A Sort of Homecoming

I’m pretty excited to have another library visit on the horizon. I’ll be reading selections from Deus ex Comica, talking about my journey back into comics, and having what I hope will be a fun Q&A session afterwards. I love doing author visits because they bring back to me just how much I enjoyed the process of writing the book (and how proud I am of that accomplishment).

This visit will be at the Stark County District Library’s Lake Community Branch. What makes this one extra cool is that the library is located between the middle school and high school I attended. The talk is scheduled for 6:30pm on Tuesday, April 10.

These kinds of events always remind me why comics are so important to me, and the timing of this one is sure to put me that much more into the right mindset for attending C2E2 the following weekend!

Author Visit – Adam Besenyodi,
Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan
Tuesday, April 10
6:30pm

Lake Community Branch
11955 Market Avenue N
Uniontown, OH 44685
330.877.9975

Register for the Event
Online or by Phone

I will have copies of Deus ex Comica and a limited supply of Exo-1 and the Rocksolid Steelbots (the graphic novel I co-wrote for Action Lab Entertainment) available for purchase after the talk.

As always, if you buy a copy of Deus ex Comica direct from me, you get a free digital copy of the book for your tablet, PC, or smartphone.

Digital Deus

In the three years since publishing Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, I have had a great time connecting and re-connecting with fellow comic fans. I don't know that I realized just how universal my experience was until the book started getting into the hands of others.

Deus has been available for purchase via physical copy or PDF since the beginning through the publisher, Lulu, but the way we consume our pop culture has changed. I love getting a digital copy of a movie when I pick up the Blu-Ray, and I'm all about the subtle moves toward digital copy codes being included with comics. In that spirit, at the end of 2011 I decided to reach out to all of the people who have purchased a copy of Deus ex Comica direct from me over the years (I don’t have access to who purchases the book from the publisher, via Amazon, or elsewhere. Sorry.), and offer them a free digital copy of the book. The response has been overwhelming! I know people love to get free stuff, but the personal notes included with the responses to my offer have been amazing and fun... from providing a reason to reread my book to aiding in the excuse to purchase a tablet!

With such an overwhelming response, it seemed right to extend the offer to all future sales of my book purchased direct from me. So, as of now, anyone who purchases a copy of Deus ex Comica direct from me not only gets the opportunity to have the book inscribed if they'd like, but also will receive a free digital copy of the book for their reading pleasure!

The PDF is still available for purchase if that's the only version you want, but I'm all about getting this thing into as many people's hands -- virtual or otherwise -- as possible. Read it, share it, enjoy it!

Orienteering

I recently reread Uncanny X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga. If you’ve read my book, Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, then you know this was the trade paperback that jumpstarted my long-dormant love of comics. Reading this classic X-Men tale again was a real treat, and I find that each run through of the material yields something new to me. This time, what really struck me was the brilliance of writer Chris Claremont and penciller & co-plotter John Byrne’s work, specifically, the recap on page two of issue #134. It’s preceded by the expected splash page, but by itself the second page is impeccable. The simplicity of it belies the complexity of where we are in the story. It’s both a visual feast of color and a descriptive bit of storytelling to orient the reader. Perfect.

Deus ex Comica November Author Visit

Seems like forever since I last did an author visit, but when the North Canton Library reached out to me to do a reading from Deus ex Comica and talk about the writing process, my self-publishing experience, and comics in general, I couldn't pass it up.

What better way to celebrate a new comics Wednesday than by coming out to the North Canton Library, located at 185 North Main Street, on November 2, and supporting a local author and the local library system?

The program will start at 6pm with some prepared thoughts and selected readings from Deus ex Comica, followed by an open discussion. Hope to see you there!

A Central Florida Comics/Star Wars Mash-Up

I’ve known Todd Merrick for years. We worked together at the old Disney Inn and spent way too many Wednesdays at “Nickle Beer” night at Church Street Station in the ’90s. Todd quickly became one of Tracy’s friends too after she and I began dating, and he ended up in our wedding.

