Creating S.W.A.G.

Capricon 40 kicked off my "con season" for 2020 on a high note. Time to get the rest of the reservations, plans, and itineraries in place. And time for creating S.W.A.G.

What is S.W.A.G., you may ask? It is Stuff We All Get (also abbreviated SWAG, without the periods, or spelled with lower-case letters). It's the "freebies," the samples, the advertising novelties that are handed out to people at conferences, conventions, and similar events. The stuff designed to help people remember our products and services later, after the event is over.

S.W.A.G. makes a presence at every science fiction convention. And lately I've been handing out a lot of it.

I offered all manner of S.W.A.G. during my autographing at Capricon 40. (Photo by Tyrell E. Gephardt)

SF conventions and sales

It's hard to measure whether freebies actually sell books. I've handed out what feels like bushels of bookmarks and barrels of badge ribbons, often to enthusiastic recipients--so there's at least the initial impression that's positive.

Does that sell books? Maybe. I think both convention-going in general and S.W.A.G. in particular is a brand-building effort, more than a retail opportunity. I did notice a small up-tick in my book sales after Capricon (thank you!!), but even if you count in my art show sales, the cons don't pay for themselves by the end of the weekend.

That's okay by me, because I go to conventions for a lot of reasons besides selling books and art. Idea-gathering, networking, seeing old friends, finding material to blog about, discovering new artists and writers, and more fill out my list of reasons.

Best of all, for me, are the panel discussions, readings, and chances to interact with fans and readers.

I like to participate in panel discussions at sf cons. “Detectives in the Wild” panelists at Capricon 40, L-R: Jan S. Gephardt (Moderator), Deirdre Murphy, Mark H. Huston, and Clifford Royal Johns. (photo by a kindly audience member who didn’t share his name).

Creating S.W.A.G.

If I'm honest, creating S.W.A.G. is fun. I undoubtedly have too many different badge ribbons, but I'll keep giving them out (I have lots).

Coming up with the slogans to put on them is a creative exercise. My sister discovered that this winter while we were creating S.W.A.G. for her.

I generally like to create three kinds of S.W.A.G.: Postcards, bookmarks, and badge ribbons. Each fulfills a slightly different function.

Postcards 

This is my blank postcard before adding the label with specific info about my reading, autographing, and the dealer who carries the books at that convention. (Design by Jan S. Gephardt; What's Bred in the Bone cover art © 2019 by Jody A. Lee). 

I have a generic postcard that's been professionally printed, which I customize for each convention. Every year, each convention schedules me for different things at different times. There's a place designed on the postcard for a label that's printed with that convention's specifics.

My postcards generally list when and where my reading is scheduled, when and where I'll be signing autographs, and (if I can work out a consignment deal ahead of time) what dealer is carrying my books at that convention.

I hand out postcards everywhere I can, especially in the early part of the convention, because if I can convince interested readers to come to those events and places, I have a better chance to sell them books!

Bookmarks

Both sides of both current bookmarks: Left for What's Bred in the Bone,  by Jan S. Gephardt, and right is Deep Ellum Pawn, a novelette by G. S. Norwood. (Design by Jan S. Gephardt; What's Bred in the Bone cover art © 2019 by Jody A. Lee; Deep Ellum Pawn art © 2019 by Chaz Kemp.)

Bookmarks are probably my best overall S.W.A.G. sales tool. And if I do say so myself, my bookmarks are beautiful.

Yes, I know the vast majority of books I sell are ebooks. But people do still buy the "dead trees" versions, and when you're reading a physical book you need a bookmark.

For a writer, artist, or other creative professional, a bookmark functions much the same way as a business card, but in a number of ways it's harder to lose and more practical.

Maybe I'm weird, but I keep a large collection of bookmarks that also are a little memory trove. Some date back decades--but the ones I tend to keep, use, and enjoy the most are ones I especially like to look at.

Bookmarks aren't just for sf conventions, either. Lately I've had a slew of annual checkups, etc. At most of them I've found someone who likes science fiction and happily takes my bookmarks. All literate people can use bookmarks. I'm happy to supply them!

Badge ribbons

Here is this year's crop of What's Bred in the Bone-inspired badge ribbons. (preview images courtesy of P C Nametags).

As I said above, I undoubtedly give out too many badge ribbons. They're not exactly cheap, and not all of the designs clearly remind people what book they're promoting. But I get a kick out of creating them, and many people get a kick out of wearing them at conventions.

