Time To Vote Early...For Dave And Michaelbrent At Dragon Con!

Almost seven years ago, to the day, I walked into the Salt Palace Convention Center excited and a little nervous. It was Day 1 of the very first Salt Lake Comic Con (later, Salt Lake FanX Comics Convention...). I arrived early, having picked up my "Special Guest" pass. I was a panelist and I didn't know what the crap I was doing or what was about to happen.

I ran into a friend, Blake, who was on the executive committee. It was Blake that signed me up as a panelist. While he and I chatted, a distinguished gentleman approached. I recognized him immediately.

Michaelbrent Collings.

Best-selling Horror author.

I met both Blake and Michaelbrent years earlier at a writing convention. They presented a panel on screenwriting. I attended their panel because a few years earlier, I won a screenwriting contest and my script was turned into an award-winning short film. Blake and I kept in touch.

Blake left and so Michaelbrent and I chatted. "There's an author you should meet," he said. "He's here from Boise."

"Sure," I said.

I had no idea that what came next would sort of change my life.

I met Dave Butler. He had spent the previous few years writing several books that he published himself, but you could tell he was destined for bigger and better things. Fast forward seven years and now both Michaelbrent and Dave are finalists for the Dragon Awards. According to Wikipedia (the fount of all surface knowledge...): 

The Dragon Awards are a set of literary and media awards voted on by fandom and presented annually since 2016 by Dragon Con for excellence in various categories of science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels, movies, television, and games.Wikipedia

Both of these amazing authors are up for awards this year, Dave for Witchy Kingdom, and Michaelbrent for Scavenger Hunt. You can help them out. The rules are such--click: HERE to register. Once you register Dragon Con will e-mail you a ballot. Follow the instructions and, BOOM! You've done your part to help humanity! Is this voting as important as the votes America will cast next November?

Of course!

But seriously, the Dragon Award is a highly respected recognition of science fiction and fantasy voted by you, the readers. It's a chance for us nerds to have our voice be heard, and counted.

Seven years ago, I met two former attorneys turned writers. Now, they're being recognized for their hard work and talent. If you have a moment, vote. It's a good thing.

Michaelbrent Colling's War On Suicide...A Worthy Cause

A friend sent a request to get the word out about his new project. I said I'd help out. My friend is Michaelbrent Collings and I've tried to support many of his projects in the past--mostly they've been blogs about books he's written. Unfortunately, his latest project is more serious. Michaelbrent's tackling suicide prevention. In fact, he's declaring War on Suicide.

You can access his website: HERE. 

I first met Michaelbrent at LTUE Writing Symposium probably five years ago. He and Blake Casselman gave a class on screenwriting. I took their class because a few years earlier I had a screenplay made into a movie, but I hope I never forget the advice I got from Michaelbrent and Blake that day.

Fast forward to now. I've run into Michaelbrent at least a couple times each year since then--each time at a writing convention or Comic Con. I've also had the opportunity to meet and get to know members of his family (his parents are two of the greatest people I know...). During those times I've learned a little bit more about the writer and some of the demons he faces on a daily basis. The fact that he reached out to his friends asking for help is a brave thing to do.

Unfortunately, many don't...hence the problem.

If you know Michaelbrent, you know he's accomplished so much in the relatively short time he's been on the planet. Lawyer, martial arts expert, best-selling author and screenwriter--of course, he'd say those accomplishments pale to being a good father and husband. For someone--anyone--to ask for help of such a personal nature should not only be commended, but supported. Chances are you know someone affected by this, or maybe even you have faced these challenges yourself. If so, check out Michaelbrent's website. When we work together, miracles can happen. Once again, click: HERE to reach his site. Let's help him win the war!

Michealbrent Collings's "Twisted"...A Book Review

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If you've got an hour (or so...) to kill, and you're on the internet, ending up somewhere that is completely unexpected or seeing something you never knew existed should not be surprising. This really has nothing to do with Michealbrent Collings Twisted, but his story brought back a memory.

Maybe it was a podcast I heard but somehow I ended up on a site where photographer during Victorian times took pictures of dead people in the most disturbing poses. Those who had passed were made to appear as if alive, sometimes standing with siblings or other family members even though they were dead.

Twisted involves a young family. I've read several of this author's books and I feel one of Collings's strengths is his ability to create believable characters with which you can easily empathize. The couple has their struggles and the addition of a newborn with physical issues only adds to the overall despair for the family. 

As they cope with the pitfalls of life, the creepiness comes. And if you're squeamish around centipedes, you may want to not read this book. Because they're in there and there's a lot of them.

The book also deals with abuse. The audiobook version includes some thoughts from the author about abuse and its ugliness--no horror novel can eclipse the real-life stories people experience on a daily basis. Either we've experienced it or know those who have. It brings a somber end to a book about ghosts and evil doings.

Yet, there is hope as well. We all deal with issues--it's part of being human. It's how we act and what we do that makes a difference. 

As stated earlier, I have read several of Collings's books. For me this one wasn't as straight-forward as the others. Perhaps this isn't a fair statement, but I did find my mind wandering at times while I listened to the audiobook, something I don't remember doing while I listened to The Loon, Strangers, or Darkbound. I don't necessarily think the book's to blame either--it might be all my own doing. Just something took me off topic a few times.

Having said that, if you like the horror genre, Collings delivers a thought-provoking story. He's a dependable writer--you know what you're going to get. The same thing applies to Twisted. It's a story of imperfect people trying to survive.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24234926-twisted?ac=1

Strangers, By Michaelbrent Collings...A Book Review

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I'm convinced that most people watch shows like The Jerry Springer Show and Hoarders so they can feel better about them selves. "Sometimes my house is a mess, but it's nothing like that one on Hoarders," we say. So the last thing I thought I'd question after reading Michaelbrent Collings's Strangers, is my skills as a father.

