So, Why Are They Called "Classics"...?

 A few years ago at a FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention I participated on a panel on how to get kids to read. One of my fellow panelists raised a very important point. He said a lot of kids don't read, or get turned off from reading, because they're forced to read boring books.

I remember the audience cheered. 

He struck a nerve.

I've thought a lot about that one statement made by the incredible author Paul Genesse. He's right, to a point. Many of the books we were forced to read were boring, not because of the books themselves, but because--many times--we were too immature to understand the book on the same level those forcing us to read them do.

They're called classics for a reason.

I remember when we started homeschooling. One teaching technique placed a huge focus on reading the classics. You want to teach redemption? Read Les Miserables. You want to read about racism, read Uncle Tom's Cabin or Huckleberry Finn. Want to learn about our countries founding? There's so many good books out there. A book that's being read a hundred-years or more after it was first published means there's a reason it's still being read. We learn from the experiences of others. Stories--especially written stories--connect us in a way that no other medium can.

I need to read more. I have dozens of books, great books, written by friends that I have yet to read. Instead I grabbed from the bookshelf a classic, George Orwell's 1984. I know just the tile brings with it a flood of opinions, from every side. Some think it's a story of what our country's experienced over the past four years. Some think it's a prediction of what's coming. Actually, it's political commentary of the world one astute and observant writer who understood human nature and history and who saw and wrote about his day in 1948.

But, the fact that everyone has an opinion of the novel--for good or bad--THAT'S what makes it a classic. 

Oh, and by the way, just the first fifteen pages are terrifying.

If You Like Reading And Helping Out A Family...Give "Sakura" A Shot!

I heard about the project some time ago. Paul Genesse, on social media, broke the news that his friend and fellow author Zachary Hill passed away. He wrote about a book Zachary was writing and Paul vowed to finish it.

And he and Patrick Tracy did.

The book is now available. It's call, Sakura: Intellectual Property and you can order it by clicking: HERE. I have not read it, but I love the cover art! It's beautiful.

What's the book about? There are a couple of reviews on the Amazon site. Here's a blurb from the YouTube site promoting the novel (you can access the YouTube site: HERE):

A Japanese, heavy metal singing android is hacked and turned into an assassin. She has to save Japan from a secret cabal taking over the world.

I never met Zachary. I'm sure we attended a few of the same conferences, and had he not passed away, there's a good chance he and I would have had a chance to meet, and perhaps share a panel or two. Everyone who talks of Zachary has glowing things to say, and since I know many of the people who speak highly of Zachary, and I hold those people in such high regard, I believe them.

Paul has worked on this novel for two years and will receive no renumeration for his work. All the profits are going to Zachary's family. That's another reason to support this work, a wonderful reason to support this work.

If you think you'd like this story, or you'd just like to help, click on the links and order the book. It'll make you feel good. Books are written for many reasons, as many as there are writers. Sakura was written for a good reason, one of the best, actually.

The "How To Turn Your Non-Reading Child Into A Book-Loving Machine" Panel At FanX...Likely The Most Important Panel I've Ever Attended

I've been on several panels since Salt Lake Comic Con (and now FanX...) rolled into town. I've met amazing artists and authors, entertainers and performers. I've made good friends and even forged relationships that have led to professional advancements in my writing career.

But I think the panel I'm on this Saturday might be the most important one I've ever been on.

It's entitled:

How to Turn your Non-Reading Child into a Book-Loving Machine

It's more important now than ever.

When I pitched the panel idea, I hoped it would be chosen. I remember when I attended public school, especially jr. high when books and reading became a joy and not a drudgery. Back then, there were many distractions that took kids away from books. And this was in the 1970s. Kids nowadays have distractions we couldn't even imagine back then.

Just how important is reading--or the lack thereof--to our society? The effect of a generation of no-readers scares the daylights out of me. Reading connects us as people. Our histories are written down, but if no one reads them, no one will know them. Our laws, policies, customs, traditions--everything--are found in books or online. Without readers, they disappear.

