The AZSF Blog

Spring Signings and Conventions

azsf — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 02:07:15 +0000

Author Signings and Appearances:

February 9 – Lisa McMann signs Infinity Ring Book 3: The Trap Door at Changing Hands in Tempe at 3 pm.

February 10 – Cory Doctorow signs Homeland at Changing Hands 4 pm

February 11 – Cory Doctorow in a special talk at ASU Phoenix Downtown Campus – 10:30 am – Topic: Hackers + Activism: Aaron Swartz, Anonymous and the Ethics of Digital Community

February 19 – Adam Rex signs Chu’s Day and Unlucky Charms – 5 pm at Changing Hands, Tempe.

February 25 – John Joseph Adams and Diana Gabaldon sign The Mad Scientists Guide to World Domination – 7 pm at the Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale

March 19 – Cassandra Clare Launch Party for Clockwork Princess at Dobson High School – 6 pm. Book sales by Changing Hands.

March 24 – Terry Brooks signs Bloodfire Quest – 2 pm at the Changing Hands, Tempe.

Conventions and Events

February 14 – Science Fiction TV Dinner: The Bionic Woman – 6 pm at ASU’s Polytechnic Campus

February 21 – Geek’s Night Out – Downtown Tempe – Costume Contest, a full size TARDIS, and lots more!

March 8-10 – Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention II – Tombstone, AZ

March 9-10 – Tucson Festival of Books - Tucson, AZ SF/F Authors include Heather Brewer, David Brin, Charles de Lint, Diana Gabaldon, Kevin Hearne, C. J. Hill, Nancy Holder, Richard Kadrey, Gini Koch, Tom Leveen, Jeff Mariotte, Dennis McKiernan, Adam Rex, Jennifer Roberson, Marsheila Rockwell, Patrikc Rothfuss, Janni Lee Simner, Sharon Skinner, R. L. Stine, and Sam Sykes plus many more authors of all genres.

May 9-12 – LepreCon 39 – Artist – Raymond Swanland, Author – Jack McDevitt, Art Industry – Jon Schindehette, Music – Nancy Freeman, Local Artist – Shelby Roberston

May 23-26 – Phoenix Comicon with authors including Brandon Sanderson, Timothy Zahn, Terry Brooks, Cherie Priest, John Scalzi, Delilah S. Dawson, Leanna Renee Hieber, Alexandra Monir, Kevin Hearne, Sam Sykes, Gini Koch, C. J. Hill, Suzanne Young, Aprilynne Pike, Janni Lee Simner, Adam Rex, Jeff Mariotte, Tom Leveen, and more. Also Babylon 5 20th Anniversary Celebration with J. Michael Straczynski and 14 Babylon 5 actors.

New Signings and Conventions to Kick off the New Year!

azsf — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:40:43 +0000

We’ve got some signings and appearances of note in the first couple of months as well as some conventions and events.

Signings and Author Events

January 8 – Launch Party for Lisa McMann’s Crash at Changing Hands 7 pm.

January 13 – Timothy Zahn signs Star Wars: Scoundrels at Changing Hands – 12 pm

January 26 – Young Adult Writing Conference at Dobson High School 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

January 26 - YAllapalooza at Changing Hands 4:00 pm with Tom Leveen, Cecil Castelluci, Amy Fellner Dominy, Shannon Messenger, Suzanne Lazear, Janni Lee Simner, Kevin Emerson, Erin Jade Lange, Lisa McMann, Suzanne Young, James A. Owen, C.J. Hill (aka Janette Rallison), Laura Ellen, and Lisa Schroeder.

February 10 – Cory Doctorow signs Homeland at Changing Hands 4 pm

Conventions and Events

Jan 4-6 – TaiyouCon 2013 – Annual Anime Convention - Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa

Jan 26-28 – Amazing Arizona Comic Convention – Phoenix Convention Center – With Guests Jim Lee and Stan Lee

March 8-10 – Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention II – Tombstone, AZ

March 9-10 – Tucson Festival of Books - Tucson, AZ

More Authors Appearing as the Holidays Approach

azsf — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:33:14 +0000

As the holidays approach, a lot of new books come out, which means a lot of authors doing book tours to promote them. We’ve got a large number of YA/Teen authors stopping in the Phoenix area in November, many making multiple appearances (and likely stopping at a few schools). There’s also a few authors with more adult books making stops as well (including a few locals with new books). Try to get out to support the local bookstores and touring authors. The more people that turn out and buy books, the more likely we’ll get to see more authors stop in the Phoenix area instead of skipping over us.

