Dragon Days Fantasy Festival, Lake Geneva, WI Sept. 27-29!

It's about time!

A fun fantasy filled extravaganza, with food, medieval crafts, music, costume contests, gaming, and more, all in beautiful Lake Geneva, WI, celebrating the birthplace of D&D and fantasy!

330 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147

https://www.dragondays.org/

What a fun event! Pre-setup at DragonDays was on Friday 9/27/24, but not actually for me, lol! Horticultural Hall (my designated area - and talk about gaming history! The Hall was the birthplace of Gen Con I, held way back in 1968!) had a wedding going on, so my official first day would be on Saturday instead.

However, there were ceremonies led by DragonDays Co-Chairmen Harold “Wisconsin” Johnson and Paul Stormberg. In addition, wielding a +1 sword drawn from a stone (actually a prop stuck in a bale of straw, but run with the imagery) was the mayor of Lake Geneva, Todd Krause, leading the ribbon cutting honors, accompanied by former mayor, Charleen Klein. Gail Gygax, Gary Gygax’s widow, was also present, and surely proud of this wonderful salute to his creative efforts.

A big tip of ye olde helmet to Kevin Maurice, Site Director for the event, who was extremely patient with all of my email questions, and who gave me a warm welcome amidst the many vendors clamoring for his attention. Thanks again, Kevin!!

Take a look at the map/activities brochure, made to appear like an adventure gaming module! Cookies and fun drinks were to be had, with free T-Shirts from last year’s pilot effort for the event1

First day at DragonDays started off with a bang! Not only being at Horticultural Hall, but having Tom Wham hosting games right in front of my table! One of the original TSR’s employees, Tom drew some of the original conceptual illustrations of the beholder, a classic AD&D monster, in addition to creating such games as Snit’s Revenge and The Awful Green Things from Outer Space.

It was great talking to Tom and especially watching my son playing a game with him - one gaming generation teaching another.

How do you top that? How about having Heidi Gygax, daughter of Gary Gygax, boothing right next to me along with her husband Erik! They were both a treat to talk to and I'm already looking forward to hearing more about their convention plans for an “Egg Con” next year…!

On Sunday it was another sad adieu to a wonderful con experience! Some familiar names were still in attendance - Harold “Wisconsin” Johnson, DragonDays co-chairman, and Ernest Gygax, son of Gary Gygax who not only visited my booth for a spell, he even bought a copy of the 1st book in the Forging of a Knight series! Welcome to the Knighthood, Ernie!

The final pic days it all - a sunset as the adventure in Lake Geneva ends…but an adventure I will return to next year!

Rock-Con is on!!

November 1-3, 2024! Tebala Event Center at 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108!

Huzzah! This will be a first time ever event for Forging of a Knight at this awesome regional gaming convention! For over 40 years Rock-Con has been hosting historical and fantasy miniatures, role-playing, collectible card and board gaming, and I can't wait to be a part of it!

Hoping all of you can make it!

https://www.rock-con.com/

CodCon - April 12-14, 2024 at the College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL!

CodCon is always a magical event, led by the indefatigable Dr. James Allen! It's always great to see some fellow vendors again, such as Rob Hogan, artist extraordinaire, fantasy author Jak Lore, and many others. Looking forward to CodCon XXVIII April 11-13th, 2025!

PeoriaCon - March 2-3/2024 at a new location - the Peoria Civic Center!

Yet another awesome time at this awesome event! PeoriaCon was held at the Peoria Civic Center for 2024, more of a downtown centralized space, which didn't keep the crowds away at all from coming in and joining the fun! James Pax (Big Trouble in Little China) was there, Rodger Bumpass (voice of Squidward) was there, more vendors, more guests, more game competitions, and activities galore! Some pics follow - and the clock is set for PeoriaCon 2025!

www.peoriacon.com

GameOn!

July 8th, 2023

Peoria High School, Peoria, IL!

Welcome a new gaming convention!

