Adventures at ConGlomeration 2014

The BlackWyrm Publishing table at ConGlomeration with fellow authors, Amy McCorkle and Melissa Goodman.

What can I say? ConGlomeration, the fan-run sci-fi/fantasy convention holds a special place in my heart. It's small and personable, where people remember you on a first-name basis.

This was a special year for me, as it was the first time I had a print book to sell and I joined my fellow authors at the BlackWyrm Publishing table. The Ripper's Daughter is a paranormal historical mystery, and I sold two copies that weekend. I know, doesn't sound like a lot, but for someone who's spent cons handing out free postcards and other promo, even one sale is cause for celebration. :-)

I sat on three panels: Screenwriting, Thrill of the Kill, and Beyond the Grave. Panels force one to think fast on one's feet, to coin a phrase. Even more so when one is elected moderator. For the first time, I moderated a panel (Thrill of the Kill). Talk about nervous. I got through it, but I'm sure I made a fool of myself along the way. Good thing I'm used to that.

I always look forward to con season, when I can see fellow authors I only interact with online. Looking forward to Fandom Fest and Imaginarium. :-)

Highlights of ConGlomeration

Okay, am I allowed a "squee" moment here? :-) Actually two.

This past weekend I attended ConGlomeration, a local sci-fi/fantasy convention. One of the workshops was "A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words" in which artists and authors swapped projects. The author would write a story based on the artist's work and the artist would sketch a picture based on the author's writing.

Christine Griffin and I were paired off. This is what Christine drew for me: a portrait of Xariel, my hero from Death Sword.

Copyright Christine Griffin, 2011

This is the first time an artist has ever drawn a character from my stories. So I'm stoked. LOL

In return, I wrote a short piece based on the digital print below. The story follows.

Copyright & Credit: Christine Griffin & Fantasy Flight Games

“A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words”

(ConGlomeration 2011)

Story by Pamela Turner

Art by Christine Griffin

© Fantasy Flight Games

(http://www.fantasyflightgames.com)

 (Author’s Note: This past weekend, April 22-24, 2011, I participated in the workshop “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words” at ConGlomeration, a local sci-fi/fantasy convention. The idea was for artists and authors to swap creations. The artist would draw something from the author’s writing and the author would write a story based on the artist’s picture.

The above digital painting “Jon and Ghost” was originally created for Fantasy Flight Games’ A Game of Thrones and is being used solely to illustrate the accompanying story it inspired. No copyright infringement is intended or implied. I make no money from this narrative which is available free.)

  

****

 

Three days journey across frozen terrain and temperaments were as frigid as the sleet pelting Odin’s face and cloak. They needed to find Skuld. The encroaching blizzard and constant bickering between his raven, Munin, and Skuld’s white wolf, Varg, only impeded matters.  

   

“I can’t believe you lost her,” Munin sneered. The raven  ruffled  shaggy black feathers against the bracing wind.

“Shut up, carrion eater,” Varg snapped, fangs bared. The wolf’s crimson eyes gleamed. “I didn’t lose Skuld, as you so eloquently put it. Loki kidnapped her.”

“That’s enough. Both of you.” Odin’s breath condensed in the air. His hand curled around the pommel of his sword. Damn his impetuous raven. Varg was agitated enough. He had good reason to be. A Valkyrie and wolf were bonded to each other. Whatever fate befell one affected the other. Even death.

Both god and wolf looked out over the icy landscape. Blue-gray sky met snow-packed white mountains. Here the land was austere, uninhabitable. This was her realm.

An ordinary man would have frozen to death by now. But they couldn’t turn back. To do so would be dishonorable.

“I wouldn’t have lost my Valkyrie.” Munin squawked and flew skyward as Varg reeled, snarling. The wolf started to launch himself at the raven only to be stopped by Odin’s upraised hand.

“I understand you’re upset, Varg. But if you can’t control yourself, I’ll send you back to Asgard.”

