This Must Be the Week of Celebrity Encounters...

Last weekend was the LBC&HC where I met a ton of great people from +Off Shoot Comics  and Fanboy Comics as well as new and established talent like +B. Alex Thompson (not related...that we know of), +Joshua Silverman (great writer who you should check out)...AND not to mention my run in with +Jonathan Maberry ....all of who added to a super-fun and straight up kick-ass weekend...

How could it get any better you ask? Well, I'm sure you didn't since I'm the one writing this, but I'll tell you anyway...

Hanging out with author/blogger/Zombie-Guide writer +J. Cornell Michel, THAT'S HOW!! I'm just a celebrity magnet!

I made my way up to sunny San Francisco to get away from life for a couple days. Aside from visiting friends, eating delicious clam chowder, touring Alcatraz, and savoring just one piece of Ghiradeli chocolate, my mission was to sit down and get some long-awaited face time with none other than the author of Jordan's Brains... and what a fun night that was..

But first, a little perspective...

Michel wasn't alone that night for dinner- she brought along the other half (And I since I'm not allowed to use his real name, for reasons of anonymity of course, I will refer to Mr. Michel as "Spouse"). So, by the time I navigated to the restaurant, Spouse was relaxing with some wine, while Michel was already one martini deep...let the games begin :)

So there we were, a couple-a' zombie writing living legends, shootin' the shit while I slurped down clam chowder (obviously it's a theme) and she sipped elegantly on martini Numero 2. We talked about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, zombies, more life, Spouse's life, Michel's second book, my books, football, wine and more life (yes, I did want to see how many times I could use the word life before I got annoyed with myself for not thinking of anything else).

Anyway, what a fun, talented and full-of-life person Michel is...and not to mention BUSY! Currently, she's finishing up her second book- which I'm sworn to secrecy to not discuss "hint-hint...it MAY or may not have to do with the undead"- all-the-while she's ready to co-publish a short Christmas-themed zombie poem "Twas the Bite Before Christmas"...I had the opportunity to beta-read it and let me just say it's hysterical and so creative, and the rhyme scheme and descriptions are fantastically done...all three of you reading this, you have to follow her and check up on release dates!!

Unfortunately Michel and Spouse had real jobs so it wasn't the all-night rager I was hoping for, but it was a great time hanging out with them. So, two, or was it three beers later? And a couple martini's for her...the night was closing up...but not without an interview from Michel. I can't even remember how many times I got off topic during her questions (so thanks Michel for dealing with me...and I wasn't even drunk), but eventually I answered (kinda) them...If any of you are interested in checking out the interview click here..you can even see a pic of us two mysterious horror novelists!

So, in closing, what happens when two next-gen horror writers get together? Well, I can't exactly tell you cause we try to keep our lives out of the media...I know, I know, what a cop-out...sad, but it's just something us famous people have to deal with.

Seriously though, we had a great dinner discussing our passions and future projects. Michel is a wonderful person and writer and I want to say thank you to her and Spouse for taking the time to get together with me. I am personally looking forward to another trip up to the bay, but maybe not as much as I am to read her next book.

Oh, and +J. Cornell Michel if you're out there reading this...thanks for signing my book!! And thanks for my present!!

That's it for tonight, ya'll...football time.

Khdahafez dania,

A.S. Teezy

LB Comic and Horror Con, and oh, Happy Thanksiving

Alright, so I'm finally getting to this...a few days late, but whatever, I've been busy...

So, the Long Beach Comic and Horror Convention was last weekend. +michael boyajian and I hit the con hard, bringing books, posters, cards and some other goodies to giveaway.- maybe next year we'll even dress up...cos play they call it?

Being my first convention ever- going or having a booth- it was interesting. There was decent traffic, although, if I had one criticism, it's that it wasn't as geared toward horror...it should have just been labeled as LB Comic Con only. I mean, there were some horror booths, writers and zombies crawling around but mostly it was comics. Whatever, end of the day it was exposure, right?

But if one of you curious cats were to ask me "Hey Thompson, what was the biggest and best highlight of the convention?" To that I would reply, "Well, Curious Cat, I'm glad you asked....randomly walking around the convention was none other than writer +Jonathan Maberry (his work has been a huge influence on my writing). And more than that, he stopped by the booth and took the time to hang out with Mike and I! Whaaaaaaaat?!?!!? Ya, that happened! Maberry was informative, helpful and just a super cool dude!

So, all in all the weekend was a success. I met a ton of great people, made helpful contacts and new friends and even had the pleasure of fellow Severed Press author +mwgarza  making an appearance! Thanks man! And check his stuff out if you haven't.

Now today is Thanksgiving, and it only feels right to take a second and say THANK YOU to all those who purchased books or otherwise supported me- both at the convention and since the inception of my first story. It's a really cool feeling, and I'm grateful to have you as fans and friends as you are who make writers a success, and it's your support that allows us to continue to do what we enjoy doing.

So have a happy, happy Thanksgiving (even if you don't live in the US). Eat, drink and tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. Tell a stranger hi, give a lil something to someone less fortunate and be happy to be alive.

See ya,

me

Long Beach Comic and Horror Convention

Okay, yes, I know, I suck at social media. It's not surprise, though. I check emails and respond to fans and friends alike on a more personal level, but when it comes time to logging on, liking, following, messaging, joining pages, and being actively involved every minute of every day on the million sites, I just suck at keeping up. I even don't get on this blog as much as I should.

Anyway, I just wanted to get that out of the way to explain my absence to the world. Well, I do kinda have an excuse and that is I have been working away at the second draft for book 3. It's coming along nicely! That's so great of you to ask! :)

So with work, book 3 and all the other stuff in between I've been busy...but not too busy to talk about something super important that's coming up....and that is THE LONG BEACH COMIC AND HORROR CONVENTION taking place on November 23rd and 24th! That's 2 days of hanging out with fantastic authors like myself and awesome illustrators like +michael boyajian, who, yes, will definitely be there too...as a matter of fact he and I will be sharing a booth and will be having TONS of goodies to give away!

I know what you're thinking..."I don't live anywhere near Long Beach, CA." Answer: Road Trip! Plane ticket! Bus ticket! Hitchhike! Whatever it takes...I guess we'll see how much you really like me...(seriously though, don't go poor or get killed hitching to get there- there will be other conventions)

Or maybe you saying to yourself, "I want to go, but it's like $25 for a pass!" Answer: It's ONLY $25 for a single day pass and discounted if you go both days, and even cheaper if you go just Sunday!!! That and there's SO MANY PERKS...you can come hang out with me, physically "like me" in person, walk away from my booth with a sh*tton of goodies and giveaways, and even some free candy, yes, delicious-buy-your-love, candy. I'm keeping the grand prizes and best giveaways under wraps, so come!!!

You're probably thinking some other stuff too, but my mind reading is slowing down- I need breakfast. So I think that's about it for now, but get your passes and come have a fun weekend with me!!

Yours truly, world,

me

Oh and if you're looking for some good zombie/horror reads, check out these friends of mine...
+mwgarza
+J. Cornell Michel
+Zombie Fighter Jango
+Phillip Tomasso