From Left to Right: Phillip Salomon, Dawn Xiana Moon, Gordon Dymowski, Shira Raider, and Karlyn Meyer
(Note: some content originally appeared on personal Facebook posts...and it's kind of long).
Moderating panels is a challenge; organizing and moderating even more so. As many of you are aware, I've been busy organizing a C2E2 Doctor Who panel as well as moderating a Windy City Pulp and Paper panel..and my schedule continues to be full.
Yes, I know it's been awhile - trust me, there's a great recap post coming up. (Between paid writing and freelance work, haven't had a chance to visit the blog....especially with some catch-up blogging that needs to be done).
So if you're coming to Windy City Pulp this weekend - here's Sunday's panel schedule.
While reviewing my e-mail yesterday, I became part of a conversation with some fellow authors. One of these authors had remarked on possibly being asked to sign a counterfeit version of his work.
Since I am now a "working writer" (meaning I write and I work), I also came across some illegal versions of my writing. So if anyone ever approaches me with an obviously bootlegged version of my work....well, here's the canned speech.
"Ok, so you downloaded this because...well, you couldn't afford the book. Well, I'm not going to sign it. Not even with an obviously fake name like "Martin Chuzzlewit" or "John Cleese". Why? Because even though it's unintended, you're giving creators and artists the finger by bootlegging. Let's take Black Bat Mystery - Volume 3 as an example - my fellow authors Gene Moyers, Greg Hatcher, and Erik Franklin put in a lot of time to craft their stories. I only know Greg through his work for Comics Should Be Good, and don't know Erik. I've met Gene at Windy City Pulp and Paper, and he's a gentleman and a scholar. Marco and Graham worked hard on providing some great art, and Ron and Rob and the Airship 27 editorial staff worked. And what's our reward? Royalties. Your illegal download prevents us from earning money. "But Gordon - books are expensive. I don't have money. Plus, information should be free" Now, let's be clear - that book costs less than $20 regardless of format: Softcover, Kindle, and PDF. Purchased legally, we get the results of our hard work. Plus, you're screwing over a small business - it's one thing to download a television show for your own viewing. Not cool, given that many services stream, but that's a larger enterprise. By pirating this book, you're screwing over a smaller publisher. (Same goes for my Pro Se work, and especially Dreamer's Syndrome: New World Navigation. I've never met Frank Byrns, Brent Lambert, Aidan Mohan, Brad Mengel, Greg Rose, or Eric Woodard. I've only talked with Mark Bousquet - my editor/publisher at Space Buggy - via e-mail. But choosing to download via dubious methods shortchanges many efforts to bring new, creative visions to others.
(Good example - Big Finish once remarked that it stopped production on Sapphire & Steel audio dramas because more people were illegally downloading than were actually purchasing it. Since sales were low, they had to made a business decision....one which they probably did not want to make) Besides, would you appreciate it if your employer asked you to work for free? Or worse, expected you to work for spec until they decided you were worth paying? You sure as heck wouldn't. And if you're torrenting these books - please stop it. You're only doing it to line your own wallet at our expense. You're not doing us any favors, and quite frankly, you're disrupting our efforts to stay creative. I can't stop you from torrenting music, audio, etc, but consider that by doing so....you're not just breaking the law, but you're also hurting the very creators who are trying to bring great visions to life. So why not buy an actual hard copy - or use your mobile device to order a Kindle or PDF - and I'll sign it. But I'm not going to openly endorse or condone bootlegging by signing something that I know is obtained illegally...and which adversely affects both me and my fellow creators. And thus endeth the lecture."
So if you want to avoid having me shake my finger in that 'you-darn-kids-get-off-my-lawn manner'....well, you now know what to do.
Getting back into the groove after Windy City Pulp....and I had a blast. Next year, no split weekends for me - reading went well, had a chance to connect with my publisher, met some cool people and....well, basically jump-started my writing career. So much so that Monday morning, I was hired for a really short-term consulting gig. Things are starting to percolate....but I thought it would be cool to highlight some of my other writing and editing work.
The Shadow of Her Smile
Shadow of Her Smile by Jack Beddows. It's a nice, taut novel about a man involved with a woman during World War I. The fact that she's a vampire....complicates matters. Shadow of Her Smile does a great job of evoking that early style, while telling a pretty intricate tale. Available in both softcover and Kindle formats, Shadow of Her Smile is an enjoyable read available via Airship 27 Productions.