Too many badge ribbons on a badge can be impractical--but people adapt. Pro tip: Duct tape on the back can keep a long string from breaking apart. Come prepared!

Even though they're impractical, they're quixotic. The silky texture and varied colors are pretty. They add a touch of whimsy. Many are funny, some are cryptic, and they're altogether fun.

Seriously! What more excuse do you need?

Here are the badge ribbons my sister and I brainstormed, based on her story Deep Ellum Pawn. (preview images courtesy of P C Nametags).

See you at the convention?

As you see, there are lots of reasons for creating S.W.A.G., and it can be fun to use. If you come to one of the conventions I attend, look for my postcards on the freebie tables and my Art Show display.

Then come to my reading and/or autographing session, where I'll have ALL the S.W.A.G.!

And if you're a creative professional, perhaps you should consider creating S.W.A.G. of your own.

Here's another view of my Capricon 40 autograph table display. (Photo by Tyrell E. Gephardt)

IMAGE CREDITS: 

The photos of me with my S.W.A.G. offerings and books at my Capricon 40 autographing, and the detail-photo of the S.W.A.G. and books display, are both courtesy of Tyrell E. Gephardt. Please acknowledge him as photographer and provide a link back to this site if you re-post or reuse it. Thanks!
The photo of the "Detectives in the Wild" panel at Capricon 40 was taken by a kind audience member who did not give me his name--but whom I thank anyway! Please feel free to re-post or re-use it, too, but with an acknowledgement and link back to this post, if possible, please!
The cover art for What's Bred in the Bone is © 2019 by Jody A. Lee. 
The cover art for Deep Ellum Pawn is © 2019 by Chaz Kemp. 
The images of the badge ribbon designs are previews generated by the P C Nametags Custom Badge Ribbons webpage. Many thanks to all!

The Capricon Project

Let me tell you about The Capricon Project. As I noted on this blog Feb. 1, I'm planning to attend Capricon 40 this week (God and the weather willing).  While I'm there, my publishing company and I hope to join forces (and blogs) to cover the event.

As you may know, I'm the Weirdness Manager for Weird Sisters Publishing LLC (I'm half of the partnership. The other half is my sister, G. S. Norwood).  As Weirdness Manager, I also write most of our posts for The Weird Blog, and I'm in charge of preparing and posting all of them. But I can only split "me" into so many fragments.

Image courtesy of Capricon 40.

What is The Capricon Project?

Artdog Adventures and The Weird Blog will join forces for The Capricon Project. I propose to take lots of photos and do a lot of things at the convention (followers of Artdog Adventures are familiar with my process).

I like to highlight things I've seen, people I've met, and panels I've attended or helped present. We plan to cross-post the short profiles, photos, and other items I generate, to both blogs and some of our social media.

What's the plan?

I have a pretty ambitious schedule for Capricon 40. I'm scheduled for eight programming events, including five panel discussions (three of which I moderate), an autograph session, a reading, and the Indie Author Speed-Dating event.

Photo by Jan S. Gephardt. This is my Art Show display at Archon in Collinsville, IL as it looked October 6, 2019.

I also have two display panels reserved at the Art Show. I'll have a few copies of What's Bred in the Bone with me, available for sale at the con (reduced at-con price is $13, or almost $2 off the regular trade paperback price).

I also plan to attend other panels and readings, and tour the Dealers' Room. If they agree, I'll take pictures or short videos of dealers whose work I can recommend, and post them on my social media (Artdog Studio is on Facebook and Pinterest. Jan S. Gephardt-Author is on Facebook and Twitter, and Weird Sisters Publishing is on Facebook), as well as collect them for possible blog posts.

I hope you'll follow my posts, and see how well The Capricon Project turns out!

IMAGE CREDITS:

The half-header for Capricon 40 is courtesy of the Capricon Website. 

The photo of my book display at the May 24, 2019 "Mad Authors' Salon" at ConQuesT 50 is by Ty Gephardt, and used with his permission. 

Artwork at Archon 43

All sorts of Images of Interest
I did not receive the same license to shoot pictures at the Archon 43 Art Show as my rare opportunity afforded by Peri Charlifu to photograph his artwork at FenCon XVI, But I'd like to highlight three of the artists who are showing artwork at Archon 43, even so.