A year or so ago, Todd opened up Heroes Landing, a nice little comic shop in Clermont, Florida. I had a chance to stop in when I was in town on business last month, and was thrilled to find a clean, well-kept store with a little bit of something for everyone. When Todd found out I was coming back in town to cover Star Wars Celebration V for ToyFare magazine, we immediately hatched a plan for me to do an in-store signing for my book, Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, the same week.

Todd has all kinds of pre-convention stuff planned Wednesday, August 11! With me at 3pm will be John Booth signing copies of his book, Collect All 21 (which was edited by yours truly). Christian Slade, Top Shelf Comics author and artist, will be signing copies of his KORGI book series and doing sketches. And Chris Macht, director of The Force Among Us documentary, will be signing copies his DVD, as well.

Later, Arnie and Marjorie from the Star Wars Action News podcast will be hosting a charity trivia event at the store beginning at 7pm. Proceeds from the $10 entry fee will benefit the Leukemia (“Luke”-emia, in this case?) and Lymphoma Society of Central Florida.

So if you’re local to Central Florida or coming in town for the convention, stop in at Heroes Landing for what looks to be a fun, unofficial Celebration V pre-party, and support some creative types in our endeavors!

August 11
Events Begin at 3pm

Heroes Landing
12348 Roper Blvd.
Clermont, Florida 34711
352.242.XMEN
info@heroeslanding.com

Larchmere Festival Author Alley

Just a quick reminder that I’ll be in the Author Alley at the Larchmere Festival in Shaker Heights this Saturday, July 03, promoting Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan with nearly 50 other local authors, including my good friend John Booth! Author Alley will be at Loganberry Books on Larchmere Boulevard from noon until 4pm.

There is going to be a wide variety of books available. Come out, meet some local writers, find something you like, and feel good about supporting local authors!

SCCC Countdown!

I am a DCBS convert. I still throw money around in the local comic shops, but for the last year the bulk of my monthly haul and new-release collected editions now comes via UPS from Discount Comic Book Service. But even before I was buying my comics from DCBS, I was friends with Zack Kruse… first through forums and then from con-going.

So when the folks at DCBS decided to put on a one-day show in their Fort Wayne hometown, there was no way I could pass it up. I know I’m not “mention worthy” (or even belong on that great list of guest creators they’ve put together for the show), but I’m still pretty damn excited Zack asked me to be a part of Summit City.

There are so many artists and creators you should be looking forward to seeing at this show: Dave Wachter, Andy Jewett, Jim Rugg, Hilary Barta, Mike Norton, Katie Cook, Shawn Pryor, Steve Bryant, Zack himself, and the list goes on. These are all people with talent to spare!

I’ll of course have copies of my book, Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, available for sale at the show. And if you buy a copy of it, not only can you get it signed by me, but more impressively, you can take it over to the book’s cover artist and Eisner Award Nominee Dave Wachter, and he’ll do a free quick head sketch in the book for you!

I’m looking forward to the short road trip and getting to see friends – creators, podcasters, forum family, and fans – who I only ever get to see during “con season.” Although I’m sure there will be deals to be had, Summit City Comic Con strikes me as filling the hole left by the Around Comics guys’ Windy City Comicon going on hiatus this year: A one-day show that is creator focused over vendor gluttony.

See you next Saturday!

FCBD 2010

This year’s Free Comic Book Day was probably my favorite one yet! I was invited up to Willoughby to help Comic Heaven celebrate the industry holiday, and was treated to a fun afternoon meeting the store’s regulars, talking comics, and even selling a few copies of my book.

Comic Heaven isn’t exactly my “local” comic book shop. Willoughby’s a good 45 minutes from Akron. The kiddo’s godparents live about five minutes from the store, but all the times I’ve stopped in over the years has been when store owner Jim was out. We’ve talked on the phone numerous times since I published Deus ex Comica (he graciously has had promotional postcards for the book in his store at various times over the last year), but this was the first time we’d actually met face-to-face.

(If you have a copy of Deus ex Comica, Comic Heaven is the store I reference at the bottom of page 129 in the Daredevil anecdote.)