Friday, November 9 – Obert Sky signs Potterwookie – 6:30 pm at Barnes and Noble, San Tan Village, Chandler, AZ

Friday, November 9 – Laini Taylor signs Days of Blood and Starlight – 7 pm at Changing Hands, Tempe, AZ

Saturday, November 10 – Laini Taylor signs Days of Blood and Starlight – 3 pm at Barnes and Noble, Desert Ridge, Phoenix, AZ

Saturday, November 10 – Fall Writing Workshop with Jennifer Ashley, Gini Koch and others. Scottsdale Civic Center Library – 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday, November 13 – Brandon Mull signs Candy Shop War- Arcade Catastrophe – 6:30 pm at Barnes and Noble Dana Park in Mesa, AZ

Tuesday, November 13 – Margo Lanagan signs The Brides of Rollrock Island - 7 pm at Changing Hands, Tempe, AZ

Wednesday, Nov 14 -Triple Bill! Cherie Priest signs Inexplicables, Sam Sykes signs The Skybound Sea, and Rhodi Hawk signs The Tangled Bridge at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm (live webcast here)

Wednesday, November 14 – Margo Lanagan signs The Brides of Rollrock Island - 6 pm at Barnes and Noble, Desert Ridge, Phoenix, AZ

Wednesday, November 14 – Brandon Mull signs Candy Shop War- Arcade Catastrophe – 7:00 pm at Changing Hands in Tempe, AZ

Monday, November 19, Christopher Pike signs Witch World - 7 pm at Changing Hands, Tempe, AZ

Sunday, Dec 2 – Kevin Hearne signs Trapped - 2 pm ((live webcast here) at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale

Tuesday, December 4 – Gini Koch signs Alien Vs. Alien – 7 pm at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale

Saturday, December 8 – Weston Ochse signs Seal Team 666 – at the Barnes and Noble Westside in Tucson, AZ

Sunday, December 8 – Weston Ochse signs Seal Team 666 – at Hastings, 3758 E Fry Blvd,
Sierra Vista, AZ

Friday, December 14 – Gini Koch signs Alien Vs. Alien – 7 pm at the Desert Ridge Barnes and Noble

Saturday, Dec 15 – Weston Ochse signs Seal Team 666 - 2 pm ((live webcast here) at Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ

Upcoming Events include:

November 9-11 - TusCon 39 – Annual Tucson SF/F Convention with S.M. Stirling in Tucson, AZ

January 25-27 – Amazing Arizona Comic Convention at the Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ

Authors Abound in October-December

azsf — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 23:28:29 +0000

Saturday, October 6 – Club Read with Lisa McMann : Island of Silence - 2 pm at Changing Hands in Tempe

Saturday, October 6 – Shannon Messenger signs Keeper of the Lost Cities – 5 pm at Changing Hands in Tempe

Saturday, October 6 – Gini Koch Writers Workshop at the Well Red Coyote bookshop in Sedona - 2 pm

Sunday, October 7 – Catherynne M. Valente signs The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There - 3 pm at Changing Hands in Tempe.

Friday, October 12 – Jasper Fforde signs The Woman Who Died a Lot at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm (live webcast here)

Tuesday, October 23 – Diana Gabaldon signs Trail of Fire (A Lord John Grey novel – UK Edition) at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm (live webcast here)

Wednesday, October 24 – YA Quintuple Bill with Becca Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Miles, Kresley Cole, Tonya Hurley, and Heather Brewer. – 7 pm at Changing Hands in Tempe

Saturday, November 10 – Fall Writing Workshop with Jennifer Ashley, Gini Koch and others. Scottsdale Civic Center Library – 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Sunday, Dec 2 – Kevin Hearne signs Trapped - 2 pm ((live webcast here)

Tuesday, December 11 – Gini Koch signs Alien Vs. Alien – 7 pm at the Desert Ridge Barnes and Noble

