Welcome to Biting-Edge, a blog shared by authors and vampire experts, Mario Acevedo and Jeanne Stein. We’ll cover urban fantasy, vampires, pop culture, and all things Joss Whedon. Unlike other fantasy blogs, we don’t insist on body cavity searches (unless you ask politely). Snarkiness is most welcome...though we won't promise not to bite back!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
  Guest Blogger From NY's Comic Con
We have a treat today—a guest blogger fresh from ComicCon New York. You’ll enjoy her adventures—I know I did. Thanks to Krystn for submitting.


Before we begin, though, a word from our sponsor—



Got the cover for the German Edition of the Watcher—Only in German, the title is Dark Kiss. It will be released in April. Also, Droemer just bought the fourth, fifth and sixth books in the series, too!

And Anna will also be published in Norway. They bought the first four books with an option for the fifth. Can’t wait to see those covers!

Mark your calendars: Dollhouse starts its run on Friday following the Sarah Connor Chronicles on Fox. Check your local listings for times. We’ll definitely be discussing this next week. In the meantime, here’s a video of Joss discussing Dollhouse at ComicCon.

I’m running a contest on the League of Reluctant Adults— (on which this blog entry will be cross-posted, btw. Many Leaguers were in attendance at Comic Con)

I think this link will take you to it, but in case it doesn’t scroll down to (Still Another) New Member Intro. After you enter the contest, look around a little. It’s a good site.

Okay—now, for today’s feature presentation: The Comic Con Adventures of a Domestic Diva:

Last weekend, I ventured into NYC to check out NY Comic Con. I went bravely off into an alternate universe and had a great time while I was there. For me it was all about the authors and books, and being a huge fan of urban fantasy, this was my weekend hit list:


Sherrilyn Kenyon
Kim Harrison
Jeaniene Frost
Vicki Pettersson
Jocelyn Drake
Caitlin Kittredge
Jackie Kessler
Anton Strout
Carrie Vaughn


Being a mom, I was stalking these guys too:

Mo Willems (The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!)
Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Late Friday morning, I made a quick trip into NY to get the lay of the land (a.k.a. the Jacob K. Javits Center). I was only able to stay an hour or so, but it was time well spent. I figured out where to park, stash my stuff and take a break. I found the autographing and panel areas. I got registered and had some time to gawk. I was obviously a newbie since I got the "this your first con?" question. Perhaps the dazed and confused expression on my face gave me away?

There were some great costumes (picture Jabba-the-Hut slave girls posing for pictures with Spiderman). An impressive number of people already there (in and out of costume), and I was bummed that I’d have to miss the Anton Strout signing of Deader Still and “NY and Its Authors” panel that evening. But overall, I felt prepared for Saturday and Sunday.

Yeah, right. Let me just say that quick hit on Friday was one of the smartest thing I've every done. Friday was crowded, but Saturday was insane. In the best way! I accomplished all the things on my list and even got in a few bonus items. Of course, I also managed to make an idiot of myself several times (general fangirl dorkiness).



First up was the Kim Harrison signing. I was a completely inarticulate idiot when I talked with her, but I think I seemed normal during my brief discussion with the guy in the leather jacket.

There was a little time before the next signing, so I wandered around a bit. I was ecstatic to find a Deader Still ARC at the Penguin booth. As I reached for a copy, I heard someone say, "I can sign that for you." Yep, it was Mr. Strout. I started babbling at him so fast I could barely understand myself and was beyond geeky. But he was gracious and still signed a copy of the book for me.



Up next, the Sherrilyn Kenyon signing. Thank you, God, for Sherrilyn Kenyon. This is the 2nd time I've been to one of her signings and she always makes you feel like you are her best friend. She is made of all kinds of awesomey goodness. My brief conversation with her was quite possibly the only time I sounded sane during the whole weekend.

Still basking in my post-Kenyon glow, I headed over to the “Sci-Fi, Supernatural and Fantasy Authors” panel discussion with Tamora Pierce, Kim Harrison, Carrie Vaughn, Vicki Pettersson, Jackie Kessler, Alex Irvine, Jeff Somers, John Birmingham, Peter V. Brett and S. C. Butler. Very fun and lots of laughs all in a jam packed room of course.

The next highlight was the Caitlin Kittredge and Jackie Kessler signing of Black and White. I also picked up Mirrored Heavens (signed by David J. Williams) while I was waiting. (Did you know that they give books away FREE at these things?) I managed to appear only slightly "goofy" for this signing. And let me weigh in here on the competition for “Nicest Author in UF,” (NAUF). I think Jeanne and Jackie are just going to have to duke it out in Thunderdome. Jeanne is permanently lodged in my “good people” camp. But I watched Jackie Kessler in action and she was impressive. Picture her trying to quickly set up for the Black and White ARC signing/give away and fend questions from a would-be writer at the same time. Not an impatient word or look to be seen or heard while she rattled off resources and websites for this guy. All this while appearing calm, cool, collected, and interested.

