Hugo Negron's Blog, page 7
July 12, 2019
An Ernest Gary Gygax trek to Lake Geneva
I was introduced to Dungeons and Dragons/Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, by my 7th grade teacher, who brought her collection of gaming manuals and miniature lead figures used for the game into her classroom to teach leadership, creativity, and how to work in a team. I became hooked, collected my own manual copies as well as various miniatures, and played both on the dungeon master side and on the player character side. Atari, comics, Star Wars, and AD&D - talk about a golden era of imagination back then!
I decided to take a day to visit Lake Geneva, the birthplace of D&D/AD&D, and see if I could find some of the hidden gaming landmarks amongst the boutiques, resorts, wineries, and bistros (including the many mansions owned by such families as the Wrigleys, Schwinns, and others that a lake cruise tour can bring to one's attention). Would the quest be fruitful?
Here we have Gary Gygax's home at 925 Dodge Street in Lake Geneva. When he was just a kid, Gary and his family moved from Chicago to this stately home - the home of his mother's parents - back in 1946. Not sure who owns this now, of course, but they have obviously done a great job maintaining this residence.
In 1976, Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), the company Gary founded to produce the D&D game that both he and Dave Arneson created, takes up a house on 723 Williams Street in Lake Geneva to be their new office/hobby store location. It was known as "The Gray House." Again, its obviously currently inhabited, but hey, it's still there!
Directly before the Riviera, there are various plaque dedications surrounding a small fountain. There is a particularly interesting one with a dragon perched atop the image of a 20-sided dice...
And here it is - a plaque honoring Gary Gygax. A hidden gem indeed!
Horticultural Hall - where Gen Con started back in August of 1968. Nearly 100 gamers and fans attended that initial gaming convention. Compare this to Gen Con's attendance in 2017 of nearly 208,000 fans who came from around the world to attend the event now located in downtown Indianapolis, IN. I wonder if any present at that inaugural day would ever have believed the growth that was going to take place?
This is it. In the early 60's, Gary got married and moved back to Chicago. Just a few years later he would return to Lake Geneva to rent this house at 330 Center Street. Here he builds an infamous gaming table in his basement to host various miniature wargames - and eventually this is the birthplace where the D&D game was created.
I decided to take a day to visit Lake Geneva, the birthplace of D&D/AD&D, and see if I could find some of the hidden gaming landmarks amongst the boutiques, resorts, wineries, and bistros (including the many mansions owned by such families as the Wrigleys, Schwinns, and others that a lake cruise tour can bring to one's attention). Would the quest be fruitful?
Here we have Gary Gygax's home at 925 Dodge Street in Lake Geneva. When he was just a kid, Gary and his family moved from Chicago to this stately home - the home of his mother's parents - back in 1946. Not sure who owns this now, of course, but they have obviously done a great job maintaining this residence.
In 1976, Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), the company Gary founded to produce the D&D game that both he and Dave Arneson created, takes up a house on 723 Williams Street in Lake Geneva to be their new office/hobby store location. It was known as "The Gray House." Again, its obviously currently inhabited, but hey, it's still there!
Directly before the Riviera, there are various plaque dedications surrounding a small fountain. There is a particularly interesting one with a dragon perched atop the image of a 20-sided dice...
And here it is - a plaque honoring Gary Gygax. A hidden gem indeed!
Horticultural Hall - where Gen Con started back in August of 1968. Nearly 100 gamers and fans attended that initial gaming convention. Compare this to Gen Con's attendance in 2017 of nearly 208,000 fans who came from around the world to attend the event now located in downtown Indianapolis, IN. I wonder if any present at that inaugural day would ever have believed the growth that was going to take place?
This is it. In the early 60's, Gary got married and moved back to Chicago. Just a few years later he would return to Lake Geneva to rent this house at 330 Center Street. Here he builds an infamous gaming table in his basement to host various miniature wargames - and eventually this is the birthplace where the D&D game was created.
June 25, 2019
Qualtan and Kaiju...
Another influence to the physical details of Forging of a Knight's main hero Qualtan came from a rather unique source...
