Bobby Nash's Blog, page 424

THE GAME’S AFOOT, EH?

Issue #1 (of 2) Cover Art: Mark Sparacio Issue #1 (of 2)Arriving in comic shops September 25 from Moonstone Books--
DOMINO LADY/ SHERLOCK HOLMES #2 (of 2)

Join NY TIMES best-selling author Nancy Holder (and co-writer, Bobby Nash) in this 2-part murder mystery set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt! Domino Lady and Sherlock Holmes team up to solve the riddle of the Sphinx? Ok, not really, but they do solve this riddle of passion, identity, and antiquity!

Story: Nancy Holder
Art: To Be Announced
Colors: James Brown
Cover: Mark Sparacio
32 pages, color, 7 x 10, $3.99
www.moonstonebooks.com

Available in regular cover here and variant cover here.

Domino Lady/Sherlock Holmes #1 is still available. Learn more here.

AND IN THIS CORNER…

I was asked to share my experiences writing Fight Card: Barefoot Bones with Book Life Now. You can read the full article here and learn more about Fight Card: Barefoot Bones here and here.

Bobby

About Fight Card: Barefoot Bones:

Korea 1951.

Corporal James “Bones” Mason finds himself in the middle of a war zone. He is thrilled when his CO volunteers him for an inter-camp boxing tournament. The cease-fire is broken when a mortar attack hits interrupts his bout.

But that’s not where his story begins. “Barefoot Bones” Mason was a poor backwoods skinny kid, picked on by the larger boys, unable to fight back. All that changed the day he met Old Man Winters, a mysterious loner who teaches young Bones to defend himself.

Forced to leave behind everything he ever knew, teenage Bones hits the road, taking him from sweltering hot Georgia summers to freezing cold Chicago winters. Along the way, he has no problem finding trouble. But Bones knows how to handle trouble-- with his fists.

Can this skinny kid form the North Georgia Mountains survive the wilds of Korea so he can climb back into the ring one more time?

Fight Card: Barefoot Bones will be available in paperback soon.
Keep watching this space for more details.

You can purchase Fight Card: Barefoot Bones here.

HE'LL FIGHT FOR FREEDOM WHEREVER THERE'S TROUBLE...

Here's the GI Joe theme, sung live at "GI Joe: Celebrating Is Half the Battle panel at Dragon Con 2013 by the audience and panelists. So much fun. You can watch it below or here.

This was such a fun panel. We had a blast talking G.I. Joe.You can listen to the full panel here.

NEEDLESS THINGS PODCAST EPISODE 12: DRAGON CON 2013 GI JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO PANEL

Your panelists.Bobby Nash joined The Phantom Troublemaker, Gary Mitchel, and Noel Wood on the American Sci Fi Classics panel at Dragon Con to discuss G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. We had a great time with a fantastic audience. Now, you can hear the panel for yourself in episode 12 of the Needless Things Podcast, which you can find here.

YO, JOE!!!

Yo, Joe!From The Phantom Troublemaker’s show notes:
Finally, I was on a GI Joe panel, too. This is the one I was the most excited about because GI Joe was my big childhood thing. The cartoons, the comics, the toys. All of it. I don’t think there is another franchise that I have embraced as fully except for maybe Doctor Who (it’s a close race between Doctor Who, GI Joe, and Star Wars).

I had a truly elite special mission force for this one – Gary Mitchel, ESO’s own Award Winning Bobby Nash, and my pal Gnoll; a virtual repository of 80s information. We had a great time talking A Real
As audience sings G.I. Joe theme songAmerican Hero, but what made this panel so great was the audience. The room was absolutely packed – standing room only – and the audience was so good I’m actually a little worried it’s the best I’ll ever see. We had people in costumes and everybody was excited to participate. It was amazing.

And now, through the magic of computering, you too can take part! Listen now as we visit the Hall of Heroes to look back on America’s
I blame the "Cold Slither" shirts.Elite Fighting Force!:

Listen to Needless Things Podcast Episode 12: The Dragon Con GI Joe: A Real American Hero Panel here.

Below is still one of my all time favorite animated sequences, from the G.I. Joe animated movie.

Enjoy.

