ANTHOCON 2013- Reflections, Rock n Roll and the Introvert Demon Cometh!
ANTHOCON 2013 has come and gone, but it's strong impression remains.
It blows my mind that a year past as quickly as it did and now, the con is over and I'm sitting in my office writing this, while listening to the furnace kick on and the wind lightly whipping against the window.
Man, time doesn't fly, it teleports.
I'm going to be echoing exactly what everyone else who has attended last weekend's con, by saying that is was/is one of the best conventions evah!
The Four Horsemen: Tim Deal, Mark Wholley, Zjohnny Morse and the one and only Danny Evarts. They were once again masters at putting on a spectacular gathering that's well worth the seven hour drive from our backwoods home in upstate New York.
You guys ROCK beyond compare!!!
Anthocon has become not only great opportunity for me as a writer/artist to share my work and expand my platform, but also a family reunion.
I used to attend conventions alone. Michelle(Shelly) my wife, had little interest in the lame, boring worlds of conventions and especially writers cons That was until she came along with me to Context in Ohio. There, she met the amazing guys from SHROUD and the other groovy folks that notoriously attended the infamous SHROUD PARTY.
They/we are all now great friends and we would never miss an ANTHOCON. And I would be remiss if I didn't say say that it was Tim, Mark, Zjohnny and Danny who were instrumental in my writing career. (more on that later.)
It's really tough to encapsulate all four days into one blog. Some folks get bored quick (I blame technology, cell phones, the Internet, microwaves... oh get off my lawn!)
So, I'm going to share short, snippets of my memories and thoughts of ANTHOCON 2013.
I sat on two truly fun panels this year.
OVERALL VIBE:
While I haven't attend the mother of all cons, I've been to my fair share and by far, AnthoCon really has a down to earth, yet professional vibe. It was great to see so many old friends and equally groovy to make some new ones. (more on this later.)
The Four Horsemen seemed to have all the kinks worked out and this year ran like clockwork. There was plenty of things to do: panels and readings to attend. Incredibly cool art demonstrations, along with the kick ass art show. We have some truly talented folks attending this con. (I vow to submit some of my art for next year!)
Friday and Saturday night offered great food to prep the con-goers for the evening of drinking and talking and laughter. Mucho cool in the Erbman's book. You can never have enough friends and laughter.
The dealer room was full and the flow was pretty steady. Always a good thing for a vendor or author hawking their wares.
Bottom line: The vibe was immensely laid back but inspiring and conducive to both creators and readers alike.
PANELS:
The panels are always strong and fun to attend and be part of.
I was on two panels this year.
There used to be a Moon: Exploring the Apocalypse in Fiction: It was a great panel with an uber interactive crowd, which makes being on such a panel so damn fun and informative.
A big shout out to Scott C. Carr for kicking mucho arse as moderator and conduit of groovy ideas. Another great Scott (see what I did there?) Scott Goudsward and Trevor Firetog.
Great panel, great topic and great crowd!
The other panel was The Convergence of Writing and Art in Video Games, RPGs and more.
This was a fun panel on few levels. First, it was an honor to share the panel with Nate Kenyon and Steven C. Gilberts, Scott. C. Carr and the Evil Moderator, Charles Day.
The topic mixed a few of my biggest passions: Art, writing and RPGs. Thought provoking and inspiring at the future all of those genres have.
I did manage to attend a couple panels and they rocked. Sadly, there's never enough time to catch all the events going on. But I sure try.
READING:
I had my second ever reading experience on Saturday and truly loved it. I read along with fellow friends and authors: Charles Day and Scott C. Carr. Great bunch of dudes.
I read a snippet from my novella, TONES of HOME. I felt it went well. The crowd seemed to dig it. I look forward to my next chance to do a reading.
Scott and Charles both rocked their readings and I will be hunting their books down for sure.
A big shout out to Kevin Lucia who did one hell of a job orchestrating all of the cons readings. It must have been a huge struggle, but you nailed it my friend. Well done.
ANTHOJAM
Man...I cannot find the words that can truly express my feelings of joy and love for the AnthoJam.
I will admit I was a bit worried about jamming with folks (Besides TG Arsenault) I've never jammed with before on some songs I've never jammed before.
I was wrong. It freaking rocked!!!!! I forgot what is was like to play for folks and just how happy it made me to see them smile and get up and boogie. It was a "Hell yeah, that's WHY I do it!"
Huge Erbal hugs out to Zjohnny Morse, Marianne Halberts, TG Arsenault, Frank Raymond Michaels, Scott Christian Carr, G. Elmer Munson. You guys were rockin' the free world and much more!
Until next year!!!!!
PEOPLE:
I'm going to jot down a list of folks in no particular order because you all rock equally! (if I forget anyone, forgive me. Too little sleep and too much Sam Adams will do that!)
The 4-Horsemen.
Shelly Erb- You make the con experience so much better!
Scott C. Carr
Charles Day
Tim TG Arsenault (who was kind enough to let me chill at his table and sell some books.)
Tony Tremblay. You're an amazing guy, I wished I'd gotten to know sooner.
