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In Memory of Frederick Kim: A Talented Creator and a Great Man

6/17/2016

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I first "met" Fred Kim in the inaugural online beginners writing class for Comics Experience in 2009. I put the word "met" in quotes because it was not a face to face meeting. Rather, my first introduction to this extraordinarily gifted man was through a program known as WebX. Each week, I, along with 13 other students, would log on and see the faces of my fellow creators as Andy Schmidt showed us the secret to writing comics and help us to craft our first "professional" comic book story. 

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​Now, one would think it would be hard to get to know someone by simply meeting once a week through a two inch video window. Not so. This is because we were not simply an anonymous group of strangers passively listening to lectures. Instead, we all poured our hearts and souls into the class. Each week, both on and off line, we shared our work in process and carefully critiqued each other's stories. Over the class, we also began to reveal ourselves and share our dreams. Thinking back, I think it’s fair to say that our collective goal was to become the future of comics, of literature, and, on our bolder days, of pop culture, itself. Fred Kim embodied this dream and understood what was necessary to get there. By the time we had taken the class together, Fred had already had his story, "Forgotten Light," published in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds VII and won awards for teleplays and screenplays. I had previously read Fred’s amazing Borg story before we met in that first class and have to admit I was a little intimidated.

​Fred’s story in class was called a science fiction story called “Bugged”.  Over the weeks, Fred fleshed out the characters, the concepts, and finally the story that could have been the concept for a television show.  When the class was over, we decided to collect our stories into a comic called Tales from the Comics Experience (this practice that has been repeated by subsequent writing classes).  Fred’s bio in Tales states that he was “waiting for his Big Break, both in Comics and in movies.”  That wasn’t really true.  Fred was not simply waiting, he was working to improve his writing and to make inroads in Hollywood. 
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I finally met Fred face to face over dinner during the 2010 San Diego Comic Con. We continued that tradition every year I was able to attend. On that trip, I also discovered that, in addition to being a talented and gifted writer, he was also an amazing person.  I travel a lot for my day job and had depositions in Los Angeles the week before and after the convention.  So, I flew out to LA, took a train to San Diego Comic Con, with a hotel in Mission Valley, and then took a train back to LA Sunday afternoon.  Amidst the costumes, the exhibitions, and the pageantry, I somehow managed to leave my garment bag with all of my suits in that Mission Valley hotel room.  Fred, who had stayed an extra night, was kind enough to volunteer to pick up my bag and deliver it to me in my hotel in Universal City. He drove miles out of his way in California traffic to deliver a luggage to a person he had only just met. That is the kind of person Fred was.
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​After that first class, a small group of us continued writing together as Elevator Pitch Press. Fred not only wrote what many considered one of the best stories in the book, “The Dead & Endless Wastes,” for our Great Zombies in History graphic novel but was instrumental in co-editing the graphic novel released by McFarland Press.  All the while, Fred pursued his Hollywood dreams with his work on Frankenstein, MD. He was doing what he loved and succeeding. This all ended when Fred collapsed during his writing group as a result of an aneurism and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital. He passed on June 13, 2016, at 5:30 pm. 
I found out about his collapse from a group text that went to the Elevator Pitch Press writing group. For hours, we texted each other about the incident. And despite the fact that we had collectively written thousands of pages of stories about aliens, superheroes, and monsters, for the first time, we simply couldn’t find the words to express how we felt. 

Having had some time to process it, part of me thinks that Fred died at a writer’s group doing what he loved, part of me thinks that the world lost a great writer and we will never see what could have been. We should all be inspired by this to pursue what we love because you never know when it will all end. We should also treasure those around us for the same reason. Fred did this without abandon and I would like to believe that he would have had no regrets.


But, really, if I’m being honest with myself, I just miss my friend. The friend who was nice enough to drive me my suit. The friend that I now wish I had kept closer ties with than the occasional emails and annual dinners at San Diego Comic Con. The friend  that was taken far too soon.

Rest in peace Fred Kim. You will be missed.    
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Another Positive review for Sky Girl at Mommynificent

9/14/2013

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Check out a great review at : http://mommynificent.com/2013/09/12/sky-girl-book-review-giveaway/ 

There are actually three reviews from  a mother. father, and daughter (who did some amazing drawings of the characters). It's good to know that people are enjoying the book and I thank Moomynificient for the
review.

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Interview with the Examiner

9/9/2013

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I was interviewed by the Examiner newspaper about my promotion of Sky Girl and the Superheroic Adventures.

The interview can be found here

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Sky Girl and the Superheroic Adventures Promo and Giveaway at My Devotional Thoughts Blog

9/5/2013

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If you want to win a free copy of Sky Girl and the Superheroic Adventures, My Devotional Thoughts is having a contest. Details can be found here.

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Interview with As the Page Turns

9/5/2013

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As the Page Turns has "Interview with Joe Sergi, Author of Sky Girl and the Superheroic Adventures."

The interview can be found here.

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Sky Girl and the Superheroic Adventures Reviewed at Children and Teens Book Connection

9/4/2013

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The Children and Teens Book Connection reviewed Sky Girl as part of their "First Chapter Review" segment.  The review can be found here Highlights include:

"This shows Sergi’s knowledge of the genre in which he writes; always a pleasure."

"After this strong opening, I look forward to reviewing the rest of the book."