Seriously, that's what went through my mind. Collings is in the process of converting his large library of published works into an audiobook format. This is the second I've read/heard. It followed the pattern of his other book I read, The Loon, lots of gore, terrifying situations and we cannot forget the blood (heaven knows Collings doesn't...). ;)

I like Collings style. He knows how to pace a story. Sometimes the small details in the dialogue or the subtle descriptions have the most impact. The story revolves around a family trapped in what is normally their most safe environment, their house, but soon their home becomes a prison and we have no idea if anyone will leave alive. What I found interesting is the story could have been written without any of the gore, terrifying situations and the blood. The characters are deep enough--each with personal horrors in their own lives--that the revelations of those secrets could fill the pages of a novel. Of course, it wouldn't be a horror novel, but engaging, just the same.

So, how does all this make me question my skills as a father? Collings creates a family where they are basically strangers to each other. They go through the motions of a "normal" family, but that's all. I kept asking myself if I acted in a similar fashion, acting the part, going through the motions. Then all the mayhem begins and those thoughts took a back seat to the action.

I'd like to think I'm not that kind of a husband and father, but even the best husband and father can do more. So, if I wake up and my house is shut off from the outside world with a killer on the loose, I'd like to think I'll at least know more about my family as we run from room to room being scared to death.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18052867-strangers?from_search=true

The Loon...By Michaelbrent Collings

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I don't read a lot of horror stories. Since I didn't read much in my youth I've spent the last few years trying to catch up on the classics. And there's so many classics out there. I've got a long way to go.

A few years ago I met the author Michaelbrent Collings and for some reason, he's been very nice to me. You can visit his website: HERE. The other day he sent out a message asking if anyone wanted to read his story, The Loon. It seems he had a few extra audio copies to interested readers, or listeners. I was too late to get a free copy, but I decided to go to Audible.com and pick it up anyway.

I listened to the entire nine-hour audiobook in one day.

It's interesting to read a story by someone you know personally because, as the story unfolds, you are reading between the lines to psychoanalyze not the character's motivations, but the authors.

Like I said earlier, I don't read a lot of horror stories. I should have expected a scenario where no one--and I mean no one--is safe, but I kept thinking things might turn out differently (that's my faith in humanity kicking in....got to lose that if I want to read more horror). I thought the way Collings blended horror and science fiction worked well for the story. The story could have worked with one terrifying monster--Collings gives us two. I should also include that the beginning of the book made me squirm...reading it as a dad was brutal!

In short, I liked it. I suppose time will tell if I will become a connoisseur of the genre. If so, The Loon has started me on the path, a path we all know, should not be traveled alone.

* Photo used without permission from Michaelbrent's website: http://michaelbrentcollings.com/portfolio_full_TheLoon.html

Meet Dave Butler...

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This is Dave.

Dave is an author.

Dave's a musician.

Dave is tall.

Dave is also a very cool guy.

Last Thursday I entered the halls of the Salt Palace Convention Center nervous and a bit overwhelmed. In a few hours I would be sitting in front of people (who paid good money...) and talk about subjects I felt unqualified to discuss.

I arrived early and decided to check out the vendor hall. It was there I ran into a friend and author, Michaelbrent Collings. That's him on the right, next to Blake Casselman, Comic Con organizer extraodinaire. If you google "Michaelbrent" he's pretty much the only one with that name--genius for an author...). We chatted, caught up. He's such a nice guy.

"Have you met Dave Butler?" he asked. Of course I had not. "You should go meet him. You can't miss him. He's like 6' 8'. He's really funny and he's got an guitar."

Intrigued, I ventured on until I found the only tall person holding a guitar on the vendor floor--most likely, the entire building.

"You're Dave Butler!" This he knew. We introduced each other then had a little chat. I knew he would be on the steampunk panel with me. It took only a few minutes before I knew I had nothing to worry about as far as the panels went. Maybe it was his sense of humor, or the comments he made, or the free music CD he gave me (that he usually charges for...). I don't know. But after leaving the booth where his books were sold, I felt different. I felt better.

So, thanks Dave for your help. You may not have realized it, but you made my Comic Con experience so much better! 

If you want to know more about the talented Dave (I could have mentioned his profound knowledge about Steampunk, but I didn't...), check out his website and buy his book, for he is the world's only Mormon Steampunk author--a title he will most like never have to give up.

Dave's Website: HERE.

* Photo borrowed from Craig Nybo's Facebook photos without permission. Thanks Craig!

Michaelbrent Collings, Author, Podcast Guest

Podcast #2 Is Up And Running!

I met Michaelbrent Collings in March of this year (I think it was March...). He and another screenwriter, Blake Casselman gave a workshop on screenwriting. They did an excellent job. It took a while for me to realize that Michaelbrent was the same person I had seen give a panel discussion the day before in which he spoke of the numerous books he had written. In short, the guy writes and he writes A LOT.

So when I thought about writers who could help contribute to my fledgling podcast, his name came to mind and let me tell you, a nicer participant I could not have asked for. He was gracious, accommodating, and went above and beyond to help contribute of my 2nd podcast ever.

If you don't know who Michaelbrent is, just go to his website: HERE. You'll find all about the books he's written. His genre of choice? Horror. And if the first chapter of his latest book is any indication, he's good at eliciting a response. 

Check out Michaelbrent reading the first chapter of his latest book Apparition. You'll find the link: HERE. Yeah, it's creepy, but that's what he was going for.