...our valiant knight usually wears (when its not smashed, melted, punctured, torn, or otherwise being mangled) a special set of golden armor. This wasn't just to offset him as being different from all the silver suited knights in the series. True, I wanted him to stand out but why all gold, and not a mix of different hues?
That answer stems from a certain kaiju (giant monster) TV series from way back in the 70's I used to watch as a kid. The nemesis? The evil Dr. Gori, super scientist alien ape with a pink sense of fashion and a peculiar penchant for making these bizarre hand movements every time he would talk (scary, huh?). He and his ape henchman Karas would try to take over the world to basically remove that nasty human population that was apparently not appreciative of their eden-like planet, ruining it with their pollution. Usually, our mad scientist space ape would create giant monsters from said pollution to run amok per episode (so some heavy eco-savvy concepts here for a weekly giant cyborg-monster bashup).
The hero was this golden hued cyborg that would take human form, and in that guise, work with a pollution fighting team while sneaking off when the monsters showed up to become his more metal sided aspect for the perfunctory wrestling match through miniature city models.
Ah, the fun of these silly series back then - Ultraman, Space Giants, Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot, and this show...how can you not love zippered monster suits, human wrists showing between the monster gloves and the rest of the costumes, and attacking toy tanks, jeeps, and planes pulled along by very visible strings? But that golden colored hero stayed in my mind. Many years ago, I found some of the characters from this series on Ebay and almost forgot I still had these little 3 1/2" guys which I recently found again wrapped up in a box during some basement cleaning. When I created Qualtan, his golden armor stemmed from the image of that golden cyborg.
So does anyone recognize this metal hero...played by Tetsuo Narikawa,or the name of the series based on said character?
...our valiant knight usually wears (when its not smashed, melted, punctured, torn, or otherwise being mangled) a special set of golden armor. This wasn't just to offset him as being different from all the silver suited knights in the series. True, I wanted him to stand out but why all gold, and not a mix of different hues?
That answer stems from a certain kaiju (giant monster) TV series from way back in the 70's I used to watch as a kid. The nemesis? The evil Dr. Gori, super scientist alien ape with a pink sense of fashion and a peculiar penchant for making these bizarre hand movements every time he would talk (scary, huh?). He and his ape henchman Karas would try to take over the world to basically remove that nasty human population that was apparently not appreciative of their eden-like planet, ruining it with their pollution. Usually, our mad scientist space ape would create giant monsters from said pollution to run amok per episode (so some heavy eco-savvy concepts here for a weekly giant cyborg-monster bashup).
The hero was this golden hued cyborg that would take human form, and in that guise, work with a pollution fighting team while sneaking off when the monsters showed up to become his more metal sided aspect for the perfunctory wrestling match through miniature city models.
Ah, the fun of these silly series back then - Ultraman, Space Giants, Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot, and this show...how can you not love zippered monster suits, human wrists showing between the monster gloves and the rest of the costumes, and attacking toy tanks, jeeps, and planes pulled along by very visible strings? But that golden colored hero stayed in my mind. Many years ago, I found some of the characters from this series on Ebay and almost forgot I still had these little 3 1/2" guys which I recently found again wrapped up in a box during some basement cleaning. When I created Qualtan, his golden armor stemmed from the image of that golden cyborg.
So does anyone recognize this metal hero...played by Tetsuo Narikawa,or the name of the series based on said character?
April 10, 2019
CodCon!
Huzzah! CodCon starts this Friday - can't wait! Stop by ye ole Forging of a Knight booth to say well met!!
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted...
This will be my second time in attendance - wonderful campus, atmosphere, staff, and with expanded events, this coming Friday-Sunday will be an awesome time!
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted...
This will be my second time in attendance - wonderful campus, atmosphere, staff, and with expanded events, this coming Friday-Sunday will be an awesome time!
November 13, 2018
An interview with Jeremy Silva!
Who is Jeremy Silva? Well, here is a quick "mini-bio" from IMDB.com:
"Born just outside the "Chocolate City" of Hershey, Pennsylvania, this Chicago transplant has been making headway in the Midwest since 2010. With focuses in directing and screenwriting, Jeremy Silva dove into the independent scene as a freelance cinematographer and writer. A humanitarian and community leader, Silva has shot video segments for a variety of non-for-profits, including the Humane Society, Immerman's Angels, and Blessings in a Backpack. Jeremy has written and directed several short films. His latest effort, Watermelon Eyes, was an official selection at the Blow-Up Chicago Arthouse Film Festival. His first feature, The Rake, was produced by Unified Pictures and is planning its 2017 festival run."