Except for one person, CK Johnson, I know all the other panelist. Holli Anderson, Dave Butler, Paul Genesse, John Olsen--I've interacted with them and have read stories they've written. I was excited when the panel schedule came out and found out who will be there.

If you're worried about how to get kids to read, or you have children of your own that would rather do other things than read (and if you're attending FanX this weekend...), please consider attending our panel. It's Saturday, 9/8/18, 1pm to 2pm in room 151A. We may not have all the answers, but we'll do our best to give the topic the respect it deserves. I'd love to see you there.

Paul Genesse...POLAIK Without Guile

Have you ever met someone for the first time and you’re instantly impressed by the way they treat you—like you’re not a stranger, but a friend they haven’t yet met? And when you talk to others about the same person and they had the same experience when they first met him or her?

When that happens you know you’ve met a special individual, someone who can make you feel good about yourself and others. I’ve highlighted a lot of people with these POLAIK posts (Profile Of Local Authors/Artists I Know…), but when it comes to someone who can do what I’ve described above, there’s no one better than Paul Genesse.

Back at the very first Comic Con in Salt Lake (I keep referencing that event, but it’s where I first got to know many of these authors and artists…), I felt I was in over my head—big time! Here I was, two short stories published with a small press publisher and I was on panels with New York Times Best Selling authors. I was overwhelmed. I even researched everyone else on my panels, which made me feel even smaller. But, I decided once I got there that I was going to do everything I could to make those patrons who had paid good money to attend have a good time.

One panel in which I was especially nervous was my panel on steampunk writing. My first published success was a short steampunk story. That’s where I first met Paul. He was fully decked out in steampunk accessories and he made me feel, not just included in the discussion, but a valuable voice the entire room needed to hear. I will always appreciate him for that.

 Paul writes fantasy. He’s an author and editor and even film producer (watch his book trailer: HERE). He works full-time in the healthcare industry and somehow finds time to write. And, he even ran track in high school. That bumps his coolness level to 11!

I've read one of Paul's stories, The Pirate Witch. It was a short story and I loved it! I need to read his Iron Dragon Series because I know I'll find great writing and a kick-butt story. Please take time to visit his blog: HERE. If you ever get a chance to meet Paul in person, introduce yourself. He'll make you feel like you're a friend he has yet to meet—I promise.

Meet The New Bookstore...(Not Quite) The Same As The Old Bookstore

Yesterday, while waiting for a train, I spotted a bookstore, Eborn Books. It's not unusual for a bookstore to be at that location. In fact, one of the state's iconic bookstores occupied that spot on Main Street for decades.

I didn't have a lot of time to look around, which was a shame because it looked like there was a lot to see. One thing I did notice was a table in the middle of the floor with books from local authors, some of these authors I have met. It's kind of a cool feeling when you see a book that was written by someone you know.

The bookstore that was there before, Sam Weller's Bookstore, moved several blocks away. When I heard I was a little disappointed because I don't usually have a car at work and their new locations is too far to take a work break and go browse. However, now that I know this store is there, I may need to walk the block and a half and spend some time inside.

I wonder if the new store in interesting in a couple of really good anthologies? If so, I might go in one day and see a book for sale that I helped write. Now that would be a cool feeling!

Photowalk: The Train Station...

Thanks to the season and our bosses, we were given a few hours of annual to us between Thanksgiving and New Years. Because of this, I found myself leaving work a little early and waiting for a train to take me to another train to take me home. And as a bonus, I was at the train stop while the sun was still out. I decided to take some pictures.

I wish I had noticed the birds earlier. I wish also I had something the birds would like to eat so I could have set up a shot or two. Just when I spotted a shot I liked, those darn birds would bolt and find more interesting environs. I got a few pictures, though.

Across the street from the train station there's a bookstore. It used to house another bookstore, but they moved. At that bookstore I saw a signed copies of The Golden Cord by Paul Genesse. I met Paul last September and he's a very cool dude! I seriously need to read one (or several...) of his books. If you get the chance, I recommend it.

Lots going on downtown SLC on Boxing Day. Though sometimes you have to look for it.