Almost A Month To Go...Until Fyrecon 3!

I heard a couple of radio ads for next month's Fyrecon 3 today. They're great and they got me excited for the event. The third incarnation happens June 20 - 22 at the Weber State University Davis Campus in Layton. It's such a perfect place to hold a conference.

Of course, I'm biased to the location. It's where most of the classes for my master's degree were held. Back then (and it was only ten years ago...) there was only one building. Now there's two. Another reason I like the location is because it's only 10 - 15 minutes from my home. After attending a slug of conferences in Utah County, I'm all for holding more up north.

I know I hype this particular conference each year. As a writer with some success, I like attending events where ego doesn't drive everything. Truth be told, most of the conferences I attend there's not a lot of ego involved, and if there is, I usually don't feel it. With Fyrecon, there's a real sense that you can hang out with successful writers and artists. You can also spend time with people just like you who have normal questions about writing, publishing, editing, and marketing. There's not a lot of opportunities for your average person to have access to this much information. It's unique and wonderful.

Schedules are being finalized now. You can, by accessing their website (click: HERE for the Fyrecon website), to see the Master Guests who will be teaching at the conference. I've attended panels with many of them--they're knowledge and experience is amazing! Definitely worth the cost of admission.

I plan on writing more blog posts as the conference gets closer. But, if you're looking for a good conference to attend--even for your children who are interested in writing and art to attend--please check out Fyrecon. We're almost a month away!

LTUE 2019...Has Come And Gone

The rooms are cleared, the chairs are stacked, the volunteers have all gone home. The evening brings the closure of another LTUE convention. The organizers invited me to participate this year and I had an amazing time participating on panels, hanging out in the vendor room, getting to know authors and convention goers alike.

I had been blogging a couple of years when I when to my first LTUE event. I'm sure I took more pictures back then than I did this weekend. I took next to none. Anyone who knows me knows that's unusual. I think I was more focused on the panels and making sure I didn't embarrass myself. I don't believe I did. In fact, the panels I attended--the ones I was on--were amazing! We discussed science fiction on the modern stage, the film adaptations of Philip K. Dick, and the incredible world of steampunk. I strengthened existing friendships and met people I hadn't known before. 

It's always bittersweet when these things end. I only attended two out of the three days, but the conventions wear me out. I am getting older.

I did leave today with a renewed desire to write. I've let thing slip as of late, but I really want--and need--to dig into some of my unfinished projects, dust them off, and get to work. Any time you leave a writing conference excited about writing, that's a successful conference.

LTUE 2019 edition was wonderful. Now, we see what lasting effects it brings. Thank you Immortal Works for letting me hang out. Thank you to my brother's family for letting me crash at their place. Everyone at LTUE--drive safe and God bless.

Winter Is Here...But LTUE 2019 Is Coming

When people think of February, many things come to mind. Valentine's Day, Black History Month, President's Day, Groundhog Day. But if you're a writer living in the Intermountain West, February means it's time for the Life, the Universe, and Everything Writing Symposium, otherwise known simply as LTUE.

And it's coming.

I've written about this event several times since beginning this blog back in 2011. Over the years I've attended several writing conferences and symposiums. Though I haven't attended any out-of-state, the variety and information from the ones I have attended is rich and entertaining. I've always walked away from each event feeling good about attending and having learned something to help me in my writing career. I've also made no bones about the fact that LTUE is one of my all-time favorite events. I've never had a bad time attending.

This year, the event will be held (again...) on Valentine's Day. It runs from February 14th to the 16th in Provo, Utah. If you'd like to attend, click: HERE for more information. For the past couple of years, I've not participated in LTUE as a panelist, but this year, whomever makes up the schedule decided to add me and it's an honor. I'll include information on the specific panels as the convention gets closer.

LTUE--it's fun, informative, and a great place to hang out, chat with an author or artist about their craft.

Fyrecon...The Sequel Is One Week Away!