Sometimes it's amazing to me how you can encounter some wonderfully creative people by the purest of chance. I was with my wife at a local Fruitful Yield health food store, and literally bumped into Jeremy. I was wearing a Gen Con t-shirt, Jeremy pointed that out, and a conversation ensued on both my book writing and his screen writing. Afterwards, I was excited to reach out for an interview, and even more excited when I received his response! Read on, and enjoy...!
HVN: Hi Jeremy - thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Jeremy Silva is.
JS: Thanks for having me, Hugo! When you pose the question that way, it’s really hard not to answer like Patrick Bateman in American Psycho: There is an idea of a Jeremy Silva; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory.
All jokes aside, I’m just a storyteller using filmmaking as a vehicle to open hearts, minds and eyes. I aim to tell raw, entrancing narratives that give you no choice but to deconstruct your preconceptions about life—even yourself.
HVN: When did you know that you wanted to be a director/writer?
JS: It’s kind of crazy, you know. Though I come from a family of film fanatics and was baptized by the classics at a young age, I never truly embraced the craft of filmmaking until I was in college. I’ve been a storyteller since childhood. I was the friend weaving terrifying tales by the light of our Cub Scout campfire; the one who convinced his neighbor that a dragon skeleton lie buried underneath the hill behind his house. I was the kid recording “puppet shows” on my dad’s handy cam, starring an eclectic cast of stuffed animals and action figures.
In high school, writing became my ally, an emotional outlet, and an avenue of self-expression. When tears ceased to find release after the untimely death of my mother, ink flowed steadily in their stead. However, like most artists, you succumb to the pressure of finding that “bread and butter” major in college. It wasn’t until I was halfway through a Speech Pathology program that I realized I was throwing in the towel without ever trying.
The following year, I moved to Chicago and enrolled in several film classes at the local community college. After one semester I was crazed with passion. I never knew I wanted to direct until I was required to do it for a grade. Many people are infatuated with the idea of being a director, but often lack the diligence or resilience to do it. There is nothing quite like creating an entire living and breathing world. Very similar I’m sure, to what many authors must experience, correct?
HVN: You have directed several films, such as the horror movie, The Rake, and Watermelon Eyes, which was the official selection at the Blow-Up Chicago Arthouse Film Festival. You have also worked as a writer for High on the Hog, an action drama, and Skeletons in the Closet, a horror anthology. How did you develop the ideas for your stories?
JS: I always tell people that I don’t associate with one genre. What matters most to me is telling a compelling and original story. If you look at my credits, you’ll see I’m all over the place—psychological thrillers, creature-features, dark dramas and even a grindhouse film!
Because horror is so big in the Midwest, I found a lot of beginner opportunities there. Loosely based on a Creepypasta entry (the horror fan-site that spawned the iconic Slenderman), The Rake is an urban legend that is equal parts horror and supernatural thriller. To me, real fear is generated in the mind—and more specifically—things we don’t understand. I wanted to root this story in a complex narrative driven by these psychological and metaphysical elements so our piece didn’t become the usual regurgitated industry fodder. That worked for the most part—until LA took control of the editing room.
Watermelon Eyes, on the other hand, is on the opposite side of the spectrum. This is a dark surreal drama based on a dear friend Neal’s relapse into alcoholism. What made this entire experience so visceral (on set and on camera) was that Neal was our lead actor. We succeeded in a riveting film that also brought a sense of closure to that turbulent chapter of his life.
I believe I am drawn to stories that dissect brutal reality, but are artistically unbound by reality. I am also drawn to occultism and spirituality and use them often in my films.
HVN: Which projects were the most fun to develop? Which were the most challenging?
JS: As I said before, Watermelon Eyes was a privilege to be a part of because it was bigger than just making a film. Declines with Regret, my follow-up project, was made in a similar vein, using real experiences as the base of the narrative. Stories like these are challenging because you want to do the source material justice, but you want to write the most compelling tale you can. Finding the balance can be tricky.