Saturday, Dec 15 – Weston Ochse signs Seal Team 666 - 2 pm ((live webcast here)

Upcoming Events include:

October 13 – Phoenix FearCon V Film Festival

November 3,4 – Tucson Comic Convention

November 9-11 - TusCon 39 – Annual Tucson SF/F Convention with S.M. Stirling in Tucson, AZ

Fall Events (It’s still hot, but fall is here…)

azsf — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Tuesday, August 28 – James A. Owen launch party for The Dragons of Winter at the Desert Ridge Barnes & Noble – 6 pm

Tuesday, August 28 - C. J. Hill signs Erasing Time at Changing Hands – 7 pm

Wednesday, August 29 – James A. Owen signs The Dragons of Winter at Changing Hands – 7 pm

Thursday, August 30 – Richard Kadrey signs DEVIL SAID BANG, A Sandman Slim Novel at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm

Tuesday, September 4 – Laurie R. King Launch Party for A Garment of Shadows at the Poisoned Pen – 7 pm

Wednesday, September 5 – Lisa McMann signs Island of Silence at Changing Hands – 7 pm

Saturday, September 8 – Lisa McMann signs Island of Silence at Barnes and Noble, Desert Ridge – 2 pm

Friday, October 12 – Jasper Fforde signs The Woman Who Died a Lot at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm

Tuesday, October 23 – Diana Gabaldon signs Trail of Fire (A Lord John Grey novel – UK Edition) at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm

Wednesday, Nov 14 – Cherie Priest signs Inexplicables at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm

Upcoming Events include:

Aug 31-Sep 3- CopperCon 32 science fiction and fantasy convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Avondale, AZ Author Guest of Honor is Ari Marmell, Local Author Guest of Honor James A. Owen, Filk Guest Chris Dickinson, and Fan Guest Pat Connors.

Sept 1-3 – Saboten Con 2012 – Anime Convention at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa

Sept 12 – Science Fiction TV Dinner Series – Star Trek with Alan Dean Foster 5:15 pm ASU

Sept 17 – Can’t Stop the Serenity – Phoenix (now Sold Out!)

Sept 22 – Can’t Stop the Serenity – Tucson

September 28-30 – RinCon Games 2012 – Tucson

October 13 – Phoenix FearCon V Film Festival

November 3,4 – Tucson Comic Convention

November 9-11 - TusCon 39 – Annual Tucson SF/F Convention with S.M. Stirling in Tucson, AZ

Summer Brings Heat, Science, and Zombies to AZ

azsf — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:04:00 +0000

Upcoming signings and events in the Phoenix Metro area include:

Monday July 9 – Lawrence M. Krauss: A Universe From Nothing at Changing Hands in Tempe 7 pm Krause is best known in fan circles for The Physics of Star Trek, but he’s an internationally-known theoretical physicist and ASU professor (as part of the Beyond Center)

Saturday July 14 – The Metropocalypse at Barnes and Noble Metrocenter with Weston Ochse, Joe Nassise, and Joe McKinney. Activities start at 10 am with the authors appearing from noon to 3 pm. From the B&N Website “For fans of zombies and survivalists, Barnes & Noble will be celebrating all things apocalyptic. Fun and informative activities, themed drinks and some games for all. Costume and art contests for all ages.”

Monday, July 30 - Jessica Wagenfuehr Guardian Angels: Black Suns at Changing Hands in Tempe 7 pm

Thursday, August 2 – Deborah Harkness signs SHADOW OF NIGHT at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale - 7 pm – The second book from the author of A Discovery of Witches.

Thursday, August 30 – Richard Kadrey signs DEVIL SAID BANG, A Sandman Slim Novel at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm

Friday, October 12 – Jasper Fforde signs The Woman Who Died a Lot at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale – 7 pm

Upcoming Events include:

Sept 1-3 – Saboten Con 2012 – Anime Convention at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa

Spring brings Authors and Other Events to Arizona

azsf — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:27:46 +0000

We’ve got lots of events with authors coming up in the next couple of months, here’s a quick list of what I’ve been able to track down….

Wed, Febrauary 29th – Melanie Rawn signs Touchstone at The Poisoned Pen, 7 pm.

