The Hyatt bar was D-E-A-D last night. I'll be curious to see if tonight's back up to the usual standards. Not only was no one I knew there last night, but it only took me 5 minutes to get a drink at the bar!

CBLDF party tonight for me, possibly IDW if I can swing it, the BOOM! drink-up, and then the Hyatt. Oh, and in less than an hour I get to learn from Mark Waid and others how to write a winning pitch -- probably the panel I'm most excited about attending this year.

THURSDAY

Had a good day yesterday walking the floor, checking out artists in Small Press. Dinner with James Powell (Postcards co-editor) and his wife, talking about his next project which has the distinct aroma of WIN about it.

The Hyatt was packed, and we owe it all to Chip Mosher (I swear, I know he wouldn't lie about it) for throwing the only party that fans and pros alike are invited to.

The power of the mighty Cardinals cap continues to manifest itself in wonderful ways, such as Will Dennis recognizing me from last year and stopping to say hi. Everyone remembers that bright red cap year to year, so score one for me in the branding department.

Wrapped up the night hanging with my writer buddy Caleb Monroe (check out his interview on Newsarama today btw) and Kris "Editor Girl" Simon, just shooting the shit and talking comics for quite a while.

Here's to Friday!

FRIDAY

Had a good Friday at the con. Got to meet Steve Bryant which was cool -- my three-year-old son's favorite comic is Athena Voltaire, so we talked kids and comics some. Great guy, and great artist.

Late lunch at the little Irish pub on 4th Street with my bud Shawn. What a find -- Newcastle on tap, delightful atmosphere, and a tasty turkey sandwich on fresh sourdough.

Got to meet up with Brandon Palas, who's probably the best artist nobody's heard of (but me). We're talking about doing something together once he finishes his current project.

The Hyatt was hopping. Hung with James Powell and his wife and Jason Rodriguez and his fiancee (aka the Postcards crew). Met Ryan Burton, scribe of Flying Saucers vs. the Earth and his wife, Liz. David Gallaher of Zuda fame was in rare form -- one of the most likable guys I've met -- and Jim Higgins gave me possibly the one missing ingredient to a pitch I'm working on (thanks, Jim!).

And perhaps most importantly of all, I learned that the "c" in Tony Fleecs' last name is silent!

Everything on my To Do list for this year's con is checked off, so tonight I get to just go down to the Hyatt and drink and relax and have a good time. I'm really looking forward to it.

SATURDAY

Finally got over to Artists Alley and met a couple of guys I'd love to work with, including one who was born to draw Surecock Holmes!

Saturday night at the Hyatt, I had a short conversation with my favorite editor that totally made my con!

Onward and upward! Lots of irons in the fire post-con, and I've never felt so focused and confident in my comic writing life.

If your comic shop carries Desperado Publishing's acclaimed anthology, NEGATIVE BURN, I hope you'll check out issue 21 which hit the stands last week. It features a couple of stories by my friend and excellent writer Caleb Monroe, and also contains the touching tale of "Frog-Boy," written by me and illustrated by the brilliant Renzo Podesta.

Here's the cover to look for:



And here's the first page to whet your appetite:


(click for full-size, readable version)

Yay, me!