Setup for the Archon 43 Art Show began Thursday night before the convention.

Mitchell Bentley
Archon 43's Artist Guest of Honor is Mitchell Bentley, who owns Atomic Fly Studios. I've known Mitch since he and I were both very young, and just beginning to work out what sort of artists we wanted to be. He was living in Tulsa, OK, working with oil paintings. I was under the illusion that I wanted to become an illustrator. We've both evolved since then!

Mitch has moved several times, earned a Master of Arts degree and lived in a variety of places. I've stayed basically in the same place, but had several different art-related and art-adjacent careers.

Not all of Mitch's images featured in this post are among his artwork at Archon 43, but I thought they were representative of some of the things he does really well.

Quantum Presence, © by Mitchell Davidson Bentley

Starspawn, © by Mitchell Davidson Bentley

Wild Ride, created by Mitchell Davidson Bentley for the Yard Dog Press book, Assassins Incorporated, by Phillip Drayer Duncan.

Rachael Mayo
Rachael Mayo also has artwork at Archon 43. She "dragons" frequently, and she does it extraordinarily well. She has an active presence on DeviantArt as rachaelm5, and a devoted following at sf convention art shows.

Deep Rising 11--Finale, © Rachael Mayo, is the large show-stopper in her display at the Archon 43 Art Show.

Jazzdragon 13, © by Rachael Mayo

Shadowgorge © by Rachael Mayo

Lucy A. Synk
As you know if you've been following my blog this summer, I've been acting as Lucy A. Synk's agent at sf convention art shows this year. You've possibly already seen displays of her work on my blog posts and Facebook pages.

Here's a look at Lucy's Art Show panels at Archon 43. I had permission, for this one! This artwork is all © 2019 by Lucy A. Synk.

Here are some of her individual images you may enjoy. They were displayed and sold at sf conventions earlier this year.

Planet Archipelago, © 2019 by Lucy A. Synk

Three Sisters, © 2019 by Lucy A. Synk.

A Planet Called Amethyst, © 2019 by Lucy A. Synk.

These three artists represent only a fraction of the artists who are exhibiting in the Archon 43 Art Show. Each offers an individual and beautiful approach to a science fiction or fantasy subject. I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse of the artists and the artwork at Archon 43.

IMAGE CREDITS:  Jan S. Gephardt photographed the entrance to the Archon 43 Art Show, and first posted it on Facebook. The Mitchell Bentley images are all © by Mitchell Davidson Bentley. Quantum Presence,  Starspawn, and Wild Ride all came from Bentley's website.
The Rachael Mayo images are all © by Rachael Mayo. Deep Rising 11--Finale, Jazzdragon 13, and Shadowgorge come from Rachael's DeviantArt presence. 
Tyrell Gephardt took the photos of Lucy A. Synk's Art Show panels specifically so he could text them to her after he put them up. She gave us permission to blog about them. My company Weird Sisters Publishing LLC has licensed the use of the three individual images for uses such as this. All of Lucy's artwork shown here is © 2019 by Lucy A. Synk. 

Artwork at FenCon

The Artdog Image(s) of Interest

I displayed my artwork at FenCon XVI. You might remember I mentioned that in my mid-week post.

I spent a large chunk of time Thursday on the FenCon XVI Art Show. That was "setup day," when the tables and display panels went up, and then the first of the art (the mail-ins and the work of artists able to arrive today) did, too.

Here's how much of the artwork at FenCon XVI had been set up in the Art Show by about 5 p.m. Thursday. I'm not sure whether you can tell by comparing with my photo from last year, but t's a much larger space than they had for last year's Art Show.

As much as possible, all the rest of the art went up Friday, preferably before the Art Show opened to the public on Friday at 2:00 p.m.

Artist Guest of Honor Peri Charlifu

Peri Charlifu is one of the most talented and generous human beings I know--and I don't think I'd get any naysayers if I asked others who know him if that was a fair characterization. He's this year's Artist Guest of Honor at FenCon XVI, so of course Ty and I found him working as hard as any member of the Art Show staff. His artwork at FenCon this year is a glorious bounty, and he gave me permission to photograph his artwork and post it online.

Thursday Art Show setup with Rhonda Eudaly (L) helping Peri Charlifu (R) set up his display in the FenCon XVI Art Show.

I've taken full and gleeful advantage of his permission to photograph and post about his artwork at FenCon. He knows I love to tell my readers about cool new artwork that I encounter.