If you're looking for a great short story, why not check out Pro Se's Single Shot The Eye of Darkness (The Adventures of Dr. Shadows Book 1) by Teel James Glenn? It's good, it's relatively inexpensive (only a buck), and quite honestly - it's a pretty good story. Short, to the point, but more importantly - entertaining as heck.
And so now, back to the grindstone - as well as preparation for C2E2. So yes, pals, it's going to be awhile before you hear from me again....
So you're probably thinking, "Hey, Gordon, I really want to attend next week's Windy City Pulp and Paper con, but I have no idea why I should do so?"
Well, I can think of a few reasons....five, in fact. So without further adieu, here are some good reason to attend next week:
You'll find a variety of great reads - if you're looking for just pulp literature, you'll be happy. But there are plenty of vintage novels of various stripes....as well as some great nostalgia-themed items. It's a pretty good opportunity to catch up on your reading, as well as find some great new - and vintage - novels.
I'll be rocking New Pulp Sunday - If you want to give only one day a trial, consider April 19th or "New Pulp Sunday". I'll be doing a reading from "Crossing McCausland" at 1:30 pm, and then will be on the "What's Next? The Changing Face of Genre Fiction" panel at 2:00 pm. Plus, things will come to an end around 3:00 pm, and the cost is only ten bucks. Speaking of costs...
For Chicago residents, it's public transportation friendly - Although it is a lengthy trip, you can get to the convention via CTA and Pace bus - either the 313 Bus from the Green Line, or the 322 Bus from the Pink Line. Head to the CTA's main site for more detailed travel details. Hey, if you can attend a panel at C2E2, you can take the time and effort to...
Support A Great Local Convention - Yeah, we have Wizard World and C2E2, but you should also be supporting smaller shows. Although I owe some people serious amends for missing Dan Con this year, I am a strong advocate of supporting smaller, more independent efforts, and Windy City's a great chance to show some love. Finally....
Meet Two Hosts of Zone 4 - Not only will you get to meet me, but also Ron, who co-hosts the podcast with me....and who will continually remind you that he wrote the Green Hornet. And once you meet him, you'll understand a lot.
So in that spirit, be sure to head down to Windy City Pulp - I'll be there both Friday and Sunday. (Saturday I'll be at Columbia College talking Sherlock Holmes). For more details on my upcoming appearances, simply head back to this previous blog post.
The next few months are....well, let's just say that I'll probably even be less present online than I am currently. But here are some great opportunities to catch me face-to-face.
I've been working on my calendar, and over the next few months, I'll be spending many weekends socializing, enjoying my interests, and basically procrastinating (all of this while building my new marketing consultancy and finding/performing work). So if you're interested in meeting up with me, here's the highlights for April and May:
April 9th - It's time for another Chicago Geek Breakfast - a casual networking event at Wow Bao. We sit and we talk, and build relationships - click the links for details and to RSVP April 18th - Chicago Doctor Who Meetup is holding its monthly screening/lecture of a classic Who episode: check out Meetup.com for details April 17th and April 19th - I will be a guest/attendee at Windy City Pulp and Paper . April 19th - that Sunday - I will be reading "Crossing McCausland" from Tall Pulp and serving on a 2:00 pm panel. Now, what will I be doing that Saturday, you ask....
April 18th - Daina of the Sherlock Chicago Meetup group and I will be co-presenting on gender roles in Sherlock Holmes at Columbia College's one-day Geek Culture Gala. Check out details via Facebook. April 24 - 26th - Yes, I'm doing C2E2 this year - special thanks for the press pass. I'll be the confused looking one with the well-worn "old school lawyer case". May 2nd - Please join me for "The Wibbley Wobbley Timey-Wimey Guide to Doctor Who" at Oak Lawn Public Library's first annual Fanfest in celebration of Free Comic Book Day. It's family friendly, has a nice south side location (on 95th street just west of Cicero), and - more importantly - free to attend! May 9th - Come join me at the DePaul's Celebration of Supernatural - I'll be on the morning panel for antecents of the show, and we're conveniently located downtown - 14 E. Jackson, near the Red/Orange/Blue/Pink/Brown Lines. (Special thanks to Brant Fowler of Comic Related/Zone 4 Podcast for his assistance and expertise, since I'm engaging in a "crash course" in the show). Although it's free to attend, I suggest RSVPing via Eventbrite May 10th - Chicago Nerd Social Club Leverage 101 event; details to follow. (Here's the obligatory Leverage-themed blog post) May 14th - Yes, it's another Chicago Geek Breakfast at Wow Bao.
