I’m a writer, and I can’t find the words to express how fun Gen-Con was this year! Here’s a video compilation of the fun things I did and crazy/amazing people I met. Thanks Eric Anderson and Darrin Ball for joining me on this adventure!
Please enjoy, True Believers!
I’ve discovered that my current photo gallery plug-in is annoying. So, I’ve downloaded a new one, but I haven’t figured it all out yet. I say all this to say that it’ll be a few days before I post any new photos. Sorry, True Believers! I promise I’ll get it taken care of soon!
My BIGGEST signing of the year is nearly here!
You may remember that I went to Gen-Con last year. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Well, I’ll be returning this year. The convention is this weekend, August 15-18, in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s being held at the Indiana Convention Center, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Lucas Oil Stadium (where the Colts play). I’ll be selling copies of my books–including Pandora’s Box–and promoting Children of the Wells in the vendors’ area all four days. The hours will 10am-6pm Thursday-Saturday (9am for VIGs Thursday) and 10am-4pm Sunday. I will be taking breaks to attend a few events and meet Walter Koenig (the original Chekhov!) and Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor!), but this year I’m bringing my friend Eric as an assistant, so he’ll be manning my table if I’m not there. (Thanks, Eric!)
By the way, I’ll be cosplaying as a different sci-fi/comic book hero each day of the convention. Who will they be? Come to Gen-Con to find out!
Gen Con Indy is the original, longest-running, best-attended, gaming convention in the world!
For more than 45 years, Gen Con Indy has set the trend in gaming and has broken attendance records. Last year, more than 134,775 turnstile and 41,000 unique attendees experienced Gen Con Indy.
Featuring game industry veterans, award-winning authors and artists, jaw-dropping costumes, thousands of events, a growing Family Fun Pavilion, and the newest games on the market, Gen Con truly is The Best Four Days in Gaming™!
Gen Con is more than just a convention, however. It’s a passion, a community, and a unique experience that keeps people coming back for decades.
Learn more about the convention at its website here.
See you there!
If I don’t, I’ll do my best to post daily updates!
In the last few years, I’ve created Facebook fanpages for both Pandora’s Box and Destroyer. They were mildly successful, but I hardly do anything with them now. So, I’ve decided to consolidate to one page for everything. I’ll be shutting down the other two pages by the end of the month, probably. So now I present the official Facebook fanpage for yours truly, Nathan Marchand. Click here to join!
Today marks the beginning of the serialization of my novella, The Fall of the House of Kyzer. Here’s a synopsis for you:
In Thyrion, power is everything.
But not for Jaysynn, the youngest of the Kyzer royal family who rule the city with an iron fist. He alone is unable to manipulate magic, making him an outcast in his own family. However, General Dracon, himself non-Select, sees the prince’s potential and trains him to be a warrior in his own right.
In the wake of the Cataclysm, Jaysynn is the only Kyzer to survive. Ascending to the throne, he is overwhelmed by the weight of the crown and the devastation of his city. What’s worse, he learns of a conspiracy brewing within his own ranks. Even as Emperor, he feels like an outcast.
It will introduce a character (not Jaysynn) who, I hope, will be a prominent villain in future stories.
Chapters of this novella will be posted on the website every Tuesday and Thursday for the next several months. You can also subscribe via our e-mail newsletter. We also post a “behind-the-scenes” blog every Friday. We love getting feedback from our readers.
To join the adventure, click here.
I was going to post a new episode of my vlog, “But I Digress…,” which is a review of the new Superman film, Man of Steel, but YouTube won’t let me. Or rather, it makes my video bug out and gets muted at the same place every time I uploaded it. I don’t know if it’s because the video’s encoding is corrupted (it plays fine on my laptop) or if YouTube is being a jerk because I used two pieces of Superman music. Those are the only explanations I can think of. If it’s the latter, what’s the problem? I’m using them to promote the new film and do some comedy! Last I heard, that was allowed in copyright law.
Regardless, this isn’t the first time I’ve had issues posting videos on YouTube. I did e-mail their customer support, but I have no idea if that will help.
I’m to the point where I think I may start posting videos elsewhere, even if it means I won’t get as much exposure. Perhaps I’ll find a video plug-in for WordPress. I also hear good things about Vimeo. Or YouTube will fix things. Who knows what where my future videos will find their home?
If I did “move ” I wouldn’t abandon my YouTube channel. I’d use it for previews of my videos, or perhaps for personal videos. Only time will tell.
Until then, please be patient as I figure out how and where to get my new vlog posted.
The new web serial, Chidlren of the Wells, launches today! (No joke!) Click here for the website.
It begins with the serialization of The Select’s Bodyguard, a novella by my friend Nick Hayden. The story is as follows:
When Bron, bodyguard to the Select, is jolted awake by an explosion, he quickly discovers that the entire city of Jalseion is in flames. Everywhere, people are dead, buildings collapsed, whole neighborhoods demolished. The scientific center of the world…burning to the ground.
And the Select, those who rule through the magic in the wells? Where are they, and what has happened to the magic that powers the city?
Bron banishes fear and uncertainty as he crosses the rubble with one goal: to find her.
Nothing else matters.
This story will go until July, when my novella, The Fall of the House of Kyzer, and The Doctor’s Assistant by Laura Fischer will start being posted.
You can read more about my involvement with the serial here.
You may remember that I participated in National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo). It was “unofficial” participation, since I didn’t use the prompts provided on the website; I simply endeavored to write one poem a day for the month of April. This year, however, I’m going to try using the prompts. It’ll probably be difficult, but it’ll be a worthwhile exercise, I’m sure. So, you can expect posts from me daily in the coming month.
If you’d like to read my favorite poems from last year, click here.
Wondering why I haven’t posted a new video lately? I explain why here. I also make an important announcement.
Featuring the song “The Touch” by Stan Bush.
I’ve been meaning to announce this for some time, but I’ve been ironing out a few details first.
I will have a book signing at the new Roanoke Public Library in Roanoke, Indiana. It will be at the library’s new location. Moving to this new place has been a big community undertaking, so much so that Indiana’s newly-elected governor is scheduled to appear! Yes, True Believers, Mike Pence will be at this signing! You what’s even better? I actually like him as governor!
The signing will be May 4 from 10am-3pm. Come buy copies of my books or bring your own so I can sign them–for free! (My signatures are always free).