Wed, Februaray 29th – Anne Rice signs The Wolf Gift at Changing Hands, 7 pm

Sat, March 3rd – Adam Rex signs Cold Cereal at Changing Hands, 2 pm

Sat, March 10th – Tom Angleberger signs Darth Paper Strikes Back at Changing Hands, 2 pm.

Sat, March 10th – Tom Angleberger signs Horton Halpott and Darth Paper Strikes Back at Barnes & Nobel Desert Ridge 5 pm

March 10,11 – Tucson Festival of Books at the University of Arizona Campuswith tons of authors of all genres. SF/F and YA authors include T. A. Barron, Laurie Brooks, Terry Brooks, Diana Gabaldon, Kevin Hearne, Robin Hobb, Gini Koch, Jeff Mariotte, Brad Meltzer, Yvonne Navarro, Naomi Novik, Weston Ochse, James A. Owen, Aprilynne Pike, Cherie Priest, Adam Rex, Janni Lee Simner, R. L. Stine, Sam Sykes, and Judith Tarr. An AZSF Guide to the festivel will be forthcoming.

Monday, March 12 – Naomi Novik signs Crucible of Gold at Changing Hands – 7 pm

Tue March 27 – Joe R. Lansdale signs Edge of Dark Water and Johnny Shaw signs Dove Season at The Poisoned Pen 7 pm (interview conducted by Keith Rawson of Spinetingler)

Wed March 28 - Michael Grant signs BZRK at Changing Hands 7 pm

April 6-8 – LeprecCon 38 Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention – Tempe Mission Palms, Tempe, AZ With Artist Guest Franchesco!, Author Guest Joe Haldeman, Media Guest Stephen Furst (Babylon 5, Animal House), Local Artist Mark Greenawalt, Gaming Guest Todd Van Hooser and Music Guests John and Maya Bohnhoff.

October/November SF/F Events

azsf — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:51:47 +0000

October/November Author Signings & Appearances

Monday, October 3 – Scott Westerfeld signs Goliath – 7:00 pm at Changing Hands, Tempe

Tuesday, October 4 – C. J. Hill signs Slayers – 7:00 pm at Changing Hands, Tempe

Wednesday, October 5 – Scott Westerfeld signs Goliath – 7:00 pm at Barnes & Noble, Dana Park, Mesa

October 18 – F. Paul Wilson signs Dark at the End and S. J. Rozan signs Ghost Hero – 7 pm at The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale

October 22 – Richard Kadrey signs Aloha From Hell- 5 pm at The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale

Friday, October 28 – Joseph Nassise signs Eyes to See, Barnes & Noble, Desert Ridge 7:00 pm

Saturday, October 29 – Halloween with Tom Leveen – 7:00 pm at Changing Hands. YA author Tom Leveen (Party, Zero) directs a cast of local actors in this creepy, fun evening of readers’ theatre, featuring classic and contemporary works from EC Comics’ The Haunt of Fear and The Vault Of Horror, Lord Byron, Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allan Poe, and more!

November 4 – John Connolly signs The Burning Soul and Infernals– 7 pm at The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale

November 19 – A Study in Sherlock Anthology Event with editors Leslie Klinger and Laurie R. King with other contributors (including Jan Burke, Thomas Perry, Dana Stabenow, andJacqueline Winspear)- 6 pm at The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale

November 29 – Diana Gabaldon launches The Scottish Prisoner at the Arizona Biltmore – 7 pm – Details via Poisoned Pen

December 3 – Holiday SF/F Authors Event with many local science fiction and fantasy authors appearing. Details TBA at the Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale

The Poisoned Pen, 4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 www.poisonedpen.com

Changing Hands, 6428 S McClintock Dr., Tempe, Arizona www.changinghands.com

October/November SF/F Events

Friday, Oct 14th - 2nd Friday Night Out – Mesa, AZ – Zombies Vs. Robots including

~Zombies vs. Robots Art Show at EvermoreNevermore!

~Costume contest at 8PM at OneOhOne Gallery. Free to enter with lots of fun prizes! Categories for adults and kids. Just come to the patio at 101 W. Main to join the fun at 8PM.

