David J. Pedersen's Blog

I’ve been looking for ways to make my world more efficient so I can focus on writing and keeping in touch with everyone who reads my books. This required some research, tough decisions, and a bit of work. The effort has been worth it, and I’m excited to share what’s coming next. Rebranding My lovely […]

The post A Fond Farewell to gotAngst appeared first on GotAngst.

I’m excited to share that Colonize Epiales is now available on Amazon for both Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. This is a dark, science fiction novel and the second book in the Watson’s Worlds series.

If you’ve been patiently waiting for a direct sequel to my fantasy LitRPG, Entriss Online, I owe you an explanation.

An Explanation

My idea for this series actually started with what will now be book 4. I started writing it in 2020 and soon realized that I was missing something – a prequel. The idea got bigger, slowly taking on a life of its own. After weeks of brainstorming, I decided to write three preceding books. Because, really, who does that?

Are You Crazy?

Entriss Online, Colonize Epiales and the upcoming Battleworld Titus are all (or will be) unique titles that stand alone within the Watson’s Worlds universe. The main characters, virtual world, and game mechanics are different for each book. Even the genres are different.

Book 1 of the Watson’s World series, Entriss, is a hero story that takes place in a traditional fantasy mmo.Book 2, Epiales, is a science fiction novel with a hint of horror that takes place in a town building game.Book 3, Battleworld Titus, will happen on a Cyberpunk world… and that’s all you get for now. ;)

Characters from these stories will come together in book 4: Everyworld Online.

You Are Crazy

It’s not a linear series, but they are tied together similarly to the early individual Marvel movies – Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, etc. – that lead up to the Avengers team-up. It’s different, and I’m enjoying the challenge, but it hasn’t been easy.

What Took So Long?

My first two hurdles while working on Colonize Epiales were world building and game mechanics. That challenge is worthy of another blog post, but creating another unique VR world that is interconnected within a universe, without making it too confusing, took time.

The Dog Ate My Homework

After completing a third of Epiales, I had to step away due to complications with Parkinson’s and a demanding day job. I wrote when I could, and during that time the file got corrupted.

I back up like crazy, but didn’t realize that some of my chapters were blank until almost too late. I put it back together, and after parting ways with my day job, I completed the last third of Colonize Epiales in record time.

How Long Do We Have To Wait This Time?

I plan to publish the next book in the series, Battleworld Titus, by the end of summer 2023. I expect Everyworld to be another challenge since there will be a lot of moving pieces, so I’m shooting for an early 2024 release.

Will there be an Entriss Online 2?

I have plans to write a direct sequel to Entriss Online. That’s one of the fun aspects of this universe. I can continue with stories in each unique world, or add completely new worlds later.

Colonize Epiales - Unexpected, Unusual, and Fun!

Hopefully, this helps explain why book two in the series is Colonize Epiales, rather than a direct sequel to Entriss Online. There’s a lot to look forward, and I’m excited to share. I hope you enjoy my stories, and would love to know what you think about my crazy plan.

A Short Teaser

The post Colonize Epiales – An unexpected book for an unusual series appeared first on GotAngst.

Will You Survive the Challenge?

Join the Colonize Epiales Challenge and enter a world that will test your skills, challenge your strategies, and require you to think fast. Compete against 11 other teams for four intense weeks by establishing an outpost in the treacherous virtual reality world of Epiales.

Using cutting-edge technology, you will be logging in with Winside Immersion Pods for a lifelike experience – but be warned: it’s anything goes out there! Only one group can win the coveted Winside Scholarship. Will it be you?

Colonize Epiales is a standalone VR LitRPG novel and is the 2nd book in the Watson’s Worlds series.

Colonize Epiales Preorder

Colonize Epiales will be available on January 31st, 2023! Preorder your copy today from the links below:

Preorder the Ebook:

Amazon

Preorder a signed Trade Paperback:

djpwrites

The post Colonize Epiales Book Cover Reveal and Preorder | David J. Pedersen appeared first on GotAngst.

I had 2022 planned out like Tony Robbins was driving the car and we were on our way to the land of success. My goals were reachable, mapped out, and I was excited…until Tony jumped out of the car with the steering wheel and yelled, “I’m out!”

Watson's Worlds Book Two

I’ll start with the good news. The second Watson’s Worlds book is done. I’m currently working through edits and my cover artist is doing his best to make sense of my drunken pencil sketches. I’m shooting for a December release or early January at the latest.

