News — appearances

We just had a great time at ConCarolinas in Charlotte, NC!  The guest of honor was George R.R. Martin, and the place was packed. I want to get back in the habit of doing these recaps every time.   Top 5 experiences: I was a guest on "Seriously, Dan,"  a live broad-cast every Sat. from 6pm to 8pm, WYXC 1270 out of Cartersville, GA.  I was honored to be included by show host Dan Carroll (who you might also know from his role as Director of Media Relations for DragonCon, Monsterama, and various and sundry similar products).  He's a nice,...

Panels are fun, but they can be stressful for panelists, and the stress can come from some strange directions.  I wanted to run down some of the more common thoughts and observations I've had, on the off chance they are useful to someone about to be on their first convention panel.

1. So you're going to be on a panel…GREAT! They are fun! REMEMBER THAT! In any setting you can enjoy the atmosphere or you can BE part of the atmosphere.  If you've been asked to be on a panel (or Q&A session, or to speak) it means, first and foremost, the panel organizer (track director or whoever) trusts you to contribute positively to the panel/track/convention. Heady times, my friend!  
2. Either you are an authority on a subject, were directly involved, have a unique perspective, or are really entertaining in front of a crowd.  Or all of the above.  Let that be your armor against self-consciousness and doubt; the organizer trusts you.  Try and relax and remember that you are there in  front of the crowd to be you; to bring your knowledge and experience and personality to the panel.
3. Don't let the organizer down.  Here's a handy dandy sub-list that will help you out.

Anachrocon 2013 was only our second time out vending as Horror In Clay.  Most of our "booth" is repurposed gear from our basement tike bar.  Our adventure began loading up the minivan to the roof with mugs, shirts, jiggers, stickers, and fezzes (for this con we were an official reseller for Fez-O-Rama fezzes. Made in America, by folks who know fine haberdashery. www.fezorama.com).   Load in and setup in went smoothly Thursday night, aided by our friends and minions (frinions?) Lucky and Tang.  Thanks guys!  Those lovely stalwarts also opened the booth for us and vended on Friday.  (Tang even...

SEO and vanity tells me I need a blog to help support the doings of www.HorrorInClay.com so here it is; my random ramblings, appearance info, and opinions from my little corner of my own little imaginary tiki bar and virtual store.   I. The Manifesto By now everyone knows we sell a Cthulhu inspired tiki mug. Yay!  The world just got more awesome! (At least we think so) We have a little more going on that that, and still more in the pipeline, so here's our manifesto.  We at Horror In Clay want the world to be a more magical...