When I arrived around 11:45 for my noon to 3pm appearance, the store was hopping due to members of the 501st, Darth Vader, Sinestro, and the handful of Iron Man 2 advanced movie tickets the store gave away when they opened at 11. I got settled in with my book displays and all, and immediately I had someone wanting to hear about my book and asking to buy a copy. Both the store and my table was crazy busy for nearly two hours straight.

I had one of my best sales days yet for an in-store signing, but more than that, I just love talking about comics and hanging around with other comic fans and seeing kids excited about the medium. That connection, that common ground is what it’s all about. Although I was disappointed my own kiddo couldn’t hang out with me at the store (he and Tracy had afternoon plans), I was able to snag him a couple of FCBD books, and I got to see my godson when Diane and Ivan stopped in.

And the perfect end to my signing... The guy who bought that first copy of Deus ex Comica right when I got set up was there with his girlfriend. Later in the day, sometime around 2:30, his girlfriend came back with her young son to get some free comics. She made a point to stop back at my table and tell me that her boyfriend was so excited about my book that he made her read the back cover and start to read the book out loud to him while they were driving home earlier. That’s what makes this little non-money making venture of self-publishing worthwhile.

Deus ex Comica: The Eight Day Tour

Busy week or so on the horizon for Deus ex Comica...

Last weekend’s C2E2 experience (or lack thereof!) has me really jazzed for the Pittsburgh Comicon this Saturday. Although I don’t have a table at the show, I am scheduled to be on the “How to Get Published” panel in Room 3 at 2pm. It should be fun to chat about the book, as well as get a chance to visit with friends.

Next Thursday, April 29, I’ll be talking about and reading selections from Deus ex Comica at the Nordonia Hills Branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library as a part of their Meet the Author series. That kicks off at 7pm and will be followed by a question and answer session.

Then on that Saturday, May 01, I will be in Willoughby signing copies of Deus ex Comica and visiting with other comic book fans as a part of Comic Heaven’s Free Comic Book Day celebration! I’ll be there from 12-3, but the fun lasts all day, with a store sale planned, along with various super heroes and Star Wars characters (I hear there will be biker scouts!) all in attendance.

I'll have copies of Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan with me at all these appearances for anyone interested. I appreciate everyone who supported me and my little book over the last year. If you’re around for any of these events, please feel free to stop by and say “hello.” It’s always great to meet and hang out with other comic fans!

• April 24, 2pm-3pm: "How to Get Published" (Room 3), Pittsburgh Comicon, Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville, Pennsylvania
• April 29, 7pm-8pm: Nordonia Hills Branch (ASCPL), 9458 Old Eight Road, Northfield (330.467.8595)
• May 01 (Free Comic Book Day!), 12pm-3pm: Comic Heaven, 4847 Robinhood, Willoughby (440.942.6960)

If you're unable to attend any of these events but would still like to pick up a copy of Deus ex Comica, Lulu is offering free shipping on the book with the use of coupon code FREEMAIL305, now through May 01. And, as always, the book is available through Amazon and signed copies are available direct from me. Thank you, again, to everyone for your support!

Good Things Happening to Good People

Shortly after returning to comic books as an adult, I became friends with Dave Wachter. We struck up a friendship through the various forums we both frequented, and when I published Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, Dave was my first and only choice for cover artist. I’m humbled by Dave’s talent and honored to have his artwork grace the cover of my book.

Beyond that original work, Tracy and I have commissioned various pieces from him over the years, including a gorgeous Etrigan the Demon and a Ghost Rider among others. His work is absolutely amazing and should be seen by the widest possible audience.

Dave’s been working on The Guns of Shadow Valley for a while now... there is a beautiful con preview book that teased the series before he and Jim Clark decided to do it their way and take the story to the web. It’s my favorite web comic, consistently entertaining and intriguing. And now, it’s been officially announced that The Guns of Shadow Valley has been nominated for an Eisner Award (the comics industry equivalent of the Oscars) in the "Best Digital Comic" category.