A Rough Road

It was a long road getting here with more than a few potholes. My day job completely took over the first half of the year. It went from very demanding to overwhelming. I was doing deployments at 2 a.m. and needed to hold my mouse with both hands to get them done.

Things got rough in spring. My mom fell very ill at the same time my Parkinson’s meds weren’t keeping up with my symptoms.

And Parkinson's

I decided to prioritize both my health and my writing career and parted ways with my job in late June. I don’t talk about Parkinson’s much on my blog. (It sucks. I highly recommend choosing a different brain disease.) Most people know about the tremors, but there can be other symptoms like depression, anxiety, fatigue (my nemesis), sleep problems, melanoma (really?), sweating, weight loss (waiting for this one), loss of smell, cognitive issues, body odor (who designed this thing?), skin changes… you get the idea.

I share this for education, not pity. Fortunately, I don’t have all of these symptoms. (I can still smell so please keep wearing deodorant.) Medication keeps my issues in check on good days, but there are bad days, too. With all of that, I don’t deal well with change.

A Big Change

So of course, August hit me with another surprise. Two of my best friends, Cristi and Brandon, moved 1,000 miles away. The move was a good thing for them, and I think they made the right decision. We’ve spent a lot of time together over the past 10 years, and I struggled with the change of not seeing them as often. At this point, my car was driving faster, and I was steering it with willpower.

Podium Audio

Then Podium Audio gave me a much better surprise. You may remember that shortly after I released Entriss Online in 2020, Podium Audio reached out and offered to produce the audiobooks for my Watson’s Worlds series. They did an incredible job with Entriss, but after two years of waiting for the follow-up book, I assumed they had thrown in the towel.

But in late September, Podium emailed to ask how the next book was coming along. They didn’t pressure me or demand anything, and their friendly request was the nudge I needed. I hit the brakes on my runaway car and got back on the road with renewed direction.

Writing At Full Speed

The book was two-thirds done, but now I was determined to finish it. My editor was available at the end of October and we scheduled a date. Over the next four weeks, I wrote 1,500 words a day, and averaged over 2,300 words a day the final week. It was a lot for me, but it was good to push myself. Not only is the book done, I have a better understanding of what I’m capable of moving forward.

A Much Needed Trip

With the book finished, my wife and I spent the last week visiting Cristi and Brandon. They may be farther away, but nothing has changed in our relationship. At the end of our vacation, I stuck around a few days to hit up a Podium Audio cocktail party with Cristi. We had a blast. I honestly couldn’t be more impressed with the company and the people who work there.

I Found My Steering Wheel

2022 was a tough road that is ending at a good destination. My mom is a tank and is doing well. I miss my friends, but they aren’t that far away. My book is done and will soon be available. I’m writing full time and have set a date to send the next book to my editor in June. I eventually found a new steering wheel, but someone will need to pick up Tony Robbins because I’m not turning back.

The post 2022: The Year I Drove Without A Steering Wheel appeared first on GotAngst.

[image error] This post is available on YouTubeand recorded as a Blogcast - Links Below!

Are you thinking of selling your books at conventions and comicons? There are a few things you’ll want to consider before getting that first booth or table to sell your book.

Finding Your Audience

While we writers all have a passion to write, there’s a business side to self-publishing. It’s not always easy finding an audience for your books and marketing your book can be expensive, so it’s important to make informed decisions. I’ve been to over 25 conventions and these are some pros and cons you should consider before deciding to sell your books at comicons and conventions.

Types Of Conventions

There are lots of different types of conventions, and some fit into multiple categories. This is a basic break down the conventions I’ve attended.

Pop Culture conventions, like comic cons, are the biggest. They cater to all of the fandoms, from comic books and anime to fantasy and horror. Somewhere between 150,000 to 250,000 fans attend San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con every year.

Genre conventions, like Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions, are home town events typically attended by 500 or more. These are a lot more personal and can be fun if you participate.

Literary Conventions are often about writing and not selling. These cons are resources for learning the trade and networking.

I’ve spent most of my time at Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions, and I’ve attended a handful of comic cons. One thing they all have in common. Conventions are expensive.

Conventions are Expensive $1,000Comicon Booth $300Artist Alley Table $600Printing 100 Books $100+Food $1,000,000Gas! (Just kidding.)

You don’t go to conventions to make money selling books. I wince every time an author tells me, “I covered the table fee.”

Let’s say you sold 100 books at a comicon for $15 each. $1,500 sounds nice until you include these costs in this table.

