Yeah, that’s what i’m talkin’ about. (Photo compliments of our illustrious editor of awesomeness.)

More soon. Yes, Virginny, I am preparing a con report! I’ve been slammed with work since getting back - surprise, surprise. This is what happens when the wireless in the Horton Grand is superlame.

In the meantime, Rantz has more pix in his Flickr feed. I happen to like this one as well (tho it’s a rare “no lipstick” shot):

(That’s Willow, Rantz, Mark Buckingham, Ivan Brandon, Jason Levesque, and yours truly)

And a full two weeks sooner than I expected. Good times!

If you’re heading to your comic shop for your weekly haul, please show BLUE and I a little love. Next week: COMIC BOOK TATTOO.

Speaking of which, got my CBT signing schedule for San Diego. If you’re at the show and want to get your book signed, there will be creators at the Image table around the clock. If you’d like me to sign your book, I’ll be there at these times:

Wednesday night @ 7 pm (with James Owen!)
Thursday @ 2 pm (with G. Willow Wilson & David Mack)
Friday @ 1 pm (with Lea Hernandez & Neil Kleid)
Saturday @ 4 pm (with David Mack & Dame Darcy)
Sunday @ high noon (with cover artist Jason Levesque & Ivan Brandon)

Feels like I have a lot to tell you today, and yet, my head is empty. Here’s something fun: earlier in the week, Leland gave a mini lesson over on the First Second blog.

Personally, I want to see more Bill Rattlecane. Have I ever mentioned my never-ending trouble naming characters? Leland never seems to have any trouble naming characters. I did, however, recently find some help from Social Security on the issue:

SSA Popular Baby Name Thingamabobby

The cool thing about this? Up to 500 of the most popular names, all the way back to 1879.

The 292th most popular boy’s name in 1888 (one of my favorite years) is Leland.

(I’ll stop now.)

Let me know what you think of BLUE!

Nipped these from Sami’s blog (click to see them bigger):

Can I just say that pens and art supplies make me go all weak in the knees? Marrying an artist was a good move.

Also want to point you in the direction of Comic Blog Tattoo, which shall feature stories and artistic thoughts from creators of COMIC BOOK TATTOO. First up is Rantz, talking about “The Waitress.” I was so impressed with his script when I got to take a peek at the beginning of the project… I can’t wait to see the finished story.

This just in my in-box from Ellen Datlow via GothamLit:

The Hosts of KGB Fantastic Fiction will raffle off donations from
well-known authors, editors, artists, and agents to help support the
reading series. Event takes place from July 14th, 2008 through July
28th, 2008. Raffle tickets will be $1 each and can be purchased from
http://www.kgbfantasticfiction.org.

Looks like a pretty cool haul! Here’s a partial listing of the prizes available:

Partial List of Prizes (a full list is available at the website)
• Story in a bottle by Michael Swanwick
• Tuckerization (your name in a story) by Lucius Shepard
• Tuckerization by Elizabeth Hand
• Tuckerization by Jeffrey Ford
• Pen & Ink drawing of an animal-your choice- by Gahan Wilson
• Original art for a George R. R. Martin novel by Tom Canty
• John Picacio signed print of art for Michael Moorcock novel
• Naomi Novik signed TEMERAIRE first edition
• Your very own wormhole from physicist Michio Kaku
• Peter Straub– a short excerpt, in various drafts, of a short story,
titled “Mallon the Guru,” deleted from his novel in progress
• Holly Black signed advance copy of GOOD NEIGHBORS
• Original art by Terri Windling
• Carol Emshwiller signed manuscript of THE ABOMINABLE CHILD’S TALE
• Complete set of back issues and lifetime subscription to PARADOX
MAGAZINE
• Critique of a short story by Ellen Datlow
• Critique of a short story by Gardner Dozois
• Critique of a short story by Nancy Kress
• Two year subscription to SYBIL’S GARAGE MAGAZINE
• Ray Bradbury limited edition worth $900
• And dozens more prizes on the website…

Terri’s and Tom Canty’s original art? Ray Bradbury limited edition? And a wormhole, by cracky. Doesn’t get much better than your very own wormhole.

The Fantastic Fiction reading series is terrific and deserves massive support, so, y’know, go forth on the 14th and drop a few shekels for a good cause and a wink from Lady Luck!

My BLUE comps have arrived! Totally wasn’t expecting that. I guess that means the book is shipping soon. Huzzah!

Yeah, I know it’s been quiet around here lately. I’ve had my head down finishing up a short story for Drilon and working on the development of my next few marketing classes (which shall be announced tomorrow in my newsletter for metaphysical & holistic practitioners). And then there’s San Diego to get ready for…

Wish NYC wasn’t so bleepin’ hot right now!

Did I mention that my BLUE comps have arrived?