ComiCon Report

by Marsha Ward  @MarshaWard

As I mentioned previously, I recently shared a booth at Phoenix ComiCon. Thank you to all who came by the booth.

I had an interesting four days.

I could tell you about the gunman who got in on Thursday, but I was unaware of the event until I read about it on Facebook. Fortunately, Phoenix police officers took the fellow into custody without incident.

That caused much discomfort for fans on Friday, though, as they had to wait in the sun for a couple of hours while staff and security searched all backpacks, large purses, etc., for any contraband. Prop weapons were banned, weapon sellers were obliged to put purchases into opaque bags (that is, black garbage bags), and one vendor created such a stink that he was told to pack up and leave.

But you probably want to know about my experience. I met two of my booth-mates for the first time. I learned that I probably want a table-front banner of some kind and/or book cover posters if I do something like this again. I did decide to emulate something another author did in our booth. You'll see what that plan is when you come to the Payson Book Festival on July 22.

But as I said above, I had an interesting four days. Costumes abounded, some incredibly detailed, some pretty basic, some outlandish, some lacking much substance. I was amazed, however, at how easily I let go of the need to judge all manner of people and their fascinations. That's not my job, anyway. I simply enjoyed the spectacle and the homemade ice cream.

I sold a handful of books. I didn't expect to sell loads of books. In fact, I scaled back my inventory from tons of books to five of each, because I knew I would not sell many books (plus, I didn't want to undergo the dock loading process).

For one thing, I'm not a well-known, super-star author.

For another, I was offering historical novels for sale at a convention more into sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and popular TV shows and movies of those cultures. But I did give away my handouts, which have QR codes on the back for people curious about what I was doing there. That is a part of my brand awareness advertising plan.

I enjoyed looking at the costumes, but I could not tell you who about 90 percent of them represented.

I did get a Whovian thrill, though.

BBC America had a Dr. Who booth at which one could have free photos taken: outside with your own camera/phone,

and inside, with a photo emailed to you. By the way, the TARDIS really is bigger on the inside!

Will I do ComiCon as a vendor again? The verdict isn't in yet. If I ever write a book in a genre more in line with the spirit of the Con, perhaps yes. If I don't I can always go as an attendee. That will probably give me less stress and fewer hours of after-event decompressing.

Have you ever been to an event like a ComiCon? Were you an attendee or a vendor? What did you experience?

Fresh Book Friday - A Golden Princess

It's Friday, and I have a new book to show to you:

Title: A Golden Princess
Author: Anna del C. Dye
Genre: Young Adult Medieval Romance
Published: February 3, 2017

Book Description:
Small for her age, Princess Nyala is determined to be noticed and someday rule with fairness and valor in Kaloma. All that changes when she looks upon the stars and they predict her accident. After she awakens to a broken body, her father takes to his goblet and she steps into power in her kingdom at sixteen.

Her father said that no man would choose a half-broken princess. Is that how Prince Nicolao sees her after the accident? Her heart is unsure, and out of fear, she keeps him away to avoid a broken heart.

As soon the other kingdoms in the land determine the predicament of the Royal House of Kaloma, they too will prey on her vulnerability to steal her kingdom. She will have to confront new foes or lose it all.

Purchase Link: Kindle

Excerpt:
“The servants have set dinner in the terrace for us,” the prince stated.

“That will be different,” the princess replied. “But it is a wonderful night.”

“I think it is the company that makes it more beautiful,” Briton said. He didn’t want to be left out, and Nicolao felt for him, just a little bit.

Never before had he noticed how long the hall seemed or the brilliant lights that hung from the rafters. That night the path echoed with their joyous voices and their steps. He pointed to the paintings of his forefathers and she commented on their clothes and strange hairdos.

“I would love to see your kingdom someday,” he mentioned. He wanted to stay close and see where his admi­ration for her would take him in the next few years. He vowed to let his heart decide the matter.

“Oh, this is enchanting, Prince Nicolao,” she sighed and brought him back to the moment.

The servants opened two glass doors and the group stepped onto the terrace.

“Could you please call me just Nicolao?” he asked.

“Did you see the lanterns hanging from the vines?” she asked, ignoring him and he wondered why? ... Did she do it on purpose?

“They seem like stars suspended in the air.” Misty turned slowly to take it all in.

“The fragrance from those flowers is delicate and beauti­ful,” Nyala stated, and sniffed the air some more.

“I am most pleased that you like them,” the prince said. He wanted her attention and it felt odd to compete with the nightlights and plants for it.

“Like them? We love them!”

After supper, Nicolao invited them for a moonlit walk.

Nyala glanced again at the dark velvety sky and said, “I have never seen so many stars in one place before.”

“Me neither, it is an awesome sight,” her lady-in-waiting added.

“We ordered them,” explained Asher, “the velveteen sky, the diamonds, all suspended in the night, just for you.” He finished with a bow towards Misty. The words fitted the mo­ment and the company and Nicolao wished he would have come up with that thought, but alas, he was outwitted.

“Most thoughtful of you,” Misty giggled.

“I would like to know about the different shapes that the stars form,” Nyala stated. “See that one, it seems to be a pot or something like that.”

“I do see what you mean,” Nicolao responded.

“Do you know what they mean?” she pressed.

“No, but there is someone in the castle who knows about them,” he affirmed. “Briton, could you get Drake, the astrol­oger, from his tower to come and talk to us about the stars?”

“What is an astrologer?” Nyala asked as Briton left.

“Astrologers are few, and only royalty have one in their employ,” the prince explained. “They claim to understand the stars, travel by them and such. But take warning, their upkeep is high.”