There are also other costs like business cards, flyers, an extra badge for someone to watch the table when you pee, buying your neighbor’s awful book because you feel bad for them, oh, and don’t forget that lightsaber you needed.

Sure, it’s possible to make money selling your books at cons, if you go alone, sleep in your car, and drink water for dinner.

Competition

Okay, maybe it’s not an all out battle, but you will compete for attention with other authors, artists, and vendors. It’s difficult to make your booth stand out in a crowded room, and it’s challenging to get people to stop and talk to you about your book.

It’s even harder if you’re introverted or shy. I’ve seen a lot of authors who avoid people and stare at their phones or computers. They usually don’t sell many books.

Reach

You may think that going to a comic con is a great way to reach 100,000 potential readers. Unfortunately, only a fraction of them will stop by your table or booth. The rest are there for autographs, cosplay, comic books, or a specific genre that has nothing to do with your book. If you’re not selling Pokemon, Captain America shields, or movie posters, they’ll walk on by.

There are other methods of promotion that are more effective and efficient at targeting your audience. Writing blog posts or articles about your book, submitting your book to reviewers, building your online presence through social media and forums related to your book’s genre or subject matter. It’s a long list.

You may be asking yourself, “If cons are so expensive, and there are better ways to promote my book, then why bother?”

Visibility

I always considered cons to be more about marketing than sales. Though, I have to admit, even if you don’t turn a profit, it’s inspiring when someone buys your book and is excited to read it.

Attending conventions can be a great way to build visibility for your work. By setting up a booth or speaking on panels, you can reach people in a way that is uniquely personal. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting out, conventions can be a valuable tool for promoting your work and connecting with the other authors.

Networking

I only went to a few conventions this year. Parkinson’s makes it hard to be in sales mode all day, so I stopped being a vendor and went as a guest. 

I was a guest at Soonercon in Oklahoma City and met an author-friend, Dennis Young, for drinks at the hotel bar. It didn’t take long before other authors began joining us. We discussed writing, publishing, cons and more. I found a happy place somewhere between rum, commiserating, and encouragement. I left the convention feeling rejuvenated because they understood.

Conventions can provide a great opportunity for you to connect with other like-minded individuals. You’re sure to come away with some valuable insights and new friends including authors, and readers.

Connecting With Readers

Like I said, cons are about marketing. Sales are nice, but that’s not why you’re there. You’re looking for readers who love your books and come back for more. The great thing about conventions is that they are filled with people who love the same stuff you do. 

That makes it easier to connect with people in a way that’s impossible on the internet. 

Great Experiences

I’ve had numerous wow moments from people I met at conventions and this is one of my favorites.

A teacher picked up a copy of my fantasy book about bullying, Clod Makes a Friend. She talked her school district into purchasing copies and it became a part of their curriculum. I actually get to visit with her students every year to discuss the book, writing, and reading. It’s pretty great.

Inspiration

Best of all, some of those readers have become great friends. Their support and encouragement is invaluable and these experiences are inspiring.

There’s no way to measure inspiration in dollars, and none of that would have happened without conventions.

Should You Sell Your Books At Comicons?

For me, cons have been worth it! I’d love to hear about your experiences at conventions in the comments below!

YouTube and Blogcast!

Several readers have asked if I’d ever consider making a podcast. I’m not quite ready to dive in. To test the waters, I narrated this post for you to download and listen to. It’s also available on YouTube. I’d love to know what you think about these different formats. Thanks for checking them out!

Got Angst Should You Sell Your Books At Comicons Blogcast Play Episode Pause Episode [image error] Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 30 seconds 00:00 / 6:48 Subscribe Share RSS Feed Share Link Embed ' title="Embed Code" class="input-embed input-embed-6539" readonly/>

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 6:48 | Recorded on September 4, 2022

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You want to write and publish a book but you’re on a tight budget and software doesn’t come cheap? Good news! There are some great free writing apps for writers you can use right now.

In my last software roundup, I shared the applications that are a part of my writing workflow. Some of that software isn’t cheap, so I’m going to share some of the best free writing software for writers.

Be sure to check out my YouTube video that shows this software in action! I’ve included links with timestamps below to skip ahead for specific apps.

Free Software?

A few thoughts about what free means when discussing software. Free software comes packaged under different licenses.

Open Source software is free to use, modify, or share with no associated upfront cost.Proprietary software is typically created and owned by a corporation, like Microsoft. Companies sometimes offer free versions with limited functionality hoping you’ll like it enough to purchase the full version or buy the whole suite. Be Careful

Please keep in mind that if you want to try this software, download from the original site. Don’t go to shadysoftware.com and download their enhanced version. You’ll find links in each section below.

