On New Tattoos, Origin Stories, and... 💖⚙️📚
New Adventures! Plus, open for convention news 🎁
Hello,
This week, I’m finally getting back into routine after recovering from an amazing DemiCon! If you’re new to my email list from the convention, welcome! I typically send out my newsletter on Wednesdays. Everything is archived like blog posts here. You can find the slides from my Monstrous Women panel and DemiCon recap in last week’s post here.
When I’m not working on revisions, I’ve been getting ready for the Chicago Steampunk Expo at the end of the month! Aside from prepping for my upcoming panels, I’ve reordered books post-DemiCon and ordered fun new postcards for The Clockwork Coffin and bookmarks for Alchemy and Automatons for my table.
One thing I haven’t ordered but am thinking about for either TeslaCon in November or the next DemiCon is badge ribbons. (See last week’s newsletter for the pic of my most recently decorated con badge.) Recently, a few readers asked me if that’s something I’d consider. I think I’ve found a place to order custom ribbons, but the turnaround time before my next event might be too close. I need to think more about what text I’d like on the ribbon, too. Stay tuned!
In other fun news, I finally got my belated birthday present: a tattoo representing my first published work, Strange Happenings. Lucille, my first monster woman featured in this world, has a mechanical heart and is very dear to me. I wanted to commemorate her and this universe because hitting publish on Something Happened on the Way to the World's Fair changed my life in so many wonderful ways. Since then, I’ve met amazing people, joined SFWA, had author visits at schools, had a blast on panels, attended author signings, and had so much fun sharing more stories!
I’ve written previously about my author origin story here, but while I was getting my tattoo done, I was reminded of the feeling I had when I first started. My artist asked me how I became an author, so I told him about the sheer amount of pure nerves I had to have in the beginning. I was absolutely terrified the first time I published my work.
Before then, I had spent years writing in the margins of my day between taking care of my very young children, but I didn’t really share my work with anyone. It felt like I had to make a choice to move forward and grow, or suffer in silence.
I’m so glad I found the courage to do it scared, because taking a leap of faith is something I’ve had to do every day since then. I haven’t stopped doing new-to-me, sometimes terrifying things in order to keep writing stories that push my boundaries. My current project is my most personal story yet, and it can be a mortifying experience putting a piece of my soul in a book, but I also wouldn’t have it any other way.
Anyway, for those curious, here are some quick early pictures of my new tattoo:
I love how it turned out!! John at Warrior Tattoo Studio does amazing work. (Now I keep daydreaming about doing a full sleeve for all my stories. 😍) Until then, I have plenty to keep me busy between revisions and upcoming conventions. I can’t wait for my next adventure!
Join me at the Chicago Steampunk Expo?
The Chicago Steampunk Expo is coming soon! It takes place from May 30th to June 1st. I’ll have a table in the Palace of Fine Arts (the vending room with artists and authors) and I’m also presenting on these panels:
Inventions of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Friday 8 pm-8:50 pm
Reading of The Clockwork Coffin, Saturday 12 pm-12:50 pm
What if? Exploring Alternate History in Media, Sunday 12 pm-12:50 pm
When I’m not at a panel, you can find me in the Palace of Fine arts at my table. (And on Saturday night at the masquerade! 💖)
Palace of Fine Arts Hours:
Friday — 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday — 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday — 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
You can find the full convention schedule here, along with ticket information.
I’m happy that I get to talk about so many things that are tied to my new book releases! I love getting to share the research that went into both The Clockwork Coffin and Alchemy and Automatons.
Wild West Con 13.5
I’ve never attended Wild West Con, but I know several people who love the convention. Due to unfortunate circumstances, the convention was forced to end early this year. However, they’re coming back with a free virtual conference May 16 to 18, 2025. They’ll have panels, special guests, and even a concert! You can read more about the WW13.5 here and register here.
60th Annual Nebula Awards Conference
The Nebula Awards Conference is also getting closer! Last year, I had so much fun filling book bags and helping with registration. In cool news for this year, a few copies of Forsaken Beauty and the Etherbeast will be given away in the book bags for in-person attendees!
I really enjoy going to this conference. Spending time with other authors and learning from the panels helps me recharge. After a busy month in May, it’ll be nice to get away for a few days.
Registration is open! If you’re an author (or an aspiring one) you can find out more here.
As always, you can find my full convention list on the Events page of my website here.
Happy reading!
