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Month: January 2010

A funny thing

A funny thing

I do love searching through Google Analytics. There’s so much crunchy data to contemplate I could lose days in it, especially when I’m procrastinating.

Someone found my website searching Liz Argall a funny thing. A funny thing is the name of a song I performed once or twice in the folk scene back in Australia. It was perky and poignant, the chorus was twee and yet I liked it; so I always had to get over a sense of awkwardness when performing (and it was no Telephone Song or Snowing Time). It was also the name of an angry poem I performed a few times (even today I have earned more cashes as a poet than a SF writer, though that is about to end).

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Campbell Awards – get ready to vote!

Campbell Awards – get ready to vote!

“The John W. Campbell Award is given to the best new science fiction or fantasy writer whose first work professional publication in the previous two year. of science fiction or fantasy was published in the previous two years” (Campbell official website).

I’m not sure if I’m in my first year of eligibility, though I am listed on the website! I open a terrible can of worms with Cracked Leather as it is a fairly interstitial piece. I’ve checked in with the moderators to make sure I fit, but I have not yet heard back from them. Lets focus on some other folks.

It is a pleasure to know some of the talented people who are eligible for nomination. These are the folks I know who are in their second year:

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Clarion collection of posts have been updated

Clarion collection of posts have been updated

I try to update the collection every month with a slow, catchemall plan (sustainability is crucial). This month my new catch, harking back to 1985, is from The Ferret. Thanks for flinging them my way dude.

William Shunn and Geoffrey A. Landis have been added to the collection.

Other news

The skribit question (see right hand side of the webpage): How to find a comics artist? has been buzzing around in my head a lot. I’ve composed about 20 zillion answers, generally while trying to fall asleep or not wanting to get out of bed. I have finally found an approach that pleases me and a very rough draft has been written longhand (yep, I’m old school). I have a few other things I have to write before I’m allowed to indulge in finishing it off, but it is coming.

Home from a Photoshoot

Home from a Photoshoot

I just got home from a lovely photo shoot for Roving Horse Henna, photos taken (of course) by the lovely Annaliese. It has been quite an involved process, working with two delightful women I adore. Wendy, Ms Roving Horse Henna is an astoundingly talented henna artist and Annaliese is a great photographer.

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The glasses made whole

The glasses made whole

I hiked out to Asterix Eyewear (though the sign says All American Eyewear) in NE Portland to see if my glasses could be repaired… my ocular vision a little strained from seeing the world through a sagging bandaid repair and a little bit afraid to move my head. Every time I tilted my head down my glasses would fall off and I ended up tucking the arms of my glasses into my hair for greater security.

Once at Asterix Eyewear (there may be buses everywhere in Portland, but oh my they can take a long time to get anywhere) I was told it would be $50 and an overnight job to weld my glasses back together. I looked very sad indeed and said I was willing to wait, wait a long time, but I needed my eyes to get home. The nice guy took pity on this poor Australian with no spare glasses and set to work.

I was told where convenient cafes were, but all felt a bit too far to go without my eyes on, so I waited, listened to The ComicsSpot, watched TED talks, read and tried to get some work done.

And hurrah hooray, an hour and a half later I had whole glasses. Normally he would take longer to test the weld, do a proper paintjob etc, but normally he would have a whole lot more time. The repair comes with a 3 month warranty, so if the weld does not hold I’ll be right. It was a very fiddly job to get all the things to align and I’m very glad to have my eyes back.

It feels mighty nice to have glasses that stay on my face.

Bearskull and glasses
Bearskull and glasses

Thanks for all the glasses tips everyone – it looks like it will all come in handy. I have some gorgeous french frames from a friend that I plan to put new lenses into and am seriously tempted by some online cheapo shopping.

Steampunk Reloaded II – comics reprinting opportunity

Steampunk Reloaded II – comics reprinting opportunity

Ann and Jeff VanderMeer are editing their second Steampunk anthology, Steampunk Reloaded II… and… I’ve just checked in with them, they love the idea of including comics.

So here it is short and sweet:

  • They only accept reprints
  • Reading period is December 15, 2009, and February 15, 2010
  • Their definition of Steampunk is broad (if in doubt send it in)
  • Go to Jeff VanderMeer’s website for further info
  • Payment will be on publication as an advance against royalties
  • Publication in fall 2010 by Tachyon Publication

Please pass it on to other comic creators. Lets put on a good showing and get our comics to exciting new audiences (and in… bookstores!)

Oh no melon! my glasses broke

Oh no melon! my glasses broke

I got out of the shower this morning, I polished my glasses and they snapped in half. Oh no!

Photo 39

I don’t think I have spare glasses and shall subsist for a time with my specs stuck together with tape.

I am considering shopping online for my new specs given I have a recent prescription. Any recommendations for online or Portland, OR places to get glasses?

Creating Comics in Canberra, Australia

Creating Comics in Canberra, Australia

I’ve noticed (through the power of google analytics) that quite a few people have found my website while looking for comic workshops in Canberra. I don’t live in Canberra anymore, but I am happy to help you find local comicers if you need someone.

Impact Comics might be able to help you as well, I’m sure they’ll do their best. They are a wonderful comics store in Civic (right near the chessboard) who really support independent comics and local creators. They’ve organised events like Women in Comics as part of International Women’s Day, hosted events during Canberra Living Artists Week; and looking at their website I’ve just found out they hosted an event for OtakuFest. I highly recommend going to them as a first port of call for anyone interested in comics in Canberra.

And Yes they do host Free Comic Book Day. A lot of Canberrans I know assume Free Comic Book Day does not come to us… well it does! Remember to get your free comics on 1 May.

Oh dear, you can see how enthusiastic I get when I’m talking about Impact Comics, I can’t help it. They’ve earned my love with a great store and great conversations. As a comic creator, having a good retailer who you can chat about the business (and art) with is a wonderful thing.

Happy comic creating and Happy New Year