Notion

Notion is a cross-platform workspace to manage your time and projects. I’m pretty sure this free app will paint your house and rotate the tires on your car. There are numerous templates available to help manage your life, goals, or business.

Notion is very hands on and DIY, but making notes with it is easy. Give it a try at https://notion.so

You can see it in use on my YouTube video here. 

Trello

If you want to plot out your book by chapter and then move things around to get the timing right, consider using Trello. This web based application is like using note cards and spreading them out on a table.

Start by creating a board to store your chapters. You can then create lists that can be used as chapters and add cards for each scene. It’s easy to move those chapters and scenes around as needed.

Trello is free to use but offers a paid version with more features.

Jamboard

Jamboard.google.com is another web based application that’s a part of Google Workspace. It was created for whiteboard collaboration but works great as a cork board. You can add stickies for scenes, images, shapes and draw. All projects are saved on google drive and the app requires a google account to access.

Check out Jamboard on my video starting here. 

Google Docs

You don’t have to purchase Microsoft Office to have a great word processor. Check out docs.google.com. Some of the great features for writers include:

Add Extensions like grammar checker ProWritingAidEasy collaboration to share drafts with editorsExport in multiple formats like Word and epub

Docs is free to use, but like jamboard requires a google account.

Libre Office

For fully featured office software, I recommend LibreOffice. If you use Microsoft Office, you will be familiar with the interface. Libre Office includes apps for spreadsheets, slideshows, diagrams, a word processor and more.

I like Libre Office a lot and featured it on my video here. Libre Office is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. You can download Libre Office from their site: https://libreoffice.org

Manuskript

Manuskript is an open source novel writing application. It’s an early release application so there are some manual steps to installing everything. Manuskript has an impressive feature set that includes distraction-free writing, outlining, index cards, character profiles and more.

The Manuskript portion of my video starts here. You can install this software on Windows, Mac and Linux. Get your copy from: https://www.theologeek.ch/manuskript/#

Bibisco

Bibisco is novel writing software that has a free version with the features you need to write your book. This software is a solid choice for authors who spend a lot of time planning and world building. Bibisco’s approach is unique and there is a learning curve, but don’t be intimidated. They provide instructions on the Bibisco site and some how-tos with video.

I feature Bibisco on my YouTube video here.

Download a copy of Bibisco from their site: https://bibisco.com

Kindle Create

Writing your book is not the end of your journey as a self-published author; you need a way to format your book for publishing. A lot of authors hire out formatting, but if you want total control of the end product, a great option is Kindle Create from Amazon. This software allows you to turn your manuscript into an e-book and upload it directly to Amazon. If you plan to make your book exclusive to Amazon, this is the way to go.

You can download a copy of Kindle Create here: https://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Create

See it in action in my video here.

Gimp

Gimp is an open source image editor that’s been in active development for over 24 years. It’s easy to install, learn, and use. The active community keeps the software up to date, and provides tutorials that you can find on web sites or YouTube.

Gimp is a cross platform application that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can download a copy from their website here: https://gimp.org

Free Writing Software for Writers

I hope this software helps you write and publish your book. While much of this software is free, people work hard to keep these projects alive and up to date. If you use one, consider donating to their project – after you become a rich and famous author, of course.

The post Free Writing Software for Writers appeared first on GotAngst.

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In my first Up To Something post, I mentioned having some plans for 2022. Most of them are behind-the-scenes, but this one will be front and center. Introducing the gotAngst Studio.

My office has been a workable studio, but I use it for a lot more than making YouTube videos. This meant I had to set up and tear down the lights, camera and audio gear for every shoot. It’s been holding me back.

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My lovely and patient wife, Angie, had the incredible idea of using our daughter’s old room as a permanent studio. I’m pretty sure I started the project before she finished her sentence. It was a big ask for such a small room, which meant it required a major makeover to work.

Small Room or Big Storage Closet?

Her room had become the house junk drawer. I needed to purge the junk quickly, so I put things in three piles. Donations, Dumpster and Certain Death (meaning someone would kill me if it went missing.) It took a few days, and I only angered the hoarding gods a little.

A little paint, a little napalm...

When the room was empty, all I had to do was tear out the old carpet, decontaminate and exorcise anything that had been under the old carpet, sand and paint the walls, paint the ceiling, and install carpet. Really, that’s all. Whew! Fortunately, the next steps were just as easy.