As I stated yesterday, my life's changed in many ways. I'm glad now to say that I'm happy busy....and hope to see you, dear reader, at an upcoming event.
At last year's Windy City Pulp and Paper, I was fortunate enough to receive some complimentary books from author Dale Cozort, with the promise of reading and reviewing them. Needless to say, I hadn't had a chance to read any of them until this past Sunday's Snowmageddon 2015. Sitting down with All Timelines Lead to Rome - a book that was highly recommended by friends - I spent a few hours (after shovelling snow) reading the book from cover to cover.
I'm a sucker for a good parallel world story, but All Timelines Lead to Rome doesn't focus on that parallel world exclusively. Like Doctor Who: Inferno, Cozort's book uses a parallel world as a storytelling engine rather than a primary setting. Splitting between our present world and "Timeline X", Cozort's story focuses on a central mystery: a corpse is found with a photo of a scroll from a parallel timeline. With concerns about polluting a parallel timeline, Darla Smith - an agent for the Bureau of Temporal Integrity - leads an investigation that results in uncovering a rather fiendish - and possibly deadly - conspiracy....
One of the great things about All Timelines Lead to Rome is that it's a strong thriller with slight science fiction overtones. There's never a false beat or obvious storytelling trick, and there's a wonderful sense of pacing. (It also helps that Cozort actually makes the western suburbs of Chicago seem exciting - trust me, I've been out there). Even the nature of Timeline X is unique - a world where Rome maintained its empire, and America remained a hidden land, its indigenous people remaining untouched by "civilization".
All Timelines Lead to Rome also demonstrates a great deal of depth and diversity, both in its research and in how it describes its characters. When the final revelations come (and no, I'm not going to spoil), there is a very palpable sense of shock. Even though various characters may seem familiar, there's never a sense that the plot follows familiar cliches. Cozort does a great job in writing a story that's half thriller, and half exploration around how cultures are influenced by various factors.
If you're looking for a really good, casual read - consider All Timelines Lead to Rome by Dale Cozort. My only regret is that I didn't read this sooner....but now, I've followed through on at least one obligation from last year.
And now, onto those Sanctum Press Doc Savage and Avenger reprints I purchased....
In an effort to provide you with some blogging goodness (at least, until I finish reading/viewing the stuff that I will be writing about in the next few days), here are some various highlights that I, Gordon Dymowski, have written in the past few weeks:
You might also want to check out the past 2 - 3 episodes of the Zone 4 podcast, if only because,....well, sometimes I think that we have a hard time distinguishing "hating" from "having a different opinion" (and yes, I'll be writing about that in the next few weeks)
Finally, if you're looking for some good reads (as well as looking to support the blog), please feel free to order any of the books below - I've edited most of them (The Wind-Up Kid being the sole exception), and they're all pretty good reads. Ordering from the neat widget below puts a few cents in my pocket (at least, until I'm formally published - details will be forthcoming), and if you approach me with a legally purchased copy, I'll sign it. So there.
But thankfully, with fedora on head, I headed out to Lombard - normally, the home of Chicago TARDIS, but this year, the site of....well, the beginnings of my writing career.
It's unusual for me to head out on a Sunday - I'm used to visiting Windy City Pulp on Saturday, but thanks to Easter's placement on the calendar, C2E2 and Windy City were both on the same weekend. Thankfully, I headed out on New Pulp day, where Zone 4 cohost/Airship 27 "boss" (yes, I edit for Airship 27) Ron Fortier had me run a few panels....and it was fun.
Now, for some more important news - as many of you know (because I've said it on Facebook), I've written a story entitled "When Angels Fall" for Mark Bousquet's New World Navigation anthology. Currently, I'm giving it some last minute edits, and that should be out in the fall. My story is a heady mixture of hard boiled private detective, high fantasy, and a cartoon bear. Yes, you did read that correctly.
However, I am pleased to announce that throughout the latter half of 2014, I will have some short stories in various anthologies published by Pro Se Productions. They're a small outfit out of Arkansas and Tommy Hancock, the major domo of Pro Se, is a great guy with a singular taste in headgear. So if you like stories about alternate worlds, or corrupt mayors, or even former state legislators who become bounty hunters....I think you'll like what I'll be writing. (You also might want to check out many of their works, including Black Pulp, Fortune McCall, and Lazarus Gray). I'm also working on a story for Airship 27 - the subject matter will be familiar to blog readers as well....
