Conswag

You like that word? That’s a new word I made up. It means “stuff you get at conventions that makes you happy.”

Here is some free conswag I got at Context this past weekend.

conswagfreeThe book by Murv Sellars and one of the F&SFs came in my swag bag that everybody got just for being there.

The other magazines were from a fellow who was disposing of his duplicates by putting them out for other people, rather than by selling them. One, you can see, has a Christmas novella by Connie Willis, one of my favorite writers of all time. Another features the fabulous Harlan Ellison. The other one has a story by Alan Arkin. Yes, THE Alan Arkin. Did you know he wrote spec fic? I didn’t.

I won R. J. Sullivan’s HAUNTING OBSESSION, which I’ve been jonesing for ever since I saw it last year. If there’s one thing I like more than getting something I want, it’s getting something I want for free.

Here are some things I bought, with one exception:conswagboughtLyndi Alexander very generously GAVE me the mug promoting her Clan Elves of the Bitterroot series. Innit beautiful?

I bought Addie J. King’s THE GRIMM LEGACY, the first book of her fairy tale comedy series, featuring a talking frog who loves beer. I know, right? And how could I resist Brad Carter’s (dis)COMFORT FOOD, with the picture of the casserole with skulls peeking through the cheese, featuring a connection between cooking and magic?

I tried to resist the Furrybones, I really really did, but I couldn’t. I had to get a unicorn one and, in honor of Bossy, a black-and-white cow. Aren’t they strange? And cute? And, at the same time, very much NOT cute? So perfect.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Write something including a ghost, a frog, and something bitter.

MA

About

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but now live in the woods in southern Indiana. Though I only write fiction, I love to read non-fiction. The more I learn about this world, the more fantastic I see it is.

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One thought on “Conswag

  1. Jane

    October 4, 2013 at 10:05am

    Those little critters remind me of the Muppets’ Baby Band. Yikes! They were extremely creepy! Not a single face was full of sweet inoocence. Oh, no. Not even close!

    Permalink  ⋅ Reply
    • Author

      Marian Allen

      October 4, 2013 at 10:22am

      But the Furrybones are … are … Let me get back to you on that.

      Permalink  ⋅ Reply
    • Author

      Marian Allen

      October 5, 2013 at 10:52am

      Thanks, Raie. Interesting take on cyberbullying. I see your point about it being different from physical bullying, but I don’t agree that it’s lesser. Kids today live in cyberspace as much as they do in physical space, and psychic/emotional bullying is just as pernicious as physical bullying, if not more. Physical bullying can break your bones, but emotional/social bullying can break your spirit and your quality of life.

      Nevertheless, you make a well-reasoned argument, which, in itself, is refreshing!

      Permalink  ⋅ Reply
  2. Jo

    October 7, 2013 at 7:34am

    Ooooooh – that conswag looks cool! I want all of it – gimme, gimme, gimme! I like those crazy looking little guys – maybe not so much on the dressing table though. 😀

    Permalink  ⋅ Reply
    • Author

      Marian Allen

      October 7, 2013 at 8:43am

      LOL! Right now, the Furrybones are in the vestibule pretending to be Halloween decorations. After, they’ll be in the office, where they can make me happy whenever I look at them. 🙂

      Permalink  ⋅ Reply

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