Comic books

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    Rob-Con 2016 set for July 30-31 …

    Rob-Con 2016Note: This post will also appear today at Magical Musings.

    I’m doing something fun this upcoming weekend. I’ll be one of the many writers, artists, vendors, fans, and more attending Rob-Con 2016. The event will be held on July 30-31 at Viking Hall in Bristol, Tenn. from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days. Admission is $15 for one day or $20 for both days. Kids under 5 get in for free.

    I will be signing books on Saturday only, July 30, starting at 9 a.m. and going until 1 p.m.

    Rob-Con 2016 will feature writers and artists signing and selling their books and artwork, along with vendors who will have everything from comic books to toys to games. If it’s related to comic books, comic book movies/TV shows, or fantasy movies/TV shows, you can probably find it at Rob-Con 2016. Folks are encouraged to come in costume, and one of the highlights of the weekend is the costume contest, which will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 31.

    Now, I don’t have a superhero costume, but I do have several superhero T-shirts (Captain America, Black Widow, etc.). So that’s what I’ll be wearing. I always see lots of folks wearing really cool superhero T-shirts, which usually leads to me going online and ordering more superhero T-shirts for myself. LOL.

    Whether it’s a comic book convention like Rob-Con 2016 or a romance-writing convention like the RT Booklovers Convention, cons are always a lot of fun. It’s just really great to meet and hang out with people who are passionate about comics, books, writing, or whatever the con is about.

    Comic book and fantasy conventions are held in towns all across the U.S. (and world). If you’re unsure if there’s a con in your area, ask the folks at your local comic book store if they can point you in the right direction. Here’s hoping that you can make it to a con sometime soon.

    What about you guys? Do you plan to attend any conventions or book events this summer?

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    Rob-Con set for July 30-31 …

    Rob-Con 2016I’m doing something fun in a couple of weeks. I’ll be one of the many writers, artists, vendors, fans, and more attending Rob-Con 2016. The event will be held on July 30-31 at Viking Hall in Bristol, Tenn. from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days. Admission is $15 for one day or $20 for both days. Kids under 5 get in for free.

    I will be signing books on Saturday only, July 30, starting at 9 a.m. and going until 1 p.m.

    Rob-Con 2016 will feature writers and artists signing and selling their books and artwork, along with vendors who will have everything from comic books to toys to games. If it’s related to comic books, comic book movies/TV shows, or fantasy movies/TV shows, you can probably find it at Rob-Con 2016. Folks are encouraged to come in costume, and one of the highlights of the weekend is the costume contest, which will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 31.

    Now, I don’t have a superhero costume, but I do have several superhero T-shirts (Captain America, Black Widow, etc.). So that’s what I’ll be wearing. I always see lots of folks wearing really cool superhero T-shirts, which usually leads to me going online and ordering more superhero T-shirts for myself. LOL.

    Whether it’s a comic book convention like Rob-Con 2016 or a romance-writing convention like the RT Booklovers Convention, cons are always a lot of fun. It’s just really great to meet and hang out with people who are passionate about comics, books, writing, or whatever the con is about.

    Comic book and fantasy conventions are held in towns all across the U.S. (and world). If you’re unsure if there’s a con in your area, ask the folks at your local comic book store if they can point you in the right direction. Here’s hoping that you can make it to a con sometime soon.

    What about you guys? Do you plan to attend any conventions or book events this summer?

  • Free Comic Book Day is tomorrow, Saturday, May 7 …

    Mountain Empire Comics

    Just a reminder that Free Comic Book Day is tomorrow, Saturday, May 7. Comic book stores all across the country and world will be giving away free comics, hosting costume contests, and much, much more. It’s a great day to visit your local comic book store.

    As part of FCBD, I will be signing books starting at 10 a.m. and going until noon (or maybe even a little later, depending on the crowd) at Mountain Empire Comics in Bristol, Tenn. The store will be giving away free comics, and the street will be closed off for all kinds of vendors.

    Hope to see you there! 🙂

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    Making time to read comics …

    4 Comments

    Note: This post will also appear tomorrow at Magical Musings.

    I love to read. I always have, ever since my mom started taking me to the library when I was a kid.

    But sometimes, the very last thing I want to do is read.

    Why? Because most of my reading is done as work on my own books, instead of reading whatever I want to for fun. After spending hours writing, editing, revising, and proofreading my own books day in and day out, sometimes I just don’t want to read. Instead, I’ll veg out in front of the TV or listen to music or do anything else but read. And with my writing deadlines, I often just don’t have time to sit down and read a 350-page book, not even if I break it up over several nights.

    Black Widow Last DaysBut I’ve found something that works for me, a way to keep reading in the limited time that I have these days. The answer? By reading comics collections.

    I’ve always enjoyed superhero stories as books, movies, and TV shows, but in the past several years, I’ve gotten more and more into reading comics. One series that I’m enjoying right now is about the Marvel superhero Black Widow, including Black Widow Vol. 3: Last Days by Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto.

    Why do I like reading comics? For starters, they are a great mix of stories, dialogue, action, and art. Plus, there are many, many different takes on just about every superhero character out there, so you’re bound to find a story or interpretation that you like. And depending on the size of the comics collection, I can usually read it in one night, which works great with my busy schedule these days.

    Don’t get me wrong. I still enjoy reading full-length print books, and I squeeze those into my schedule as often as I can. But when I want a quick escape to another world, I often grab some comics from my TBR pile. If you’ve never read comics before, give them a shot. You might just get hooked on them like I have. 🙂

    What about you guys? Is your reading time limited? How do you make time to read? Do you read comics collections?

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    Free Comic Book Day coming up on May 2 …

    4 Comments

    Note: This blog will also appear tomorrow, April 14, over at Magical Musings.

    It seems like every day is some sort of holiday. Of course, you have your biggies, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but there is something to celebrate every day. There’s even a National Day Calender where you can keep track of important holidays like Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept. 19 — Yargh!) and National Cookie Day (Dec. 4 — shouldn’t we celebrate cookies every day?).

    But one of my favorite holidays is Free Comic Book Day, which always takes place on the first Saturday in May — May 2 this year.

    And it is just what it sounds like. On Free Comic Book Day, participating comic book shops across the United States and around the world give away free comics to kids and adults, host costume contests, and much more. You can see a preview of some of the comics that will be given away during this year’s event over at the Free Comic Book Day website.

    Avengers Age of Ultron Free Comic Book Day should be especially fun this year, with the Avengers: Age of Ultron movie coming out on May 1. So why not pick up some comics collections, like Age of Ultron by Brian Michael Bendis, Bryan Hitch, Brandon Peterson, and Carlos Pacheco, shown at left, and learn more about your favorite superheroes and villains? If you don’t read comics, you’re missing out on some great stories and art.

    Also, if you’re a fantasy author, get in touch with your local comic book store. Many folks who enjoy comics enjoy fantasy stories in general, and you might find some new readers. I’ll be signing books on May 2 at Mountain Empire Comics in Bristol, Tenn. The store always has a great crowd on Free Comic Book Day, and it’s always fun to chat with folks about superhero movies, TV shows, and more.

    Free Comic Book Day is a terrific time to head out to your local comic book store to see what all the superhero fuss is about. Hope everyone enjoys Free Comic Book Day as much as I do. Cheers!