The Demon Robots – new story

The robots were made under the direction of demons who possessed people.

Then the demons inhabited the robots.

We who still felt we were alive, not just simply meat bags to serve the machines, gathered under the city to plot our rebellion, seeking ways to take out the robots before they took us all out.

I had a mission: find the man with the robot-destroying weapon and help him to save humanity.

My new story The Demon Robots is now available from Amazon as an ebook: https://amzn.to/2xJePBb  and in paperback: https://amzn.to/2M82ny8. It will be exclusive to Amazon for 3 months in Kindle Unlimited, but will make its way to the other ebook sites in time.

Comic Book, Science-fiction and Fan Conventions

I started off going to comic book conventions (sometimes they were part of Science-fiction conventions, too) back in the mid 1980’s, when I was at the height of my comic book collecting. (Ah, the 80’s were a great time for so many forms of art: comics, movies, and music, but that’s another story!) These events were great fun, usually held in a big hotel downtown, where you got to meet some of the comic book creators and get your books signed, listen to talks, and meet other fans.

I made some good friends that way, and got some deals on books from dealers who had tables at the “cons” as we called them. And it was always amazing to find out that there were actual people behind the names that were printed in the credits of the books (hey, I was still quite young, so give me a break for being amazed at the obvious!). I got many of my comics signed by the people that made them, which only made the value of the books go up, both as collectibles in dollar value, and in sentimental value to me (I’ll never sell many of those beloved books, I’m sure).

Back then, any sort of “fan” conventions were few and far between, but not any more. I see all kinds ads for big fan cons these days, and hardly any comic book conventions – but I’m sure they are still comic book cons, just not as many as there used to be. I know there are, as once in a while I’ll see an ad for one.

I’ve been debating if I should go and spend the money to rent some table space at one of these big fan cons and display my books for sale. Couldn’t hurt, and I’m sure I’d pick up some readers for my books, and have fun doing it. But which ones to “table” at? I’ve not attended any such events for a few years now, so I’m a bit out of touch.

If any of you out there attend comic book conventions, fan cons, or similar things, would you let me know which ones you like to go to? Then maybe I’ll see you there!

-Dave

 

Blogging

I’ve been doing this “blog streak” exercise for nearly 2 weeks now, and think I could continue for longer, if I was enjoying it more. But I’m not.

I dislike having to do my own writing to a set schedule, always have. I think my time is better spent working on my novels and short stories, of which there’s a big backlog!

That’s not to say I won’t make blog posts from time to time, but I’d rather make a post when I have something I really want to express, rather than have to come up with something daily, just to have it done. I was never much of a blogger anyhow.

So, look for less blog posts and more of my books and stories. Good deal? I think so, hope you will, too.

Online’s not perfect

I’ve come to learn over the years that nothing is 100% reliable online. Things happen to put services out, and email doesn’t always get through.

I’ve had people think I am ignoring them if I didn’t respond to their emails within minutes – sometimes I never got the emails. So, I always check in the case of not hearing back from someone, or if it was an important message. Those bits and bytes don’t always make it!

Still, it quite amazing how reliable online services and emails are, given the volume of online traffic these days! I started going online with BBS’s and dial-up modems, and even that was something incredible at the time. Now, the online experience is far more advanced, and we often take it for granted. But it wasn’t always like it is now…

There is now a generation growing up who have always known the World Wide Web and the Internet as we know it today. That’s pretty wild to think about! I didn’t have that for a good portion of my life, so I can clearly see the contrast to now; both pre and post-Internet.

It really is like a different world with the Internet, but one that still has its imperfections. Which is not surprising, as humans are imperfect – or maybe we are perfectly imperfect, just like we’re meant to be.

Blog Post Streak Count: Day 11

Tip Jar: If you like what I write, you can help me do more of it by clicking on the Paypal Donate button below. Thank you!




Putting your art out there

I’ve met a few great artists of different types that no one is ever going to enjoy their work. They refuse to really put it out there into the world. I’m talking about artists who work in many mediums: painting, writing and recording music, writing fiction, and taking pictures.

Why they don’t make the effort could be any number of reasons, but I think the chief one of them is likely fear of rejection. It’s not easy to put your art on display for the world and take any comments that come. But I think it’s better to still do it anyway, as then you’ll be sharing your artistic gift with the world, and the world could do with some more great art.

I talked to these artists, even tried to help some of them get their work out there, but in the end they didn’t. I feel fortunate that I got to appreciate their art at least, by knowing them. It’s not that their talents were any less than any other artists who have their work in the public eye, it’s just that they lacked the drive, or the nerve, to let their work go out into the world. I think that’s a sad thing.

But it’s their choice in the end, and if doing the art gives them satisfaction, that may be enough – but some of them have even given up on their art, as they were discouraged by the commercial aspect of it all! I’m not sure what to say to that, except try again when you feel like it.

I wish I could show you some of the art I’ve seen and experienced that’s never been on wide release, some of it was really stunning! I’m sure the same can be said for the work of many other artists who are private, or only show their work in limited venues.

Just think of all the amazing art out there waiting to be discovered!

Blog Post Streak Count: Day 10

Tip Jar: If you like what I write, you can help me do more of it by clicking on the Paypal Donate button below. Thank you!