We’re Skipping March, Right?

Congratulations everyone, you made it through the first twelfth of 2025. I know that it has been an especially hard one for many of you. This is why I proposed that we just eliminate March altogether this year. I mean, the weather sucks anyway, right?

With the exception of the weekend, I’ve spent a lot of time hunkering down since last we conversed. I get up in the morning, start the coffee, start the fire in the fireplace, and look at the list of things that I had written up for the day. Then I move anything that involves leaving the house or putting on pants to a different day and reorganize the list.

There is so much batshit crazy stuff coming out of DC that I can’t figure out which batch of insanity is the cover to make us not look at the other insane thing that they are trying to sneak through. I think maybe I got it right when I said that their goal is to exhaust everyone so we stop paying attention.

So, what can we do? Everyone seems to agree that e-mails and online polls are generally ignored by those in office. However, they listen to those who take the time to call. So I propose that we all start doing that. Head over to https://5calls.org/. They have lists of concerns and scripts you can use as a basis for when you make the calls. If you enter your location (just your ZIP code will work), they will provide the names and phone numbers of your representatives. No matter what issues you are concerned about, they have the information.

Special thank you to Jennie Breeden, the creator of the amazing The Devil’s Panties, for posting the information.

On a lighter note, make sure you check out the podcast tomorrow (6 February) at 7pm Central, 8pm Eastern. Suzy and I have finalized our lists of Hot Guy Killers just in time for Valentine’s Day. Click here for the links.

Listening To: I zipped through two audiobooks this week. Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway is a great blend of sci-fi and noir mystery with a banger of a premise and enough twists, turns, and back stabbings to satisfy any fan of Hammett or Chandler. The Pale House by Richard Kadrey mixes paranormal mystery with a bit of horror for a lovely, if short, trip into the world of undead assassination.

Currently Reading: At this precise moment I am between books. I finished Witchcraft for Wayward Girls this morning before I started running my errands. As expected, it was awesome.

Current Obsession: Trying to find little moments of happiness.

We had our first show of the year as a vendor last weekend. Thank you to everyone who braved the snow and ice and fog and giant monsters and whatever else was out there and came by to visit and pick up some books.

Speaking of shows, we have added Curious at the Crossroads in June to our list of vendorly destinations. We are still waiting on word from a few others, but as soon as we know, you will.

Our next in person event will be at the end of the month in Pittsburgh: Horror Realm.

Beyond that the week has been all about formatting and editing. So many books, so little time.

Now that Con Season has started up in earnest, it’s probably time to once again review the rules regarding how to be a good ConGoer. These are fairly specific to the conventions that have large Vendors Rooms and autographing areas, but I will touch on some of the items we covered in the The Dos and Don’ts of Fandom panel at Confusion last month.

Most of these fall under the general umbrella of Wheaton’s Law (stated so eloquently by actor/author/amazing geek Wil Wheaton) which states:

DON’T BE A DICK

A corollary to this is the admonition to remember that YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD.

OK, on to the rules.

This applies to every public area (and I shouldn’t have to mention it, but there you are), but especially in crowded vendors areas: Don’t stop in the middle of the aisle or directly in front of a booth to check your phone, have a conversation, grab a snack from your bag, etc. Not to be overly capitalistic about this, but the vendors have paid handsomely for the spots and they are trying to engage in business. If you are blocking people from being able to approach or even see their wares, you are blocking their chance to make a living.

Also, the walking areas can be quite narrow, especially when people are crowded around the openings of the booths. If you stop suddenly or move slowly, you are impeding the flow of traffic (and sales). Plus it’s just fucking rude. Step to one side, out of the way (perhaps by a pillar or empty wall), in a space where you are not blocking people from moving.

While moving around the public spaces, be aware of those around you and how your items might affect them. This includes cosplay weapons, pieces of costuming, bags, baby carriages. Being smacked in the face by an oversized manga sword will ruin the day of anyone.

Be aware of the differently abled. Again, really shouldn’t have to tell people to not stand in front of those with mobility issues, but…

A note about photography. Ask first. Just because someone is in a costume does not mean that you get to be all creepy and take their pictures a dozen times (or ogle them for that matter). This also applies to the talent (actors, authors, wrestlers, whatever famous people are the celebrity draw at the function in question). While they may be getting an engagement fee and/or having their room and board comped, one of the big ways that they are making money is by taking professional photos and signing autographs. This may seem outrageous, but the simple fact is you can’t always live off of the royalties of your earlier works. Don’t be a creep.

And while we are at it, remember that the talent are human beings. They need down time. They need to eat. They need to excrete what they previously ate. They may want to look around the show. While many are very gracious and will engage when walking the floor, keep in mind that they may be on their way to a panel, a photo op, to grab a quick bite to eat. Don’t be surprised if they don’t have the time to sit and listen to your fan theory for thirty minutes.

For the love of Cthulhu, let them eat and pee in peace.

When it comes to meeting your favorite star, remember that there are a bunch of people in line behind you. Remember how long you had to wait to get to the head of the line? Remember how you would roll your eyes whenever you heard someone say “I just wanted you to know that I loved you in Revenge of the Thirty Foot Squid-Ape”? Now you are the person that others are rolling their eyes at. By all means, take a moment to let them know that you appreciate them. But don’t hog all the time for yourself.

Another note about photography — don’t randomly take pictures of things that are for sale. This especially applies to artwork. You have no idea how much time went in to the creation of the piece in front of you. Don’t walk up and start taking pictures to post to your social media account and walk away. I’m not saying that photography is verboten, I’m saying ask first. And don’t get all shitty if the artist says no.

Here’s one for the vendors: don’t be a creeper. By which I mean don’t subtly creep past your allotted area. The people on either side of you (and this include anyone whose space bumps up to you from behind) all paid the same as you did. Don’t start spreading your stuff out and make it difficult for people to get out or heaven forbid take over their table space. Don’t pollute the common area with sounds and scents. If you have a movie screener or bit of music playing, keep it at a volume that allows others to talk to their own customers. Don’t light candles or patchouli or sage. You can ruin other vendors’ materials, you could set off an allergy attack, and it is almost certainly a violation of the Fire Code and the contract you signed when you paid for your booth.

Don’t try and steal customers. I’ve seen people who will actively try to snipe potential customers, people who are already talking to one vendor and pull them into their area. I’m not saying that anything bad might happen. I'm just saying that the three words Parking Lot Karma look mighty good together.

Look, I’m an old man and a lot of this is just a rant about not being rude, but I’m really going to double down on the old man part right now. Don’t film your stupid TikTok/Reels/Threads/Whateverthefuck in the middle of the room, shouting out how important you are. No one gives a fuck. And don’t answer your fucking phone in the middle of the hallway. Don’t carry on conversations in the middle of panels, interviews, movie screenings. Take that shit somewhere private.

Speaking of panels, this is where someone (or a group of someones) selected by the con is given a time and a space to talk to a group of people about something. Unless you are the person selected by the con, this is not the time for you to stand up and start talking, even if you know everything there is to know about whatever. This is the time for the people up front to share with the audience. There may be time for Q & A after. Note, these letters stand for Q: Questions from the audience members and A: Answers from the panelists. Not Q: I’m going to stand up and comment on a whole bunch of stuff. Don’t interrupt the panelists. Don’t interrupt the audience member who was called on.

The 6 - 2 - 1 Rule: for every 24 hour period you should get six hours of sleep, eat 2 real meals (bags of chips and energy drinks do not count), and bathe once. This is for your own health as well as those around you. Seriously, you should not announce your impending presence with your odor.

So, yeah, when you boil it all down it’s really just Don’t Be A Dick.