Naughty Dreadful, Awesome Updates and Linkies!

Naughty Dreadful

We just got finished with the latest photo shoot for the Naughty Dreadful Issue #3, and I have to say these are the best photos yet! The models were awesome, the photographer absolutely knocked these out of the park. Of course I can only give you the teaser right now but I'm sure I'll be sharing more soon. I can tell you that the newest Naughty Dreadful will have a western theme as you can tell from the pic. 

Steamposium

Barring that something else pop up, (which it very well might) our next conference will be the Steamposium in Downtown Seattle. Last year was an absolute blast and this year looks to be ten times as big. We will be there vending yet again and this time we will have at least four issues of the dreadfuls.

Me and Sean Maher (yes, Simon from Firefly!) at last year's steamposium. 

Dreadfuls

Speaking of the Dreadfuls, check out the website and pick up your single copies or yearly subscriptions today! http://www.thedreadfuls.com/

***

Linkies

The late great Jay Lake used to do a thing on his blog called, Link Salad, where he would give useful and relevant links to the community. In honor of his awesomeness, I want to start doing the same thing to help spread the word on things great, fun, rewarding, etc. Here we go!

The Steampunk, Circuspunk, neo Victorican, everything band, This Way to Egress got robbed while on tour. Lame right? You can check out their story and help them recover with a small donation here. http://www.gofundme.com/wzcsb4

Tales From The Goth Librarian II is OUT NOW by the amazing Kimberly Richardson. Published by Dark Oak Press. If you like awesome dark shorts, and finely written poetry, check this out: http://www.darkoakpress.com/goth2.html

Steampunk'd - GSN is having a new show this summer on steampunk costuming and creation! The magnificent Kato will be on it as well. Check out the press release here. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/15/gsn-to-launch-new-steampunkd-competition-series-this-summer-hosted-by-jeannie-mai/417668/

Mega prolific writer, insanely talented guy and probably the coolest dude you will ever meet, Stephen Zimmer has a new book out called Heart of  A Lion on Seventh Star Press. You must check this out: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Lion-Stephen-Zimmer/dp/1941706215

One of my favorite Doom Metal bands, Loss is going on tour this fall!!! If you are on the west coast you must give them a listen. Killer. http://lossdoom.blogspot.com/

Like Mystery Books? Who doesn't? My amazing friend, Teresa Burrell has another book out in her long running Advocate series, The Advocate's Geocache! Check her page out: http://teresaburrell.com/

All Kinds of Good Things

There is so much awesomeness going on right now, I thought I'd share. Lizzie and I are doing tons of stuff so here we go!

The Gig Harbor Beer Fest
While this isn't work related, we are fiends for getting out and exploring everything we can. We've always wanted to go to the local beer fest and this year we are so there! Food and massive amounts of local brews. We can't ask for much more. Looking forward to trying some weird suds. Here's the link for the people in the area. http://gigharborbeerfestival.com/

Emerald Downs
It's well known that we like to get all snazzy and go to the horse races. This year will be no different. We're heading to derby day this weekend where we will bet and have several Mint Juleps. Go Danzig Moon!!

The Brass Screw Confederacy
It's not a con, it's a massive gathering of awesome steampunk-ness that will take over the Victorian town of Port Townsend WA in less than a month. They have burlesque, music, vendors, peep shows... yes, I said peep shows, and after hours parties for this very special event. We will be there as featured sponsors selling and signing Dreadfuls, books, posters and more! So if you're planning on coming (you totally should if you're in the Pacific Northwest) come say hi and get a drink with us when the vendor hall closes. Check it out, this is a very different steampunk event.
The Brass Screw Confederacy

Dragon Con
Lizzie and I are professional guests of the mighty Dragon Con this year. Personally, I've been dying to get back to Atlanta to see so many friends and this is such an honor to be invited to the con. I think we'll be doing panels so I'll let you know more on that when the schedule comes out. Till then, Lizzie is already working on some really fun Cosplay for the weekend. I'll give you some hints: GoT, Planet Terror, maybe Big Hero 6?
DRAGON CON

Here's the crew from my last D*C

IFCon
What can I say, this year we are so humbled by all the awesome cons we get to attend. IFCon is a first year all around blockbuster con happening in Victoria BC. Lizzie and I will not only have an entire booth there, but we will be doing panels and will be the celebrity guest judges at the adult costume contest. We are so excited to get back to Canada. Victoria is such an amazing city. If you've never been, you need to look into going. Imagine a European city with killer nightlife, shockingly awesome architecture and sweet British style pubs.
Check them out here