Interesting postscript - as I headed back from Windy City, delighted to see my pulp-loving pals and acquire some reading materials (those Doc Savage reprints won't purchase themselves, you know), I was thinking of possibly doing an event with Chicago Nerd Social Club....but thought that they might think of pulp as too old fashioned. A member post in CNSC's Facebook group (which is members only) openly wondered why more people hadn't heard of it....and several others expressed pulpy interest.
If life in Chicago means being a pulp nerd and a Doctor Who nerd....then so be it.
Ok, so I'm going to be away from the keyboard for a few days....since my weekend's going to be mega-busy. However, I'll be listing some of the highlights...meaning that even if you can't make either C2E2 or Windy City Pulp and Paper - of if we cross paths - you'll still have one heckuva time this weekend.
On Friday, April 26th, I'll be working the Comic Related Booth (for the most part) at C2E2 - just feel free to swing by D1, D2, and D3 in Artist's Alley. Even if you miss me, say "hi" to Chuck Moore, Decapitated Dan, and the other Comic Related crew.
That Friday evening at 6:45 pm, I'll be attending the Opening the Clubhouse Doors panel put on by Chicago Nerd Social Club. (Yes, I'm on their board). Please feel free to come...and come early, because I think this is really going to be a great panel).
After rushing around like a madman, I'll also be attending the Glass Ceilings, Missing Stairs, and Gatekeeping panel put on - once again - by Chicago Nerd Social Club. Saturday afternoon, 2:45-ish.
On Sunday, I'll be heading to lovely, scenic Lombard to moderate the Publishing New Pulp panel at Windy City Pulp & Paper. Be sure to say "hi" to pal Ron of Zone 4 and Airship 27 Productions while I annoy a potential publisher about release dates....
But that's going to make me a busy guy this weekend, and yes, I'll try to upload photos when I get a free moment. Otherwise, hope to see all of you this weekend.
Right now, even though I'm freelancing and still seeking work (more on that in another post), I am glad to see that, on the networking/social site, I'm beginning to develop a bit of a schedule. So if you're in the Chicago area between now and May-ish, here are some suggested events where you might be able to catch a glimpse of me.
(And don't be afraid to say "hello")
This Sunday, March 16th, I will be attending Almost Pi(e) Day 2014, an event put on by the Chicago Nerd Social Club. (Note: I'm a board member). Whether you enjoy mathematics or baked goods, I think you'll find this a really great event. Details (including RSVP information) at this link.
On Saturday, March 23rd, I'll be attending Day One of the two-day Dan Con, put on by pal Decapitated Dan. Mostly, I'll be apologizing to Dan and begging his forgiveness for missing Dan Con 2013. So in other words...if you want to see me grovel, please be sure not to miss Dan Con this year!
On Friday, April 26th/Saturday, April 27th, I will be hanging out around the Comic Related table at C2E2. (Thankfully, I have a press pass). I'll also be attending twopanels run by pal Michi of CNSC and Geek Melange, so I'll be making my way throughout the event. Of course, I won't be there on Sunday, because....
On Sunday, April 28th, I'll be running the "Publishing New Pulp" panel at Windy City Pulp & Paper, where I'll be meeting with three writer/publishers whom I greatly admire....and fellow Zone 4 co-host Captain Ron (and yes, I'm kidding). If you're into the pulp fiction, you'll want to attend (and I'm hoping to pick up Altus Press' Inspector Allhoff
anthology)....
Activities around the Chicago Doctor Who Meetup Group will definitely be picking up, since I have many plans in the works. Be sure to click and check out the site for details in the next few weeks, and finally....
Just found out that I am fortunate enough to sit on a panel at Joss Whedon: A Celebration happening at DePaul University (my alma mater), on Saturday, May 5th.Clicking on the link will take you to a Facebook evite with further details; once I know more, I'll share them via the blog.
So although I will be blogging more, you can be rest assured that any prolonged absence isn't due to being too busy....it's due to actually enjoying the spring.
(Here's hoping that it doesn't interfere too much with C2E2 - both are on the same weekend)
And now, preparing for Snomageddon: 2014 - Phase Two. Writing story for publication in the summer. Freelance work. And waiting news on publication (got an early heads-up, but want to wait for details)
Not much to write about (have a lot of irons in the fire at this point), but wanted to draw your attention to this week's Zone 4, where Ron Fortier and I discuss the fun we had at Windy City Pulp and Paper.