This will work, truss me!

I wanted a permanent home for the lights and microphone. It’s a 10 x 12 room, and I didn’t want anyone tripping over the equipment, so it all had to be mounted. Traditionally, you would use a truss to mount lights overhead, but they’re expensive. I had an idea that my daughter’s boyfriend, Joe, helped me plan out.

My friend, Brandon, deserves a raise after helping me install the overhead rigging. We hung 1-inch pipe from the ceiling in a rectangle around the room. It’s sturdy, like sturdy enough to hold the lights in place during a tornado. There is also a pipe-crossbar for microphones, which slides back and forth in case we need to reposition them.

Quiet on the Set!

My biggest battle was sound, specifically outside noise and echo in the studio. We have a few neighbors who are super proud of their loud pickup trucks. Research led me to sound dampening curtains which hang from a curtain rod along the outside wall.

The curtains weren’t enough to suppress the echo. I added a sound-dampening mural to one wall, acoustic foam tile to the ceiling and another blanket. After several days of troubleshooting, it went from bad to better.

gotAngst is Lit!

The only thing left was decorations. Brandon helped me install the brick wall paneling. It’s an unwritten rule that faux brick walls require neon signs, so gotAngst is now lit! 

After installing floating shelves to display my books, I threw up some cool nerd prints since, you know, I’m a nerd.

The room also needed a desk since I’m planning to make more videos about writing software. I mounted a sturdy Ikea countertop to a Monoprice standing desk frame. 

Previous Next Introducing the gotAngst Studio!

After lots of planning, it took three weeks to put the studio together, and easily another week to fine tune. I couldn’t be more excited. Thanks to Joe, Brandon, Cristi, and especially Angie for their input and help. You can see a brief tour of the gotAngst studio on my YouTube channel!

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Soonercon has always surprised me in the best way. It’s a very well run pop culture convention near Oklahoma City with a solid attendance of 3,000 people. Cristi and I attended our first Soonercon in 2015, and over five years I sold more books there than almost any other convention. (which is significant, considering over 100,000 people attend Planet Comicon.) 

When I told the folks at Soonercon I couldn’t be a vendor because of complications with Parkinson’s, they invited me to take part as a guest at panels. I told them to sign me up, but I wasn’t sure why.

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A savvy author would’ve brought a truckload of fliers promoting their books, or at the very least promoted their attendance on social media. I was head-deep in other projects that I’ll be announcing soon, told no one I was going, and was a little reluctant about the trip.

My lovely, and patient wife, Angie, said, “get out.” Actually, it was more like, “You’ll enjoy the drive and alone time to brainstorm. Maybe you’ll even get some writing done.” Basically the same thing.

Stuck

I had hoped the 5-hour drive to Norman, OK would give me some prime brainstorming time. The second Watson’s Worlds book is almost done. I know how it’s going to end, but hated my plan on how the story would get there. I’ve been stuck, and considering some of the personal stuff I’m dealing with, it’s not a surprise. It happens, and I always figure it out, but unfortunately the  drive didn’t un-stuck anything. My mental tires spun wildly the entire way there and only succeeded at creating a bigger rut.

Panels

Soonercon offers an impressive selection of panels. They scheduled me for four, a signing and a reading. The signing was in the dealer room, which was cool because a few readers found me and picked up copies of Entriss Online. I also had a neighbor, B.J. Thrower, who was great company.

The reading went well. Julia S. Mandala, B.J. Thrower, Brian A. Hopkins and I took turns, and I enjoyed all of their stories. A few lines Brian read sounded like something I would’ve written, but better. I look forward to reading their books.

Drinks With Authors

It was Dennis Young’s first time at Soonercon, and we met in the hotel lobby for a drink shortly after the dealer’s room closed. It was great to catch up, and we were soon joined by Selena Rosen, Julia S. Mandala, Phillip Drayar Duncan, his wife J.H. Fleming, and many more. I don’t spend enough time with other authors and had a lot of fun.

Sunday

Soonercon slated me for two panels on Sunday. SteamLabs hosted the first panel, How To Turn Fandom Into Your Job. The conversation could have easily gone off-track, but fortunately the moderator was on point.

When it was done, a young man approached.

“Are you the author who wrote Angst?”

(He didn’t throw a torn-up book in my face, which was a good sign.)

“Yes, how may I help you?”

“I bought the first book two years ago and want to purchase the rest, but couldn’t find your booth.”

