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DragonCon 2023 AAR

September 8, 2023 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

Before I dive into this post, you should all probably know that I have a special relationship with DragonCon. Dragon was my first and favorite con. I first attended in 2001 with my best friend from pilot training, Tammy. We had no idea what we were walking into. 🙂

As it turned out, back on Labor Day weekend of 2001, we walked into our “home planet”. See, Tammy was a sci-fi/fantasy geek like me, albeit a little less closeted at the time. I hadn’t yet learned that it was okay to let my geek flag fly, so I was shy about sharing my interests.

Walking into DragonCon was walking into a place where everyone shared those interests, and celebrated them, and that feeling of wonder and homecoming was one I’ve never forgotten.

Fast forward to 2023. DragonCon has grown by an order of magnitude, and spread over most of a week. It would take far too long to post a play by play of the whole week-long extravaganza here, but I’ll try to hit the high points for you.

We arrived on Wednesday and met up with friends right away. This year, we were back at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, which is my favorite of the con hotels. As always, the Westin staff were incredibly professional and kind and mostly very enthusiastic about the con. Shoutout to those who made our crazy fun weekend possible!

I didn’t have any programming on Thursday, so spent most of the day getting my badge and then giving blood. I try to participate in the DragonCon Blood Drive every year, and the folks at LifeSouth did an amazing job as always.

Friday and Saturday were my heavy programming days. I had panels for the MilSF Media Track, the SF Lit track, the Alternate History track, and for the first time, the Writers’ track. Oh, and one very silly, very sexy DragonCon After Dark panel for the Digital Media track. 🙂 (IYKYK).

I cannot say enough good things about the ARMY of volunteers who made all of this amazing programming happen. DragonCon is a volunteer-run organization, and none of it could happen without the dedicated service of those volunteers, so if that’s you, please accept my heartfelt thanks. Thanks for creating such an amazing experience for all of us. We truly owe you a debt that can’t be repaid.

Sunday and Monday, I didn’t have any panels, so I was able to spend some time in the MASSIVE Dealer/Exhibitor halls at the AmericasMart, toured the Art Show, did some networking and a tiny bit of shopping, and just hung out with my friends I rarely get to see in person.

Overall impressions that stood out for this year: This year, we at REALLY well. 🙂 Seriously, good food seemed to be the theme for this year. Between Atlanta Breakfast Club, Ray’s in the City, Atalia, and Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, I can’t remember a DragonCon where I ate so well. Thanks to everyone who shared a meal with me!

Thanks as well to all the DragonCon attendees who came to see me and my fellow geeks on panels, or who struck up conversations in line (or the elevator!). At the risk of sounding like a cheesy 1980s kid’s show, that’s really the magic of DragonCon: The friendships we make along the way. 🙂

See y’all next year!

My 2023 LibertyCon Schedule!

May 31, 2023 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

You guys. I’m sooooooo excited to finally get back to LibertyCon after 3 years! The schedule came out last night, and it just really amped my excitement that much more. 🙂 So in order to have some kind of outlet for this energy, I’m going to share my schedule with you!

Sadly, however, LibertyCon is sold out for this year. But if you’re going to be there, please find me at one of these events and say Hi! 🙂

Featured Guest at MarsCon!

January 9, 2023 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

Tidewater Virginia’s Longest Running SF/Fantasy Con!

Hey Friends! This coming weekend, I’ll be a guest at MarsCon in Norfolk, Virginia! If you’ll be in the area, come hang out and see me hobnobbing with the likes of D.J. Butler, Mark Wandrey, Marisa Wolf, and Chris Kennedy!

It should be a fantastic time!

If you can’t make it, no worries. Watch this space for an AAR of some type, whether it be a convention Vlog or a more traditional blog-style after action report. I haven’t decided yet! 🙂

Hope to see you there!

Introducing “Kacey Ezell Writer Life” on YouTube!

February 22, 2022 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

Hey Friends! I started a YouTube Channel! Mostly because I wanted another way to reach out and continue building this awesome community of fans and friends. After doing some research, I realized that if I added YouTube to my existing newsletter and private Discord server, I could really up the interaction quotient and have a good shot and upleveling this community!

So here’s what you should do. First, make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter! Not only will you get 2 free short stories, but you’ll also get the magic link to the private Discord server where I interact with my fans on the daily. In that server, you’ll also find a channel where you can post questions I’ll answer during my weekly live chats.

Then, I would love it if you’d head over to my channel: Kacey Ezell Writer Life, and check out a few videos! Maybe gimme that Chuck Yeager Thumb’s Up (ie. hit the “like” button!) and see if you’d like to subscribe! I anticipate using this channel to document my transition from full time pilot to full time writer, and all the stops in between!

Let’s Watch Some Videos!

As always, my friends, I’m so happy you’re here. Thanks for being part of my community and supporting me as I work to make it something even bigger and more awesome than ever!

Much love,

New Website, Who Dis? :)

September 14, 2021 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

Cool New Banner courtesy of Lee Dunning Designs!