Andrew Wolter
Jim Kavanaugh- Sir, you just rock the hell out! Thanks for attending the reading and picking up TONES. I hope you dig it.
David Bernstein- Great to chat with you and thanks so much for picking up TONES. Let me know what you think. Cannot wait to get a copy of your work. (let's not wait another year to chat.)
Sandy Shelonchik- You're awesome. 'Nuff said.
Meghan Arcuri-Moran- Great to see you again!
Catherine Mata- Always nifty to meet fellow Rochester area folks. Hope to be working with Twin Star Media in the near future.
Mandy DeGeit- So great to see ya doing so great!
Ron Dickie- What can I say about the Dickie. Love hanging with ya sir.
Susan Scofield- Good to see ya, even in the fleeting moments that are conventions.
There are tons of great folks and I could go on and on but just know you all kick moby ass.
Final Thoughts: AnthoCon will continue to be a con Shelly and I will always attend as along as the 4-Horsemen put it on. Friends, family and writing, and now jamming....Yeah, Thom's good.
See you next year!
DISCLAIMER: Below I'll be delving into some deep and personal thoughts and feelings on conventions and my own demons and such fun. Just letting you know. Read on knowing that you've been warned.
I promise this will be short. I feel a bit strange writing such personal information but after a bit of reflection, I feel that it truly belongs with my thoughts and feelings about attending a convention.
While I know many writers and creative-types are notorious introverts and shadow hogs, and I hate to be so cliche, but as I always say (much to many close to me,chagrin) It is what it is.
I've never been a big fan of large crowds or situations where the attention is on me. I watched this past weekend and was jealous and amazed at how many fellow writers excel in both scenarios.
I wish I could. I try and no matter what, I always fall short.
After last year, I told myself at the next AnthoCon, I would be more outgoing and step out in front of my table and shake hands and introduce myself and spread the Erbal Word.
Yay!
No.... I didn't happen.
AnthoCon is the best place for me to step outside my comfort zone and despite my best efforts, I fell back into my old comfort zone and bad, shy habits.
I'm writing this for a few reasons. One, Shelly, (my wife) tells me that my face tells all and that I seem to always have a perma-scowl. Even when I try hard not to do so, I do.
I am not an angry, brooding, jerk, honest. lol If you got to know me, I'd be just the exact opposite. So I struggle with the marketing side of my writing career and there were so many great writers/people I wanted to talk to this past weekend. It's tough and something I've always dealt with and hopefully, next year this demon will be slain.
And, we will share a book, a chat and a drink.
This has been a PSA from your friendly neighborhood Erbman.
Thanks for reading!
TAE
It blows my mind that a year past as quickly as it did and now, the con is over and I'm sitting in my office writing this, while listening to the furnace kick on and the wind lightly whipping against the window.
Man, time doesn't fly, it teleports.
I'm going to be echoing exactly what everyone else who has attended last weekend's con, by saying that is was/is one of the best conventions evah!
The Four Horsemen: Tim Deal, Mark Wholley, Zjohnny Morse and the one and only Danny Evarts. They were once again masters at putting on a spectacular gathering that's well worth the seven hour drive from our backwoods home in upstate New York.
You guys ROCK beyond compare!!!
Anthocon has become not only great opportunity for me as a writer/artist to share my work and expand my platform, but also a family reunion.
I used to attend conventions alone. Michelle(Shelly) my wife, had little interest in the lame, boring worlds of conventions and especially writers cons That was until she came along with me to Context in Ohio. There, she met the amazing guys from SHROUD and the other groovy folks that notoriously attended the infamous SHROUD PARTY.
They/we are all now great friends and we would never miss an ANTHOCON. And I would be remiss if I didn't say say that it was Tim, Mark, Zjohnny and Danny who were instrumental in my writing career. (more on that later.)
It's really tough to encapsulate all four days into one blog. Some folks get bored quick (I blame technology, cell phones, the Internet, microwaves... oh get off my lawn!)
So, I'm going to share short, snippets of my memories and thoughts of ANTHOCON 2013.
I sat on two truly fun panels this year.
OVERALL VIBE:
While I haven't attend the mother of all cons, I've been to my fair share and by far, AnthoCon really has a down to earth, yet professional vibe. It was great to see so many old friends and equally groovy to make some new ones. (more on this later.)
The Four Horsemen seemed to have all the kinks worked out and this year ran like clockwork. There was plenty of things to do: panels and readings to attend. Incredibly cool art demonstrations, along with the kick ass art show. We have some truly talented folks attending this con. (I vow to submit some of my art for next year!)
Friday and Saturday night offered great food to prep the con-goers for the evening of drinking and talking and laughter. Mucho cool in the Erbman's book. You can never have enough friends and laughter.
The dealer room was full and the flow was pretty steady. Always a good thing for a vendor or author hawking their wares.
Bottom line: The vibe was immensely laid back but inspiring and conducive to both creators and readers alike.
PANELS:
The panels are always strong and fun to attend and be part of.
I was on two panels this year.