The Rake was an incredible experience until the late stages of production. Our script had attracted attention in LA and soon money was being thrown our way. We made a few rookie mistakes and the overall shape of the film did not reflect the original vision the Director and I had created. To put it lightly, it was an eye-opening experience.
High on the Hog and Skeletons in the Closet were unique in the respect that I was being brought on the project after the films were shot. This provided an interesting challenge, because I had to craft narrative pieces to fit an already existing framework. In HOTH’s case, I actually wrote an entirely new character to balance the tone and help the audience digest the aggressive amount of exposition.
HVN: What are your plans long-term for your writing/directing? Do you have additional/different works in mind?
JS: I’m watering the seeds of big dreams. I feel like something big is going to happen soon. I’m currently working on three screenplays at the moment. Two out of three are suspense dramas. I’m hoping one will be my directorial debut.
HVN: As an author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my books. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for your works?
JS: I once cold-called Haley Joel Osment’s agent to pitch a film I was writing in college. Everyone thought I was mad until his agent responded—and with interest! We had everything ready, down to his per diems, but that same week he was picked up on a new ABC pilot. It turned out for the best. The year after, I bought tickets to a 30 Seconds to Mars concert and found a way to throw my screenplay on stage, hoping then Academy-hopeful Jared Leto would read it and fall in love.
I’ve taken a lot of crazy chances, and in doing so have peaked a lot of interest. I’m sure I’ll brave hot coals and shark infested waters before I’m done.
HVN: This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Jeremy Silva – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work?
JS: Reading/watching Jeremy Silva is like a conduit becoming possessed. He grips you with painstakingly researched detail, outlandishly layered characters and stories that’ll shake you to life.
Too much?
HVN: As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. Is there anything you would go back and change in your completed works? Where there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
JS: As a creative, it’s only too easy to fall into the self-flagellating purgatory of “if only”. I do my best to avoid unpacking there and instead, choose to look at the lessons learned. With filmmaking being a collaborative medium, you really rely on an army of others to bring your “baby” into the world. There have been times I have employed known “names” in the industry rather than hungry up-and-comers. Sometimes the negatives outweighed the positives. It’s always interesting to think about how projects would have been different with another cook in the kitchen.
HVN: I have a 6 year old son, and structuring time around him can be challenging! I’ve lost count of the times he nearly pressed the delete button on something I was working on…how do you find time to carve out your ideas?
JS: I am a big scheduler. I have three calendars to keep myself on track. I also like to vary my work environment. Many times, I find it hard to work from home, so I’ll go to the library, a coffee shop, the woods—anywhere I can connect to the muses. It’s hard for many to understand, but pursuing a creative endeavor is like having a second job. You clock in 40+ hours at the office and come home to a dozen reasons why you “should take the night off.” Everyone has different goals and their own idea of success. I think it’s important to know what that looks like and to create a timeline.
HVN: Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
JS: Music is usually a must. I have a few film scores I listen to in order to tap into a project. Usually I listen to the soundtrack of a film that has influenced my idea in some fashion. Also, I try to never write when I’m over-tired. You know the difference; you can push yourself with caffeine and will alone when you’re tired, but when you’re falling asleep at the keys, you gotta live to fight another day.
HVN: What are you reading right now?
JS: Currently I’m reading “True Indie” by Don Coscarelli and “Ego is the Enemy” by Ryan Holliday.
HVN: Where can people go to find out more about Jeremy Silva?
JS: People can check me out on IMDB or Facebook. Early next year I’ll have my website revamped! Also, please check out The Rake and Skeletons in the Closet, now on iTunes, Amazon and Hulu! Keep an eye out for High on the Hog in the beginning of 2019!
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4606833/
HVN: Thanks Jeremy, for sharing some of your time!
JS: Thank you for the opportunity, Hugo!
