Ahoy lads and maidens! I had the honor of setting sail to my seventh SEMO Con in Poplar Bluff, MO, hosted at the Black River Coliseum. This show is full of riches in amazing hard-working staff, volunteers, vendors, creative events, and an environment warmer than the sun on your back. I have been here all seven years it has been hosted here, but they celebrated their 10th anniversary of sailing to epicness this year!
If you haven’t noticed, the theme is pirates, lol, which I adore!
To put the foam on top of the glorious sea, I was given the shining opportunity to be the special author guest! To be given this grand chance and bout of confidence in my safe and beloved SEMO Con port with my lovely con family made my heart swell like the ocean currents. AND I GOT MY OWN BANNER! I felt, and was treated, like a queen. I am still touched by this chance and kindness. ^_^ I am beyond grateful for the numerous sales as well (25 books plus several smaller items.)
AND! many of those who bought my books were returning readers, saying they needed to add to their Morgan Straughan Comnick books collection and/or continue one of my series they started! I am touched. I had a good number of people asking and needing a new book since is….sad for me to admit…now been two years since I released a new work (although I have turned 6, going on 7 at the end of this year, into audiobooks and polished ebooks the last few years, so I have been working.) I suppose I need to get on it. 🙂
My wonderful friend, editor, and fellow GeekyKool writer, Mandy Collins, attended as my helper. We had so much fun, laughing, trying local dining places (shout out to bread+butter, although when we went that evening, they were out of their famous rolls, lol, Castillo’s, and Kakasi Sushi for some fantastic local food flare. Fazolli’s is always a treat for me too, our late lunch Friday and Mandy’s first time trying it.) She was my rock, quickly and expertly helping others, picking up my sales’ pitches and prices, interacting with customers, sewing my Vanessa tentacle although I made it challenging for her on accident, lol, curling my hair for the same new cosplay, and being there for me in the middle of the night when I had a sudden, horrible pain attack. Finding nerdy, caring, amazing friends like this is more valuable than any treasure and she is truly golden. I think she had a good time and I hope she comes again next year.
I got to show off some cosplays too. I had planned on doing my pirate captain (it is actually a military uniform from the anime, Hetalia, for the character, Hungary, but everyone calls me a pirate when I wear it anyway and since it was green like the SEMO turtle mascot, I thought it would fit.) However, it took me longer to cart all my stuff in and set things up, I having to rest a few times (darn lupus!) But I did make sure to have Speed, the turtle plush from Swan Princess on my shoulder instead of a parrot, and my fancy tricorn hat with me. And I wore my new Kitty Pryde AKA Shadowcat shirt, which I love (super soft,) so I was on theme for my two planned cosplays. It was steady enough that I stayed in it all day. Mandy is crafty and brought an array of pieces and accessories to modify her attire, still being whimsical with the cosplay theme all weekend. Loved that!
I did premiere one of my new cosplays, my first official villain: Vanessa (or human Ursula) from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” It took a decent amount of months finding the proper skirt and corset-style top and colors to make the closet look go with it. A half-dozen trial and error (and return attempts,) but once I added the accessories and wandered around the vendor room, I did get recognized and it made me happy. The flowing deep plum purple cloak. My singing and glowing shell necklace. My awesome plush eel purse from the movie from halloweencostumes.com My amazing friend, Jody, carved and painted three of the poor unfortunate souls clay figures and I captured one in a glass bottle to show what happens if you disobey the sea witch. 😉 I even had a contact you can sign your voice to me on my table (and a cute little six-year-old girl signed it and told her dad she didn’t need her voice! LOL!) It was a lot of fun and I think a success. Plan to be enchantedly evil again. I will leave you speechless. <3
My Robin Hood is simple, but fun and I enjoyed portraying her on Sunday. Loxley. ^_- Nice green dress and added my new black with silver heart stretch mini corset over it, black leather arm protectors, belt, belt pouch, fake coins, and purple potion bottle. Had my staple Robin Hood green with a red feather hat and a kid bow and arrows. And black boots, of course.
My Pokemon Quiz Show is always a blast! Was donated some fabulous prizes by the show and I had enamel pins I brought too. We did Two Truths and a Lie and it seemed to be a hit! They said they would like to do it next year (I made a ton of questions, lol!) WOOT! Gotta catch em’ all!
Seeing my con family is always the best part and so many are here: Craig, Chelsea, Lonnie, Jessica, Dennis, Chris, Amber, Keanu, Rachel, Tessa, Elizabeth, John, James, and many more. 🙂 Even one of our special guests, the grand artist, wrestler, and warm-accented, Norman Meklakov, got one of my books! ^-^
My hotel accommodations were wonderful. 🙂 Thank you Fairfield for the tasty and good breakfast selection, helpfulness, great room, and kind service.
Getting to make my mark on this smooth sailing adventure glittered like a golden shell in the water. I look forward to returning. Check out my video with the pictures I took over the weekend! 🙂 Come join us next year for a hardy good time, mi hardies!