The inaugural GameOn event at Peoria H.S. (brought to you by the same awesome folks at Premiere Events LLC/PeoriaCon) happened on Saturday - and my son couldnt have been happier! First time accompanying me as my convention booth wingman, he enjoyed not just the atmosphere but participating in a Super Smash Bros. tournament (he's wearing the orange shirt below). Being a first-time ever event, the crowd was small, but bigger and better things are sure to come from Jason and his PeoriaCon crew!

One person I wished to highlight here is Alexandria Volk - not only an astute reader of great taste, but also an amazing artist. Check out her work at:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081888696933&__tn__=R*F

CodCon 2023!

April 14th-16th

College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL!

Amazing how the storm giants can fool ya! From 80's to upper 30's in a span of just a few days, snow included! I knew I should have kept the Christmas tree up...!

CodCon is now over with - the Fish has gone back into the pond until April 12th-14th, 2024! Despite the odd temps, fans, gamers, and cosplayers alike made their way to the College of DuPage's CodCon gaming convention held these past three days to partake in fun, fantasy, and frivolity!

Dr. James Allen and the Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Gaming club ran another exceptional event. Tabletop/board games, role-playing games, auctions, video gaming, a masquerade, and more - even Dan the Bard was there!

And in addition to all of that, you had your friendly vendors which Forging of a Knight was a member of. Thanks to the new readers, one and all, for joining the Knighthood! Another great time at this amazing con which just gets bigger and better each time! If you haven't been, you really should!

PeoriaCon 2023!

Sat March 4 - Mar 5 2023!

Another great time at this amazing con which just gets bigger and better each time! If you haven't been, you really should!

https://www.peoriacon.com

Barnes & Noble Book Signing 9/24/22

A fully fantastic Forging of a Knight foray - or in other words, how awesome can a Barnes & Noble be?

I've been lucky enough to have been at book signings at the Barnes & Noble store that used to be located in West Dundee IL. Today was the first time I was able to return to their hallowed halls since they moved to 1802 S. Randall Road in Algonquin.

New location? Definitely. Treatment by staff? AMAZING AS ALWAYS!

The store team went beyond bending backwards in making me and my son Dean who accompanied this weary writer feel at home. Friendliness, attentiveness, support, you name it, they did it! EVERYONE was wonderful - Jeff, Lexi, you two especially - I can't thank you enough for everything you did for us...and this also shows what sort of treatment customers should expect to receive when stopping by! Again, many humble thank-you's...everyone there is definitely a Forging Knight for life! Also, thanks to all the other new Knights who joined the adventure! These pics are just a sample of the fun! How much fun you ask? Check out the sword-pen fight below!

Thanks to PeoriaCon/Logan Dean for the video mention!

This was a cool video on PeoriaCon - and an equally cool discussion with me around the 41 second mark about Forging of a Knight. Many humble thank-you's for the inclusion, Sir Dean! Just shows you what an amazing annual event this is, and one you cannot afford to miss if you are near Peoria, IL! I can't wait to go back!

https://fb.watch/eW56pZchBs/

CODCON is BACK!

The "Fish" returns - College of DuPage's CodCon XXV: "Re- Roll", Glen Ellyn, IL April 8-10, 2022!

CodCon XXV has dropped the mike for another year...After a two-year Covid hiatus, College of DuPage's CodCon completed today, and it's always sad to say goodbye (until next year 4/14-4/16 2023, that is!!). Amazing vendors, amazing College of DuPage volunteers, and of course, the amazing head mage/honcho himself of CodCon, Dr. James Allen (the esteemed gentleman in the photo holding a copy of Forging of a Knight - obviously a mage of great wisdom!).

Role playing games, maid cafe and masquerade, a LARP gauntlet, appearances by the awesome 501st Legion as well as Dan the Bard, video games, and more - despite the delay, CodCon was an absolute success! I was so glad to be a part of it, and attached you'll see a few pics that show some of the reasons why!

https://www.codcon.com/...

PeoriaCon, Expo Gardens, Peoria IL March 5-6, 2022!

