Writers Cantina Presenter Spotlight: Larry Correia...Bringing Out The Big Guns

 In our local literary universe, you've got moons, and planets. Some planets are bigger than others...it's just the way of it. And one of the bigger planets in our solar system is our latest Writers Cantina presenter spotlight: Larry Correia.

Larry is a true literary success story. He is proof that with hard work and dedication to the craft can pay off big time. His success story is fascinating. 

Larry and another presenter, Steve Diamond host the Writer Dojo podcast where the two (and invited guests...) deliver valuable information on how to not only be a better writer, but all the other things new writers don't know they don't know.

If you've met Larry, you know he's a straight shooter, to use another gun analogy. It's apt because for years Larry worked as a writer covering the firearms industry. He knows his stuff, and that knowledge has helped him build an incredibly loyal fanbase. Plus, when you attend any panel in which Larry is involved, it's not your average panel. You never quite know what's going to happen.

Larry has a huge personality and in exactly sixty days, you can attend the inaugural Writers Cantina writing convention on July 8th, 2023 in West Valley City, Utah and find out for yourself.

We'd love to see you there.

A Monster Of A Kickstarter...Support Your Local Author

 The kickstarter began today...

It, basically, kicked butt.

And it's only Day 1.

I am a fan of Larry Correia. He's a local author who has made it big as a no-nonsense, writer of gritty, funny, take-no-prisoners fiction covering many genres. If you know anything about Larry, you know he has several passions...writing (obviously...), guns, and miniatures are but a few. Larry started a kickstarter today focusing on miniatures and games.

You should check it out. For more information, you can access the kickstarter website by clicking: HERE.

The success (so far...) of the kickstarter is due to Larry's fans. They put the "fan" in fanatical. Larry has said many times that he has the best fans in the world. They've stood by him though some tough storms. This is Larry's way to say thinks to them, and for the fans to return the favor.

So, if you're a fan of good writing, local authors, and Monster Hunter International Miniatures Games, click on the site and sign up. Knowing Larry, he won't put our an inferior product...it's just not his way.

Spotted A Super-Shelf Yesterday...It's Holding Up A Lot Of Awesome!

Yesterday afternoon, just after 5pm, I drove down to the city's newest (and only...) bookstore. An author friend, Frank Cole, was having a book signing and since I don't see my author friends very much and since he was in town, I thought I'd stop by and say, "hi." It took a while for a lull to open up in his line (dude's popular among his target audience...), but once there was, I said, "hi." We chatted. I wished him well. 

On my way out, I saw a bookshelf, and to be honest, I was amazed at the strength of that particular bookshelf because it held so much awesomeness! It must be a super-shelf to successfully hold up such super-literature.

The shelf highlighted three local authors, and an author from Colorado. Each I know personally (some better than others...), each have had a positive effect on my writing. The display was set up in anticipation of a book signing. On Saturday, December 14th, at least two of the four authors will be in town to mingle and pitch their wares. I thought all three Utah authors were to be at the signing, and maybe they will, but the store's website only announced two.

Don't let that dissuade you from attending if you're in the area--the two authors, D.J. Butler and Brad Torgersen, are loaded with talent. And, as good of authors that they are, they've proved to be better people. And who knows...Mr. Larry Correia might be there, too. I don't believe Aaron Ritchey will be able to make it, and that's too bad--he's a character.

I've tried to highlight authors I've met and who have helped my on my literary journey. I'm constantly amazed at the quality of people I meet. Maybe I'm just lucky and have not encountered the jerks. Anything's possible, but my batting average of quality writers/people vs. jerk writers/people has been pretty good.

If you're close and you'd like to pick up some fantastic reading material and chat with the writers of said material, stop by the new, shiny (it really is...) Barnes & Noble store in Farmington, Utah a week from Saturday. You can access the store's website with information about this and all their signings by clicking: HERE. It'll definitely be worth your time.

Who Offers Scholarships To Learn From Some Of The Best? Fryecon...That's Who

For me, part of what made the first Salt Lake Comic Con special was bringing celebrities to the event. Sure, there's a plethora (yes...a plethora...) of celebrities roaming the streets of Park City at the Sundance Film Festival each winter, but for the average Utahn (like me...), unless I have connections, there's no way I can actually shake their hands and get a picture with them. I should admit that I've never attended the Salt Lake Film Festival so maybe the average Utahn can shake hands and get a photo with actual celebrities. If that's possible, I apologize. It just seems an impossible things to do.

Salt Lake Comic Con comes to town and wish some cash (and a little bit of luck...), I can meet actors, artists, comedians, musicians. That first comic con changed things--I believe--forever in our state.

And if they can do it, why not others?

Writing cons are a little different. They've been able to draw world-famous authors and artists to Utah for decades. That traditions continues. Three years ago a group of like-minded individuals started Fyrecon, a Science Fiction and Fantasy conference on Art, Writing, and Game Development. Their goal and mission statement is all wrapped up in the title.