“I see,” she said.

“My Princess, many astrologers are seen as an amuse­ment by many of the people of the court,” Asher cautioned her.

“It is just for fun, my friend,” she patted his arm. “I am dying to see what he tells us.”

“Princess Nyala visits us from the Kingdom of Kaloma,” Prince Nicolao introduced her to the astrologer.

“It is an honor, My Lady,” Drake said and bowed to them. A half-moon pendant hung from his neck over the long, dark blue gown he wore.

“Drake, please tell us, what do you see in the stars?” Nyala asked, hands turned upward.

“Many things, My Lady,” he answered.

“What about the shapes of the stars, Drake? Do they mean anything?”

“Yes, My Princess. They all have names and they are the rulers of everyone’s future,” he answered. He then told them the name of many star clusters; at least what he and the other astrologers called the different groups of stars. His knowledge kept them fascinated for a long while.

“What else do you see in them?” she asked again.

“I see the seasons, the weather and also the future.”

“That is impossible; no one is permitted to know such things.” Nicolao stared at the sage.

“Everyone’s future is written in the stars,” the astrologer insisted. His dark eyes returned the prince’s stare.

“Could you tell me about my future?” Nyala asked.

“Yes, My Lady. Please tell me which day you were born.”

She answered all of his questions. He then opened his star charts and did some calculations on them. When Drake seemed done, he glanced back and forth between the prince and her, his lips and tan face appeared tight.

“What did you find out?” she blurted.

“My Lady is going to be a queen before she turns eight­een,” Drake responded.

“Oh, the laws of our kingdom stipulate that I have to be eighteen to become queen.”

“It is written in the stars,” he pointed at the parchment in his hand.

“What else did you see?” Nicolao insisted, not impressed with his first statement.

“My Lady is coming back to visit us in the spring of her fifteenth birthday,” Drake stated quickly.

“That sounds much better. Will I be alone?” Nyala asked.

“No, My Lady, thy father and this young lady will be with you.”

“Anything more?” she insisted.

“Thy father is going to fall ill and die on your seven­teenth birthday, My Princess.”
~~~

Author Bio:
Anna was born in the extreme South along some famous beaches. She grew up with four other siblings, being placed in the middle.

Anna moved to the USA to marry her husband, Rodney, and has resided in Utah since then. Her husband, a native of Idaho, met her in her hometown. They fell in love and she came to Utah on Christmas Eve to be married two weeks later. They are the parents of three princes and a princess.

Early on in her life she showed an affinity for sewing and took classes that rewarded her with the opportunities of doing costuming for the cast of four musicals, and for Utah’s own Fantasy Con, which she enjoyed immensely. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Anna lives in Taylorsville, Utah, in a house that is 116 years old.

Some of Anna’s writing recognitions:
Anna received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry and had her article entitled "A New American Mother" published by Desert Saints Magazine. Her short story entitled "Amerine—Fairy Princess" won an award in the Oquirrh chapter contest and was published by Kalkion Magazine. (Now it is published as an e-book.) Other articles about family and relationship have been published frequently in the MOMS CLUB® of Salt Lake Valley-West.

Anna has published seven books in her Elf series. One won a bronze seal, another first page second place and yet another honorable mention. Her love story was published by Deseret book in the anthology entitled Angels Round About, compiled by July C. Olsen. Another of her articles was included in the book Mother’s Message in a Bottle, edited by Tyler Hayden and published by Ninbus Publishing. Her new series, "A Royal Romance," was published in February, 2015, with the first book being Once Upon Two Kingdoms, which won a first page award. A Kingdom by the Sea, the second book in "A Royal Romance," was published in February, 2016.

Connect with Anna:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Purchase Link: Kindle

Warm Up Your Winter - Free Ebooks and 5 Gift Cards, too!

EDITED: Now 5 $10 Gift Cards are up for grabs in the Sweepstakes!

A group of my Author friends and I joined together to make you this nifty free ebook offer and giveaway at My Book Cave, because, you know, it's cold out there, and what could be better than cuddling up in a cozy chair with a blanket around your shoulders and reading a new book on your Kindle, Nook, phone, or tablet?

From now until Friday, February 10, 2017, we're each giving away one or more of our ebooks. Free. And a chance to win a $10 gift card in a giveaway sweepstakes, too. So what's the catch?

Authors always welcome the opportunity--if you like our books--to let you know about our newest releases. We all have emailed newsletters, like mine, that let us tell you about our books, give you a glimpse into our lives, and allow you to take part in special offers like this one.

We like more readers to subscribe, so we do these kinds of promotions in exchange for your email address.* That's the catch. You get free ebooks and a chance to win a gift card, and we get new readers for our newsletters. Cool, huh?

You will be contacted by the authors whose books you select and to whom you give your emails. They are all nice people and good writers. Here's the link to a page where all the ebooks are featured.

Remember to enter the Sweepstakes Giveaway on the right side of the page, found here on My Book Cave.

*You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time, but you might want to stick around and find out what my friends and I have planned for the year for your reading pleasure.
~~~

Gone for a Soldier - Book 1: The Owen Family Saga.

Rulon Owen enlists in the cavalry to fight Yankees, but he needs good fortune to survive and make it home to his young wife, Mary, and the toddler son he's never seen.

At home, newlywed Mary faces her own soul-draining battles in her disapproving mother's household, magnified by the trials of life in a war zone.

Separated by war and circumstance, Rulon and Mary discover that not all enemies wear the Union blue.