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.

I Voted...Must Be That Time Of Year

Ballots for this year's election were sent out this week. Like in year's past, I opened the letter and expected to see name after name, resolution after resolution to choose from. Instead, there were six names on the ballot. I was to chose four.

It was kind of a letdown. 

I'm not going to say that I love to vote. I mean, I believe it's important, something I try and do as much as possible, even when I'm not fully informed on the candidates and issues. But, I don't look forward to it, don't count down the days to election day. Politics have become (and, perhaps have always been...) a bloodsport. It seems to make good people less so and corruption appears to be the name of the game.

Since there's opposition in all things, there's so much corruption because there's so much good that can come of it. It's not that voting and government is the answer the all problems--far from it, but it allows our society to function, to prevent chaos and anarchy. 

Still, I try not to allow the bad things to prevent me from participating. 

This year I voted for one (of two candidates...) two-year city council position, and I voted for three (out of four...) four-year city council positions. I admit, I should have studied more about the people running. Images of their accompanying political signs that are scattered all around town came to mind as I made my choices and sealed up the envelope. A quick trip to the post office and off it went.

Another year, another ballot. Next year's the big one, the one with local, state, and national choices to make, resolutions to consider, judges to...well, judge. Some love voting. They treat elections like a sporting event and 2020 will be an Olympic year in more way s than one. For me, it'll be another year to fill out the ballot and send it in. Until then...