So I went to CthulhuCon PDX over the weekend and was, to say the least, mind blown.
While waiting in the lobby for registration, I encountered Sean Hoade, Leeman Kessler, David Heath and Michael Carlyle. We take an awesome pic together. Great start I would say. But wait...there's more. It gets even better.
Day One 
Panels: The first panel was Neo-Paganism and Lovecraft. Had no idea there was some correlation so I got educated on the subjects. Next up I sat in on Dracula vs. Cthulhu. Now Dracula does have a large fan base but Cthulhu worshipers are on the outside fringe. During External Monsters, the panel dove into the human condition and our need for fear. Lastly, I attended the panel about the Lost Worlds of Lovecraft. It was so eye opening that I have a need to research Lovecraft's Mythos. 

In between all the panels, I was bale to catch an awesome short film that used puppets called Mill at Calder's End by Kevin McTurk. Very compelling and reminiscent of The Lady in Black. Had a blast laughing during Ask Lovecraft performed by Leeman Kessler and stood watching in awe as artists competed against each other in themed drawings. In 90 minutes, pieces of original artwork was created. 
Word Horde Press was present listening to pitches and I decided to throw one of my projects in the ring. Never know unless you try, right? By the end of the first day, it was time to wind down with Liquor with Les (Leslie Klinger, that is). Afterwards, I ended up at the Lovecraft bar in NE Portland for Firbolg Publishing's Anthology release. Tried Absinthe for the first time. Whoo Hoo!!

Day Two: It was an easy day with more panels, amazing artwork, great company and a power lunch with said company. 
I met some of the best people on the planet and found my geekdom was still intact. I would name drop all the people I connected with but it would take up an entire paragraph. Needless to say I gained more friends and insight into the world of Lovecraft.

This weekend marks the kick off of CthulhuCon in Portland, Oregon and I am gearing myself up for the extreme weirdness. Any one who grew up on B rated horror and science fiction is aware of the twisted world created by H.P. Lovecraft. The sheer mind fuckery of it is what drew me to his work and may have influenced my affection for psycho thrillers and gore. 
I have been to many fantasy, comic and science fiction conventions but never one solely dedicated to one creator's work. The name itself raises eyebrows and the Lovecraft uneducated will ask "What's a Cthulhu?" then scrunch their face up when you try to explain. I will not attempt to do that. Many a show (and a LOT of Anime) have numerous interpretations of the demon so pick your poison.

After the convention ends and I am able to recuperate, because I am sure that is what will be needed, I will report back. I have no idea what CthulhuCon holds but I am sure you will want to know what treasures I laid eyes on. Hopefully, my eyes will still be intact and not gouge out with a spoon.
See you on the flipside

In the process of reinventing myself and giving my work an upgrade, I have found that one thing all authors get all manic about: Cover Art. You see, we can write stories til the cows come home but if there is no cover for the book...well.
Now, we could just slap one on and call it a day but that benefits no one. Who's going to pick up a book with a crappy cover and hope the contents is better than the outside? We DO judge a book by its cover, let's not be dishonest with ourselves here.
That being the case, an artist must be found, and not just any artist. One whose works resonate with your own. An artist who knows about deadline. (Artists can be fickle and a little funny about when the creative juices will flow.) The author needs to have a tremendous amount of patience but willing to unleash the hounds when the dam is about to burst.

So, I am in the process of getting the covers for my trilogy complete by two artists and there is a deadline. That line is getting dangerously close and I have found myself in the authors' panic mode zone. Oh, and I realized too late that I actually published book one under my real name. Those of you who bought it now have a limited edition pre-copy. Things have been....Manic!

On that note, I have some tweaking to do once I hear back from beta readers of Book 2 AND formatting new covers, when I get them. Have a great Easter everyone!!
DON'T EAT PEEPS!! BLEH!!