~Haunted Basement Tour at OneOhOne Gallery 8:30

- Plus Monsterland (opening Oct 7th) and Horror Movies at The Royale

Nov 5 & 6- Tucson Comic Convention, Bookman’s Event Center, Tucson, AZ

Nov 11-13 – TusCon 38 Science Fiction Convention, Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ

No More Atomic? Where to Buy Comics in Phoenix.

azsf — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:04:56 +0000

With the sudden demise of Atomic Comics and their four stores this week, I thought it would be good to make up a list of the comic shops in the Phoenix area that are open for business (in alphabetical order). From what I have heard, several of the stores are working with Diamond Comics to be able to have additional stock to be able to handle the inflow new customers.

NOTE: Updated with addition of Collector Haven and Gotham City Comics & Coffee (who are now stocking new comics), the new address for Hero Comics, and the location of the new Samurai Comics store in Mesa.

ALL ABOUT BOOKS & COMICS
5060 N. CENTRAL AVENUE
PHOENIX, AZ
(602) 277-0757
http://www.allaboutcomics.com

ASH AVENUE COMICS & BOOKS
810 S. ASH AVENUE
TEMPE, AZ
(480) 858-9447
http://www.ashavecomics.com/

COLLECTOR HAVEN
116 N. Lindsay Rd. Suite #1
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 907-6606
Facebook Page

DRAWN TO COMICS
5757 W GLENDALE AVE
GLENDALE, AZ
(623) 847-9090
http://www.drawntocomics.com

GOTHAM CITY COMICS & COFFEE
46 W. MAIN ST
MESA, AZ 85201
(480) 649-3065
http://gothamcitycomicshop.com

GREG’S COMICS
2722 S. ALMA SCHOOL RD. STE 8
MESA, AZ
(480) 752-1881

HERO COMICS
13616 N 35th Ave #2
Phoenix, AZ 85053
(602) 843-6320
http://www.herocomicsaz.com

JESSE JAMES COMICS & COLLECTIBLES
10620 N 43RD AVE
GLENDALE, AZ
(602) 993-0392
http://www.jessejamescomics.com

SAMURAI COMICS
1051 E. CAMELBACK RD
PHOENIX, AZ
(602) 265-8886
http://www.samuraicomics.com

SAMURAI COMICS
10720 W. Indian School Rd. #61
Phoenix, AZ 85037 US
(623) 872-8886

SAMURAI COMICS (East Valley)
1120 South Country Club #107
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 962-1123

POP CULTURE PARADISE
707 S FOREST AVE STE A
TEMPE, AZ
(480) 557-6640
www.popcultureparadise.popshoponline.com/

Other stores recently closed in the last couple of months include Stalking Moon in Glendale and Comics Zone in Scottsdale. That makes six stores in the valley that have closed down recently. If you want to make sure the others stay open, give them some business!

August/September SF/F Events & Signings in AZ

azsf — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:46:38 +0000

Author Signings for August & Spetember

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30 – Lisa McMann signs The Unwanteds - 7 pm – Changing Hands, Tempe

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 – Ilsa J. Bick signs Ashes - 7 pm – Changing Hands, Tempe

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 – C. S. Friedman signs Legacy of Kings - 7 pm – Changing Hands, Tempe

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 – Sherilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love sign Alterant - 7 pm – Barnes & Noble, Chandler Fashion Mall

October will see Scott Westerfeld (Goliath) making stops at Changing Hands (Oct 3) and Dana Park Barnes and Noble (Oct 5).

Events and Activities

SEPTEMBER 2-5 – CopperCon 31 - Annual SF/F Convention with author guests Carrie Vaughn and Janni Lee Simner. Other authors participatingh in clude Gini Koch, Aprilynne Pike, Jeff Mariotte, Ernest Hogan, Emily Devenport, Rick Cook, Marsheila Rockwell, and Jacqueline Lichtenberg.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9 – EncridiCon 2 – Evermore Nevermore as part of Mesa’s 2nd Friday Night Out

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18 – Can’t Stop the Serenity - 12 pm to 6 pm at The Royale, Mesa, AZ

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25 – Can’t Stop the Serenity - time TBD – FOX Theatre, Tucson, AZ