I will be appearing at Balticon 44 this weekend in Baltimore, Md. 

Balticon 44 is a Four Day, 24-hours-a-day Extravaganza! There is over 300 Hours of Multi-Track Programming featuring authors, publishers, editors, artists, scientists, musicians and other creative SF luminaries. Join over a thousand SF fans for the area's largest and longest running convention of its kind! Visit our huge art show, dealer's room, concerts, dances, gaming room, computer room and video room. Everything Science Fiction and Fantasy in one huge package.

Balticon 44 will be at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn, 245 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031 (north of Baltimore off of I-83)

Here is the flyer.

The floor hours are as follows (I have a table and be offering copies of all my books): 

Friday: 4pm to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: 10:30am to 5pm
Monday: 10:30am to 3pm
 
My appearances are as follows:
Saturday:        

1-2 PM  AUTOGRAPH SESSION Phil Rossi, Joe Sergi, Patrick Thomas 

7-8PM PANEL: Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy: Smith-Ready, Jeri (m); Snyder, Maria V.; Sergi, Joe; Petrini, Catherine

Sunday:          
11-12am PANEL: Humor in paranormal romance?: Sergi, Joe; Gilman, Laura Anne; Price, Stella; Surrette, Gayle (m); Thomas, Patrick

Monday:         
11-12:00 READING: Joe Sergi 

I recently did an interview for Comic Geek Speak where I talked about Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy and Tales from the Comics Experience.

Listen to it below by clicking the button below or going here.

I learned about this in Universal Studios.  I never even knew this existed (I'll bet it's on that Special Edition ET DVD I never opened).   This is the complete lost scene of Harrison Ford in ET, he is not seen in the movie because Spielberg didn't want to show the adults (except for Elliot's mother and the government guys).  In some ways this scene works better and is more parallel with the beginning of the film where Elliot was mistreated by his brother and friends and this ending shows him being included with them and that life has gone pretty much back to normal for him because of his experiences with E.T.

From June 14th through June 25th, Joe Sergi will be touring with his MG/YA sci-fi/fantasy novel, Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy. DeDe Christopher is an average high school sophomore with dreams of winning the National Gymnastic Tournament and dating the school quarterback. But her world changes when DeDe begins to develop fantastic abilities that are strangely similar to those of a fictional comic book superhero named SkyBoy. With the help of her best friend, Jason, a self-proclaimed comic geek, DeDe begins a quest to discover her true destiny as she confronts the all-too-real enemies and allies of SkyBoy. She must deal with capes, apes, and aliens to find a way to live up to a legacy that no one can remember and become Sky Girl. 216 pages (Unlimited PDF copies, limited number of printed copies available.)

You can find Joe online at www.joesergi.net and www.skygirlnovel.com.

If you are interested in reviewing this book, please email Cheryl at cg20pm00(at) gmail(dot) com. Please specify PDF or printed copy preference in your email.

I was watching the Disney Channel with my daughter and they played this short episode called "Make Them Laugh--Re-Micks."  I then saw an old Mickey Mouse cartoon re-spliced so that it matched the song "Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas.  All in all, it was very entertaining and fresh.  (I'm not sure I feel the same way about the Hannah Montana and Jonas ones).

I did a little research and discovered that there was a tv show called D-TV which was created in 1984 by  Walt Disney in an effort to compete with MTV.  The show aired as fillers since the Disney Channel didn't have commercials.  They were also released on the VHS, Beta, and Laserdisc formats. After the first run of D-TV, in 1989 a second series was produced known as DTV. (no hyphen--that must have been an interesting set of marketing meetings to decide to take out a hyphen).  D-TV ceased airing in 1999. Due to music licensing rights, it is highly unlikely the network will ever show them again, and it is also doubtful they will ever be released to DVD or Blu Ray.. However, a very small selection of the music videos can currently be viewed on  youtube 9and below.

Not giving up on a good idea, in 2009, Disney revivedthe D-TV idea in the form of Re-Micks, similar music videos syncing clips from the classic shorts to pop songs.

I couldn't find "Gotta Feeling" which is the best one I've seen, but I hope you enjoy the following clip from Youtube:

See if this brings back any memories . .  .

And if you are nostalgic:

D23 celebrates the life and legacy of Roy E. Disney with a very special event on the Walt Disney Studio lot.

