This week, I want to feature some of the fantabulous work I encountered at InConJunction fantasy and science fiction convention. Some, I had met before, and some were new, but all are destined to remain in my life (I hope!).

I’ve known R. J. Sullivan, writer of fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror, for years. He’s totally loveable. His birthday falls during the con, so he’s hosting a cupcake giveaway. Like a hobbit, HE footed (ha-ha! Hobbit – foot – See what I did there?) … I lost my place. Oh, yes: He footed the bill for the cupcakes and gave them away to all comers. Not ol’ sto’-bought cupcakes, either. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, R. J.! R. J. is a member of the Speculative Fiction Guild and, with them, is a supporter of the non-profit Indy Reads Books, a bookstore to benefit literacy.

The first new person I met at InCon this year was N. E. Riggs, who writes fantasy, science fiction, adventure, and fractured fairy tales. She was giving one of her books away free on the Zon, but I couldn’t access it and I HADDA HAVE IT, so I bought it in paper direct from the author. Got her autograph, too. Covers are excellent, and so is the writing. If you want to read something down and dirty (well, not dirty dirty, just unedited dirty), read her take on the Cinderella story. Love it!

Laura Hawks sat next to us in Author’s Alley for the second time, and we were so happy for it! Laura writes paranormal, suspense, thrillers, romance, and anything she darn well pleases! She’s aces at con-going and swag, and utterly open and generous about what cons are best to attend as a writer and where to get the best prices on author swag. She said she might not make InCon in 2019, which made me all kindsa sad.

Another new person I met this year is Barbara Doran. She writes “action adventure pulp thrillers”, which is not my groove, but which I’m gonna hafta try. I was on a couple of panels with her, and loved her intelligence and humor. For instance, there’s the name of her website: Sum Ergo Scriptum | I am, therefore I write. As she said to me in a panel, when I said it was difficult to write with children in the house, “Preach it, Sister!” She has a Patreon page. Awesome!

These. Oh, these! A young person named Tori Richardson makes these. Makes them. She makes the bodies with armature wire and batting. She makes the body bits that show with sculpting clay. She sews their costumes. There are no items in the shop right now, because they’re out touring conventions. I got to see a buncha them at InCon. I managed to not buy anything, and I know I’ll regret that until the day I do buy at least one. If you’re on Facebook, you can see more dolls on her Facebook page.

A WRITING PROMPT BASED ON MY POST: Have your main character meet some new people and reconnect with some people they already know. By accident, circumstance, or design.

MA