Look no further than Dave’s own words to understand why this is such a big deal...

These characters, this story, this experience, this is my career, this is my life. That’s why this nomination means so much. We poured our hearts out into this thing, and now the biggest awards in the land have chosen us to place on a platform with some of the best work currently found on this expansive and seemingly boundless thing called the world wide web.

As soon as it was officially announced, Tracy and I called Dave to wish him our best. This is a digital comic that truly deserves the widest possible exposure, and we’re thrilled for him. I hope Dave gets everything out of this experience he wants and certainly deserves.

To Dave: Congratulations, my friend!
To Everyone Else: Go read The Guns of Shadow Valley and spread the word!

Deus ex Comica Anniversary

It’s been one year since I first published Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, and I have been overwhelmed by the positive reception it’s received! Thank you to everyone who has bought a copy of the book, or checked it out from the library, or come out to one of my author appearances, or said “hello” at a convention or in-store event over the last year. It’s always amazing to learn that my story resonates with someone; those are the moments that make the struggles of self-publishing and awkwardness of self-promotion all worthwhile.

If you’ve attended one of my author visits, thank you! I hope you had a good time and will tell a friend. I am readying many more appearances (some already scheduled, some still being planned) for the remainder of 2010, both locally in Northeast Ohio and elsewhere.

I do hope that if you’ve read and enjoyed Deus ex Comica you will take a few minutes to rank and review it at Amazon, Lulu, and/or GoodReads and also recommend the book to a friend. This kind of positive word of mouth is huge for little publication like mine. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed my book and appreciate the support!

Hope your 2010 is off to a great start!

Pittsburgh Comicon Events News

The Pittsburgh Comicon events schedule was published earlier this week, and there are some fun panels on the docket. Everything from the amazing Gene Colon to Buffy-verse bad boy Camden Toy, from a CGS trivia showdown to a star-studded “Legends of Marvel Heyday” roundtable!

I’m also excited to see my buddy John Booth doing a panel based on his book Collect All 21: Memoirs of a Star Wars Geek sponsored by the Science Fiction Alliance of Pittsburgh. Look for it to be a fun, nostalgic trip from original trilogy to prequel trilogy and what it means to our generation to have “grown up Star Wars.”

Immediately following John’s solo panel, I’ll be joining him and others for a discussion called “How to Get Published” in Room 3 at 2pm. I’m looking forward to talking about the experience I went through publishing Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan – willing to discuss everything from the writing process to publishing options to promotion, and anything else the attendees might throw at us regarding getting your manuscript into your audience’s hands!

Incredible folks like Joe Sinott, David Mack, Roy Thomas, and Herb Trimpe are all scheduled to appear at the con. I’m looking forward to hopefully meeting some of these industry icons, along with the opportunity to say “hello” and visit for a while with my friends Bryan J.L. Glass and Dave Wachter!

Should be a fun way to pass a weekend! If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll come out and support the industry and a couple of regional authors!

The Definition of a Good Day

Much like Brian Michael Bendis, Brian K. Vaughan is a comic writer and fellow Northeast Ohioan whose work I hold in the highest regards. There’s a reason Pride of Baghdad, Runaways, Y: The Last Man, and Ex Machina are so successful, for the same reasons they are among my favorite books up on my shelves... they are well-crafted, entertaining stories with emotional resonance.

I devote an entire chapter to Vaughan, Bendis, Ed Brubaker, and Matt Fraction in my book, Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, exploring their works and the affect they’ve had on me as a comic reader. Because of his influence on my rediscovered love of the medium, I rather clumsily reached out to Vaughan via email, offering to send him a copy of my book as a gesture of appreciation for that positive influence and as thanks for all the great reading he’s given me over the last few years.

Not really expecting a response, I was shocked and thrilled to find an email from him this past week congratulating me on my book! Then, in one of the classiest moves imaginable, he politely declined my offer to send him a book directly, instead saying, “since you've been kind enough to support my books over the years, I thought the least I could do was buy myself my own copy of your book, which I just ordered off Amazon.”