And somehow I managed to pick up a few more goodies.

I inadvertently wandered into a signing of Patient Zero by Jonathon Maberry. I was still basking in Kenyon-y goodness, so I think I was coherent for this one. Patient Zero is a zombie book (yum); one more for the TBR “pile.”

101 Ways to Kill Your Boss by Graham Roumieu. You can open it up to any page and just laugh. Unless of course you’ve never had a boss you wanted to kill. Anyone? Hello?




I snagged a copy of “Take a Chance” # 1 from CE Murphy et al. Very sexy.

And if you have children, you must get Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex. It is a parody of Goodnight Moon and priceless. I would have bought it even if I didn’t have children.



Sunday began a little earlier, with more comfortable shoes and with an ICED coffee (it was 50 F people; in February, in NY)! Sadly, I didn’t get there early enough to get a Joss Whedon signing ticket (Sorry, Jeanne). I did manage to get Vicki Pettersson to sign A Touch of Twilight for me. And if you were wondering, yes, Vicki is as smart, friendly and funny as she is gorgeous

Then it was back into mommy mode for the Jeff Kinney, Mo Willems and Lane Smith signings. What a great bunch of guys. And no children were harmed in obtaining those autographs.

Finally, it was time for the panel I was really looking forward to, “Kick Ass-Urban Fantasy Authors and Their Killer Heroines.” Kim Harrison, Vicki Pettersson, Jeaniene Frost, Jocelyn Drake and Margaret Ronald were, in fact, kicking ass and taking names. The author of The Youngest Templar, Michael P. Spradlin (or the “token male” male as he was christened by Vicki) was the moderator and tried to maintain order. But he was outnumbered by women 5 to 1 and four of them were redheads. The next time you have the urge to curse in front of Jeaniene Frost, say “shucky darn.” She did.

Then it was back-to-back signings from Jeri Smith-Ready, Jeaniene Frost, Jocelyn Drake, Margaret Ronald, and Marjorie Liu. And Jeaniene and Jocelyn were giving away chocolates too.



















All this, plus assorted superhero and Sci-Fi goodness.

I finally dragged myself home along with a ton of goodies. It was so much better than I expected. And a big thank you to all the authors for their kindness and to all the other vendors, exhibitors, staff, and volunteers (especially Erin in the lounge) who worked so hard on this. You’re all amazing. Now if I could just figure out what I’m going to read first.



Thank you, Krystn!!! Wish I'd been there--
 
Comments:
Hey, I remember you (the "not Clare" person, LOL)! It was great meeting you.

Sorry I didn't have chocolate, but I hope you enjoy the books. Thank you so much for coming to my signing and making me feel like a real author! :-)
 
Wow Jeanne!! You were in my neck of the woods! :))) The Javitz center is awesome, but can easily get lost in there. I want you and Mars to know that I've been pushin' your books like mad crazy at Barnes. I love to brag about ya'll :)
Thanx for being awesome authors and fun to know (sparkly hearts to you for V-day) I think that stands for Vampire Day, who's in with me? :)))
 
Vamprowler-- no, unfortunately I wasn't able to attend this year. Believe me, if I had, you would have known about it!! :-)

Happy V Day to you, too--

Jeanne
 
That sounds like quite an event!

Also, may I say that I'm completely in love with the way The Watcher title is "translated" in German? Awesome title. That sits up whith the French version of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover Series. Her "A Tale of Darkover" becomes roughly "The Ballade of Darkness"
 
Jeanne, eeks! You got that up quick. :). So cool about Norway! And hi Jeri! *waves* Glad to meet you, and hope you connected with Clare! Don't worry about the chocolates...I was too nervous to eat any.
And Happy Vampire Day to all.
 
Oh, and I started reading Deader Still (Anton Strout) yesterday. Did you know the first scene takes place at NY Comic Con? I laughed out loud; which got me a few weird looks for the other parents watching gymnastics practice with me.
Krystn
 
Anonymous said...Jeanne, eeks! You got that up quick. :).

I was thrilled to have it-- thanks again for sending it and the pics. Nice job.

J.
 
Hi Leia-- I like the covers, too--very evocative.

J.
 
Terrific post! But for the record, I can be mean. Seriously. Just ask my children. And listen:

GRRRRR. ARGH.

See that? Meanness, baby.
 
@Jeanne,
Oh, I grazed through the blog quickly at work and didn't catch that you didn't go. It gets crazy in the Javitz center. It's crazy all around it too! lol
Oh yea, you totally have to let me know when you zoom out this way. I'll be the first online. No, I won't wear fangs to embarrass you, lol
 
Jeanne it IS an evocative cover. Don't get me wrong I really love the USA covers (an almost first for a series after I've compared the coveres to overseas) but the German covers (I looked them up on Amazon) are quite something. I look forward to seeing the covers from Norway when they hit the press as well!