"Born just outside the "Chocolate City" of Hershey, Pennsylvania, this Chicago transplant has been making headway in the Midwest since 2010. With focuses in directing and screenwriting, Jeremy Silva dove into the independent scene as a freelance cinematographer and writer. A humanitarian and community leader, Silva has shot video segments for a variety of non-for-profits, including the Humane Society, Immerman's Angels, and Blessings in a Backpack. Jeremy has written and directed several short films. His latest effort, Watermelon Eyes, was an official selection at the Blow-Up Chicago Arthouse Film Festival. His first feature, The Rake, was produced by Unified Pictures and is planning its 2017 festival run."
Sometimes it's amazing to me how you can encounter some wonderfully creative people by the purest of chance. I was with my wife at a local Fruitful Yield health food store, and literally bumped into Jeremy. I was wearing a Gen Con t-shirt, Jeremy pointed that out, and a conversation ensued on both my book writing and his screen writing. Afterwards, I was excited to reach out for an interview, and even more excited when I received his response! Read on, and enjoy...!
HVN: Hi Jeremy - thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Jeremy Silva is.
JS: Thanks for having me, Hugo! When you pose the question that way, it’s really hard not to answer like Patrick Bateman in American Psycho: There is an idea of a Jeremy Silva; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory.
All jokes aside, I’m just a storyteller using filmmaking as a vehicle to open hearts, minds and eyes. I aim to tell raw, entrancing narratives that give you no choice but to deconstruct your preconceptions about life—even yourself.
HVN: When did you know that you wanted to be a director/writer?
JS: It’s kind of crazy, you know. Though I come from a family of film fanatics and was baptized by the classics at a young age, I never truly embraced the craft of filmmaking until I was in college. I’ve been a storyteller since childhood. I was the friend weaving terrifying tales by the light of our Cub Scout campfire; the one who convinced his neighbor that a dragon skeleton lie buried underneath the hill behind his house. I was the kid recording “puppet shows” on my dad’s handy cam, starring an eclectic cast of stuffed animals and action figures.
In high school, writing became my ally, an emotional outlet, and an avenue of self-expression. When tears ceased to find release after the untimely death of my mother, ink flowed steadily in their stead. However, like most artists, you succumb to the pressure of finding that “bread and butter” major in college. It wasn’t until I was halfway through a Speech Pathology program that I realized I was throwing in the towel without ever trying.
The following year, I moved to Chicago and enrolled in several film classes at the local community college. After one semester I was crazed with passion. I never knew I wanted to direct until I was required to do it for a grade. Many people are infatuated with the idea of being a director, but often lack the diligence or resilience to do it. There is nothing quite like creating an entire living and breathing world. Very similar I’m sure, to what many authors must experience, correct?
HVN: You have directed several films, such as the horror movie, The Rake, and Watermelon Eyes, which was the official selection at the Blow-Up Chicago Arthouse Film Festival. You have also worked as a writer for High on the Hog, an action drama, and Skeletons in the Closet, a horror anthology. How did you develop the ideas for your stories?
JS: I always tell people that I don’t associate with one genre. What matters most to me is telling a compelling and original story. If you look at my credits, you’ll see I’m all over the place—psychological thrillers, creature-features, dark dramas and even a grindhouse film!
Because horror is so big in the Midwest, I found a lot of beginner opportunities there. Loosely based on a Creepypasta entry (the horror fan-site that spawned the iconic Slenderman), The Rake is an urban legend that is equal parts horror and supernatural thriller. To me, real fear is generated in the mind—and more specifically—things we don’t understand. I wanted to root this story in a complex narrative driven by these psychological and metaphysical elements so our piece didn’t become the usual regurgitated industry fodder. That worked for the most part—until LA took control of the editing room.
Watermelon Eyes, on the other hand, is on the opposite side of the spectrum. This is a dark surreal drama based on a dear friend Neal’s relapse into alcoholism. What made this entire experience so visceral (on set and on camera) was that Neal was our lead actor. We succeeded in a riveting film that also brought a sense of closure to that turbulent chapter of his life.
I believe I am drawn to stories that dissect brutal reality, but are artistically unbound by reality. I am also drawn to occultism and spirituality and use them often in my films.
HVN: Which projects were the most fun to develop? Which were the most challenging?
JS: As I said before, Watermelon Eyes was a privilege to be a part of because it was bigger than just making a film. Declines with Regret, my follow-up project, was made in a similar vein, using real experiences as the base of the narrative. Stories like these are challenging because you want to do the source material justice, but you want to write the most compelling tale you can. Finding the balance can be tricky.