Cosplay Cruises
Speaking of the masterminds behind IFCon, they are doing something really amazing in less than a year. Cosplay and themed cruises!! They already have a Cosplay Cruise and a Power Ranger Cruise planned but they want your help. They need input on what you would like to see for future cruises. This is a simple, super quick survey (no signup required at all). Help them out and tell what you would like to see. They would be very appreciative for your input and I will give you a hug.
Take the super fast survey

Steamposium
Last year's Steamposium was an absolute blast. We got to meet some of the cast from Firefly, Steam Powered Giraffe, Steampunk Boba Fett, and Kato and the Steam Girls... It was awesome. This year we will be back, slinging Dreadfuls and hanging out with some fabulous people at Seattle's newest steampunk convention.
Check out their site here

Steamposium

Sadly, 2013 was the end of the Steamcon, the con that started it all for steampunk conventions. That left a huge void in Seattle for a large steampunk-centric convention. I was overjoyed to hear that a new one called Steamposium was going to try their hand at it at a convention center right on the pier in downtown.

Like so many cons, I can't say enough good things about it. First off, the staff was shockingly amazing. This was Steamposium's first year and everyone was over the top kind and helpful in every way. The convention center itself was magnificent, a large beautiful place with huge windows, and easy access for all the events. We were located in the artist alley area, with the other authors and artists and I have to say we were pleased as punch to see so many of our old friends as attendees, panelists and vendors. It really was some of the cream of the crop all the way around.

We did well selling our brand new Naughty and Scary Dreadfuls and the entire con was so laid back. There was no pressure from any direction. When there was a slight parking mishap, the con's executive producer personally met us and helped us navigate to our space. For a guy that had everything riding on the con's success, he was the calm, cool and like the rest of the staff, so nice.

While we spent most of the days in the vendor area, we were able to catch the Firefly panel which was awesomely timed right when the vendor hall closed. It was such a treat to see Jewel Staite and Sean Maher speak. After attending we headed back to our hotel, changed and ran right back out for dinner at the once upon a time morgue turned Irish pub, Kell's. Awesome food by the way. We attended the late night birthday ball with music and bar.

We were able to sneak out and see steampunk model, Kato and her steamgirls in their custom made lounge and I got to meet Sean Maher! Yes, the wonderful actor that played Simon on Firefly and the inspiration for my character, Thomas Riley. I was nervous but he was so nice he quickly put me at ease and I was actually able to give the man that inspired Thomas Riley a copy of the book! I got a picture with him and as I was walking away, he stopped me and asked me to sign it... I about fainted. What an honor! Yes, I fanboyed a bit but it was such a great experience! I'll never forget it. And it was a super awesome treat to see John Strangeway, AKA Steampunk Boba Fett, our friend from Atlanta running around being amazing. He even took the time to do a mini photo shoot with the kids and sign pictures for them. We hope to see you soon John!

The con was wonderful and it was successful! We heard they are already planning next year. So stoked to go back. There's not enough thumbs up I can give the entire con.  Before this gets too lengthy, on with the pictures!

Check out this spot on the news about the con:

http://www.king5.com/media/cinematic/video/15064024/steamposium/

Lizzie looking amazing outside by the pier. 

Me with Sean Maher!!!!!

The Kids got to meet Jewel Staite! and her puppy Charlotte. 

Lizzie and her brother Brian in our hotel.

Me with the one, the only, the amazing Steampunk Boba Fett

The kids got to meet Kato and the Steam Girls

Lizzie by the fire escape in the hotel. Yes, they served free beer and we could walk around with it. 

A selected shot from the kids/steampunk boba fett mini photo shoot. 

Us with our good buddy Andy

A customer inspecting the centerfold for our Naughty Dreadful

Steampunk is for everyone

This lady Dressed as Jayne. Epic Costume

Steamposium and more

Steamposium
Lizzie and I are very excited to be panelists and vendors at this year's Steamposium (Steampunk Conference) in Seattle! With the amazing Steamcon now sadly gone, we are so happy that there is a dedicated steampunk conference in our area. We don't yet know what panels we'll be on yet but I'll give a more detailed blog when we find out. Steamposium is going to hold a lot of cool things for us, Lizzie has a new anthology of her work coming out and we have two super secret surprises which I'm dying to talk about but can't just yet. If you're in the area we'd love to see you. The conference runs from Sept 26-28 and features guests Sean Maher (Simon from Firefly), Jewel Staite (Kaylee From Firefly) and Kato (Steamgirl) so you won't want to miss this is you can help it. Check out their site here.

Post Cards
My friend and author Mandi Lynch is trying to get 1000 postcards this year. So if you have a postcard lying around from your area or one from your travels, send her one. (Everyone likes real mail!) Here's her info-graphic.