Photosynthesis Festival

Just spent a couple days at Photosynthesis 5. 

Photosynthesis 5 starts another morning with stretches in the Hobuck Campground in Neah Bay.

My cut line for the local paper: "This popular techno-music festival returned for a second year, offering long nights of music, light shows, bonfires, massage and healing tea ceremonies. Local and traveling vendors find eager daytime customers for food sales, costuming materials and jewelry."

Not so much on paper items. But everybody was into the idea of the Clallam Bay Comicon, and that the Photosynthesis folks would be welcome at it. Only one guy was awake enough to show up at my lecture - the dancing runs until 4:30 am, and the lecture was at 11:00 am, which is first-splintery-light-of-day wake-up time for these folks. But my audience of one paid deep attention and asked a lot of questions. I think he's going to use the "Cheap and Easy" model for a gardening-garage sale-comicon for starters in his yard. Baby steps is the way to go.

Raining most of the time, of course. Got soaking wet in a badly-built tent put up by the folks from the local gallery. I think Kevin in the big tea alcove saved my life in the cozy warm tent, with all that hot, comforting tea. The big bonfire over by the dance-hall didn't hurt, either. The laser lights extended their effects out into the smoke and mizzle.

After working so hard on other trade shows and especially the comicon, I think I might just - gasp! - reward myself with the Photosynthesis Festival from now on. Just going to a show to goof off and have fun (oh, okay, and to shove ideas).

What a concept!

Oh noes!  Another picture of me in the Ka-Blam tshirt!  But every time I wear it, I get another $10.00 for printing new books.

2012 Clallam Bay Comicon Report

This went out this morning to authors, customers, editors, reviewers, newspapers, magazines (online and print): 

The first Clallam Bay Comicon was held during Clallam Bay/Sekiu Fun Days, July 13-15.

The event was surprisingly successful, considering the isolated community and long drive. Artists, writers and fans traveled from Seattle, Forks, and Clallam Bay to buy books, convention t-shirts, and to pick up tips for for a new convention "Dragon model," that will allow small towns to host their own comicons.

Donna Barr, who has been in the comics industry as author, publisher and promoter since 1986, took advantage of her long experience, wide contact base and social media to promote and organize the event.

Dara Korra'ti wowed the small audience with her pirate and protest songs and her "Irish Bouzouki."

Seattle authors Kevin Boze and Mark Monlux, and Donna Barr - who hosted the event - enjoyed themselves and sold more product than expected.

Donna Barr presents Daniel Smith gift certificates to Mark Monlux and Kevin Boze, our first ever attending, booth-runnin' artists and authors.

 Comicon attendees enjoyed the local scenery and beaches, as well as refreshments at Fun Days and meals at restaurants. They were favorably impressed by the comfortable and reasonably-priced motel accommodations. The Fun Days fireworks were a special treat.

Plans are already afoot for the 2013 Comicon. The Facebook page, "Clallam Bay Comicon," is taking fan and professional input on best time of year. So far, the voting has been leaning toward May, but the actual date would also depend on when west-end businesses open after the winter season.

Clallam Bay Comicon encourages other peninsula communities to sponsor their own Comicons during the Clallam Bay event. Chambers of commerce as well as individuals and businesses interested in details are advised to contact Donna Barr.

She may be reached at: donnabarr01@gmail.com or call 360 963 2935

Dara Korra'ti performs for Ron Austin's on-going international film project about authors and artists at the 2012 Clallam Bay Comicon, Saturday, July 14.

Beast Year/Zodiac

Poster for Photosynthesis Festival in Neah Bay, July 2012.

2012 Clallam Bay Comicon Ka-Blam!

Yes, I wore my Ka-Blam tshirt to the Clallam Bay Comicon. So I get $10.00 for printing for Indyplanet books!

You BETTER get this year's T-shirts!

Um... the Clallam Bay Comicon has just 'sploded.

We now have in addition to the rage-driven elf-metal of Ms. Korrati, from Crime and the Forces of Evil, Kevin Boze of The Virgin Project will be here -- as will the Comics Critic, Mark Monlux! 

Can I say Oh Fucking Wow, now?

I've realized I need more tshirts, but I won't have a lot at the show, because nothing had really happened until right now.  I'm SERIOUSLY thinking of charging collector's prices.  Well, they will be VERY rare.  The only one getting one for her very own wearing will be our Talent.

If you want a good price on the hoodie or tshirt, in all sorts of styles and colors, check 'em out at my Zazzle account.  The day after the show -- and I mean THE day after -- the prices shoot up to collector's level, and staying there, forever.  And yes, I have already designed next year's hoodie.  

And Roberta Gregory promises to be here in 2015.

This is going to be SOOOOO much fun!

Down with Amateurs

Okay. Rolling up the sleeves right now to strike at more BS.  

The times I have worked with writers, the script is ALWAYS thin, clichéd and boring.  It's why I do it myself -- I write what I've seen and know and think about, not some leftover genré scene that excited me when I was 12.  That is NOT a muse, no matter what you think it is, and if you can't tell the difference -- well, you can't learn it.

Writers who claim "not working without pay" for artists is "destroying indies" are amateur wienes.  There are PLENTY of us in mainstream drawn book world (Not "Indies," you boobs -- superheroes are the niche market now!) who write, draw and own the project. We're original, driven, knowledgeable, and have no time for manipulative amateur BS any more. If you, as a writer, WANT an artist, you are in the position of the producer and director. who has to find the funding for the actors and crew. Go to the film people and find out how it's DONE.

NOTE: I just did art for writers who did not grizzle over prices or payment schedule. Their only question:  "Paypal or check?"  They got a Kickstarter project and they wrote the artists into the costs.  Guess who already has the art in their hot little hands?  Like my editor on the Forks Forum says, "It's so nice to work with a professional."

A Little Death - Paper for your Hot Little Live Hands

A Little Death is now a lovely paperback.  

And I can get it for you for $19.95

If you want it signed, since it's POD, ask for an autographed bookplate.  So when you get the book in the mail, you can put the bookplate in it and have a signed copy.

And depending on where you live, you might get a shipping discount, too! 

Front Cover

Back Cover

I just donated a copy to our our local branch library.