The Rake was an incredible experience until the late stages of production. Our script had attracted attention in LA and soon money was being thrown our way. We made a few rookie mistakes and the overall shape of the film did not reflect the original vision the Director and I had created. To put it lightly, it was an eye-opening experience.
High on the Hog and Skeletons in the Closet were unique in the respect that I was being brought on the project after the films were shot. This provided an interesting challenge, because I had to craft narrative pieces to fit an already existing framework. In HOTH’s case, I actually wrote an entirely new character to balance the tone and help the audience digest the aggressive amount of exposition.
HVN: What are your plans long-term for your writing/directing? Do you have additional/different works in mind?
JS: I’m watering the seeds of big dreams. I feel like something big is going to happen soon. I’m currently working on three screenplays at the moment. Two out of three are suspense dramas. I’m hoping one will be my directorial debut.
HVN: As an author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my books. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for your works?
JS: I once cold-called Haley Joel Osment’s agent to pitch a film I was writing in college. Everyone thought I was mad until his agent responded—and with interest! We had everything ready, down to his per diems, but that same week he was picked up on a new ABC pilot. It turned out for the best. The year after, I bought tickets to a 30 Seconds to Mars concert and found a way to throw my screenplay on stage, hoping then Academy-hopeful Jared Leto would read it and fall in love.
I’ve taken a lot of crazy chances, and in doing so have peaked a lot of interest. I’m sure I’ll brave hot coals and shark infested waters before I’m done.
HVN: This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Jeremy Silva – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work?
JS: Reading/watching Jeremy Silva is like a conduit becoming possessed. He grips you with painstakingly researched detail, outlandishly layered characters and stories that’ll shake you to life.
Too much?
HVN: As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. Is there anything you would go back and change in your completed works? Where there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
JS: As a creative, it’s only too easy to fall into the self-flagellating purgatory of “if only”. I do my best to avoid unpacking there and instead, choose to look at the lessons learned. With filmmaking being a collaborative medium, you really rely on an army of others to bring your “baby” into the world. There have been times I have employed known “names” in the industry rather than hungry up-and-comers. Sometimes the negatives outweighed the positives. It’s always interesting to think about how projects would have been different with another cook in the kitchen.
HVN: I have a 6 year old son, and structuring time around him can be challenging! I’ve lost count of the times he nearly pressed the delete button on something I was working on…how do you find time to carve out your ideas?
JS: I am a big scheduler. I have three calendars to keep myself on track. I also like to vary my work environment. Many times, I find it hard to work from home, so I’ll go to the library, a coffee shop, the woods—anywhere I can connect to the muses. It’s hard for many to understand, but pursuing a creative endeavor is like having a second job. You clock in 40+ hours at the office and come home to a dozen reasons why you “should take the night off.” Everyone has different goals and their own idea of success. I think it’s important to know what that looks like and to create a timeline.
HVN: Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
JS: Music is usually a must. I have a few film scores I listen to in order to tap into a project. Usually I listen to the soundtrack of a film that has influenced my idea in some fashion. Also, I try to never write when I’m over-tired. You know the difference; you can push yourself with caffeine and will alone when you’re tired, but when you’re falling asleep at the keys, you gotta live to fight another day.
HVN: What are you reading right now?
JS: Currently I’m reading “True Indie” by Don Coscarelli and “Ego is the Enemy” by Ryan Holliday.
HVN: Where can people go to find out more about Jeremy Silva?
JS: People can check me out on IMDB or Facebook. Early next year I’ll have my website revamped! Also, please check out The Rake and Skeletons in the Closet, now on iTunes, Amazon and Hulu! Keep an eye out for High on the Hog in the beginning of 2019!
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4606833/
HVN: Thanks Jeremy, for sharing some of your time!
JS: Thank you for the opportunity, Hugo!
November 2, 2018
Best Indie Books - can you vote for Forging of a Knight?
Hey fellow knights...