The wolf growled low in his throat as he backed down. “Understood.” He glared at the raven who landed on Odin’s shoulder. “But if he says one more word…” He snapped his fangs at empty air. “Raven dinner.”

Odin glanced at Munin. The raven averted his head but finally nodded after a moment’s hesitation.

“I can’t believe Loki kidnapped her.” Varg’s eyes narrowed. “When I see him…”

“I’ll deal with Loki,” Odin promised. He brushed strands of dark hair from his cheek as a sudden breeze sliced across the barren landscape.

Munin squawked again. “I don’t like this. She won’t be happy, Odin.”

Odin nodded. “I know.” As if confirming his suspicion, the temperature plummeted several degrees. Icy pellets stung Odin’s face and even Munin crawled closer to his master, dipping his head under the god’s hair for shelter. Varg squinted against the frozen onslaught, shaking his shaggy coat free of the crystals melting against his body heat.  

The wolf stopped short, hackles raised, head lowered, ears back. His body tensed. “Can you feel it?”

Odin nodded. A sense of deep despair mingled with the cold, making it seem more oppressive.

Ahead of them a chasm yawned in the mountain, its dark interior leading to passages unknown.

Varg looked back at them. “Welcome to Hel.”

Author Recommendations

My angel posts are currently on hiatus while I get ready for NaNoWriMo next month.

Instead, I'd like to talk about new dark genre fiction authors I've recently discovered.


Lavie Tidhar (Hebrew Punk, An Occupation of Angels) Hebrew legends meet dark fantasy. The cover caught my attention at ConGlomeration. I even saw the original painting by the talented Melissa Gay. I've read this book once and am going to read it again because I know there's so much I missed the first time around. As for An Occupation of Angels, all I can say is this is one I can't wait to read.

For more about Lavie Tidar: http://lavietidhar.wordpress.com/

Maurice Broaddus (Devil's Marionette, Orgy of Souls, Dark Faith, King Maker) I haven't yet read Dark Faith (an anthology Mr. Broaddus edited with Jerry L. Gordon) or King Maker, his recent novel by Angry Robot Books, although I own copies. But I did read Orgy of Souls, co-authored with Wrath James White. And I cried at the end. Because the story was that fucking good. I mean there are books you read and when you finish them, you think, "That was nice." Then there are books you read and when you finish them, it's like a punch in the gut. You're stunned. You can't get the final images out of your head. Yeah, Orgy of Souls is like that. In a good way.

Devil's Marionette, the second novella I read by Mr. Broaddus, is one of those twisted stories that draws you in and delights in shaking your preconceived notions like a Jack Russell terrier. Part psychological thriller, part visceral experience, Devil's Marionette is a spiraling roller coaster ride into the living hell of one's mind.

You can learn more about Maurice Broaddus and his books at: http://mauricebroaddus.com/

John Everson (Siren, Covenant, Sacrifice, The 13th) I first met John Everson at Hypericon where I bought a copy of Covenant. On the surface it's your standard "deal with the Devil" story but with a twist. The story continues in Sacrifice, and I'm interested to see what happens to the hero, who made a pretty remarkable and dangerous proposition.

John Everson's site can be found here: http://www.johneverson.com/http://www.johneverson.com/   

Michele Lee (Rot) I first met Michele at another author's book signing then again at ConGlomeration where I bought a copy of Rot, her zombie novella. Now let me first say I'm not a huge fan of zombies. I've seen Night of the Living Dead, White Zombie, and I Walked with a Zombie, but that's about the extent of it. Researching the actual history of zombies is far more interesting. So I was glad that Ms. Lee's book dispelled with the stereotypical tropes and delivered a story where the zombies are actually likable and empathetic.

Michele's site and information about Rot (as well as her other writings) can be found at: http://www.michelelee.net/

There you are. This list is by no means complete. I'll be profiling other writers in the near future. In the meantime, read their books and, if you have any recommendations, send them my way.

Happy Reading!