Krystn thanks so much for adding your even texperience to the blog entry! In all honesty I've read MAYBE 1(possibly 2 but I'm not sure) of the authors you listed, but it was a lot of fun to read about your experience. Also is it just me, or is anyone else noticing an excess of strawberry haired authors (authoressess?)in your lovely pictures.
 
Jackie said...Terrific post! But for the record, I can be mean. Seriously. Just ask my children. And listen:

GRRRRR. ARGH. See that? Meanness, baby.

Good try, Jackie-- but we know the truth! :-)

J.
 
Krystn said:Oh, and I started reading Deader Still (Anton Strout) yesterday. Did you know the first scene takes place at NY Comic Con? I laughed out loud; which got me a few weird looks for the other parents watching gymnastics practice with me.

Reading Anton Strout ANYWHERE is bound to get you funny looks-- it's like reading one of Mario's books in public. They should come with brown bag covers to slip on!

J.
 
Vamprowler said: I'll be the first online. No, I won't wear fangs to embarrass you, lol

You could wear anything you like!!

J.
 
Vamprowler, no fangs?!

Ask Jeanne for her gun bra. Might come in handy during this recession.
 
That was a cool summary of a fun weekend!! And for the record - I was behind you (with my boys) in line for Kim Harrison's signing and you did great! :) It was my first con too and boy did I miss out on some great stuff. How smart of you to do a recon mission on Friday! Next year I'll do better!!! It was quite overwhelming! See ya next year! Judi
 
Are you a fetishist Krystn, or is it a coincidence that your favorite urban fantasy authors are all redheaded women?
 
kuebler said...Are you a fetishist Krystn, or is it a coincidence that your favorite urban fantasy authors are all redheaded women?

And just coincidentally, I've been thinking of changing my hair color again to....(drumroll please)....well, you'll just have to wait and see!

J.
 
Hi, Judi! Of course I remember you! Judi is very cool and her boys were the best.

Kuebler, don't you know about the redhead plot to take over the world? Urban fantasy is only the first step. I did always wish I had red hair, though.

Krystn
 
Krystn-- you CAN have red hair...we all can. It's why God invented hair color in a bottle. I say we do it.

J.
 
granted just b/c we CAN have red hair doesn't mean we all should ...

:-p
 
Post a Comment



<< Home
www.marioacevedo.com
jeanniestein.com

Biting Edge - Blogged


Marta Acosta
Vampiress.ca
Zombie Defense Tactics
L.A. Banks
Robin Brande
Douglas Clegg
Mary Janice Davidson
Midnight Moon Cafe
P.N. Elrod
Christine Feehan
Andrew Fox
Jasper Fforde
Neil Gaiman
Laurell K. Hamilton
Charlaine Harris
Charlie Huston
Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Midnight Hour
First Offenders
Christopher Moore
Susan Squires
Storytellers Unplugged
Carrie Vaughn
Lynn Viehl
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro


Agent Query
AOL Bookmaven
Bookmouth
Bookseller Chick
Bronze Word
GalleyCat
Guide to Literary Agents
Grumpy Old Bookman
Marcela Landres
Miss Snark
The Neglected Books Page
Preditors and Editors
Pub Rants
Publishers Lunch
Slushpile
Latino Stories


Alt Vampires
Love Vampires Reviews
Bite Me Magazine
Borderlands Bookstore
Dark Carnival Bookstore
Dark Hunter
Horror Writers Assoc.
Kaleighbug Books
Locus Magazine
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
Paranormal Fiction
Paranormality Universe
Realm of the Vampires
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Net
Undead Update
Vampire Genre
Vampire HQ
The Vampire Library
Vampires Vault
Vampress
Vamprowler
Vampyres Online



ARCHIVES
March 2006 / April 2006 / May 2006 / June 2006 / July 2006 / August 2006 / September 2006 / October 2006 / November 2006 / December 2006 / January 2007 / February 2007 / March 2007 / April 2007 / May 2007 / June 2007 / July 2007 / August 2007 / September 2007 / October 2007 / November 2007 / December 2007 / January 2008 / February 2008 / March 2008 / April 2008 / May 2008 / June 2008 / July 2008 / August 2008 / September 2008 / October 2008 / November 2008 / December 2008 / January 2009 / February 2009 / March 2009 / April 2009 / May 2009 / June 2009 / July 2009 / August 2009 / September 2009 / October 2009 / November 2009 / December 2009 / January 2010 / February 2010 / March 2010 / April 2010 / May 2010 / June 2010 / July 2010 / August 2010 / September 2010 / October 2010 / November 2010 / December 2010 / January 2011 / February 2011 / March 2011 / April 2011 / May 2011 / June 2011 / July 2011 / August 2011 / September 2011 / October 2011 / November 2011 / December 2011 / January 2012 / February 2012 / March 2012 / April 2012 / May 2012 / June 2012 / July 2012 / August 2012 / September 2012 / October 2012 / November 2012 / December 2012 / January 2013 / February 2013 / March 2013 / April 2013 / May 2013 / June 2013 / July 2013 /


Powered by Blogger