There used to be a Moon: Exploring the Apocalypse in Fiction: It was a great panel with an uber interactive crowd, which makes being on such a panel so damn fun and informative.
A big shout out to Scott C. Carr for kicking mucho arse as moderator and conduit of groovy ideas. Another great Scott (see what I did there?) Scott Goudsward and Trevor Firetog.
Great panel, great topic and great crowd!
The other panel was The Convergence of Writing and Art in Video Games, RPGs and more.
This was a fun panel on few levels. First, it was an honor to share the panel with Nate Kenyon and Steven C. Gilberts, Scott. C. Carr and the Evil Moderator, Charles Day.
The topic mixed a few of my biggest passions: Art, writing and RPGs. Thought provoking and inspiring at the future all of those genres have.
I did manage to attend a couple panels and they rocked. Sadly, there's never enough time to catch all the events going on. But I sure try.
READING:
I had my second ever reading experience on Saturday and truly loved it. I read along with fellow friends and authors: Charles Day and Scott C. Carr. Great bunch of dudes.
I read a snippet from my novella, TONES of HOME. I felt it went well. The crowd seemed to dig it. I look forward to my next chance to do a reading.
Scott and Charles both rocked their readings and I will be hunting their books down for sure.
A big shout out to Kevin Lucia who did one hell of a job orchestrating all of the cons readings. It must have been a huge struggle, but you nailed it my friend. Well done.
ANTHOJAM
Man...I cannot find the words that can truly express my feelings of joy and love for the AnthoJam.
I will admit I was a bit worried about jamming with folks (Besides TG Arsenault) I've never jammed with before on some songs I've never jammed before.
I was wrong. It freaking rocked!!!!! I forgot what is was like to play for folks and just how happy it made me to see them smile and get up and boogie. It was a "Hell yeah, that's WHY I do it!"
Huge Erbal hugs out to Zjohnny Morse, Marianne Halberts, TG Arsenault, Frank Raymond Michaels, Scott Christian Carr, G. Elmer Munson. You guys were rockin' the free world and much more!
Until next year!!!!!
PEOPLE:
I'm going to jot down a list of folks in no particular order because you all rock equally! (if I forget anyone, forgive me. Too little sleep and too much Sam Adams will do that!)
The 4-Horsemen.
Shelly Erb- You make the con experience so much better!
Scott C. Carr
Charles Day
Tim TG Arsenault (who was kind enough to let me chill at his table and sell some books.)
Tony Tremblay. You're an amazing guy, I wished I'd gotten to know sooner.
Andrew Wolter
Jim Kavanaugh- Sir, you just rock the hell out! Thanks for attending the reading and picking up TONES. I hope you dig it.
David Bernstein- Great to chat with you and thanks so much for picking up TONES. Let me know what you think. Cannot wait to get a copy of your work. (let's not wait another year to chat.)
Sandy Shelonchik- You're awesome. 'Nuff said.
Meghan Arcuri-Moran- Great to see you again!
Catherine Mata- Always nifty to meet fellow Rochester area folks. Hope to be working with Twin Star Media in the near future.
Mandy DeGeit- So great to see ya doing so great!
Ron Dickie- What can I say about the Dickie. Love hanging with ya sir.
Susan Scofield- Good to see ya, even in the fleeting moments that are conventions.
There are tons of great folks and I could go on and on but just know you all kick moby ass.
Final Thoughts: AnthoCon will continue to be a con Shelly and I will always attend as along as the 4-Horsemen put it on. Friends, family and writing, and now jamming....Yeah, Thom's good.
See you next year!
DISCLAIMER: Below I'll be delving into some deep and personal thoughts and feelings on conventions and my own demons and such fun. Just letting you know. Read on knowing that you've been warned.
I promise this will be short. I feel a bit strange writing such personal information but after a bit of reflection, I feel that it truly belongs with my thoughts and feelings about attending a convention.
While I know many writers and creative-types are notorious introverts and shadow hogs, and I hate to be so cliche, but as I always say (much to many close to me,chagrin) It is what it is.
I've never been a big fan of large crowds or situations where the attention is on me. I watched this past weekend and was jealous and amazed at how many fellow writers excel in both scenarios.
I wish I could. I try and no matter what, I always fall short.
After last year, I told myself at the next AnthoCon, I would be more outgoing and step out in front of my table and shake hands and introduce myself and spread the Erbal Word.
Yay!
No.... I didn't happen.
AnthoCon is the best place for me to step outside my comfort zone and despite my best efforts, I fell back into my old comfort zone and bad, shy habits.
I'm writing this for a few reasons. One, Shelly, (my wife) tells me that my face tells all and that I seem to always have a perma-scowl. Even when I try hard not to do so, I do.
I am not an angry, brooding, jerk, honest. lol If you got to know me, I'd be just the exact opposite. So I struggle with the marketing side of my writing career and there were so many great writers/people I wanted to talk to this past weekend. It's tough and something I've always dealt with and hopefully, next year this demon will be slain.
And, we will share a book, a chat and a drink.
This has been a PSA from your friendly neighborhood Erbman.
Thanks for reading!
TAE
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