EARTH STATION ONE EPISODE 180 – THE KING OF COMICS: JACK KIRBY

Art: Jack KirbyIn 1917, an artist named Jacob Kurtzburg was born and for the next three quarters of a century, he popped and krackled his way to creating fantastic, bombastic, amazing, astonishing, strange, romantic, suspenseful, thrilling adventures unlike anyone had seen before. Mike Faber, Mike Gordon, the award-winning author Bobby Nash and fellow award-winners Mark Maddox and James R. Tuck travel to the Fourth World and back to find the words to express Jack Kirby’s influence. We also find just a bit of time to fulfill James’ dark fantasy about being strapped to The Geek Seat. Plus, the usual Rants, Raves, Khan Report, and Shout Outs!

Join us for yet another episode of The Earth Station One Podcast we like to call: The King of Comics Jack Kirby at www.esonetwork.com
Direct link: http://erthstationone.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/earth-station-one-episode-180/
My Rave
Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:07:20 Rants & Raves
0:28:05 Interview & Geek Seat w/ Author James R. Tuck
0:44:34 Jack Kirby
1:40:14 The ESO Khan Report
1:44:43 ESO Shout Outs & Show Close

Next on Earth Station One...

Next week, the ESO crew goes on a quest. We’re heading to King Arthur’s
Shout Out #1Court for a look back at Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Plus, we’ll seek out the usual assortment of Rants and Raves, Khan Report, The Geek Seat, Shout Outs, and so much more. It’s a special low-budget episode of Earth Station One.

Monty Python fans, ESO wants to hear from you. Share your favorite memories from Monty Python and The Holy Grail with us at esopodcast@gmail.com, www.esonetwork.com, Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. We love hearing from you. Who knows, we might just read yours on the show.

Download ESO Episode 180 mp3 here.

You can also find the Earth Station One podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and YouTube.

Shout Out #2

BOBBY JOINS THE REVCAST LIVE PODCAST AT DRAGON CON 2013! (PLUS NEW DRAGON CON PHOTOS)

Gary Mitchel, Jessa Phillips, and Bobby Nash - SALUTE!!!
The third annual RevCast Dragon Con Special is now live. You can listen to it here.

Dragon Con! The other large fan-run science fiction convention that all the cool geeks were at the Labor Day weekend! And once again, RevSF had a team deeply embedded, covering all the bases, causing mayhem at every turn.  Our co-host Gary Mitchel sat down with Jessa Phillips and Award Winning Author(tm) Bobby Nash to discuss the highs and lows of this year's convention.  So grab a cup of your favorite locally produced beverage and enjoy.

Our theme music this episode is "Cultists On Board" by Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, courtesy of Divine Industries.  A reminder about our feedback address: revcast@revolutionsf.com.  What shows did we miss that were your favorite?

Listen to the RevCast Dragon Con Special podcast now at http://revolutionsf.libsyn.com/rev-cast-210-dragon-con-special

I also ran across some Dragon Con photos tonight that I've not shared so I thought this would be a good place for them. As always, please click on images for a larger view.

Bobby

The Six Million Dollar Fans panel.
Jessa and Bobby talkin' seaQuest
G.I. Joe theme song sing-a-long! Yes, you heard that right.
G.I. Joe panel aftermath.
Jessa and Bobby talkin' seaQuest
The Six Million Dollar Fans panel.
Jessa and Bobby talkin' seaQuest
G.I. Joe panel.
Authors Who Podcast Panel - Bobby Nash and Gail Martin.
ESO puts American Sci Fi Classics in The Geek Seat.
ESO podcast recording for DC Podcasting Track.
G.I. Joe panel.
G.I. Joe panel.
Pulp Panel
Jessa and Bobby still talkin' seaQuest

BOBBY JOINS THE REVCAST LIVE PODCAST AT DRAGON CON 2013! (PLUS NEWAu DRAGON CON PHOTOS)

Gary Mitchel, Jessa Phillips, and Bobby Nash - SALUTE!!!
The third annual RevCast Dragon Con Special is now live. You can listen to it here.

Dragon Con! The other large fan-run science fiction convention that all the cool geeks were at the Labor Day weekend! And once again, RevSF had a team deeply embedded, covering all the bases, causing mayhem at every turn.  Our co-host Gary Mitchel sat down with Jessa Phillips and Award Winning Author(tm) Bobby Nash to discuss the highs and lows of this year's convention.  So grab a cup of your favorite locally produced beverage and enjoy.

Our theme music this episode is "Cultists On Board" by Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, courtesy of Divine Industries.  A reminder about our feedback address: revcast@revolutionsf.com.  What shows did we miss that were your favorite?

