by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, author of the Wolf Moons miniseries from Harlequin Nocturne and Nocturne Bites
Hey everyone. News.
You’ve all heard of Comic-Con, I’m sure. It’s the largest sci-fi, fantasy, graphic novel, and comic book convention in the world -
held in San Diego, California, in a beautiful convention center, on a beautiful stretch of water.
This year, I decided to go, promote my Nocturne books, and see what the hype is about. I applied as a writing professional, and proposed a panel I wanted to do.
WOW. Whoa. It all happened!
And let me just say that Comic-con International was a blast! Everything you’ve ever heard about it is true. The lights! The art! The crowds! The talent! The hype! Even Hollywood has taken a major role as a presence, knowing this is THE place to be, and giving everyone attending an extra thrill.
Here’s the really kicky title of my panel: “Kiss them or Kill them? Conflict management for the creatures among us.”
My objective in speaking was to bring paranormal romance into the limelight, in the midst of the huge urban fantasy and horror presence there. Let folks know what we paranormal romance writers are really doing nowadays, and to lay to rest some of the old cliches that still cling to the old “bodice ripper” genre.
There were eight authors on my panel, almost all of them urban fantasy writers. And well, you would have been proud of me.
I discussed the differences between the two genres, talked about the crossover going on between the romance and the sci-fi/fantasy bookshelves, and promoted Nocturne in the meantime. I talked about werewolves and vampires, how romance plays a big part in their stories, and how Nocturne authors tell those stories well.
More than 250 people showed up for my panel. Good questions were asked. And paranormal fans were smiling in the crowd when I was done. It was a success! Paranormal Romance infiltrated Comic-con! You just can’t ask for anything better than that.
And let me also mention – that my bright red “RED WOLF” cover, from this year’s Nocturne “Wolf Moon” series, really stood out from all the Urban fantasy covers with their badass girls in leather and tattoos, carrying weapons.
Yay!
The movie stars walking around (only a brief mention here, since there were way too many to list) — Jeff Bridges, Angelina Jolie, Nathan Fillian (Castle, Firefly, Serenity, Buffy), The Star Trek cast, Bill Shatner, the True Blood cast, virtually ALL of the oddball TV series casts, Stallone, Morgan Fairchild … oh, and Elvira, Mistress of the Night. Actors and producers and directors, galore. Authors aplenty. Artists. Comics and games creators…
And moi.
I highly recommend Comic-con. Crowds. Lights. Cameras. Action. And everyone there for one purpose – to see the latest entertainment options in every available playing field.
Comic-con did not disappoint.
Questions for you:
Have any of you participated?
Do you second my evaluation of the scene?
Are you excited about upcoming paranormal shows, movies, books?
Do you love paranormal romance as much as I do?
Well. Long-winded. I’m still excited about the way things turned out. Next year I’ll try again, and I’ll have my new Nocturne vampire series to promote, “Vampire Moons.” The first beautiful cover is here. Another stand-out, I think!
Cheers for now -
Linda
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OOps. Power outage today here in the heat of sunny southern Cal. Just now back up. Hoping you’re out there somewhere.
Linda.
Wow! What a crazy and wonderful day that must have been! Did you get respect from the crowd for paranormal romance, or did they dismiss the romance angle???
And I’m always looking for the new, exciting paranormal movie or show. I’ll really enjoying BEING HUMAN. A great cast and interesting story line. How about you?
And LOVE the VAMPIRE LOVER cover! Such beautiful people! Congrats!
Linda, thanks for sharing. It sounds awesome!
Best of luck with the release of the Vampire Moons series.
I’m positive we will be hearing more about you pretty soon.
Hi Jeanne D. Thanks for stopping by!
I also like BEING HUMAN. The BBC really knows how to do paranormal right. The cast was at Comic-con, and folks got to chat with them for a bit. They’re terrific actors, and enthusiastic.
I LOVE the VAMPIRE LOVER cover, too! Thanks! This model is the epitome of my character. Gosh, he’s just so sexy…
Last answer:
SIGH. Yes, it seems that some of those folks look down their noses at anything with the word ROMANCE attached to it. Sad, but true. However, and again, changing their minds was the objective for my panel… and I think some of those hard-core paranormal fans were reached., and maybe even converted… some. HA.
This is my genre, I’m loving it, and I will continue to promote it to others, see if I can help rustle up a newbie or two.
YAY PARANORMAL ROMANCE !
Linda
Hi Joanna. Thanks for the best wishes.
Linda
Hi Linda!
I was at Comic-Con this year too!!!
It’s wonderful that you brought paranormal romance into Comic-Con!!! I’m glad your panel was so well-attended too!!!
More new readers!!! YAY!!!
Congratulations!!!
Lisa
Sounds like fun.
Linda! Wow–what a gorgeous new cover. Huge congrats. : )
As you know, I was at the Con. Way crowded, but there are so many things to do. Really, the choices are mindblowing. I’m very proud of you for representing!
Thanks Lisa, Jackie and Chrystal.
xo
Linda
Hi Linda-
I am so glad that your first Comic Con adventure went so well! I really think this con is ready for a romance invasion. I remember years ago when there were romance book freebies. I saw a 16 year old guy reading one- and after watching him ( he had it badly hidden behind a comic) he wasn’t just reading “those parts” he was starting at the beginning and reading the entire book!
Comic Con is THE Popular Arts event of the year. I would love to see more writers of all types get in there. I hope you get to do another panel of some sort next year
(And yeah- I’m a hard core Comic Con gal- this was my 17 or 18th year attending
)
Way to go, Marie. I hope to see you there in 2011. Maybe I can convince HQ to come back!
Linda
OOOO!! I hope you do! If you need help setting up a panel- (dealing directly with the convention) I could help. Did a big one for some actors a few years back. I’m not afraid to MC if need be either! LOL!!! I say lets get some romance into comic con!
Linda , sounds like you represented well and had fun at the same time makes me want to go see what’s up will try next year. I come to see you first:)