Sky Girl can be found at all major booksellers and:



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New Article on Sky Girl in New Jersey Papers

9/4/2013

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Chuck O'Donnell  wrote a spotlight article on Sky Girl (and Zombies) called Author's Sky Girl character protects Central Jersey from evil, A novel guardian for the Courier News (Home News Tribune, Asbury Park Press, etc.). Thanks to Chuck and everyone who gave him quotes. I haven't seen the paper copy, but the online version can be found here 

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June 05th, 2013

6/5/2013

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Just a quick post to say that I have two new books out this month. I hope you enjoy them.
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May 17th, 2013

5/17/2013

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How to order Indie Horror Comics #2

4/10/2013

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Several non-comic readers asked me how to get a copy of  Indie Comics Horror #2.  So if you have no idea why a Diamond distributor is selling comics, read closely and all will be made clear.

ORDERS ARE DUE BY APRIL 21.


Background on the Comics Market

First a bit of background.  If you don't care and just want to know how to order, skip this.

There are two kinds of markets for comics: newstand and the direct market.  The Newstand market is exactly what you think it is, those now nonexistent spinner racks in drug stores and more recently the magazine racks in Supermarkets, Books A Million and Barnes and Noble.  Indie Comics Horror is not in this market.  Instead, it will be released in the Direct or specialty market.  The means that it will be only sold in comic shops and through mail order comic companies.  With very nearly nonexistent exceptions, these shops receive their books from a company called Diamond Distributors.  They don't sell diamond, they sell comics.  Each month they put a book called Previews, which  which contains new comics that can be ordered by comic shops (usually books come out 2 months after being in Previews. The book is divided with the big companies (Dark Horse, DC, IDW, and Image) are in the front, Marvel gets its own seperate book (I hope to explain why  my new non-fiction book), and everyone else is in the back.  As a practical matter, most shops don't ever order from the back of the book unless there is demand.  Indie Comic Horror #2 is in the back of the book.  Each book has an order code:

THE ORDER CODE FOR INDIE HORROR COMICS IS: APR130754

There are two things about Previews that. always amaze my non-comic friends and annoy my comic friends: 1) it is nearly impossible for a new creator/independant company to get in this book; and 2) Comic Fans are forced pay $4.50 a month to buy a catalogue so that they can spend money to buy books (there is no free digital version).  But, despite these 2 things 1) creators (like me) keep setting themselves up for rejection; and 2) comic fan (like me) keep paying for a catalogue.

Is Diamond a monopoly? Most likely 
Is Diamond evil? Probably. 
Is Diamond the only game in town? Absolutely

Joe, I don't Care About the Why, Just Tell Me How To Order Indie Horror Comics #2

Because 1) Indie Horror Comics #2 is only available from Comic Shops and is in the back of the Previews Catologue, and 2) Comic Shops only really order their books from the front Previews, you will need to special order the book. 

This is done by going to your local comic shop (or an online seller) and telling them that you want Indie Horror Comics Magazine #2.  Even better is if you give them the order code. 

THE ORDER CODE FOR INDIE HORROR COMICS IS: APR130754

ORDERS ARE DUE BY APRIL 21.


Hopefully, the kind person at the shop will place the order and then notify you when the book comes in  (probably in June).

It's that simple.
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A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

If you still don't get it (or if you came here first, you are pretty smart).  Here is a step by step guide.

STEP ONE--FIND A SHOP

Let's say, hypothetically, you live in Washington, DC.  In order to get a copy you would need to go to a local comic shop such as:

Fantom Comic on the second floor of Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave NE  Washington, DC 20002
(202) 241-6498

Atertime Comics in Old Town Alexandria
1304 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-5030

Laughing Ogre in Fairfax
10647 Braddock Rd
Fairfax, VA 22032
(703) 250-6479 http://www.laughingogrecomics.com

Game On Comics!
310 Dominion Rd NE  Vienna, VA 22180
(703) 242-3838

Or you can go to any one of a number of online sellers (which may have discounts).

Here are two I use.

http://www.dcbservice.com/

http://www.midtowncomics.com/

STEP TWO--ORDER THE BOOK

Tell them you want to pre-order Indie Comics Magazine #2.  You can search for the book in an online shop, or ask the staff at your local shop to help you.  To help the shop, you should give them the Previews Diamond Order Number.

THE ORDER CODE FOR INDIE HORROR COMICS IS: APR130754

ORDERS ARE DUE BY APRIL 21.


If they have a Previews Catalogue, the book appears on page 240 of the April edition.

Alternatively, you can just print this and show it to them. 
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STEP THREE--PICK UP THE BOOK

If you ordered it online, the book should automatically be shipped to you.  If you ordered from a shop, they should notify you when they come in, or you should start to call them if you haven't heard back by June.

STEP FOUR--READ THE BOOK

Now you have a copy of Indie Horror Comcis #2 (hopefully the shop saw your interest as a sign it should order multiple copies.)  Read, enjoy, and if bring it to me, I'll sign it.  If you like it

Tell the world.

About the Indie Horror Comic #2

Indie Comics Horror #2, 64 pages of the best horror from today's independent comic book creators, is available ONLY through pre-order in April 2013's Previews comic book order catalog, at your local or online comic book shop.

9 complete thrillers in this issue! Joe Sergi unmasks a stalker, Paul Bradford defends against marauders, and Dan Rivera meets a fiendish clown. Tease Fabian Rangel, Jr.'s "Stinky" at your peril. Then, Scott Schmidt battles undead gunmen, Anthony Cacioppo visits Transylvania, Glenn Møane introduces "The Drain," and Terry Cronin plunges us into a sinkhole. Monstrous Andy Bennett cover!

Aazurn Publishing has been redefining heroes since 2006. Aazurn books are produced and edited by Gary Scott Beatty. Find out more at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com/
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