A humble favor - if you have read book six, Forging of a Knight, Darksiege Triumphant, and enjoyed it, please show some love and VOTE for it at the site below!! Nominations due by November 5!!! Qualtan and Glaive thank you!!
http://www.readfree.ly/50-best-indie-...
A humble favor - if you have read book six, Forging of a Knight, Darksiege Triumphant, and enjoyed it, please show some love and VOTE for it at the site below!! Nominations due by November 5!!! Qualtan and Glaive thank you!!
http://www.readfree.ly/50-best-indie-...
September 17, 2018
And the winner is...
Many humble thanks to those who put their names in the virtual hat to win the Knights Templar pen holder helmet. I was surprised at the responses - I expected just a handful, but received a bit more - some were close, stating correctly the nature of what they think Muirna is, but didn't hit the goal line with who she actually is or where she first appeared. A special pox for the one emailer who wrote in with the name of a character...who wasn't even from the Forging of a Knight series! However, in the end, one knight did successfully complete the quest...
Steve G!
Awesome job, my friend. The helmet is heading your way as we speak. I will reach out for all the address/details.
Seems like folks had fun with this, so I'm sure another mini-contest will be coming out soon. Thanks again to everyone who participated!!
Steve G!
Awesome job, my friend. The helmet is heading your way as we speak. I will reach out for all the address/details.
Seems like folks had fun with this, so I'm sure another mini-contest will be coming out soon. Thanks again to everyone who participated!!
August 30, 2018
It's Contest Time Again!!
Now that Book Six in the series (Darksiege Triumphant) has been out for a while, it’s time for another fun contest!
A certain flame-tressed servant of the School by the name of Muirna has made herself known. Befriending our former demonic lass Vanessa, she seemed to connect rather well with her - giving her empathy and astute insight into her current condition. Muirna also turned out to be a rather powerful magic-user in her own right, having a reputation of eccentricity, appearing and disappearing back from the School to silently walk through the Great Forest that surrounds her village home.
Gossip and stories abound regarding this gal. Who exactly is she? Vanessa thinks she has found out...but have you?
If that isn't an obvious enough hint that Muirna's been around the series before, then someone needs to re-sharpen their sword and do some heavy re-reading!
So wherein lies the contest? That's easy - the first person to figure out WHICH book Muirna first appeared in, and WHO she may actually be, will win the pictured booty below - a Knights Templar Pen Holder - (pen not included, but shown to gauge size). Where to send your wizened lore? Send to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by 9/15/2018 to win!!
https://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a...
A certain flame-tressed servant of the School by the name of Muirna has made herself known. Befriending our former demonic lass Vanessa, she seemed to connect rather well with her - giving her empathy and astute insight into her current condition. Muirna also turned out to be a rather powerful magic-user in her own right, having a reputation of eccentricity, appearing and disappearing back from the School to silently walk through the Great Forest that surrounds her village home.
Gossip and stories abound regarding this gal. Who exactly is she? Vanessa thinks she has found out...but have you?
If that isn't an obvious enough hint that Muirna's been around the series before, then someone needs to re-sharpen their sword and do some heavy re-reading!
So wherein lies the contest? That's easy - the first person to figure out WHICH book Muirna first appeared in, and WHO she may actually be, will win the pictured booty below - a Knights Templar Pen Holder - (pen not included, but shown to gauge size). Where to send your wizened lore? Send to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by 9/15/2018 to win!!
https://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a...
August 12, 2018
The Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier Supplement
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I was a huge fan of miniatures company Grenadier Models headed by Andrew Chernak and Ray Rubin back in the 80's. They not only produced superb lines of quality miniatures for such varied products as AD&D, Call of Cthulhu, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Masters of the Universe (to name a few), but they also developed innovative lines such as their Dragon of the Month, Masterpiece Editions, Giant's Club, and more. They established a strong bond with their customers, based on their Grenadier Bulletin newsletter, contests, promotions, and competitions. When their company folded in the late 90's, for their fans it was a sad event, although Andrew moved on to bigger and better things, producing life sized bronze statues, movie props, and more, so there was a proverbial happy ending to the tale.