Hey Friends! What do you think? I decided it was time to change things up a bit and implement a sleeker, more modernized look! Big thanks to Rob McClellan at ModFarm Designs for doing the heavy lifting!

One of the advantages of this new design is that it’s easier than ever for me to make these blog posts. So let me know, is that something you’re interested in seeing? As a reminder, if you want weekly content from me, you are always welcome to join my newsletter! You’ll get my weekly update email, as well as two free downloadable short stories. Please check it out, We’d love to have you at the Cool Kids’ Table! 🙂

much love,

kc

PS. If you DO decide to join my newsletter, you’ll also get the link to my private Discord server. Come hang out with me and the super cool community of fans, writers, and other creative types there! We do writing sprints, ask journaling questions, and just generally talk about whatever is on our minds. I LOVE it, and I think you will too!

Come Hang Out With Me On Discord!

July 23, 2021 by Kacey Ezell 2 Comments

My server logo is the same as my website logo because I love it so much! 🙂

Hey Friends! So I’ve discovered a new favorite method of virtual interaction! Have you ever heard of Discord? Discord is a sort of virtual space where people can hang out and chat via text or voice, play games, have discussions, and just generally be themselves. I have found that next to my newsletter emails, it’s my absolute favorite method of interacting with my community of friends and fans.

Wanna come join us? My server is called “Between Lost And Found” and we talk a lot about living a creative life and all the ups and downs that go along with that. We also run writing sprints and challenges there, and talk about upcoming conventions and books and all kinds of stuff.

I’m not going to post an open invite here on the website because… you know… it’s the internet. But if you’re interested in coming to hang out, I’ve got invites in every single issue of my weekly newsletter. So if you haven’t signed up yet, please do! You’ll also get two free short stories. There’s a signup link in the sidebar.

Come join us in the spaces Between Lost and Found!

Second Chance Angel

October 16, 2020 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

My Friends, in case you missed it, SECOND CHANCE ANGEL released on 8 September 2020! If you haven’t checked it out yet, maybe give it a look? It’s a SF Noir mystery that Griffin Barber and I had an absolute blast writing. Here’s our cover copy:

After a devastating galactic war, disgraced veteran Ralston Muck ekes out a living as a bouncer at Last Stop Station’s premier nightclub, A Curtain of Stars. Night after night he listens to the club’s star performer, Siren, sing her memories and ease some of his aching loss. But when Siren goes missing, Muck finds himself drawn into a world of dirty cops, drug lords, and conspiracies that trace back to the war itself.

The only person he can trust isn’t even human. Angel, Siren’s personal AI, was ripped from the singer’s mind the night Siren disappeared. With no idea what has happened to her human host, and pursued by a killer virus, Angel flees to Muck for answers.

Together they struggle to comprehend the conspiracy that entangles both their lives. Can Muck and the angel on his shoulder recover Siren before it’s too late? Or will he lose everything that matters to him one more time?

I’m really proud of this one, and I’d love it if you’d check it out. And if you love it too, please leave a review!

-kc

Gunpowder And Embers!

January 17, 2020 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

The first book in a new series by me, John Ringo, and Christopher L. Smith!

Hey Friends! I’m a little late in announcing this (but what’s ten-ish days between friends, right?) but Gunpowder and Embers is available now at booksellers everywhere!

And, since I AM late in announcing this, I’m able to also announce that it’s a National Bestseller! That’s right, as of the time of posting this, it’s the #6 hardcover in the nation, according to Bookscan, as well as being #19 in Science Fiction!

To those of you who’ve already picked it up, THANK YOU! I hope you love it. We really had a good time writing this post-apocalyptic western adventure story with giant ants and dragons. I can’t wait to bring you book two!

2019 Year In Review

January 1, 2020 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

Me with the coolest guy I’ll ever meet, ringing in the New Year in downtown Tokyo.

Happy New Year!

2019 was an amazing year. It 100% lived up to the “Year of Adventure” moniker I assigned it a year ago. This year, I moved with my family to Japan, ran a weekend of races at the RunDisney Star Wars Rival Run weekend, released two novels and two anthologies, and several anthologies. I attended three conventions, and had a blast at each one. It’s been a wild ride, and I thought I might do a quick recap here.

Novels

This past March, Marisa and I returned to the Four Horseman Universe to release HUNTER, the second of three novels focused on the Depik, the enigmatic race of catlike assassins feared throughout the galaxy. HUNTER immediately shot to the #1 New Release spot on Amazon! We had a fantastic launch weekend that coincided with the inaugural FantaSci convention in Durham, NC.

Thanks to my amazing coauthor, our book launch party became a surprise birthday party as well. 🙂 What a wonderful way to celebrate!

After FantaSci, I returned to feverish activity as we prepared for our move. I also continued cranking on Adalina Sucherin’s story in my Psyche of War series. In June, Theogony Press released THE WORLD ASUNDER, the sequel to my 2018 Dragon Award Finalist MINDS OF MEN. THE WORLD ASUNDER would also be honored by the same designation, being named a finalist in the category of Best Alternate History for the 2019 Dragon Award.

