Category: Uncategorized

Comic Cons in 2024

Where do I begin? It’s been 5 years since I stopped writing for fun and decided to pursue a hobby in cosplaying and attending comic cons. Writing no longer was an act of passion, so I had to do something for me, and I found my place amongst my fellow nerds and geeks.

In 2024, I managed to have my best comic con year yet. I made it to 3 amazing cons: Fan Expo Denver (I go every year), San Diego Comic Con (my second time attending, ever), and the amazing Dragon Con in Atlanta!

Fan Expo Denver:

This con is fairly close to Albuquerque, so it’s nice to drive up and take all of my props with me in a vehicle (instead of dealing with the frustration of airline packing). I debuted my Wolverine costume, and I was really excited to see it in action. I also brought The Deep out again (from the Amazon Prime show The Boys), and that was of course a hit. I think I have one more year of cosplaying as The Deep before I retire it.

San Diego Comic Con:

My buddy Charles and I made it out again, and it was a fantastic experience as we expected. We drank, we partied, we cosplayed, we were part of a Wicked squad–yours truly was a flying monkey! I already can’t wait to go back. I was able to secure a pass for 2025 as a professional guest through teaching (hopefully there aren’t any complications!).

I also got to meet 2 writers from The Boys! What an experience, truly.

Dragon Con:

This was a big one for me. I have wanted to go to this con ever since I learned about the con scene. The costuming is top notch. Bar none. I’m hoping to return in 2026. I was able to debut my Ryu from Street Fighter here.

Overall, I do still plan to make my return to writing for fun again, but in the meantime, I’m going to experience the con scene, write about it, and just enjoy living.

Here’s a haiku about cons to provide some crossover in con-going and writing:

The bodies, alive / and smiling, exploring the / wave of fantasy.

The Publishing Scene

So I’ve stepped away from writing as much as I used to in the last few years, and I think it’s because I’m tired of the whole scene–paying to submit, trying to be popular, trying to get published, writing what people want versus writing what I want, seeing people bash each other on social media, seeing people boast on social media, and so forth. It all gets a little tiresome. It got me thinking–maybe the pressure we writers put on ourselves is unnecessary and painful. Maybe it’s time to just enjoy life instead of participating in the writer’s rat race. I will still write and still finish my recent project, but this time I think I will do it for me–not for the praise of the internet and the ego-building.

Chapbook

I am about 12 pieces away from finishing my Tin Man chapbook… wish me luck! My goal is to send it out by January…

Where to go next.

I’ve been writing more reviews lately, which is nice. I am looking very closely at my own creative writing and I have some prospects, but sometimes I prefer to be a reader. I think that’s okay. We have these pressures to always be publishing, but maybe–just maybe–we don’t stress ourselves out.

Onward

With a peaceful (sometimes arduous and sad) 2017 behind me, I’ve been able to regroup and begin new material. Last year, I had plans to do a lot, but life got in the way and told me to relax, and so who am I to question the universe? Now in 2018, I have been able to submit more work, which is nice. Here’s to all good things on the horizon. More of my work should be available this year (fingers crossed to the gatekeepers that be!).