In 2016, Terence Gunn, fan extraordinaire, produced the Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier, a historical homage to the company, exploring their history, and their products, with pictures and interviews galore. I was lucky to connect with him, and now his follow-up work, The Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier Supplement, is out! More pictures, more insider info, and a condensed collection of every single Grenadier Bulletin from the 1980's-1990's, including a wonderful interview with Kim Eastland, Grenadier's early public relations manager, who also was the 'Bulletin's editor for its first five issues!
Lastly, I was able to humbly contribute some scans of a few 'Bulletins to the project, and was gratefully acknowledged in the book by Terence. Seeing my name among the biggies like Andrew and Kim - what else could a Grenadier fan desire?! If you enjoy miniatures, nostalgic for the old' 70's-80's era of gaming/miniature collecting, or just a fantasy/sci-fi gaming fan, you have to get this!!
https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147727...
In 2016, Terence Gunn, fan extraordinaire, produced the Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier, a historical homage to the company, exploring their history, and their products, with pictures and interviews galore. I was lucky to connect with him, and now his follow-up work, The Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier Supplement, is out! More pictures, more insider info, and a condensed collection of every single Grenadier Bulletin from the 1980's-1990's, including a wonderful interview with Kim Eastland, Grenadier's early public relations manager, who also was the 'Bulletin's editor for its first five issues!
Lastly, I was able to humbly contribute some scans of a few 'Bulletins to the project, and was gratefully acknowledged in the book by Terence. Seeing my name among the biggies like Andrew and Kim - what else could a Grenadier fan desire?! If you enjoy miniatures, nostalgic for the old' 70's-80's era of gaming/miniature collecting, or just a fantasy/sci-fi gaming fan, you have to get this!!
https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147727...
June 1, 2018
Book Six ebook versions are here!
Darksiege Triumphant ebooks are out!
They are here at last! Nook, Kindle, and other formats now available! Join Qualtan and company in probably their most bizarre..and deadliest...adventure yet!
ANNNDD...be ready for another fun contest coming up soon!
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forg...
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...
They are here at last! Nook, Kindle, and other formats now available! Join Qualtan and company in probably their most bizarre..and deadliest...adventure yet!
ANNNDD...be ready for another fun contest coming up soon!
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forg...
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...
May 12, 2018
Book Six in the Forging of a Knight series, Darksiege Triumphant, is finally here!
The paperback copy is out, with the ebook version to follow soon - which will lead to the gut-bustin' finale of the series next year with Book Seven!
A betrayal from the School leads Darksiege, last of Those That Stand in Shadow, with the means to achieve ultimate power at last. A mighty artifact, divided and cast into different realms, will spell doom if found. Qualtan, Glaive, Cassandra, and Bartholomew will travel to places dark and terrible, including present-day Earth, to prevent Darksiege from gaining the victory he craves, but all is not as it seems.
Are Darksiege and his opponents in a true quest, or have they been deceived into playing a much deeper game? Will Qualtan be forced into an unholy alliance with his mortal enemy to uncover the TRUE foe that menaces them all?
Mysteries abound in this whodunit tale! Who is the betrayer from the School? What is the mystery behind Muirna, the red-headed servant girl? Will Snowflake, the white-furred feline butler with a unicorn horn and wings, get into trouble with his union stewards after he complains? More importantly, will Glaive ever get over his taste for French fries??
https://www.amazon.com/dp/148348422X/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forg...
A betrayal from the School leads Darksiege, last of Those That Stand in Shadow, with the means to achieve ultimate power at last. A mighty artifact, divided and cast into different realms, will spell doom if found. Qualtan, Glaive, Cassandra, and Bartholomew will travel to places dark and terrible, including present-day Earth, to prevent Darksiege from gaining the victory he craves, but all is not as it seems.
Are Darksiege and his opponents in a true quest, or have they been deceived into playing a much deeper game? Will Qualtan be forced into an unholy alliance with his mortal enemy to uncover the TRUE foe that menaces them all?
Mysteries abound in this whodunit tale! Who is the betrayer from the School? What is the mystery behind Muirna, the red-headed servant girl? Will Snowflake, the white-furred feline butler with a unicorn horn and wings, get into trouble with his union stewards after he complains? More importantly, will Glaive ever get over his taste for French fries??
https://www.amazon.com/dp/148348422X/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forg...