Anthologies

Noir Fatale edited by Larry Correia and Kacey Ezell

In May, Baen Books released NOIR FATALE, an anthology edited by Larry Correia and me. This was a really fun project, absolutely loaded with talent. It was an absolute privilege to work with Larry and all of the quintisentially professional authors included in the volume. Several of the stories included in NOIR FATALE recieved starred mention on the Tangent Online Recommended Reading List for 2019.

In October, Seventh Seal Press released NEGOTIATION, an anthology of 4HU tales centered around the aforementioned Depik. Once again, I had the privilege of working with the immensely talented Marisa Wolf. Thanks to her brilliance and hard work, we were able to put together a really cool collection of catsassin stories created by some real giants in the field, and I’m honored to have my name on the cover beside hers. Upon its release, NEGOTIATION also earned the coveted orange tag as a #1 New Release in SF Anthologies on Amazon!

Short Stories

In addition to the above, I was honored to have several of my short stories featured in anthologies that released this past year. Here is the cover art for all of these really great collections:

Looking Ahead

2020 promises to be just as adventure-filled as 2019 has been. My family and I remain in Japan, and are enjoying exploring this beautiful country and getting to know its culture and people. On the writing front, there are several exciting developments in the works. On 7 January, 2020, GUNPOWDER AND EMBERS, by John Ringo, Christopher L. Smith, and me, will be released by Baen Books. I’m currently working on SKIES TO CONQUER, the third and final installment in my Psyche of War series. And on 7 September, 2020, my SF Noir collaboration with Griffin Barber, SECOND CHANCE ANGEL, will be released from Blackstone Press. I will continue to have short stories included in several anthologies throughout the year. I don’t have cover art for all of these projects yet, but here is what I do have:

Gunpowder and Embers by Ringo, Ezell, Smith

As always, my friends, thank you so much for your support and friendship! I couldn’t do any of these things without you. Please accept my sincerest wishes for a fantastic new year and decade. May your Roaring Twenties be exactly what you want them to be!

-kc
1 January 2020

Dragon Award Finalist!

August 20, 2019 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

So this news is a couple of weeks old, but I realized I hadn’t posted about it on here, so here goes:

THE WORLD ASUNDER is a 2019 Dragon Award Finalist for Best Alternate History Novel!

I’m so very honored and humbled. The Dragon Awards are a 100% fan-run award. So thank you, thank you, thank you for voting for Lina and me. 🙂

The award itself will be presented at DragonCon in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend, which is coming up, but there’s still time to vote! And I would LOVE to have you vote for THE WORLD ASUNDER for Best Alternate History. But more than that, please just do me a favor and log on to the site and vote for your favorites. Because here’s the thing, fan awards only work when fans vote!

So go vote! Because you’re awesome!

Much Love,

Click here to vote for your favorites for the 2019 Dragon Awards!

WIN the Ultimate OUTLANDER Giveaway!

August 20, 2019 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

Sign up for the giveaway, or else! 🙂 (Just kidding!)

Hey there! I have a confession to make. I’m a romantic at heart. <3 I love love stories, and as you know if you’ve read my books, I love stories that explore the intricacies of human emotion…

Like OUTLANDER! I adored the classic time travel romance when I first read it, and I can honestly say that it’s been one of my influences with my Psyche of War alternate history series.

So, when the opportunity arose to team up with a bunch of other authors to bring you guys an OUTLANDER-themed prize giveaway, I jumped at the chance. Because if you like the best of time-travel romances, chances are that you’ll love my books, too!

Plus, here’s the best part: when you enter to win, you also sign up for the mailing lists of all the authors participating in the giveaway! That means that you get to meet a bunch of authors and maybe find some new favorites!

So take a look at the prizes on offer, and then have a click and sign up! Good luck, I hope you win!!

Big Changes

August 4, 2019 by Kacey Ezell Leave a Comment

Hi my friends! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve updated the site. This is largely because… <drumroll>

From the Sengen Shrine in the Fujiyama region of Japan

We Moved to Japan!!

It’s true. Midway through July, my family and I packed everything off and shipped it off to live in the Land of the Rising Sun. As of the time I’m writing this, we’re still waiting for our stuff.

Those of you familliar with military PCS moves know what that’s like. 🙂 So it’s been a slow month so far on the writing front, though I did submit a short story to a super cool project, so hopefully you’ll be hearing more about that soon.

If you’d like to know more about our adventures in Japan, you may wish to sign up for my mailing list, The Cool Kids’ Table. I send out monthly newsletters, and August’s will be full of our adventures in Japan and a quick trip to Mongolia I just took.

Yep. Mongolia. 🙂 Land of Chinggis Khaan. It was pretty amazing.

Besides the newsletters (which feature the kickass name of The Shieldmaiden’s Digest) I’ll send out announcements and giveaways, and occasionally make a few recommendations. Very occasionally. I won’t spam your inbox, I promise.

You can sign up here! Come get the skinny on what’s going on and hang out with us at the Cool Kids’ Table! Plus you get a free PDF download of an exclusive Psyche of War short story, so you got that going for you.

Which is nice. 🙂

Much love, my friends. Until next time!