I explained why I didn’t have a booth, but told him I had the books and we agreed to meet after my last panel.

I Hate Everyone

My last panel, Wry Wit For Writers: Humorous Fiction, ended on a serious note. The moderator asked how we navigated humor without offending anyone. After a few lengthy speeches from other authors that ranged from being kind to social justice, it was my turn. 

“It’s easy,” I said. “I hate everyone.”

It earned a good round of laughter, which is always my goal.

That’s When It Happened

When the panel was over, I found the young man waiting. He followed me to the lobby so I could get his books out of my car. 

“So you enjoyed Angst?” I asked in an attempt to make small talk.

“I’ve read it four times.”

I stopped to look at him.

“You’re the reason I came to the con.” He held out his hand. “I’m so excited I’m shaking.”

It meant that much to him. Others have shared this sentiment, but I never expect it and I was moved. Sure, I write for me, but I also write for him and everyone who enjoys my books. It was the reminder I desperately needed.

All I could say was, “Thank you.” I meant it from the bottom of my soul.

Why I Attended Soonercon

Talking with other authors helped me refocus, and the young man’s kind words hit the reset button for my inspiration. Brainstorming went far better on the drive home than the drive there, and I have a feeling that writing this week will go very well. My sincere thanks to him, and the authors, and to you. Watson’s Worlds, book two incoming.

The post Why I Attended Soonercon appeared first on GotAngst.

/*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 */.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}

Demicon in Des Moines, Iowa is always fun. My lovely and patient wife, Angie, and my dear friend, Cristi, joined me for this year’s shenanigans. There were many highlights, but most of our time was spent trying something new.

In 2020, I decided to stop being a vendor at cons due to complications with Parkinson’s. I never intended to give them up entirely. While I’m always happy to visit as a guest and do panels, long days of pitching my books at a booth is too much. I wasn’t ready to give up so this year, we hosted a room party.

/*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 */.e-container.e-container--row .elementor-spacer-inner{width:var(--spacer-size)}.e-container.e-container--column .elementor-spacer-inner,.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)} /*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 */.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}What is a Room Party? /*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 */.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Cristi hosting and David helping with VR.Photo courtesy of Jessica Whitlatch

Traditional science fiction & fantasy conventions often have room parties. They take place after hours and adult-only (mostly because of adult beverages. Mostly.) Needless to say, I’ve always been a fan. You typically won’t find this at larger cons, likely due to liability. These happen at conventions of 500ish people who know each other well enough to mostly behave.

Virtual Virtual Room Party

Most cons went virtual over the last two years due to COVID. Demicon let me host a virtual room party in 2021. I leveraged a lot of technology to throw a virtual reality party at my house with close friends. My hope was that a VR Party would be a solid tie-in to Entriss Online, since much of the book takes place in a virtual world. We had fun, but it didn’t all work like I had hoped. When Demicon announced they were hosting a live con, I wanted to try again. I was also concerned it would be a disaster.

About Those Concerns

The Holiday Inn that hosts Demicon does an amazing job of rolling with con needs. Not only do they block out an entire wing of their top floor for room parties, they remove the furniture from those rooms. An empty hotel room is the perfect amount of space for most VR games, but I had concerns. Drunk people and VR are a dangerous mix, I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. I also wanted to stream the game to a television so people could watch, but hotel networks are notoriously bad for gaming. There was a lot to consider, but we put our name in the hat and Demicon gave us a room.

It Worked Out... Eventually

The hotel network was zippy enough to support what I wanted, but they must have had firewalls in place to block streaming. To get things working the first night, I cobbled together a small network and connected it to a hot spot on my phone. We ate up 2.5 Gb of data later but it was a lot to ask of my cell phone. I had to reconnect the stream after every session.

For the second night, I picked up a device that let me piggyback on the hotel internet with my own network. Games streamed without a hitch, and the reactions were perfect.

First Time in Virtual Reality Annastasia reacts to using VR for the first time.

I love introducing friends to something new, and everyone’s reaction to using VR for the first time is amazing. They are always surprised at how immersive it is, and it’s a blast to watch.

There was always someone in line to give it a try. If someone was wary about standing, due to injury or booze, we pulled up a chair. It was safe, and fun. Not only did visitors get to try VR for the first time, most loved it. Hosting a room party with VR was fun, but there were some unexpected results.

We Saw Everyone

The great thing about hosting a room party is everyone comes to see you. Cristi and I have been going to Demicon since 2012. It’s easy to miss people when you’re drunkenly wandering from room to room. When you host a party, your con friends come to find you. I loved this!