Listen to the RevCast Dragon Con Special podcast now at http://revolutionsf.libsyn.com/rev-cast-210-dragon-con-special

I also ran across some Dragon Con photos tonight that I've not shared so I thought this would be a good place for them. As always, please click on images for a larger view.

Bobby

The Six Million Dollar Fans panel.
Jessa and Bobby talkin' seaQuest
G.I. Joe theme song sing-a-long! Yes, you heard that right.
G.I. Joe panel aftermath.
Jessa and Bobby talkin' seaQuest
The Six Million Dollar Fans panel.
Jessa and Bobby talkin' seaQuest
G.I. Joe panel.
Authors Who Podcast Panel - Bobby Nash and Gail Martin.
ESO puts American Sci Fi Classics in The Geek Seat.
ESO podcast recording for DC Podcasting Track.
G.I. Joe panel.
G.I. Joe panel.
Pulp Panel
Jessa and Bobby still talkin' seaQuest

ESO NETWORK SPECIAL – 2ND ANNUAL ESO NETWORK DRAGON CON REUNION

Recording this episodeRecorded live at Dragon Con 2013, an ESO Network gathering so large, only one of the largest conventions in the country could host it! Featuring Mike Faber, Mike Gordon, Jennifer Hartshorn, and the award-winning author Bobby Nash from the Earth Station One mothership, Phantom Troublemaker from Earth Station Who, Jason & Rita De La Torre from Transmissions from Atlantis, Dr. Scott Viguie from Doctor Geek’s Laboratory, Debbie Viguie from The Thirteenth Hour, and friends of the station Mark Maddox, Mary Lou Who, Rebecca McCoy, Elizabeth Laney, and more! Special shout out to Dragon Con official Public Relations Director Greg Euston for joining us and putting up with our shenanigans.

Earth Station OneYou can listen to the ESO Network Special – 2nd Annual ESO Network Dragon Con Reunion now at www.esonetwork.com
Direct link: http://erthstationone.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/eso-network-special-2nd-annual-eso-network-dragon-con-reunion/

Earth Station Who If you would like to leave feedback or a comment on the show please call the ESO feedback line at (404)963-9057 (remember long distance charges may apply) or feel free to email us @ esopodcast@gmail.com

Visit The ESO Network at www.esonetwork.com, Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. We love hearing from you. Who knows, we might just read yours on the show.

Download ESO Network Dragon Con 2013 Special here.

You can also find the Earth Station One podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and YouTube.

Jessa Philips and Bobby Nash talk seaQuest DSV

SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF… PART 9

You want to know what? Believe it or not, people ask me questions. Yeah, I don’t get it either, but I do try to answer them as best I can. One of the perks of being a writer is getting to meet some of the most interesting people. Whether it is at conventions, store signings, through the Earth Station One podcast, writer’s groups, on social media, and sometimes just from people I run into on when I venture out of the cave I call my office, I get asked questions. Sometimes they are about writing or what I’m working on. Other times they’re out of left field. I thought it would be interesting to share some of them along with a few answers. Regardless of where they come from, here’s a few of the latest.

Check out Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, Part 6 here, Part 7 here, and Part 8 here.

Q: Do you ever use anything other than “said” or “asked” tags on your dialogue. If so, why?

I use “said” most of the time, but if I really need a portion of dialogue to stand out, then I use a different word because as readers we've learned to block out the word "said". When I use another word, it's noticed and draws extra attention to that particular piece of dialogue.

One of my pet peeves is when someone sets these hard and fast rules such as “never use any tag other than said” because not all writers are the same. Also, and this is the most important part-- not all editors and publishers are the same. As a writer, this is both good and bad. I have editors that have admonished me for using only said tags while others have asked why I don’t just use said. I write to tell the best story I can then make changes if requested by the editor/publisher.

Coming 2014Q: What are your thoughts/opinions on collaborating with other writers?

I don’t often collaborate with other writers on the actual writing part of a project, but there have been exceptions. Mike Gordon and I co-wrote the upcoming Strong Will graphic novel. We plotted it together then I wrote the script from our notes, then we went over it together to polish it. It worked out really well for us. Sean Taylor and I created The Ruby Files characters and world together, each adding bits and pieces. Once we had that pulled together, we made sure it all worked together and fit like puzzle pieces before giving it the final polish that we were both happy with. From there, that went to the publisher and then out to the writers who wrote stories for the anthology. Sean and I then wrote our own individual stories. That also worked pretty well.

Q: What are your thoughts/opinions about uncharted territory you'd like to see sci-fi, pulp fiction or horror venture into?