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PeoriaCon is back and this time it's been expanded to two days - Sat AND Sun March 5-6th! I'm excited to see this expansion as this budding 'Con continues to grow. The big draw was none other than - Sam Jones from the 80's movie Flash Gordon!

As Brian Blessed in the role as the leader of the Hawkmen said..."DIVE!!!!"

Admittedly, I wasn't sure what to expect with this event going from a 1 day to a 2 day format - would the crowds be as full? Would there still be interest? Would the 72 degree weather on Saturday hold? Well, there was no need to fear (outside of the weather dipping by 30 degrees on Sunday, lol). Both days were chock full of attendees, events, and guest stars - the lines to see Sam Jones aka Flash Gordon on the last day were long and never-ending right up until closing time!

Knights both new and old stopped by ye' olde boothe, and I can only humbly say thank you to everyone who came back and who tried out a book in the Forging series for the first time! To John, Dave, Megan, Katie, Hector (and family), Kim, Kai, and others - so happy to make your acquaintance and looking to hearing back on the praise (or dodging the angry bricks) after you read!

Also, big shout out to Jason and all the staff and security at the 'Con - truly the most friendliest, helpful, and supporting bunch around. All of you guys/gals make it a labor of love to attend, and I can't wait to go back...!

Schaumburg Central Library Author Fair, Schaumburg IL, 10/23/21!

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This is always a fun event - especially since its been awhile since the last one! Things are slowly opening up again in this Covid environment, and a lot of authors were in attendance (including me, 'natch)!

As my father in law once said - "family love" - in the form of my sister Wanda and nephew Gino stopping by for support by getting the finale Book Seven, and some new knights in the form of Niles and Chloe - thanks for joining the adventure!

New authors and old - first time attendee Lisa Maggiore made an amazing table buddy, Georgann Prochaska, long time attendee was also present, and another first timer, Rochelle C. Myles made her appearance. A final surprise was a nice Local Authors alcove, highlighting all of us local authors, with a nice revolving bio of each! As always a big thank you to Allison Bies, Fiction Librarian extraordinaire!

PeoriaCon, Peoria IL October 2nd, 2021

Well, its gone as quickly as it went - but don't worry, PeoriaCon is on track to come back on its regularly scheduled program March 5th - and possibly March 6th!

In the meantime, some pics follow from the fun of Saturday's event! Crowds weren't as big - chuck it all to COVID, other conventions vying for attendees at the same time, and some rain - but despite that, the folks that did come in had a great time!

Thanks to all the new Forging of a Knight friends made...and looking to say hello once again next March...

PeoriaCon, Peoria IL March 7th, 2020!

Well, it's a wrap - another exciting, wonderful, and fun-filled Saturday at this fantastic event (its second year!) held at the Expo Gardens in Peoria, IL - great people, awesome staff, and of course, some newly knighted knights for Forging of a Knight!

 
It's always a pleasure to see some familiar faces, like my booth neighbor Todd Black (writer and creator of many comics and novels. Including Guardians, Home, 10,000 Miles and SOS), and some friendly returnees that came by to say hi. Check out some of the awesome cosplay costumes in the pics attached! 

Already looking forward to next year...

Barnes and Noble Book Signing, West Dundee, IL 10/26/19!

Thanks, Barnes and Noble, West Dundee IL for an amazing event!
I had a wonderful time during my 2nd book signing at this B&N location. Many props go to Jeff Turner, Community Business Development Manager, for his setup and support as well as the entire staff! 

Here are a few pics before my phone went dead of some of the many readers and knights picking up a copy! The pic directly below this text shows my nephew Gino and my sis, Wanda! Humble thank-you's to all for giving Forging of a Knight a try...!

CodCon (College of DuPage), Glen Ellyn IL April 12-14, 2019!

As always, another fantastic time at this local convention at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL. Big kudos to Dr. James Allen and the awesome crew of the College of DuPage Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Gaming Club for the wonderful experience.  Truly it was a Con of Ice today with the sudden snowstorm that hit this Sunday - but that didn't stop devoted attendees from braving the snow and slush to make it to the last day of CodCon. I'm already counting down the days for next year's Con!!