There was another line or two to the email, and although the effort may have been minor on his part, much like my experience with Neil Gaiman last year, the acknowledgement and encouragement he offered has been a tremendous boost for this self-published author.

Farther Afield

I took Deus ex Comica to Virginia for George Mason Unversity’s Fall for the Book Festival last year, and it’s time to take the book outside of Ohio again...

First up, I am going to be on the “How to Get Published” panel at the Pittsburgh Comicon Saturday, April 24! I attended this con as a fan last year in September and was able to give a copy of Deus ex Comica to Stan Lee, now this year I will be on a panel with John Booth and Paul Anderson. I don’t have details on what time my panel will be yet, but will add that to the “2010 Author Appearances” schedule on the blog and will certainly be tweeting about it as soon as I know.

I am also going to be at the Summit City Comic Con in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on May 22! This single-day show is being put on by my friend Zack Kruse and the great folks from DCBS. I’m very excited to be a part of this event and have an opportunity to see a lot of my Midwest-based friends in the process.

On the more immediate horizon, and after the success of my author visit at the Learned Owl in Hudson in mid-February, I’m now looking forward to reading at the Northwest Akron Branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library Thursday, March 04 (time and details below). If you’re in Northeast Ohio, please feel free to stop in, listen to some readings from Deus ex Comica, take part in the conversation afterward or just say “hello!”

So I am still on-track with my goal to average no less than one book-related event per month in 2010 and there's more to come!

• March 04, 6.30pm-7.30pm: Northwest Akron Branch (ASCPL), 1720 Shatto Avenue, Akron (330.836.1081)
• April 24, TBD: "How to Get Published", Pittsburgh Comicon, Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville, Pennsylvania
• April 29, 7pm-8pm: Nordonia Hills Branch (ASCPL), 9458 Old Eight Road, Northfield (330.467.8595)
• May 01 (Free Comic Book Day!), TBD: Comic Heaven, 4847 Robinhood, Willoughby (440.942.6960)
• May 22, 10am-6pm: Summit City Comic Con, The Grand Wayne Center, 120 West Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana
• June 27, 10am-4pm: Akron-Canton Con, Chapparells Community Center, 2418 S. Arlington Road, Akron
• July 10, 2pm-3pm: Firestone Park Branch (ASCPL), 1486 Aster Avenue, Akron (330.724.2126)

Deus ex New Year

If only because it was the year I published Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, 2009 was pretty amazing. But after you get over how cool it is to think that you published a book and the excitement of holding a physical copy of it in your hand, there is the suddenly daunting task of somehow getting the word out about said book. Self-promotion is decidedly not in my comfort zone, but through necessity and the help and encouragement of Tracy and John, I stepped outside of it and surprised myself with how much fun I had!

My local comic shop, JC Comics & Cards, stepped up and hosted me for my very first in-store book signing in April, and, despite competing with a gorgeous day outside, it was a success! From there I promoted the book at a bunch of regional comic book conventions and did an in-store signing on Free Comic Book Day at Bill’s Books and More.

Learning to write a press release and sending copies of the book to local newspapers resulted in write-ups in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Akron Beacon Journal, and interviews with Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources’ Tim O’Shea and Elliott Serrano of the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye Geek to Me blog, and a great review and interview on Wired Magazine’s GeekDad blog.

The year ended with two well-received author visits. The first came out of nowhere when my old friend Mark, a professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, asked me if I’d like to be a part of the Fall for the Book Festival. What an amazing experience that was! My prepared reading in front of an audience of 50 or so was followed by a great question and answer session.

I was able to get copies of Deus ex Comica in virtually all branches of the Akron-Summit County Public Library, which led to my other author visit, this one at the Fairlawn-Bath Branch of the library. Although attendance was lighter than the GMU festival (somewhere around 20 attendees), it was just as fun and, again, the conversation with the audience afterward was wonderful.

Amid all this, I was fortunate enough to give copies of the book to both Stan Lee and Neil Gaiman, and share Deus ex Comica with friends and influences at the Chicago Comic-Con.