Good question. I look for well-written, entertaining stories. I think there are still plenty of stories left to tell and I hope I come up with a few of them. Not every story has to break new ground, however. I think you can tell a really good pulp detective story without reinventing the genre.

I love adventure stories. I would love to see more action-packed adventures come our way.

Q: What's something from your real life that's found its way into your work-in-progress?

There was a lot of me in Evil Ways, including one of the characters having my personality and the other having my brother’s personality. There’s always a little something from real life that makes it into the stories, even if it’s just a small detail like one character mentioning that he worked for a pressure gauge manufacturer, which I did once upon a time. I’ve also written stories about a few different writers, something with which I have some small experience.

 Q: How old were you when you received the call to write?

Good question. I started writing comic book stories when I was around 11 or 12, I think. I didn't really get serious about it until a couple years later. I was in my late 20's when I decided to write my first novel. Once I sold Evil Ways to a publisher in 2004, I was hooked and have been writing almost non-stop since. I absolutely love it.

Q: Have you ever received an amazing slam of inspiration at the most inappropriate time or place? During a business meeting? While babysitting? While cooking? Driving? Giving a presentation? While giving special attention to your significant other?

Coming 2014I think that’s when I get most of them. Inspiration always seems to strike at the most inopportune moments. That’s why I always try to have a notepad handy to jot down notes, although I can generally remember most of it later, at least the broad strokes.

Q: Where was your protagonist born?

In the novel I’m working on called “Snow Falls,” the main character, Abraham Snow was born in Atlanta, Georgia. After being away for years, he returns to Atlanta in this story.

Q: When is a pulp story not a pulp story?

When the story slows down and has multiple subplots that don't tie in to the main plot, lots of character introspection, or time spent doing things not integral to the story.

Q: I'm ready to ePublish my first and the thought of promoting my own book scares me spitless. Are there secrets to making this process easier?

No secrets, I'm afraid. You just have to get out thee and beat the bushes. One thing I've discovered, however, if that if all you post on social media is "buy my book" posts, people will start to ignore you. Mix in some posts about your writing goals, your writing day, accomplishments, etc. Let the readers get to know you as well as your books.

Promotion is a tricky beast. You don’t want to pester potential readers, but you also have to get the word out. It is so easy to get lost in the sea of posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I try to get the word out to newspapers, magazines, TV, podcasts, webzines, newsletters, and even this column. It’s time consuming, but a necessary part of the job.

Q: I have a question for you about going to cons. How has that experience been for you?

I love working the convention circuit. Not only is it great to get out and meet people, but it is also part of my marketing/promotion plan and I get to show off my work to hundreds, if not thousands of potential new readers. They are also great for networking and meeting creative people, some of which you might end up working with down the road. I’ve also made some wonderful friends who I met through attending conventions.

Just because I love KateeThat’s the positive side. The downside is that conventions are expensive to attend, even more so sometimes if you’re working the convention. Some shows charge for the table and you’re almost always paying your own travel and hotel. There are exceptions, and when it happens it is glorious, but it’s generally the exception, not the rule. If you’re going as a vendor or potential guest, weigh the costs and make sure you understand that there is a good chance you will not make enough money to cover those costs. It happens. There are no guarantees when it comes to selling merchandise at a convention. Some shows you’ll sell. Some you won’t. When I first started working cons, I was very focused on how much money I needed to make to cover my costs that I wasn’t enjoying the experience. Once I stopped making that my main concern, I started to enjoy myself more, which actually led to increased sales.

Bottom line, the conventions are a ton of fun, but they are still work. They are expensive and they are exhausting. And I love every minute of it.

Q: About how much of any one book do you take with you to a con?

I have a lot of titles so I can't afford to have too many copies of each on hand. Bear in mind that I have to buy all of the books I take to conventions and book signings, which can get pretty darn expensive. I usually take about 3 or 4 of each title. I don't always have the money to restock everything so I don't always have everything on the table.

The edition I ownQ: So...what's the best book you've read so far this year?

Zero Cool by John Lange (Michael Crichton) from Hard Case Crime. This book did not come out this year, but I’m way behind on my stack of books to read.

Q: What is the biggest, most unavoidable distraction that takes you from your writing? How do you attempt to control that distraction?

Family interruptions. There seems to be this assumption on their part that I can just start and stop at any time. When you stop, it’s often hard to get back into that groove. I’ve explained this until I am blue in the face, but it hasn’t really clicked. I don’t think there is much of a solution so I deal with it.