Furthermore, he dares me or anyone else to take his ideas and execute them as well as he does. It's a dare I would never take. I'll happily promote him and his work till the world looks level, but the only way to get a real Peri Charlifu piece is to buy it from HIM.

Peri Charlifu brought a dizzying array of artwork to FenCon XVI. They include awesome ceramics, sets, and kits, as well as 2D work.

If you're on Facebook, I invite you to wander through the in-depth gallery of his work I posted on my Artdog Studio Facebook Page, as well as the Tale of Peri Potter and the Sorcerer's Bowl, which involves a fun story about Peri, the author Rhonda Eudaly, and the special alchemy of artists inspiring each other.

This deceptively simple piece of art, Petunia's Bowl of Prophecy, 2019, by Peri Charlifu, is partially from the mind of Rhonda Eudaly, the author whose manuscript is hooked under the edge of the pot. Read the story of how he inspired her, then she inspired him on my Artdog Studio Facebook Page.

My own artwork and that of Lucy A. Synk

Since DemiCon, I've been acting as an art agent for my friend Lucy A, Synk--or at least, my son Tyrell and I have been. I contact the show and manage the paperwork, but usually it's Ty who puts up the show. And it's also usually he who takes it down afterward. So of course we brought her artwork to FenCon.

All of these pieces of artwork are ©2019 by Lucy A. Synk. Each is a one-of-a-kind original.
(Photo by Tyrell E. Gephardt, 2019).

All of these artworks also are ©2019 by Lucy A. Synk. Each is a one-of-a-kind original. 
(Photo by Tyrell E. Gephardt, 2019).

I also had artwork at FenCon. Thank goodness, my panel wasn't quite as crowded as the one at SpikeCon, but almost.

IMAGE CREDITS: Unless otherwise noted, all photos are by me, Jan S. Gephardt, and they may be re-posted or reblogged freely, as long as you attribute me as the photographer and include a link back to this post. Many thanks! 

If you wish to reblog or repost images of Peri Charlifu's workartwork, please attribute him as the artist, and provide a link back to his website. I'd also appreciate it if you'll identify me as the source, with a link back to this post, please.

If you wish to reblog or repost Lucy A. Synk's artwork, please attribute her as the artist and Tyrell Gephardt as the photographer, and link back either to Lucy's page or to this post. Many thanks!

Going to FenCon

I'm going to FenCon XVI near the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport this weekend (we're driving). This is my second year to attend, because I really had a great convention last year.

Typically, getting ready for a convention means I've been running around like a madwoman, trying to get everything ready to go. And . . . yeah, this week has been pretty typical so far. For me, going to FenCon--or, really, any con--is no simple affair.

Getting the word out

I try to keep an Events Calendar current on my website, but I also have created a "Jan goes to FenCon" Event of Facebook that my Author Page, my Artdog Studio Page and my publisher, Weird Sisters Publishing LLC have co-sponsored.

Once I'm at the convention, the efforts to spread the word don't stop. There'll be bookmarks and postcards to put on the "freebie tables" promoting my science fiction mystery novel What's Bred in the Bone, and at every panel where an opportunity is given for panelists to talk about our work, I'll happily display my little stand-up sign with the Jody A. Lee cover art on it, and pass out bookmarks or badge ribbons after the panel ends.

At left is a glimpse of my promo materials (along with a couple of my books), as seen at the Mad Authors' Salon last May at ConQuesT 50. At right, my current collection of badge ribbons that I hand out at conventions.

If you're going to FenCon . . .

If you'll be one of my fellow attendees at FenCon XVI, there'll be a lot of cool things to do. Don't miss the Dealers' Room, especially since Adventures in Crime & Space has just agreed to carry my books on their table!

Pay attention to the special events (these vary day to day). There will be a lot of interesting panels and readings all weekend, as well as Gaming, a Maker track, Video Room, Music, and Children's programming.

ART SHOW
Especially don't miss the Art Show, where I'll have a display of my paper sculpture. I'll also be acting as an agent for my friend Lucy A. Synk, who has been using the "dirty pour" painting technique as a starting point upon which to build a series of really beautiful space art originals.

