Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing is Back

For those interested in the fantasy and SF literary fields, Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing is one of the best podcasts out there. They do news, reviews, and best of all, author interviews. But be careful, you might end up buying a few books. They have been on hiatus... BUT NOW THEY ARE BACK!

One of the things that sets AiSFP apart is that Shaun Farrell really researches the author he interview and asks great questions. Who has been on the show? Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, David J. Williams, Elizabeth Bear and Tobias Buckell, Neil Gaiman, Lois McMaster Bujold, Timothy Zahn, Michael Moorcock, Larry Niven, Kay Kenyon, Robert J. Sawyer, Dan Simmons, and many others. The guests really are amazing.

While I was at the San Diego Comic-Con last weekend, I noticed Kevin J. Anderson was sitting at his table and upon remembering the AiSFP interview I had recently listened to (I am way behind, but catching up), I met Mr. Anderson and bought his new book. After hearing how I came to arrive at his table, Mr. Anderson proclaimed to his wife, "A podcast direct sale!" Yes, that was true. If I hadn't heard the interview I would have passed right by.

The first post hiatus episode features an interview with Greg Van Eekhout, author of Norse Code. Another good interview and his book sounds interesting.

Check it out.

Comic-Con 2009 - Booths

The Comic-Con Exhibition hall fills the entire convention center. There are thousands of cool things to look at and after 3 days of wandering I didn't see it all. My favorite thing to do at Comic-Con is to wander the Artists Alley and surrounding areas and talk to the different artists and get sketches. I also love to look at the new toys and the independent publishers and buy their comics if they intrigue me.

I would like to thank Christopher Moeller, Dave Dorman, Steve Bryant, Scott Hampton, Matt Wagner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Erik Larsen, Phil Hester, Adam Byrne, Andy Kuhn, Andrew Kudelka, Dan Panosian, and Bill Maus for the great conversation and sketches.

There was a line for spinning a wheel for New Moon swag, but as you can see, I didn't get in that line. I did get a plastic personalized photo Village ID card at the Prisoner Booth, though, with no waiting.

The Weta booth had awesome stuff including these cool rayguns priced at almost $700.

Jon Favreau was signing in the Marvel booth a number of times. I have met him several times and he is a genuinely nice guy.

Paolo Parente showed off some Dust stuff, but I don't think it was new this year. If this is a figure from the perpetually upcoming minis game then the figures are around 40mm. If that's the case, I will not be buying. After the lessons of FFG's Mutant Chronicles game, one would hope that the lesson was learned. Make 30mm figures so that people that don't intend to play your game will still buy them for other games because they are soooo cool.

Sideshow had an amazing array of stuff...

Sideshow had artists decorate customs versions of their Stormtrooper figures. Some of these are awesome.

Comic-Con 2009 - Costumes

One of the awesome things about Comic-Con is the startling number of high quality costumes wandering around the convention hall floor. Fifteen years ago it was half Star Wars and half Star Trek. But back then the Con was dominated by men. Now, the gender is split about half and half, and the Star Trek costumes are few and far between. But, I bet that will change next year.

This year Steam Punk was on the rise and the costumes are of a wider range of themes than ever. Feast your eyes on some of the brilliant work by talented and brave (or brazen) individuals.