Vermont Sci-Fi and Fantasy Expo
by Charleigh Brennan
Hi everyone!I wanted to update you all on how the Vermont Sci-Fi and Fantasy Expo went. In one word: Amazing!
In many words: I had so much fun. There were more booths than last year, I got to see some familiar faces from last year, and I made some really amazing new friends. I got to speak on a couple of panels. Both panels ran on both days, so I got to do them twice.
The “Creating a Character” panel was fun because I was on it with some of the same people I was on the panel with last year, and we got some really great questions. I mentioned the Brian Jacques Redwall series when someone asked about how to write non-human characters, which got another member of the audience really excited. She was so adorable and clearly read even more of the series than I have (it’s a fantastic series and I highly recommend it, btw.) There was another person who asked some fantastic questions, and when I talked to him later on, I was so impressed by the projects he was working on. I really hope to see him get published some day.
The second panel was “Mental Health and Gaming.” Anyone who knows me outside of my writing knows that mental health is my thing (or maybe my other thing. I have so many things.) The two other panelists were fantastic, and we had great discussions on how to utilize games to help treat things like trauma and mood disorders (both were developing therapeutic D&D style games) and we also talked about how games are a great place to practice positive cognitive and social skills in a low or no risk environment. They’re great for trying on personas and discovering sides of our identities that we don’t always get to safely explore in our day to day lives.
Someone randomly gave me a set of gaming dice with little pizzas in them (seriously cute dice!), I got to hang out with the sweetest therapy dog, I exchanged books with a fellow author, I bought some gorgeous wooden coasters, and I got to dress up, not in full cosplay, but in some fun costumey outfits.
I’m hoping to do more events, and if you know of any you’d like to see me at (and are within my budget, of course), let me know! I’m already in the process of looking at some library readings and may be looking at local renaissance faires or literary expos.
About the Author
Charleigh Brennan lives across the street from a cemetery. She’s grateful to have such quiet neighbors, as they give her plenty of time to be creative. Well, except when they get a little out of hand and knock items off her desk.
Charleigh has lived an unexpected life, veering off into odd and unexpected paths on more than one continent. She misses the temperate weather of her Northern California upbringing yet loves seeing actual seasons in her present home in New England. If only it didn’t snow for quite as long as it does. You can find Charleigh on Facebook page at charleighbrennanauthor.
About The Pizza-Pyre
Eighteen-year-old Josh Buckmilter knows what he wants: to level up his life. Go to college (+4 INT), get a steady job (+50 GOLD), and marry his dream girl, Harriet (+20 LUK). In other words, he wants a normal life, something he missed out on growing up.
But college is an epic boss battle he’s not ready for yet, not without some grinding. So while he saves money delivering pizzas in a car held together by duct tape and dreams, most of his thoughts center around gaming, pizza, and Harriet.
As far as Josh is concerned, pizza is a goddess and Harriet is her handmaiden. Much as he wants to, he can’t summon the courage to ask her out. But he’s not worried. With a little more grinding, he’s sure he’ll get there.
Until he gets a phone call that changes the game.
In his town, a long-abandoned mansion sits at the top of a hill. Kids sometimes sneak in with their friends for thrills, and it’s known as a frequent party spot for the high schoolers.
Only, it isn’t abandoned anymore. Word around town is, a glamorous young couple has moved in: beautiful, suave, and wealthy.
Most importantly, the new tenants are hungry.
And they’ve called for a pizza delivery boy.