So now I feel like I sort of have a game plan. Or, at least, that’s what I tell myself. And as 2009 wound down, I set out to line up as many appearances as I could to start off the New Year. My hope is to average one book-related appearance per month in 2010, and while I’m still working on some dates and opportunities, I’m thrilled to so far have seven appearances confirmed between now and mid-July!

The first Sunday in February I’ll be promoting the book at the Akron-Canton Con (John will be there too, selling copies of Collect All 21!). The following Saturday, February 13, John and I will both be at The Learned Owl Book Shop in Hudson for a local authors event, sharing some prepared readings from our books, chatting with customers, and signing books.

March and April will find me doing author visits at the Northwest Akron (March 04) and the Nordonia Hills (April 29) branches of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. I’ll be following that up by helping Comic Heaven celebrate Free Comic Book Day on May 01 with an in-store signing event at their Willoughby store.

The end of June brings another Akron-Canton Con (June 27) and then two weeks later I’ll be speaking at the Firestone Park branch of the library.

I have more book promotion opportunities on the horizon as well, but they aren’t firm enough to share just yet. Some are nearly finalized and some are still just ideas I’m exploring. As soon as things do finalize, I’ll be sure to post them. I hope, if you’re able, you’ll come out, say “hello,” and support a local writer!

• February 07, 10am-4pm: Akron-Canton Con (with Collect All 21! author John Booth), Chapparells Community Center, 2418 S. Arlington Road, Akron
• February 13, 3pm-5pm: The Learned Owl Book Shop (with Collect All 21! author John Booth), 204 N. Main Street, Hudson (330.653.2252)
• March 04, 6.30pm-7.30pm: Northwest Akron Branch (ASCPL), 1720 Shatto Avenue, Akron (330.836.1081)
• April 29, 7pm-8pm: Nordonia Hills Branch (ASCPL), 9458 Old Eight Road, Northfield (330.467.8595)
• May 01 (Free Comic Book Day!), TBD: Comic Heaven, 4847 Robinhood, Willoughby (440.942.6960)
• June 27, 10am-4pm: Akron-Canton Con, Chapparells Community Center, 2418 S. Arlington Road, Akron
• July 10, 2pm-3pm: Firestone Park Branch (ASCPL), 1486 Aster Avenue, Akron (330.724.2126)

Deus ex Comica at the Akron Library

I have been having a lot of fun promoting Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan over the last seven months through in-store signings and convention appearances, with reviews and interviews (in places like Wired Magazine’s GeekDad) and doing author visits (at events like the Fall for the Book Festival at George Mason University). Now, thanks to the support of friends like Cathy Morgan, I get to do it here in my own backyard at the Fairlawn-Bath branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library on Saturday, November 14!

I’ll be reading some selections from Deus ex Comica and talking about the evolution of the book, and looking forward to discussing anything from the self-publishing process to comic books in general after the prepared portion of the presentation! Comics might not be everybody’s thing, but I hope the readings, accompanying visuals, and subsequent audience dialog will make it worthwhile for everyone attending!

If you’re available, I hope you’ll come out! You can RSVP by calling the Fairlawn-Bath branch directly at 330.666.4888! Event time and more details are below.

(click to enlarge)

Fall for the Book Festival Update

We're down to the final week! Next Tuesday I’ll be on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University to talk about my book, Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, as a part of their 11th Annual Fall for the Book Festival! I’m very excited about being a part of this prestigious event, and am looking forward to sharing my book and having a discussion about my journey with the attendees.

Through my association with the festival, I have also been invited to be a guest on WEBR’s "The Radio Hotline with Dennis Price" that same night! I haven’t heard yet when during his 8-10pm show I’ll be on, but I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to talk about Deus ex Comica and my experiences with his radio audience.

If that's your neck of the woods, you might have seen flyers for my Fall for the Book talk at The Laughing Ogre at University Mall on Braddock Road. Thank you to Norah and Steve and everyone there for helping to get the word out about my author visit to Deus ex Comica's core audience! I’m hoping to carve out some time next Wednesday on my way out of town to stop into the store and thank them in-person and maybe pick up a comic or two. (It is new comic book day, after all!)