And since you're going to FenCon, check out some of my events, if so inclined:

SATURDAY
12:30 - Autographs in the Grand Atrium.
2:00 - The City as a Character, panel discussion in Southlake, on the Mezzanine Level.
3:00 - Nurturing Your Writing Habit, panel discussion, also in Southlake, on the Mezzanine Level.
5:00 - Not Just Another Panel on the Kickass Heroine, panel discussion in Grapevine 2, on the Mezzanine Level.

SUNDAY
12:00 - Reading (I have half an hour, and I'll offer options: Chapter One of What's Bred in the Bone, or Chapter One of the manuscript I just finished, A Bone to Pick), in Grapevine 2, on the Mezzanine Level.

Here's a photo of a general display area outside the Art Show and Dealers Room at FenCon in 2018. 

Whether or not you're going to FenCon this year, it's a fun, growing convention. I hope you'll have a chance to try it sometime soon!

IMAGE CREDITS: Many thanks to FenConXVI's website for their web banner, which I used in the promotional montage at the top of this post. Also featured, L-R, are a detail from Lucy A. Synk's Art Show panel at Spikecon (some of that artwork will also be on display at FenCon, along with eight new pieces); the cover of my novel What's Bred in the Bone, with cover art © 2019 by Jody A. Lee; and part of my own Spikecon Art Show display. 
All of the other photos also are by me. They portray some of my promotional materials and a public area at FenCon in 2018. Feel free to re-post any of my images, but kindly include an attribution and a link back to this page. Thanks!

FenCon Ho!

Headed for Texas
Ty and I are on the road once more.This time we're set for the Westin DFW Airport Hotel in Irving, TX, and FenCon XV. It's a new convention for us, but we hope to make new friends and meet up with some familiar faces. If you're in the area, I hope to see you there! Please note: events on the schedule have been updated since this post was originally published. Please check the online FenCon schedule to make sure you have the most current version!

My Schedule 
Click the links for more details about these panels!
Friday September 21
4:00-5:00 p.m. (Chinaberry Room) – Women Heroes in a Male-Dominated World
5:00-6:00 p.m. (Chinaberry Room) – The Sexes . . . . in Space!
6:30-7:00 p.m. (Pecan Room) – Reading (see below!)
Saturday September 22
12:00-1:00 p.m. (Irving Lecture Hall) – We Can Make Them Faster Stronger … and Better!
1:00-2:00 p.m. (Chinaberry Room) – Yesterday’s Tomorrow

My Reading
As I did at Worldcon, I've created a postcard about my reading at FenCon. I'll read an excerpt (or two?) from my soon-to-be published novel, What's Bred in the Bone. 

I don't yet have finished cover art from Jody A. Lee, but she sent me a color comp that gives a pretty good idea how the finished project will look. It illustrates a scene from around the middle of the novel, when Rex and LSA Shiva Shimon, an agent from the Station Bureau of Investigation, venture into the infamous underworld neighborhood known as the Five-Ten.

What's Bred in the Bone is the first novel of an in-the-works trilogy about XK9 Officer Rex Dieter-Nell, his partner Detective Charlie Morgan, his mate XK9 Officer Shady Jacob-Belle, and their Packmates and friends on Rana Habitat Space Station. Look for it this winter. Subscribe to my newsletter for updates and exclusive extras!

My Artwork in the FenConXV Art Show! 
I laid all my artwork out on a measured-off box on my living room floor--and I think I can squeeze it all in! I'm taking an example of every current piece of paper sculpture in my collection to the FenCon Art Show. Don't miss:
The Art Show Reception at 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Gallery
The Art and Charity Auction at 6:00 Saturday in the Irving Lecture Hall
Note: you can still buy art on Sunday morning.

This was my display panel at Westercon 71/MALCon 6. Most of these designs will be available at the FenCon Art Show.

IMAGES: Many thanks to FenCon XV for their website header/logo! The color comp for my soon-to-be cover is by Jody A. Lee, and is used by agreement. I took the photo of my own Westercon 71/MALCon 6 display. You may reblog or re-post it with my blessings, as long as you include an attribution and an link back to this post. Thanks!

An improvisation with legs

The Artdog Image of Interest 

This is the first spark of the idea--an image finished at last! The First Guardian (2013-18) still needs a mat, but I hope to start exhibiting it soon.

I rediscovered a forgotten piece of artwork the other day. Well, it was part of a piece of artwork. I knew it wasn't finished yet. I'd put it together sometime back in 2015 or 2016 (I'd like to say I keep better records than that, but no. There are gaps).