New editionQ: What's your sweet spot for writing? A specific season? A time of day? The weekend? Over night? When do you find that your writing simply flows?

I love the fall, when it’s not too hot and not too cold. I can take the laptop outside and write for hours on the back porch. Sadly, I live in Georgia, where fall lasts about a week.

Q: Research. How much do you do and what are your favorite resources?

It varies. A lot of my research is for the pulp stories I write, which are usually period pieces. I have to see what was developed or invented and when. “When were helicopters in use?” that sort of thing. For my modern day novels, I’ve talked with FBI agents, police officers, reporters, lawyers, etc. to get background for characters. Google can also be your friend.

Q: Is your protagonist married or in a relationship?

I kind of cover the whole spectrum. In Evil Ways, Harold Palmer is married. In Deadly Games!, John Bartlett is not (although he used to be), and Benjamin West is in a relationship.

Q: Does your protagonist have any children?

In Evil Ways, Harold Palmer has a daughter, age 4.

Q: What got you into writing/drawing comic books or graphic novels?
On Fat Chance set
As a kid, I wanted to draw. I started writing comic book scripts so I would have something to draw. When other artists started asking me to write stories for them to draw, I knew I was on to something. Once I focused on writing, I was able to get work.

Q: What was the most difficult thing about breaking into the comic book industry?

Finding someone to give me a chance. It’s a catch-22. No one wants to be the first one to hire you. When you have a published book in your hands, it is a little easier to talk to a publisher or editor.

Q: What do you think about indie publishing?

I love indie publishing. I think that is where the biggest chances are being taken in terms of storytelling, content, and exploring genres that mainstream publishing doesn’t necessarily focus on. I believe that indie publishing is where popular trends find their footing. For example, look at all of the new pulp, or pulp-inspired, work being published today. It was indie publishers that got that wave rolling.

Q: How do you make your own work stand out?

With my work, I try to look for a new angle from which to approach the material. There are tropes you have to work within, obviously, but wherever I can, I look for a different way to look at a plot. I write with my own voice. So far it has worked for me.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone trying to create their first comic book or graphic novel?

If your goal is to write, draw, letter, color, edit, publish, etc. for a living, to make it your career, then you have to treat it like a job. That means the occasional sleepless night to meet deadlines. It can also mean having to miss out of social activities or seeing negative reviews on line. Keeping that level of professionalism isn’t easy, but it’s a great skill to learn. Sure, it’s a job we love, but it’s still a job. That means putting your butt in the seat even when you might not feel like writing.

Coming 2014Q: What fresh hell are you conjuring? New stories, new sales, new whatevers. Share.

Writing. Lots and lots of writing. Three stories to finish this month I can't elaborate on as yet. Just announced is the new Ghost Gal series I'll be writing for Raven's Head Press, which I'm pretty excited about and will start on in October, right after I finish the Honey West/Domino Lady novel for Moonstone. Oh, and I just finished shooting a comedy/horror movie called Fat Chance, which will be out next year. My first acting gig as a main character with lines. WOOT! There's other stuff in the pipeline as well, but those are the biggies. As always, www.bobbynash.com is the place to keep up with my projects.

Coming 2014And I think that is a good place to finish this round of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… Do you have any questions you’d like me to answer? Post them here as a comment or send them along to bobby@bobbynash.com and I’ll answer them in a future installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff...

Also, please sign up for my mailing list. Drop me an email at bobby@bobbynash.com and I'll happily add you to the list.

Thanks.

Bobby

AND IN CONCLUSION...

Today was a busy day. Far busier than I was expecting.

I helped my Mom with grocery shopping, then helped my Dad build a deck, and finally settled in for writing time, but had edits/corrections on 2 projects in the ol' inbox, one of which was for the Domino Lady novel that I wrote last year. I'm excited to see that moving along. I took care of both of those today and got them sent back to their respective editors. Tomorrow, I’m going over a script and hopefully get a few thousand words in on this story. 

I also made some banners to promote the novel when the time comes, but also to remind everyone that the Domino Lady anthology, Sex As A Weapon will be returning to print in October. If you missed it the first time around, now's your chance. Plus, my Domino Lady novel spins right out of the story I wrote for the anthology. You don't have to read one to understand the other, but together they paint a bigger picture. Which banner do you like best?

There's just not enough hours in the day, I tell ya.

How was your day?

Bobby
Click image for larger view.