Oh yeah, and we talk about some movie that's out and that's not getting any media or online attention.
Other than that, things are....well, like I said, have a lot of irons in the fire. Need to blitz through and just get them done. So that's why I've been away from the blog for a bit.
Spent a good chunk of Saturday hanging out at the Windy City Pulp and Paper con with Zone 4 pal Ron Fortier - granted, it didn't have the scope or the raw immediacy of C2E2, but what it did have, I think, is much more vital, vibrant, and for me, at least....important.
Scratch that - for me, it's critical.
At the expense of sounding rather curmudgeonly, we who appreciate more "geeky" or "nerdy" endeavors are spoiled. We have DVDs of old material that we can look over. We have web sites, forums, and other attempts to court us for our hard-earned discretionary spending cash. Every aspect of entertainment has us in our sights, and rather than use this as a way to launch further into a rich tapestry.....we either turn away, complain for what we lack (like, say, people complaining that they can't download Bar Tab of Rassilon, even though they can watch it in a browser 24/7), or engage in the kind of single-minded obnoxious thuggery usually reserved for fans of major sports. In turn, we also don't celebrate craft and literacy, and choose to focus more on the "cool" and hip. We turn away from a sense of history, and focus more on our immediate needs (consider recent conversations around creators' rights, with many who speak out being dismissed as "wanting attention" because they see a lack of creativity in major efforts). In short, we're doomed to repeat history because we're ignoring it.
Pulp literature reminds us of our common history - it's our first, most immediate link to how creators were thinking this stuff up on the spot. It's that immediacy, that sense of "now", that burns throughout. It's an unashamed willingness to go popular, rather than cater to some kind of "exclusive" club, that makes pulp literature so important - for comics fans, it's their way to embrace that past, and to actually find some valid excitement in the "cheap" entertainment of the past.
Oh, Gordon, you may be thinking, You're just telling us what we should like, you nostalgic twerp!
You're free to dismiss what I'm saying (although I haven't used the word twerp since I was nine years old), but consider this - you don't have to like pulp literature. There are things that you will hate....but have you ever considered broadening your tastes? The fact that there's an increasing presence for pulp literature (a whole frickin' movement) that's being driven not by old men wanting to relive the past....but younger writers embracing and creating new works that are geared solely for entertainment. Yes, it can be difficult for some to adjust to reading mostly words and not pictures....but it's worth it. It allows us to reconnect with a sense of literacy, a sense of knowing how language works, and really gives us insight into our cultural past.
(And I can say, without any sense of irony, that I end up spending more money at Windy City Pulp than I do at C2E2. I practice what I preach).
But pulp fiction - in all its varieties, from Victorian detective stories to the slam-bang prose of the 1930s, provides us insight into our goals and aspirations in the past.....which can only help drive our current goals and aspirations. The more we see ourselves as we were, the better we see ourselves as we are, and can better conceive ourselves as we should be.
as an example - my fellow authors Gene Moyers, Greg Hatcher, and Erik Franklin put in a lot of time to craft their stories. I only know Greg through his work for Comics Should Be Good, and don't know Erik. I've met Gene at Windy City Pulp and Paper, and he's a gentleman and a scholar. 
. I've never met Frank Byrns, Brent Lambert, Aidan Mohan, Brad Mengel, Greg Rose, or Eric Woodard. I've only talked with Mark Bousquet - my editor/publisher at Space Buggy - via e-mail. But choosing to download via dubious methods shortchanges many efforts to bring new, creative visions to others. 
Shadow of Her Smile by Jack Beddows. It's a nice, taut novel about a man involved with a woman during World War I. The fact that she's a vampire....complicates matters. Shadow of Her Smile does a great job of evoking that early style, while telling a pretty intricate tale. Available in both softcover and Kindle formats, Shadow of Her Smile is an enjoyable read available via Airship 27 Productions.
by Teel James Glenn? It's good, it's relatively inexpensive (only a buck), and quite honestly - it's a pretty good story. Short, to the point, but more importantly - entertaining as heck.
- a book that was highly recommended by friends - I spent a few hours (after shovelling snow) reading the book from cover to cover.
is a really good read.
, Fortune McCall, and Lazarus Gray). I'm also working on a story for Airship 27 - the subject matter will be familiar to blog readers as well....