They set out to create a first-rate event and invite heavy hitters in the fields of writing, art and other creative mediums. 

And they have.

And they do!

The tradition continues this June in Layton, Utah. One of the cornerstones that makes Fyrecon unique is the ability to take Master Classes with professionals in various disciplines. For a price--prices and other information about the classes can be found: HERE--you can have an amazing experience. The following is from the website:

When you are learning, sometimes a more intense class is what you need to go to the next level. Fyrecon works each year to bring in expert authors and artists to teach master classes to help you reach your goals.  With 4 or more hours of instruction from a master,  that includes access to the general tracks over 200 hours of classes, you can’t go wrong

These Master Classes have been been amazing! And, Fyrecon offers one scholarship to each Master Class. If you're interested (and you should be...), please click: HERE now! There's instructions and the registration information on the site. But hurry--applications are due by Saturday, April 20, 2019.

When I think about these incredible opportunities, it reminds me of that first Salt Lake Comic Con where we were able to meet and interact with celebrities in a manner never before seen in Utah. At Fyrecon, these Master Classes you can meet, interact, and learn in a way rarely seen in this state. If you want to go, check out the scholarship site--you may get to go for free!

If Steampunk's Your Thing...Check Out Our LTUE Panel Saturday!

In some ways, it seems like forever ago when I sat on my first panel, yet it was just under six years ago. The convention of my first panelist experience no longer exists--it died a few years ago. It's too bad...it was a good event. Since then I've been fortunate enough to be on many many panels covering a myriad of topics, but it's the first panel at the Salt City Steamfest when a group of us gathered to talk about publishing in the fascinating genre of steampunk that is special.

And so, this Saturday at the latest edition of the Life, Universe, and Everything (LTUE) Writing Symposium, I'll once again sit with fellow authors and discuss steampunk.

The title of this panel is: The Science and Culture of Steampunk. The short write-up of the panel is interesting as well. What if steam-powered technology had remained the principle means of energy, instead of being replaced by electricity and fossil fuels? That's a great panel question.

Through the years as I've sat on steampunk panels, people have asked, "What exactly is steampunk?" There's many definitions, mostly because there's many manifestations of steampunk. It's a literary genre. It's a fashion definition. It's an art form. It's an interior design style. And to a smaller degree, there's steampunk music. 

I like steampunk for several reasons. My first published work was a steampunk short. I also like its plucky enduring attitude. If you attend any fan-driven conference, you'll see Marvel and DC characters. You'll see Star Wars and Star Trek cosplayers. You'll see anime and your favorite cartoon characters en masse. You'll also see people dressed in steampunk. They're not the most prominent, but they're always there, being unique, letting everyone know how much they love steampunk.

If you're in Provo this weekend attending LTUE, come check us out. There's some amazing authors as panelists, and I'll be there, too.

What would life be like today had not electricity and then fossil fuels taken over to power the world?

That's a great panel question.

Larry Correia's "Son Of The Black Sword"...A Book Review

Usually, after I read a book I really enjoyed, I blog about it right away--sometimes, the same day I finish. That didn't happen with the latest book I read, Larry Correia's Son of the Black Sword. A little writing project in November delayed my review. Even though it's been more than a month since I finished it, I'm still remembering a lot of the very cool parts of this book. It's a good one!

I used to read a lot of fantasy novels, but I've tapered off lately. Many of the stories seem to be so similar, it's like I'm not reading anything original. I believe this attitude keeps me from some great stories. Case in point, Correia's award-winning Son of the Black Sword. I found this to be an extremely original story. Of course, there's battles and evil and kingdoms and demons, but what I loved about this book is the way the author created a world we understand, specifically the caste system that's in place. In interviews Correia said part of his inspiration for this story came from the caste system found in India. It makes sense. It puts much of the main character's decision-making processes into focus, as well as the reasoning for the other character's decisions. A character can't do this because he's this, or someone of this particular status is unable to do this or be that. 

We first learn of Ashok Vadal, a Protector of the Law warrior skilled at killing demons, nasty demons. He wields a sword that has a name (Angruvadal). It's also a sword that chooses one worthy of even touching it--a very cool attribute. Correia describes Ashok as a man incapable of feeling fear. Even though he's the most skilled warrior alive, that trait can take a man far. After battling not one, but two demons, he's given a message which, upon reading it, he immediately leaves for his homeland. His life, and the lives of many others, will never be the same.

Correia uses the caste system so well. For me it portrayed a very accurate reflection of some of the stupid customs we ourselves are guilty of implementing. There's magic in this world as well. Different kingdoms crave the power found in black steel. Ashok goes from the most feared and respected citizens of his kingdom to lower than the lowest beggar, a being that's less than human.

