018-2019.
The snow that hit earlier this month had melted but this morning the yard is white. It may or may not stick around, but even if it goes away, it’ll be back with a vengeance because snow is what we do six months of the year here in Winnipeg. And while the possibility of doing things outside gets greatly reduced during the winter months, being locked indoors for half a year has its advantages when you make books and comics for a living.
You get to just, simply, work. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for out-of-the-studio excursions in the New Year.
If you go to the Convention and Book Signing Schedule section of this site, you’ll see that I didn’t do events in 2019. There are lots of reasons for this, some of which had to do with being unwell. With the loss of the Central Canada Comic Con–my “default” show for every year except for last year–I have to do some research for local events over the winter so I can book on time for the 2020 season. If I succeed in what I have planned for the winter, then I’ll have a lot of new material for next year’s shows plus any book signings along the way. There has also been talk here at the Central about leaving the province–possibly even the country–for a few events next year. Once dates and locales are locked down, I will announce them here. I’m eager to connect with fans again at these venues. Always a joy to see them.
In the meantime, I’m really looking forward to just working throughout the winter season. It’s been a good long while since I was able to create without hindrances. I can’t wait to get back to it again.
Ps. A new behind-the-scenes entry is scheduled to go on my Patreon page later this week. Join the journey to catch the post plus other behind-the-scenes goodies already on the site. Of course, getting access to a serial novel, essays, patron-only posts and patron-first announcements along with an exclusive membership card isn’t a bad deal either.
Welcome to October, ladies and gentlemen. Today marks the beginning of a new month, the onset of fall (my favorite season), warm houses, cozy soups, lots of coffee, Happy Jack (pumpkin ale from local brewery Fort Garry Brewing Company) and, of course, lots of work.
Under normal circumstances, the end of October would not just be Halloween, but the Central Canada Comic Con (C4) as well. I couldn’t attend last year because I was ill and this year it was unfortunately announced C4 has closed its doors for good. Which is too bad. It was a massive show with tens of thousands of people in attendance. I always looked forward to it to meet my readers and sign old books and new. I tabled there from 2007 to 2017. It is a bummer, but all good things must come to an end, I suppose. I don’t know what happened behind the scenes or why the show wasn’t sold to another party, but I am grateful for all the years I attended, the year I was a guest, the kindness of the show’s owners (Michael Paille and Violet), the cool people I met, the creators I networked with, the wicked cosplay I saw, and, most importantly, having a chance to talk to my readers face-to-face.
It truly is the end of an era, the end of Central Canada Comic Con.
I wish Michael and Violet the best as they go into the future.
Back to October: I have some plans for this month. Not sure what I want to say on here just yet, but creating will be done. I suppose for now just watch this space or subscribe to my weekly newsletter.
I will be tabling at the first-ever FanQuest here in Winnipeg, “created by fans, for fans,” as per their tagline.
The show runs May 26-28 at the University of Winnipeg in Riddell Hall.
Should be a lot of fun.
I’m going to be tabling small at this convention so that’s going to be an interesting experience, too. My main focus will be superhero and monster stuff as opposed to bringing everything. Might bring some art prints for sale as well.
Tonight I locked down two more shows for this year.
They are as follows:
Manitoba Comic Con – April 1 and 2 at the RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg. Hours run from 10am until 6pm on Saturday, and 11am until 5pm on Sunday.
Central Canada Comic Con – October 27 to 29 at the RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg. Hours are 2pm to 9pm Friday, 10am to 7pm Saturday, and 11am to 6pm Sunday.
I will be in Artist Alley for both shows so stop by for superhero and monster thrills and chills, heroic adventures and excitement!
From October 28-30 I’ll be in Artist Alley at the Central Canada Comic Con (C4) here in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre. This will mark my tenth year doing the event. Sheesh. Has it been that long? I started doing it in 2007. Damn. Getting old. But it’s a great show. A ton of people come out–over 40,000–and celebrate nerdy goodness for three days. I’ll be there, full-blown display and all. Books and comics will be available for purchase and signature. You can also bring books from home and I’ll be happy to sign those as well.
