#CTConn2016 and Photos from #CTConn2015 too!

08/04/201608/05/2016 | Casey Wyatt

As usual, this July, my family attended ConnectiCon in Hartford. Unlike other years, I was on a panel and a workshop. For more details on how that happened, see my recent blog post over at Nights of Passion.

The best part of the story is that our panel filled to capacity and the convention asked us to return in 2017. The “us” includes my co-presenters Corrina Lawson and Jamie K. Schmidt.

This year’s featured guests included: Walter Koening, Michael Dorn and Nana Visitor of Star Trek Fame. Also, Sean Astin and John Rhys-Davies (LOTR), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Jess Harnell (Animaniacs), and many more.

Last year (2015), my husband, who is NOT an outgoing guy with strangers, managed to make friends with Maurice LaMarche. Before you go, who? He is most famous as the voice of Brain from Pinky and the Brain. However, if you think you’ve never heard his voice, you’d be wrong. Ever listened to a Lexus commercial? Yup that’s him. Watched Frozen or Zootopia (The King and the Godfather mole, respectively). Anyway, he is a super nice man. If you ever do go to a convention and he’s there – go say hello to him!!

This year wasn’t any different. Hubby managed to “bond” with Jess Harnell (who complimented my curls – see the photo and you will understand why). We also made friends with talented comic book artist Steven Geiger and his lovely wife Kristean (Hi guys!!).

Hubby already warned me that come 2017, he might not make any new friends but I’m betting on whatever pheromone he emits continues to work.

We shall see.

Before you go, I created two Pinterest boards.

See here, for 2016 photos.

We did attend CTConn 2015, see here for my Pinterest board (photos include: George Takei, Maurice LaMarche and a ton of great cosplay).

Who else has been to a convention recently? Which one? And would you go again?

5 Reasons Why Writers Should Attend Conventions

07/10/201411/22/2014 | Casey Wyatt

Hard to believe, but a whole year has gone by since I attended my first convention. During the past year, I did manage to complete two novels – Mystic Hero (and sold it!) and Lachlan’s Curse (still editing it). And I’m in the home stretch of my first contemporary romance – Over Easy.

And while I wasn’t always sure I’d get any of these novel completed, I knew with certainty that I’d be going to ConnectiCon 2014. So this year we pre-purchased weekend passes so we could come and go as we please. This year’s roster includes amazing voice actors from shows my family enjoys: Pinky & the Brain! Legend of Korra! Fullmetal Alchemist just to name few.

In May, me and my guys attended the first ever Hartford Comic Con. While not as big in scale and scope as ConnectiCon, it has the makings of a bigger event in the future.

As a writer, nothing beats attending an event loaded with other fantasy/anime/gaming/sci-fi/you name it/ enthusiasts. Even if you don’t love any of these things, consider attending at least one convention in your area at least once. Here are some reasons why:

1. They’re fun! The crowd alone is worth the price of admission. At last year’s ConnectiCon the vibe was one of pure fun. People were there to have a good time and celebrate the love of things fantastical and fun. Writers tend to be people watchers (and if you aren’t observing, consider doing so). And if you just want to get in tune with your inner geek, this is the place to do it. ConnectiCon also has a squillion different panels and workshops (and, yes, some are for writers).

2. Costumes! The costumes are incredible. Thanks to SyFy’s ‘Heroes of Cosplay,‘ I’ve gained a new appreciation for how much work goes into Cosplay. As someone who can only stitch straight lines on a sewing machine, I am in double-awe of all the hand fabrication and planning that goes into the costumes.

3. Networking! It’s a chance to meet other authors and artists. Last year, I was able to meet and spend time with Michael J. Sullivan and I also met Dan Dos Santos. He’s the cover artist for Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thomas books and Diana Rowland’s White

It's the dude who draws Archer!! — It’s the dude who draws Archer!!

Trash Zombie series. He was generous with his time and was happy to answer my questions. He also asked to see one of my book covers (unprompted). He liked Mystic Ink so much he kept my post card. While standing there talking to Dan, I realized I was rubbing elbows with none other than Brandon Sanderson. Total geek out moment!

4. Vendors! There are so many types of artists: web, comics, graphic novels, television. At Hartford ComiCon – we even saw the lead artist for Archer. If you are a fan of merchandise, you won’t be disappointed. Hartford ComicCon had TeeTurtle on sight (love their shirts) and numerous vendors selling everything from unique dolls to long-lost action figures.

5. Inspiration! Last summer, I was writing Mystic Hero and fell into a bit of a creative rut. As a result of attending ConnectiCon 2013, I was inspired to locate a scene during a convention. Devlin and his cohorts find themselves in hot water with a bunch of goblin baddies, and what better place to have a showdown, then a convention filled with costume wearing mortals. Am I right? Yeah. Trust me. I am.

So who else has attended a local convention? And if you haven’t, what’s holding you back?

ConnectiCon 2013 Rocked!!

07/19/2013 | Casey Wyatt

(I’m cheating today. This is the same post over at the 7 Scribes. It’s going to be a scorching 99 here today. Stay cool everyone!)

Welcome to another Friday! Casey here.

I’m happy to report that I crossed an item off my bucket list. It all started with a Kindle Daily Deal and a book called Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan. Every day, since I purchased a Kindle Fire, I check Amazon’s Kindle Daily Deals (very much like a junkie looking for a fix).

This particular day, Theft of Swords was the fantasy offering. I downloaded a sample, was hooked by the first page and immediately purchased it. And, because I happened to be in Goodreads that day, I sent a friend request to the author.

Long story short, in addition to accepting my request the author sent me a note and we started a conversation that ended with him agreeing to be my guest, here at the Scribes, on August 9th (Yay!). While researching his various social media sites, it turned out

he’d been invited to ConnectiCon as a literary guest, along with Brandon Sanderson.

Now, my hubby and I have discussed going to this convention for as many years as it’s been going on. Each year, it has gotten progressively bigger and more exciting. When Michael suggested we meet up at the conference, I was happy to accept.

I’ve been to the Connecticut Convention Center before for other events, but none of them come close to the size and scale of ConnectiCon. There was so

much to do: panels, Q&A sessions, book signings, gaming, vendors, and parties. So much that we barely scratched the surface. Check here for more information.

The best parts for me aside from meeting Michael and his wife, were the costumes (more on those in a

moment) and encountering artist Dan Dos Santos. His artwork has graced the covers of Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thomas books and Diana Rowland’s white trash zombie series (among many others). Super nice man and very gracious. While we were chatting, Brandon Sanderson came up to the table (squee!).

Now, those costumes – fabulous, fantastic, well-made, top-notch. What more can I say? The variety was mind-boggling. And for the amount of people attending, everyone was polite and relaxed.

Overall, it was a great experience for me. Hubby was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer geekiness but there were plenty of comic book and movie characters. On the drive home, he was speculating what kind of costume he could make for next year.

So, if you live in the New England area (and even if you don’t) and if you love comics, anime, role-playing, manga, gaming, etc. don’t miss a chance to attend this con!

What Cons have you attended? What are your favorites? And if you haven’t ever attended one, would you consider it?