We Sold Books The future looks bright!

I didn’t host the party to sell books. I really just wanted to share the experience of VR. I brought books in case anyone asked for a copy, and they did.

Easier than a booth

I’m a night owl. It doesn’t cause issues with my Parkinson’s to stay up late. Hosting a room party for three hours was much easier than working a booth for ten. When I did get tired, we kicked everyone out and closed the door. Most parties went much later, but everyone understood why we ended earlier.

A little bit tired! Photo courtesy of Jessica Whitlatch No Complaints But A Few Misses

There were a few caveats. Hosting kept us busy so we couldn’t visit other room parties. I was often helping people in and out of the VR gear, which made it hard to hold a conversation. Definitely things to consider if we try again!

Old Friends ...and some great food!

Before the con started, we grabbed dinner with some friends from High School, Aaron and John. It was great to see them and we snuck out the next day to enjoy lunch at Aaron’s food truck. If you’re in Des Moines, you’ll want to try Street Eats DSM!

Great Demicon Moments

A kind gentleman brought his copy of Entriss Online for me to sign. He is a huge fan of LitRPG and loved the book. His praise was both flattering and inspiring.

I wanted to do a panel about LitRPG and volunteered my friend Adam Whitlatch to participate. Adam hasn’t written anything LitRPG, yet, but he agreed to join me. He was both gracious and hilarious. It was a lot of fun and I have a great idea for a panel to volunteer him for next year! Please read his books so he forgives me.

It was great seeing everyone. During our panel, Adam referred to Demicon as Family. He’s absolutely right. They may be the weird relatives no one talks about, but every hug is genuine and even after two years we picked up right where we left off.

After closing the door Saturday night, Cristi and I just sat and talked and drank for an hour. It was a great way to wrap up the weekend and is every reason that she’s my best friend.

Worth the Effort

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the room party, and special thanks to Angie and Cristi for helping make it happen!

Demicon continues to be awesome. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen. I’m already looking forward to next year!

The post Hosting Our First Room Party at Demicon appeared first on GotAngst.

/*! elementor - v3.6.4 - 13-04-2022 */.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}The Vegas Bug /*! elementor - v3.6.4 - 13-04-2022 */.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}

In late 2020, the threat of COVID was waning and word spread that Las Vegas was opening up. I immediately got the bug to go.

I’ve been to Vegas many times over the years for work and occasionally for fun. My wife and I went 3 years ago with Cristi and her husband Brandon to celebrate Cristi’s 30th birthday. It was a blast, and I was ready for round 2.

My lovely and patient wife Angie had no interest, and to my surprise said, “Why don’t you go with Cristi? You guys will have a great time.” Brandon, (pretty sure at this point I should refer to him as her ‘handsome and patient husband’) supported the idea too. It was like getting a gift I didn’t ask for and never expected.

/*! elementor - v3.6.4 - 13-04-2022 */.e-container.e-container--row .elementor-spacer-inner{width:var(--spacer-size)}.e-container.e-container--column .elementor-spacer-inner,.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)} A Gift

If you’re new here, Cristi has been my best friend for over a decade. We’ve gone on many road trips, attending cons all around the Midwest. It’s not unusual for us to travel together, but we’ve always been working. This was an actual vacation where we could just go have fun and relax. I began making plans immediately before anyone came to their senses.

/*! elementor - v3.6.4 - 13-04-2022 */.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Planning

Cristi was cool with me planning much of the trip. I enjoy making those plans since it gives me something to look forward to. In my excitement, I tend to over-schedule. I learned a lot from our last trip to Vegas and tried to rein it in. By the end of February, our evenings were booked and our days were free, giving us ample time to dress accordingly.

To the Nines

One of my favorite things about Vegas is that you can wear whatever you want. On any given day you’ll see showgirls, half-naked cowboys, and Elmo walking the boulevard. Heck, If I wanted to dress like James Bond while Cristi wore an elegant gown for an evening… who would notice?

They Noticed

We had dinner on Friday night at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant followed by Cirque du Soleil “O”. Both events were swanky enough to go all out, so we did. I ordered a white jacket for my tux so I could be James Bond for the night. Cristi wore a gown, and she truly owned the evening.

I love people-watching, and their reactions didn’t disappoint. She lit up the room from Casino to restaurant and received plenty of compliments. Cristi said it was the dress. If you had seen how happy she was, you’d agree it was more than the dress.

