Sasquatch is essentially a friendly creature, but don't get between him and the last bagel at the continental breakfast.

I was a guest panelist at the fandom convention, ConClave this weekend. I picked up some helpful writing tips from the writers and editors in attendance. Read all about it after the break.

Once again, I helped out with the Writer’s Workshop. I offered advice and such, and gave feedback on a couple stories. I was also on panels about steampunk, podcasting and e-media.

It was great seeing William Jones, Stewart Sternberg, Charles Zaglanis, Rick Moore and M. Keaton again (and the rest of the Elder Signs Press gang), as well as meeting Christine Purcell.

Here are some tips I picked up from editors and writers in attendance:

• Editors will check out your online presence, especially if they are interested in your manuscript. I heard a one story about how an editor (or publisher) changed their mind about offering an author a book deal, due to a ranting blog post they had on their website slamming another editor.  Another editor said he is turned off by writers who have highly political or controversial blogs. To sum up, watch what you put online.
• Writing professionally is a business. You may have written the most beautiful prose ever, but if a publisher can’t find a way to market your book, they will pass. You can gain an edge by paying attention to the market and what sells.  Likewise, big book stores are also a business–they want books that will sell.
• When pitching  a book, find three similar (and recent) titles to compare it to. This also ties in with the marketing and business side of writing, and it makes it easier for a publisher to sell a book if they can say “it is like [X], [Y] and [Z].”
• And write a book that can be compared to popular titles. If you want to sell a novel, but don’t have a grand ‘artistic vision’ in mind, look at what is popular and take a stab at it–this doesn’t mean write a Harry Potter clone, but a young adult fantasy may be a good way to go, just make it your own story.
• Play nice with editors. If you sell a billion books, then you can start calling the shots, but until then, if an editor makes a suggestion–suck it up and deal with it. Play nice. Obviously, if the change completely alters the book, you can voice an opinion, just be civilized.
• Be professional. The writing community is a community, so make sure to play nice with others, otherwise word may get around and no one will want to work with you (see first bullet).

Did you attended ConClave? What were some tips you picked up?

photo: Sasquatch stand-up outside a presentation about Sasquatch.

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I had the pleasure of being a guest at the science fiction and fantasy fan convention, ConClave once again this weekend.  I had a great time like always,  running into  Jim C. Hines, who was there promoting his latest release, Mermaid’s Madness, and the always entertaining M. Keaton.

It is fun to reconnect with writer friends and to make new ones at these conventions.  I was a part of nine events, including the Writer’s Workshop (I read and critiqued stories), panel discussions (ranging from zombies to werewolves to comic books) and I was even a contestant in a Last Man Standing Sci-Fi/Fantasy Trivia Contest–and I came in 2nd place.

My prize for coming in second is that my name will be used for the name of the president of the CDC in an upcoming zombie novel (The Ravening) by Stewart Sternberg. Stewart said that there will be a quote at the start of a chapter, which will be attributed to said CDC president, so something along these lines perhaps, to give you an idea:

“I see no reason to panic. As long as none of them bite you, you’ll be just fine.  Oh, and wash your hands.  Seriously, people.”

- Daniel Hogan, President of the CDC.

I’m excited to see what Stewart comes up with–he’s threatening to make it something that will cause an angry mob to show up at my door. Hey, I can use the publicity.  The novel will be available in stores and obviously I’ll do a post once that happens.  The grand prize winner will be made into a character that gets ripped apart by zombies.  Lucky.  Amusingly, I lost my shot at first place by not knowing the name of Barbara’s brother in the original Night of the Living Dead (Johnny).

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Speaking of Mr. Sternberg, we were on a panel about werewolves at ConClave, which I recorded for this week’s podcast.  Check it out. I’m glad I recorded it, because between late nights at work this week and getting ready for the con, I didn’t have the next episode of the Magic of Eyri finished. Hooray for filler. Give the panel a listen, it is a fun time. Jon David, Rick Moore, Charles Zaglanis and William Jones join us as well.

Days Until Halloween: 30

I decided the heck with it and ordered the non-firing Colt Single Action Army replica, the leather gun belt/holster and the brass dummy rounds for my Man with No Name costume.

After a lot of searching online, I found a site where I got everything for about $130 (including shipping). Pricey I know, but one of my recent freelance articles more than pays for that (which is the whole reason I write the freelance stuff to begin with–to pay for goofy things like this). Plus, I was part of a focus group for the Lansing State Journal on Monday night, earning me a bounty of $25 for an hour of my time.

When I realized I could use the gun/holster for future costumes (I already have several ideas), I decided it would be a good investment. If anything, it will make for a good show piece at home, how’s that for a conversation starter?

The first website I was found had what I wanted for a few dollars cheaper (sequel pun not intended), but when I went to their shopping cart I kept getting warnings from my browser that their security certificate was expired and/or unreliable. I sent the website an email in regards to this, but I ended up finding a different website to go through and pulled the trigger on the deal (pun intended). I’m glad I did–it is looking like I might get my gear as early as tomorrow, which we be great because I could wear some of it to ConClave next weekend.

Only at a fandom hotel convention can you get away with wearing a gun belt all day. I may wait and wear it only when moderating panels or giving critiques for the Writer’s Workshop. We’ll see.

The website I contacted eventually responded, saying they were in the process of overhauling their site and said I could just pay with Paypal and directed me to their new URL. But the new site had next to nothing on it. I ended up paying a little bit more by using the site I did (maybe $10, if that) but the peace of mind is priceless.

I opted for the Cavalry model over the Peacemaker (the website’s names, as both are technically Peacemakers)–the only difference is the barrel length. The Cavalry has a 6 and 1/4 inch barrel, while the Peacemaker has a 4 inch barrel (start with the Freudian jokes). The shorter barrel was the favorite for trick shots and quick draws in the films and wild west shows (and was more popular with civilians), but since I’m not getting into any quick draw contests, I wanted the gun that had a better ‘look.’

Honestly, when I think of a Single Action Army, I visualize the longer barreled versions, because they had a more distinct look. Eastwood’s SAA in Fistful of Dollars had a barrel length of just under six inches.

I’ll take pictures of the gear once I get everything. I’m excited. I even watched Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More last night as research/inspiration.

My next big task is finding cowboy boots and a hat that is at least somewhat similar to Clint’s. Luckily, I saw that the local TSC store sells spurs at an affordable price. I was on the fence about wearing real spurs at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it would be a cool addition (especially the sound of me walking around with them on).

The local costume shop has plastic spurs, but again, I want stuff that’ll last. I’m sick of spending money on cheap props that break easily (as I’m sure these plastic spurs would).

Boots could be an issue, as a I don’t want to spend a lot on them, but if I can find a pair of real boots for under $40, I might get those. I will hit up the Goodwill and the like first however–you never know what you’ll find there. Eastwood’s boots in Fistful aren’t anything fancy (which I’m thankful for), they are more or less basic cowboy work boots. Again, if I do additional Western themed costumes, buying a pair of boots would be a good investment (as would the spurs).

Stay tuned, I will keep blogging as I put the rest of this costume together and will have photos. I’ll probably do another Flickr set like I did for my Ghostbuster costume.