At the time, I couldn't figure out how I wanted to finish it, so I did what I usually do with such pieces. I set it aside. Recently I figured out a background and color scheme I liked, put them together, and as soon as I can get it matted I'll begin exhibiting this work at science fiction conventions.

Part of this piece was based on a corner of my much-exhibited "mainstream" piece, Nine-Part Herbal Fantasy (2013), which made the rounds of national juried shows all over the country in its two-year heyday.

Nine-Part Herbal Fantasy (2013) was a success, by certain standards. However, it now resides in a box on a shelf in my studio. Meanwhile, more and more of my "Guardians" multiple originals series have found new homes and given pleasure, thanks to art shows at science fiction conventions.

Those "mainstream" shows cost a lot to enter, and a lot to ship a framed piece to (not to mention the cost of framing the piece in the first place). They are somewhat prestigious, but I never sold anything at any of them, and my quantity of output was always too low to interest a gallery. I have stopped exhibiting work in those shows since then.

Originally, there was going to be a "light cycle" of Nine-Part Herbal Fantasy and a "dark cycle." I had several of the "nine parts" finished or partially finished for the "dark cycle" when I shifted the focus of my art exhibition efforts to smaller and more overtly fantasy artworks, designed for science fiction conventions. Those suddenly-orphaned parts joined bits and parts from at least a dozen other projects in a collection of storage boxes.

You might recognize some of these "art parts" from other finished artworks I've created. In the future, you may see more of these bits, bobs and elements used in new artwork I haven't created yet.

Periodically I'll pull all the boxes of pieces-of-pieces out, play with combining them in different configurations, and see what kind of compositions I can come up with. Sometimes I'll see possibilities for combining parts from two or more different former projects, often with new pieces added, new backgrounds, or other additional elements.

These are the "Guardians" multiple-original compositions. They are: Top row L-R: Fierce and Brave; Bottom row L-R: Defender and Protector. I am delighted to report that they have been well-received each time I've exhibited them.

There are several differences between the piece I finally just recently finished and have titled The First Guardian, and the multiple-original editions I call the "Guardians" series. I based them on the earlier, improvised piece, but I think you'll notice several differences, too.

For me, this is one of the fun things about my paper sculpture--but it's also one of the frustrating things. The creative process isn't always (make that: is almost NEVER) straightforward. An idea I'm sure will be fantastic . . . doesn't always work out that way. Parts don't always go together the way I think they will. And sometimes things come together in ways I never would have imagined when I started the earliest parts.

IMAGES: All of the photos in this post were taken by me, Jan S. Gephardt, of my own artwork and art-making materials. If you wish to re-post or re-blog any of them, please attribute them to me and include links back to this post. Thank you!

DemiCon 29 has begun!

The Artdog Image of Interest 

It's a little later than the usual Image of Interest posts, but the Art Show setup began at noon on Friday, so I didn't have a chance to post my usual "My Art Show Display" photo earlier. But now I can. So here it is! I hope to get a convention report posted next week, barring random weirdness happening.

IMAGE: This photo of Jan S. Gephardt's art at DemiCon 29 was taken by Jan S. Gephardt, right after she (I) finished hanging the display. I you'd like to re-post it for some reason, please don't alter it, and please post with an attribution and a link back to this post. Thanks!

Meet me in Des Moines?

This weekend is DemiCon 29 Weekend.

What's a DemiCon? It's a literary sf/fantasy convention held each year in Des Moines, IA, most recently at the Holiday Inn Northwest, on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, IA.

My son Ty and I have gone to DemiCon for several years, now. It's what you might call "intimate," but they have some interesting events and panels, they'll have a nice art show (look for a photo of my display), and they really know how to provision a consuite, as well as throw a good room party.

The rosette came home with me and ended up on my "trophy wall." Many thanks for the nice recognition, DemiCon!

I'm looking forward to that art show. I also am looking forward to doing several panels with Rob Howell, a medieval scholar/author who is both entertaining and thought-provoking, when he's in "panelist mode."

I'm scheduled to do a reading at DemiCon. I also hope to have more information available, about how to stay in contact so you'll know exactly when and how What's Bred in the Bone, my upcoming sf/mystery novel about sapient police dogs, will be available. At this point, I'm still in production.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Demicon for the Header from their website; the artwork and the photo are mine. Of course you may feel free to use them, as long as you include a link back and attribution.