Next Thursday, June 21st, the doors to Fyrecon #2, or The Sequel will open wide--will you be walking through them?

I've written a lot of blog posts about conventions, writing conventions, or comic conventions. I haven't attended a lot, but since 2013, I've attended my fair share. Some I've loved, and some I've loved even more. I've been lucky--I haven't had a bad experience at any of the cons. I've met some amazing people, and even developed some life-long friendships from these events. And hopefully, my stories have provided interesting reading material for them.

Last summer DawnRay--a person who has attended so many more conventions than me and who has "seen how they make the convention sausage"--started Fyrecon. It's unbelievable just how much work goes into running a successful convention. There's so many things to run down, to plan, to organize, to finalize, to complete. And she and her team did an amazing job pulling it together.

Fyrecon 2 starts in a week. There's an impressive line up of guests, authors, artists, video gamers, world-famous creators and first-time authors. Last year I taught a couple of classes. This year I'm helping out behind the scenes because I believe it in. I believe we need more opportunities to meet and discuss and help each other to create art.

You can get more information by clicking: HERE. I'd love for you to join us. You can make it better by attending. If you're interested in novel, short story, even screenplay writing--we've got something for you. If you want to learn about sculpting, or even learning how to use a weave on a spinning wheel--we've got you covered. 

Next Thursday, June 21st, the doors to Fyrecon #2, or The Sequel, will open wide--will you be walking through them? I hope you do.

Fyrecon...The Little Con That Could!

This past weekend, at a beautiful satellite campus of Weber State University, a group of authors, artists, editors, agents, and those interested in seeing the continuation of great art, gathered for the first ever Fyrecon. 

It turned into the little convention that could.

I don't mean to say this was a small endeavor, because it wasn't. A lot of work went into organizing and pulling off the event. There were best-selling authors, renowned artists, amazing craftsmen and women, publishers big and small. There was so much to see and experience, if you got bored, it was your own fault. I was fortunate enough to be asked to teach a few classes and thanks to my son, and a few friends who helped out, I believe those classes turned out to be successful.

I also believe all who either went as contributors or as patrons wished more would have come to the event. Being that this was the first year, it's difficult to let people know what they're in for if they show--no one has had any experience with it before. I haven't been to a lot of conventions, but when I go, I try and gauge how everyone is doing, are they happy, frustrated, excited, miserable? I think those who went will agree that this was a good con. I felt comfortable and at ease. I think those who came tried to make it the best possible.

My guess is there will be another Fyrecon, though I haven't heard anything official. I hope so. It deserves a chance to learn from its first tentative steps on somewhat wobbly legs so it can take that knowledge and experience and one day run with strength and confidence. Thanks DawnRay and all those who worked so hard to organize something that was not only good, but important. You done good!

LTUE 2016...Is Coming!

 

If you're a writer in Utah or the surrounding states, one of the best conferences happens this week in Provo. It's called Life, The Universe & Everything and it's a great great conference. I have been asked to participate and it's a honor.

I'm on two panels. They are:

Learning the Lingo

Professional Development

Christine Haggerty

Scott Taylor, M. Scott Boone, Steve Diamond, Angie Fenimore

POD vs. print run? Net revenue vs. listed price? Galley proof vs. ARC? Content edit vs. copyedit? Understanding common jargon terms is crucial to successful negotiations, contract reviews, marketing plans or publication.

And: 

Science Fiction vs. Science Fantasy

Writing

Helge Moulding

J Scott Savage, Eric James Stone, Scott Taylor, L.E. Modesitt, Rebecca Moesta

Is there a difference between science fiction and science fantasy? Where does space opera fit in?

I am SO excited to get to know the fellow panelists and the convention attendees. It is such a great place to get to know the panelists. And students are free. Check out all the information: HERE. There's also a book signing event on Friday night and our publisher, Xchyler Publishing has a couple of tables. Drop by and pick up some great titles! And if you go, please find me. I'd love to chat. Hopefully I'll see you there!