To celebrate the life and legacy of Roy E. Disney, D23 is proud to announce a very special event on the Walt Disney Studio lot. We will honor Roy with screenings of two much-loved films and special guests, and all Tribute ticketholders will be able to join us as Disney dedicates the Disney Feature Animation Building to Roy E. Disney.

After checking in, guests will be escorted to the front of the Feature Animation Building where they will have the chance to join Disney employees, luminaries and special guests for the dedication of the iconic structure as it is renamed the Roy E. Disney Animation Building.

Following the fanfare, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner inside the Disney Studio Commissary. Guests can choose from a limited menu of freshly prepared edibles — including the famous chili Walt used to enjoy. After its opening on March 21, 1940, Walt himself used to enjoy lunch at the Commissary nearly every day he was at the Studio.

After dinner, guests will be escorted to the Studio Theatre on the main lot where Disney historian Stacia Martin will introduce the first, and only, True-Life Fantasy: Perri. The adorable film, which Roy worked on as both a cameraman and photographer, follows a little pine squirrel named Perri and her life from childhood to maturity.

After a brief intermission, Academy Award®-nominated film producer Don Hahn will reminisce about working with Roy before introducing a screening of Fantasia/2000. The film, executive produced by Roy, built upon the success of the original Fantasia — which inspired the look of the Studio Theatre — using vibrant animation, rich scores, and a few celebrity appearances, both live and drawn! Hahn will also present the animated short Lorenzo, about a sassy cat terrorized by his own tail, which Hahn executive produced with Roy.

It promises to be a memorable event, and we look forward to seeing you there.

NOTE: Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest. There are a limited number of tickets available. Dinner in the commissary is not included with the price of the ticket; guests who wish to enjoy dinner will need to bring cash or credit card for the meal. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancelations or refunds, tickets are not transferrable.

Event Information
DATE
May 7, 2010

LOCATION
The Walt Disney Studios
Burbank, California

TICKETS
Click here for tickets.

COST
$50 per person (plus a $5 processing fee)

SCHEDULE
Check in begins at 3:15 p.m.; event starts at 4 p.m

I enjoyed Tim Burton's.  In fact, I reviewed it here.  In a bold move, Disney is releasing it to Ble Ray and Video quickly.  Here are the details.  You can pre-order it at Amazon through the links below and help this site.

With Worldwide Theatrical Box Office Earnings Approaching the $800 Million Mark, Tim Burton’s Take on the Classic Tales Wins Fans Everywhere

Burbank, Calif., April 16, 2010 – Following a record-breaking theatrical performance, Tim Burton’s epic fantasy adventure ALICE IN WONDERLAND, Disney’s 4th biggest film of all time, takes its booming box-office success into the home with a Disney 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), 1-Disc Blu-ray and 1-Disc DVD on June 1, 2010, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE).

The ALICE IN WONDERLAND Blu-ray DiscTM Combo Pack provides audiences with the chance to experience a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time in pristine 1080p picture and Dolby Digital 5.1 HD surround sound quality and has been especially packaged with family and fans in mind – with lots of exciting bonus features and an extra DVD and Digital Copy of the movie.

The Blu-ray Disc versions of the film include nine bonus features that take viewers deeper into the famous “Rabbit Hole” - exploring more of the world of Wonderland, its iconic characters and the making of the film. Features include the making of the Futterwacken Dance, a look inside the world of the Mad Hatter and Johnny Depp’s transformation, Tim Burton’s vision for the movie and its characters, the visual effects of growing and shrinking of Alice, costume designs, music, stunts and more.

The suggested retail prices for ALICE IN WONDERLAND are as follows: The 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) is $44.99 (US)/$51.99 (Canada); the 1-Disc Blu-ray is $39.99 (US) /$44.99 (Canada); and the Single Disc DVD is $29.99 (US)/$35.99 (Canada).

Film Synopsis:
Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice for a fantastical new adventure from Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton. Inviting and magical, ALICE IN WONDERLAND is an imaginative new twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny. Wonderland is a world beyond your imagination and unlike anything you’ve seen before. The extraordinary characters you’ve loved come to life richer and more colorful than ever. There’s the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and more. A triumphant cinematic experience – ALICE IN WONDERLANDis an incredible feast for your eyes, ears and heart that will captivate audiences of all sizes.

The film’s opening weekend made ALICE IN WONDERLAND the highest-grossing non-sequel opening weekend in history, the biggest March opening of all time, the biggest 3D opening of all time and the biggest IMAX opening of all time.