A great example of this happened as we were leaving our hotel. The doorman took one look at her and waved for us to follow. “There’s a long cab line and you two look like you’re going somewhere important.” He flagged us a ride so we could skip the line. That was a first, and I tipped him like it was planned.

An Occasion

The Eiffel Tower restaurant is across the street from The Bellagio with a beautiful view of the fountain show. It was an incredibly romantic spot for someone else, and a perfect place to play dress up. This seemed to confuse the staff, who kept badgering us for “an occasion.”

I could have easily told them it was Cristi’s birthday, which was the following week, but I knew she wasn’t in the mood to be serenaded by the staff.

I finally gave in and said, “We’ve been friends for over 10 years, so it’s kind of our friendiversary, I guess.”

This really confused our server who replied slowly, “your ann… iversary,” like he was correcting my English.

“Sure,” I smiled politely. “Just bring us cake.”

Rascal

This happens. We’re close, but don’t hang on each other like a couple. We go out dressed nice, but I’m twenty years older. People short circuit and want to know more. It can be annoying, intrusive, or occasionally funny.

While waiting for a cab after Cirque du Soleil (which was incredible) a young guy slapped me on the shoulder, leaned in and said, “Congratulations, Rascal.” He left us scratching our heads. When we figured out what he meant, we laughed about it all weekend.

Unplanned

Booking restaurants and shows in advance was invaluable for our evenings. Most were sold out well before we arrived. It was hard for me not to make plans during the day, Friday and Saturday, but I’ll begrudgingly admit it was nice. We hung out, took advantage of photo ops, did some shopping and even got back in time to nap. The naps were important, especially Saturday afternoon, because that night we went to TAO nightclub.

Tao

TAO was a great experience. We started with an incredible dinner at their restaurant Saturday night before going to the club upstairs.

Since I realize I’m not 20, I reserved a table with a couch. It was an excellent decision. The attentive staff introduced themselves, delivered us to our table, and spent the evening taking care of us.

Pure Energy

They parked us between the dance floor and a bachelorette party. We had a great view of everything and the raw energy was intoxicating. Cristi made fast friends with our neighbors, giving me the occasional window to make fast friends with our couch.

At My Age

There was a security guard assigned to our area. At one point, he escorted Cristi to the ladies’ room, waited, and then escorted her back. Occasionally he’d check on me, too. I eventually approached him, looked around, and said, “At my age… how can I complain?” He replied, “I’m almost your age, and that’s a great way to look at it.” I couldn’t have been more impressed with the attention. I also found it fascinating he knew my age.

Worth It

Yeah, it was loud, and I didn’t know most of the songs, and I was exhausted by the end… but damn, that was fun. We stumbled out of the club at 2 a.m. and I did my best to keep Cristi from harassing gamblers as we slowly made our way to the room. (The gamblers didn’t actually seem to mind.)

Sunday

To complete our TAO experience, we wrapped up our Vegas weekend at the TAO Beach Dayclub pool party on Sunday morning. This may not have been the best decision. We were both hungover zombies that required water and naps, not alcohol and more partying, but we braved it.

They renovated TAO Beach Dayclub for 2022 and it showed. I reserved a couch again, because sitting is nice. After several hours of drying out in the desert sun, we did some serious people watching. I’d definitely come back, but I’d also come prepared for fun.

We recovered in time to finish our Vegas adventure with a fun dinner and a show.

Spirit Airlines Can Go To Hell

After an amazing trip, I was ready to go home, get some rest, get some more rest, and apologize to my wife. (Not really necessary, but I was prepared just in case.) Spirit Airlines threw up all over itself and cancelled flights across the country, including mine. I was stuck in Vegas for one more day.

Cristi was already planning to stay an extra day to spend time with her mom. They invited me to come with because they are amazing, but I wasn’t going to intrude.

I grabbed another hotel for the night and slept like I spent the weekend pretending to be young. Thanks to the gods at Southwest Airlines, I found a reasonable direct flight home. I didn’t have to apologize to my wife, but my dog hasn’t completely forgiven me for leaving.

Grateful for this Vegas Adventure

My sincere thanks to Angie, Brandon, and especially Cristi. There were some challenges along the way, but in the end it all came together and was exactly what I hoped for: a weekend making memories with my best friend.

This was understandably a one-time Vegas adventure that I don’t take for granted. I have no doubt that we could ever get away with another friend-vacation like this again. Even if I had a great idea. A really great idea. Hmmm.

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