Peoria Con, Peoria IL March 2nd, 2019!

Well, the day is over, and it was a total blast! Peoria Con was amazing - one day, first appearance of this 'Con, and a successful event! Kudos to all the people who were involved in building this out and humble thank you's for the opportunity to participate AND thank you's to all the new Knights who joined the adventure!!

Gen Con, Indianapolis IN August 2-5, 2018!

This is the biggie - the granddaddy of the tabletop gaming conventions.  Card games, role-playing games, movies, LARPing, and more!  From roughly 100 attendees in 1968 to 70,000 in 2019, it's a four day event that cannot be missed!  ho joined the adventure!!  Here is just a sample of the awesome time I had at the event!

CodCon (College of DuPage), Glen Ellyn IL April 13-15th, 2018!

First time at this fun local convention hosted by the College of DuPage.  Couldn't wait to go back!

Schaumburg Library Indie Author Day Event, Schaumburg IL October 14th, 2017!

Always fun to bump into fellow authors old and new (Randall Allen Dunn, Dan Refvik, Chiara Talluto, Georgann Prochaska, Margie Mack, Patrick Rizio) at this wonderful library - and MANY thanks to Allison, Fiction Librarian Extraordinaire, for being such a gracious host! Also fun are friends new and old of Forging of a Knight - I had to highlight two Sara's who stopped by - the first an awesome fan of fantasy, Dr. Who, cosplay, Hobbits, and assorted elves - where were you at Gen Con?!?! The second Sara is my former manager/HR Director who I have missed immensely, along with her son Ben, an amazing young man! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Barnes and Noble, West Dundee IL August 26th, 2017!

Thanks to all who came to the Barnes and Noble signing in West Dundee! The staff was supportive, friendly, and just all around amazing. Three books were all that were left after the awesome support from friends, family (Gino, Sal, and Wanda), and new readers in the fold! The three that are left are signed and waiting for intrepid readers to bring home...

Gen Con 50, Indianapolis IN August 17-20th, 2017!

This was the biggie! Celebrating 50 years of gaming!  Special music guests, creator guests, dances, art shows, gaming, and a big highlight: A recreation of Horticultural Hall from Wisconsin where it all began!

2nd Annual Authors Fair at Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin IL Sunday April 23rd, 2017!

Here are some great shots taken from the event that were posted on the library's Flickr page! There I am, along with another pic of me and my table buddy, Randall Allen Dunn. I still say he should have worn his fedora...

Gen Con, Indianapolis IN August 4-7th, 2016!

Here we go!! After a four hour drive from IL to downtown Indy, past rolling plains and acres of wind farms (These things are huge! Try passing all these giant rotating blades at night when they are lit and you'll swear the mothership landed) I finally made it to the convention center.

New costumes, new friends, and HEEYYY - on page 118 of their official program book showcasing Authors' Avenue which I am a part of, check out the picture of some of the author tables from last year - yep, there I am at my booth! I'll take the free plug, thanks Gen Con!

Evergreen Park Library Author's Expo, Evergreen Park IL April 16th, 2016!

Awesome friends that have supported me all the way - Jesus and Elena, thanks so much for stopping by at the Evergreen Park Library Author's Expo! Elena, I await all of your questions about the series to-date! Go for it!

Counti-Con, Lake County Fairgrounds IL August 29-30th, 2015!

The inaugural event for Counti-Con!  What made it extra special was a lot of family support, as most of them were local to the area ( in order of pics) - nephews Julian (on the left of Clark Kent), Sal, one of my sisters, Yazmin, and to her right, my niece-in-law Marie Green!  

Thanks for coming!!

Gen Con Cornucopia, 2013-2015, Indianapolis IN!

A medley of pictures from my first three official author events which coincided with my first three visits to Gen Con from 2013-2015!  When I was younger, I had always dreamed of going to this convention, and here I was years later as a vendor participant!  You'll start to see a few repeating faces as new readers would visit year after year to say hello...and to continue the Forging of a Knight adventure!