Bonus Features:

DVD:

Finding Alice – It’s all things Alice. This featurette includes Tim Burton’s vision for the characters, differences from the book and Disney’s version of Alice and how she evolves as both a character and actor as she takes an adventure through Wonderland.

The Mad Hatter – Audiences are provided with a deeper look into the world of the Mad Hatter. Check out Johnny Depp’s early sketches, make-up, costumes and how they digitally enhanced his eyes.

Effecting Wonderland – A behind-the-scenes piece on the different technologies used to create some of the most beloved characters in the film – Stayne, Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Bandersnatch and the Red Queen.

BLU-RAY:

Everything on the DVD plus:

The Futterwacken Dance – Futterwhat? Check out the making of the timeless dance called the Futterwacken.

The Red Queen – The creation of the Red Queen from start to finish, including early Tim Burton sketches showcasing costume designs, make-up and digital effects.

Time-Lapse: Sculpting the Red Queen – A short time-lapse piece showing Helena Bonham Carter as she gets her make-up done. A three-hour process can be watched in just a few short minutes.

The White Queen – An interview with Anne Hathaway, who plays Wonderland’s good queen, about her character’s journey throughout the process of the film.

Scoring Wonderland – Composer Danny Elfman and Tim Burton discuss the music for the movie.

Stunts of Wonderland – A featurette highlighting some of the biggest stunts in the film.

Making the Proper Size – An inside look at the visual effects process of growing and shrinking Alice. See how filmmakers used different techniques to stay true to the storyline.

Cakes of Wonderland – Take a trip to “Cake Divas” where the creators of the EAT ME cakes provide viewers with details about how they made the smallest crumb to the largest cake in scale.

Tea Party Props – Tea cups, saucers, cakes and more. Prop master Doug Harlocker gives an overview of all the props used to bring the famous tea party scene together visually.\

I love upfronts, where the networks tought the upcoming shows.  For a TV geek like me, it is the equivalent of the NFL draft.

Well this year, the Cartoon network announced several comic related shows including mad magazine and a cartoon based on Young Justice. the show will star Robin, Aqualad, Superboy, Kid Flash, Miss Martian and Artemis and be produced by Register and Greg Weisman (who did Gargoyles and W.I.T.C.H, two great character driven shows.).

I'm not sure if you watch those great travel Channel Specials on Disney.  I usually find out about them too late to watch them at a normal time and up setting my DVR to record 4am showing.  Then, I leave them on my DVR for far too long.  When I finally get around to watching them, I think--why did I wait this long.  Well, they are all coming out on DVD and Blu Ray in June.  You can pre-order them from Amazon through the links (and help this site) or read the press release below:

Emmy-winning Lightship Entertainment of Orlando, Florida, has appointed Questar Entertainment the exclusive distributor of “Disney Parks” to be released on June 1, 2010 as a DVD 6-Pack (SRP $49.99), a Blu-ray Plus Combo Pack containing Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copies($34.99), and a DVD Single of highlights ($19.99).Produced for Disney Parks LLC by Lightship, “Disney Parks” gives viewers special access to top attractions and gives viewers unprecedented insight into the planning, design, and “imagineering” that goes into every aspect of the Disney experience.

Packaged in a beautiful, eye-catching foil embossed slipcase, “Disney Parks” provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at top Disney attractions at parks across the country. Whether they’ve been to Disney amusement parks before or are planning their first trip, viewers will want to own this collectible, in-depth look at some of Disney’s most famous rides, shows, and adventures!

“Disney granted us unprecedented access into their theme parks, resorts, and attractions which has allowed us to present over five hours of programming that reveals incredible information and imagery,” said Andy Perrott, President and Executive Producer of Lightship Entertainment.  “Working closely with Disney Parks, we proudly present over five hours of the most definitive collection of insiders information and imagery on Disney’s theme parks, resorts, and attractions.”

“Questar is truly honored to be the exclusive provider of Disney Theme Park content,” said Kevin Silverman, Vice President, Digital Distribution and Programming at Questar Entertainment. “This is an exciting start to 2010 and proves that in its 25th year, Questar still has ‘Everything in the World Worth Watching.’”

