The Fabulous Norwescon

We've never been to Norwescon in Seattle before but I'll start off with saying it was a really awesome time! We had no expectations and really had no idea what it would be like. First off, it was bigger than I thought. There were a ton of people and from the moment we walked in on Thursday night no less, the place was packed.

Liz and I set up in Authors Alley which is right in front of vendor room. (This always seems to work well when you are not actually in the dealer's room) We had super cool neighbors, Richard Beckham II, author of The Tale of Mu and S.C. Barrus, author of the steampunk novel, Discovering Aberration at the Fuzzy Hedgehog Press table. My only regret is that we did not get pictures with them.

The traffic was good and we ended up selling out of all our copies of Thomas Riley, Her majesty's Mysterious Conveyance and Dreams of Steam II. So it was a great con and we'd love to go back next year.

Tons of costumes, tons of enthusiastic people, insanely nice and patient staff, just a great con all around. The only thing I'm bummed we didn't explore more of was the night life. Apparently, there was a ton of awesome things/parties happening at night but we were so busy and beat that we had a drink every night and ended up heading home. We'll have to fix that next year.

Also, it's so great seeing old friends at cons, it's really the best part. This one we got to see Andy Rosenberg, Rick (Stark Raving Nomad), and Vilda Leusch.

So cheers for a great long weekend, great friends, and a great con. Very excited about next year! Thank you Norwescon!

Us with Andy

Battle of the forces

We got bubbles and entertained ourselves

Liz with Rarity

Rick and Andy had a drink with us on Saturday

Nuff said

End of the Con victory drink

Radio Interview and Norwescon

This week is a crazy one. Tomorrow night (Wednesday April 16) Liz and I will be guests on the Star Chamber Radio Show with shockingly amazing hosts, Michael West and Stephen Zimmer. It starts at 9PM Eastern (so that 6PM Pacific time), Tune in at the link below and listen for free online. We'll be talking about books, Harsh Reality's new steampuk role playing game, and Norwescon! Click this link to get to the show.

Speaking of Norwescon, Liz and I will be there signing books! I believe our table is just outside the dealer's room so if you're in or around the Seattle/Bellevue area, stop by, say hi and enjoy a great con. We should have both Thomas Riley's, Her Majesty's Mysterious Conveyance, Dreams of Steam 1 and 2 as well as other fun goodies for sale. Click here for more info on Norwescon

Progress: I've been working hard on the Steampunk Role Playing game story book for Harsh Realities. I'm really excited about this project and there are literally hundreds of characters, places and situations that are going into the story book that I had to make a map! So I'm hand drawing a large map of the capital city really just for my reference (it helps me keep things in order). I'll post a terrible pic of the progress so far for your nerdy enjoyment.

We will also be heading to Dallas in May for the Dallas Comic Con. We're extra excited about this as almost the entire cast of Firefly will be there as well!

Random Updates

Today I'm going to do a general update. It's a little more on the personal side but you can get a glimpse into life which is always fun. 


Travel and life
We'll be heading back to Nashville at the end of the month for my mom's wedding! We're super excited to get back and see everyone. It really will be kind of shocking for me. After living there my whole life, the place almost seems like a dream. I feel like I've lived in Washington for years now and it'll have only been 7 months by the time we get in the plane. On the other hand, it also feels like we moved here last month... strange how that happens huh? So, we'll be in Cashville for 4 days at the end of the month. Hope to see everyone!

Books and Work
As book stuff goes, there's not a lot more to report since my last update a few days ago. I'm chipping away at new projects while editing Thomas Riley 2. I can give you a fun hint and tell you that I did find a Day of The Dead book I'm excited to read as research for Tribes. ;) Also, as I may have mentioned before, Liz and I have been approached to write for a really awesome steampunk RPG game. Stoked!

Animals
Skye and Ghoulia are doing awesome. Skye is crazy as ever but slowly learning the rules around here. The key word in that last sentence is "slowly". She's a sweetie but also note that she's earned the nicknames: Snacks, Crack Head, Corneus, Torpedo, Woo Woo and Tornado since her sort of short time with us. I've never had a big dog and never anything close to a seventy pound one year old Siberian Husky before.

TV
As you know we like our shows. So far, we're knee deep in Project Runway (Go Chris! well, and Dimitri!), The new season of Castle is one of the best so far. We're really hoping to have another Halloween episode as they are our favorites. Face Off is another Tuesday night staple. We're routing for the dude in the cowboy hat. And of course we love our House marathons! There's some really good stuff to come too! American Horror Story is starting up like next week along with The Walking Dead and new Top Chef in November which is in Seattle! Awesome!

So that's sort of a quick personal cross section of fun going on in the Valentino house right now.

Sixcess Core RPG Game

My friend Ben Rogers has been working on his RPG game, Sixcess Core, for the last five years with gaming company, Harsh Realities! After much testing and development it's ready to be unleashed upon the world! With steampunk elements, and magical elements, this fantasy RPG looks amazing! Make sure to check out the description video.

This is the beginning for many new games coming up in 2012/13. Spoiler alert: Liz and I may be a part of one of these upcoming projects. ;) Ehem! Cough cough, maybe Extraordinary Voyages. So gamers, friends, fans, scenesters, con-goers, and people just interested in seeing something new and awesome come into the gaming world, give this kickstarter a look and make sure to check out the video and consider becoming a backer on any level. Not only are you helping to produce an awesome game, but you're going to get some major cool swag for being a part of it!

Check out Sixcess Core Here. 
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1299187159/sixcess-core-rulebook

Elizabeth Darvill "Steamed Up"

How cool is this? Liz just got her new cover for her Spice Brief story "Steamed Up" which is part two in her steampunk erotic series from harlequin today! The first one is Steam Heat, available here. Last time we got a booty shot, this time we have under boob! Who knows what the next one might show. I'm super proud of her for getting these done, not only are they uber naughty but the writing brings in even non romance readers which is a huge feat! I don't care who you are, you'll need a cold shower after reading these.
This comes out in September on Harlequin Spice Briefs so be on the look out for some naughtiness in the early fall. I can't wait to see it!

In the meantime, follow Elizabeth here on Twitter and Friend her here on Facebook.