The book as won a series of awards. I don't know how many novels will be in this series, but this is definitely not the final tale of Ashok and the others. But, it can also very well stand on its own. Those who have read this book know it's something special. And if more high fantasy is written to this caliber these days, I may have to get into the genre again. I do know, when another installment comes out, I'll be more than a little anxious to dive into that one as well.

A War With Words...Larry Correia Vs. The World

*

For those of you following this year's Hugo Awards for excellence in Science Fiction writing, you've notice something--there is a disturbance in The Force.

The Force being the establishment. The disturbance being Larry Correia.

Blog posts have been written, magazines articles submitted, facts--and their counterparts--thrown around, so much so, there's little I can add to the argument. But I have read several posts trying to explain to the masses just what's going on and the side being slammed must then prove the opposite.

The battle of words is a microcosm of wars being waged on a national, and international level. Accusations of racism, sexism, gay bashing, and pretty much every other ugly social ill is being hurled at an entire segment of the science fiction universe. 

And as a magnet has two opposing force fields, the other side has chosen not to ignore the claims, but have decided to express their side of the story, as they see it.

The world of Hugo Awards and the politics behind all that it represents is new to me. I'm like a kid watching prize fighters go at each other in a ring, but instead of boxing gloves, the warriors use words, and creativity to make their points. It has been very fun reading the point/counter-point/counter-point, back and forth between the sides, even though one side appears to be coming out swinging right now. I don't know if the other side will respond, or be silent, thinking their lack of rebuttal proves their point.

A few months ago, I met Mr. Correia. I've read many articles and responses from those who support him and his case. Many of them know Larry personally. I was able to spend some time with Larry at Salt Lake Comic Con FanX--a nicer man he could not have been. He treated me, a relatively unknown author, like a colleague, like an equal--something he did not have to do, and I thank him for that. A sign of character is how a person treats another when there's nothing to be gained by the relationship. If you know Larry you know what I'm talking about--he's a pro.

Like I said, I'm new to the situation and lack much of the background that would help me understand the intricacies and nuances of what is actually going on. But I do know one thing--this is not something that's just beginning now. This is not a new problem; it's been percolating for some time and like a kettle of water being heated from below, if the pressure's not released, it's going to blow. If you listen, you can hear the kettle beginning to whistle.

* Picture courtesy of Jeffrey V. Brimley and used with permission from: http://larrycorreia.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/int-lord-of-hate.jpg. Information on Mr. Brimley can be found: HERE.

FanX-Perience Preserved In Pictures...

 

My friend's been bugging me about posting some of my Salt Lake Comic Con 2014 FanX photos. Truth be told, I didn't take a lot of pictures--I usually take a lot more at such an event, but my mission at the conference was a little different. I was trying to meet people, sound somewhat intelligent (which is another word for "qualified"...) on the panels and strengthen relationships. And besides, if I took a picture of every cool thing I saw over those three days, I wouldn't have had time to do anything else.

So, here are some photos! Thanks goes to Kenn Johnson for sending me the only photo of me at a panel (that I know of, anyway...). Thanks to Dave and Candice for the table space! And a HUGE thanks to Blake Cassleman for the invite. I had a fantastic time!

 

Larry Correia, An Opinion...

Today I came across a blog post from an author of fantasy novels, Larry Correia. I read one of his novels earlier this year. From the picture below you can imagine what Larry wrote about in his blog...guns. Today my co-worker and I had a brief discussion about guns (like probably millions of other people have done in the past week...). After we spoke, I wasn't looking for a blog post about guns, but I found it, and I read it.

I don't get too political on my blog. I figure there's enough people writing political blogs out there that my opinion is not really needed. The reason I'm writing about Larry's post is because it taught me something, and not what Mr. Correia might have intended.

What I learned in Larry's blog is that there's so much I don't know about the guns, gun control, and gun laws. And I thought I did. I grew up in the western United States. To put it simply, it's gun country. In my house growing up we had guns, shotguns, rifles, even hand guns. My father was a cop and even scored the first perfect shooting score in the history of the state of Idaho (he was given a gun as a prize...). My father passed away when I was young and we never discussed the issue, but I felt I understood what his position on the issue would have been.

I would consider Mr. Correia an expert on the subject about which he writes. He's put in time and earned the title. Of course many people don't agree with his opinion, but his knowledge shouldn't be dismissed just because it's unpopular. Would people who had an opposite opinion than that of Mr. Correia even read what he wrote? I think it would be helpful if he did. Of course, this is just my opinion. Whether or not I completely agree with him is not the point I'm trying to make. It's just that the society should be open enough to consider what he has to say.

Larry's post is rather long, but if you're interested in reading it, you can find it: HERE. If you read it, you may consider his point of view disgusting, insightful, or flat-out wrong. I thought it was educational.