If you’re in or around the area next Tuesday, I hope you’ll come to Grand Tier III inside the Center for the Arts on the George Mason University Fairfax Campus for my 3pm talk, and tune in (and call in!) next Tuesday night to WEBR!

(click to enlarge)

Deus ex Comica Goes to College

I’ve known Mark close to 35 years now, somehow always managing to keep in touch as life has taken us in various directions. If you’ve read Deus ex Comica, you know Mark and I shared a love of comic books as kids – discovering fantastic characters inhabiting these alternate universes, reading them at campsites together while with our families in the summer, and basing adventures with our G.I. Joe action figures on the Marvel Comics stories we devoured.

Mark is now an Assistant Professor of English at George Mason University, and he has been trying to come up with a way to get me on campus to speak to his ENGL 493: Graphic Novels class since I published Deus ex Comica earlier this year. The university’s Fall for the Book Festival has finally provided that opportunity. So now one of the Fall for the Book events is my visit with Mark’s class! My talk will be during that class’ regular scheduled time, Tuesday, September 22, at 3:00pm, but will be held in Grand Tier III inside the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax campus, and it will be open to the public.

The Fall for the Book Festival is an annual event in the Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland area that is now going on its 11th year. Headlining the week of author talks and special programs this year are E.L. Doctorow and Sherman Alexie, but it looks like there’s a little something on the schedule for everyone... from poets to novelists to children’s writers, to talks on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall to the Obama presidency to writing and publishing in the 21st century. Good stuff all around, and I am honored to have been invited to participate in this great event!

I’m still putting my talk together, but I plan to touch on subjects like my love of comics, my rediscovery of the medium as an adult and parent, how I consume comics now versus as a young teenager, the writing process, and the self-publishing experience. So if you’ll be in or around the area next month, please consider coming out to the festival, sitting in on my talk, and joining the conversation!



Details
What: Deus ex Comica Fall for the Book Festival Author Talk
When: 3pm, Tuesday, September 22
Where: Grand Tier III, Center for the Arts, George Mason University
Cost: Free and Open to the Public

GeekDad 2.0

So, the nice folks at GeekDad, one of Wired Magazine’s great blogs, saw fit to follow up the very complimentary review of Deus ex Comica with an author interview. Book reviewer Curtis Silver conducted the interview, coming up with some interesting and genuine questions based on what he read in the book, which is always appreciated as the subject of an interview. I can’t thank Curtis enough for his support and enthusiasm! It’s been a pleasure getting to know him over the last few weeks. If you like what you read in the review or interview, please consider picking up a copy of Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan, and follow Curtis and all the great writers at GeekDad!

As always, if you've bought a copy of Deus ex Comica, thank you! And if you enjoyed reading it, please take a moment to rank and review it on Amazon, Lulu, and/or GoodReads. I appreciate everyone's support!

Geek is Good

Some updates on Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan...

I had a blast a couple Sundays ago meeting and chatting with folks and selling copies of the book alongside my friend and editor John Booth at the Akron-Canton Comic Con. I got to chat with people like local artist and comic fan Chris Martin (looking forward to his show at Red Light Galleries in Akron’s Northside District) and with comic artist Tommy Flick, who also had a table at the show.

If you have been checking out the sidebar of the blog, you may have noticed that Deus ex Comica is now available through Target.com, and available once again through Discount Comic Book Service (thanks, Zack!).

Also, today Wired Magazine’s great GeekDad blog ran a review of the book that was especially gratifying. I’m really excited about what the author of the review, Curtis Silver, had to say, particularly since he came at the book from a DC fan’s perspective. Stay tuned for an interview on GeekDad coming soon!

If you've read and liked Deus ex Comica, please consider taking a moment to rank and review it at Amazon, Lulu, and/or GoodReads and recommending the book to a friend. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed my book and appreciate the support!