The “Disney Parks” DVD 6-Pack (SRP $49.99, Program Length 5.5 hours) includes:

·Walt Disney World: Behind the Scenes—An exclusive look at the park that made Orlando the nation’s number one vacation destination.
·Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes— A journey through the incredible attractions and entertainment experiences at the original Disneyland Resort.
·Ultimate Walt Disney World—A close look at the exciting thrill rides that make Disney parks so exciting.
·Disney’s Animal Kingdom—A tour of Disney’s largest and most ambitious theme park to date!
·Disney Cruise Line—Exclusive access to Disney’s cruise ships and its private island, Castaway Cay.
·Undiscovered Disney Parks—A unique guide to Disney sites “off the beaten path” including properties and locations in Anaheim frequented by Walt Disney himself.

The “Disney Parks” Blu-ray Combo Pack, which gives consumers DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital copies of the program (SRP $34.99, Program Length 2.5 hours) includes:

·Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes
·Ultimate Walt Disney World
·Undiscovered Disney Parks

Finally, the “Disney Parks” Single DVD (SRP $19.99, Program Length 1.5 hours) contains:

·Walt Disney World: Behind the Scenes
·Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes

About Questar: Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010, Questar Entertainment is one of the industry’s leading large content holders of quality Travel, Nature, and Inspirational programming for television, home entertainment, education, web and digital, with over 3,500 titles in its library.  Questar has won five awards from The American Film Institute, and has been honored by Billboard Magazine and at The Covenant Awards. Questar’s “Rome: Power & Glory” was named Best Educational Documentary at The DVD 2000 Entertainment Awards, while “Bobby Darin: Mack Is Back” received a Certificate of Excellence as Best Music DVD. Questar products are distributed through Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Netflix, iTunes, Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Columbia House, and Reader’s Digest.  Questar has produced more than 100 original programs for PBS, The Discovery Channel, TLC, The Travel Channel, The History Channel (A&E Networks), and PAX-TV Network. In 2010, Questar was selected to join YouTube’s beta rental program providing full-length premium content to users. Questar maintains offices in Chicago and Burbank.   For more information, visit www.questarentertainment.com.

Last week, I attended the International Day of the Book in Kensington Maryland.  I have to admit, I had never really done a book festival--most of my professional exhibiting has been at comic shows--and I didn't know what to expect.  I was particularly worried when the women at the table next to me (Andrea B. Rugh, author of Simple Gestures: A Cultural Journey into the Middle East) confessed that she had been there for three years and never sold a book. 

The day started slow.  I was wedged in between an anthropologist with a book about Afghanistan and a tree biologist.
And yes, the is a Kubrick feeling when you try to sell you light Superhero novel between dead trees and the Middle East.   I only sold 1 book in the first hour.  At least it was a nice day.  I put out free copies of Chapter 0 and people took those.  If I sold everything for free, I would have completely sold out.

Then, I forced to squish a little closer to Andrea, to make room for another participant.  The new author was Shelena Shorts (pictured left), who thankfully also write young adult books.  Her new book is entitled The Pace from Lands Atlantic Publishing.  It's a Twighlightish young adult romance, which involves immortals instead of vampires.  I have a full synopsis below.  It's not really my genre, but, I'm reading it and it's good.  My wife is reading it as well--I'll let you know what she thinks of it when she is done since that is more her bailiwick.

Anyway, Lizzie had a great time coloring at the tables and playing the games at the festival and I had a great time talking with Shelena and her publisher, Lisa Paul.  (I guess I can't blame my Publisher, Carly McCracken, for not coming from Missouri to join me).  We talked about marketing and the roller coaster ride that is the Amazon sales rank.  Something else happened, my sales picked up--a lot.  Some people read that free Chapter zero and then came back to buy the book, others were impressed by the fact that the book featured a strong female role model and no sex.  Some, liked superheroes.  All in all, It ended up being a very good day. As a plus, I also saw my best friend friend from high school, who I hadn't seen in 20 years. 

I will definitely be at the festival next year.  Oh, and that woman who hadn't a book in three years.  She almost sold them all this year.  I picked up a copy for a friend who is going over to Afghanistan for work.  It's a pretty fascinating read.  I have an amazon link to it below.

And here is Shelena's book.  It is called The Pace.  There is a sequel due to be released in August.  Here is the synopisis:

Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time. Intensely fascinating and rich with determination, The Pace brings together romance, mystery, and suspense in a compelling bond that is sure to have readers asking for more.

And, you can still, of course, get my book, Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy: at ienovel.com;  amazon; B&N.com; signed and personalized at dcbservice.com;  and, hopefully, at a bookstore near you ;-)

Thanks to everyone who came out.