Friday, September 2, 2011

Book Two! and School Visits! and The Contest!

Hazzardous Universe Book two is finished! And yes, that is the working title ;). Actually I call it HU2. I am certain the publisher and their ultra cool ninja marketing department will come up with something better. The important thing is that it's written! I'm not sure what the release date will be, but likely next year sometime.

We're filling up our schedules with school visits and book signings so if you are interested in having Kevin or I or both of us come to your school, get booked now because space is filling up fast (could that then be described as the expanding universe? Since space is filling up . . . nevermind).

But get your seat belts on because HU2 is filled with rock concerts on a comet, and space zombies orbiting the junk-man planet! It's a ride you're going to love!

Also . . . Kevin and I are in the process of creature creation for book HU3 (that doesn't sound as cool as HU2, does it? I'll work on it). This is your chance to get your work in a book! Draw us a picture of an alien creature. It can be as wacky or cool as you'd like. Give us a paragraph of background description on what your creature eats, where it lives, and what its life is like. The contest will run from September 1st through February 14th of 2012. Why February 14th, you ask? Well, because it's Valentine's Day, and I LOVE aliens, of course!

The winner of the contest will get a totally out of this universe T-shirt featuring Hap Hazzard and his cohorts, free copies of HU1, HU2 and HU3 when they are released, and your creature featured in HU3.

If you are the winner, you will be giving us permission to utilize your work in HU3. We reserve the right to edit, or add modifications to your drawing so that it is stylistically similar to the drawings in the rest of the book. You will retain ownership of your work, but will also be allowing us to use your work in any marketing or display in regards to Hazzardous Universe. Please be aware that we'll be periodically posting the entries on this site so everyone can see how cool you all are, and that by entering your work, you are giving us permission to use your image and description on this site.

So let's recap the rules so everyone knows what is up:

Creature Creation Rules and Regulations
 Artwork must be the artist's own original creation. Copying someone else's work will not be tolerated.
 Art design may not contain any profanity or vulgarity.
 Art design will be judged on originality and creativity.
 A person may enter as many times as they would like.
 Winner will receive T-Shirt, 3 Books and publication in the third book in the Hazzardous Universe series. They will also be formally thanked in the acknowledgement's page.
 Entry format accepted: *Copy* of original artwork needs to be submitted by the traditionalists in a format no smaller than an 8x10. Digital art needs to be 300dpi in jpg format. Please do *not* send originals because we cannot guarantee we will be able to return it to you.
 Each entry must be labeled with contestant’s full name, age, phone number, e-mail, and school's name if the entrant is under the age of 18.
 Entry deadline is February 14, 2012.
 Winners will be announced by March 15, 2012.
 Winners may be required to provide proof of identification to claim their award.
 There will be three winners from three different categories Adult 18-218  (if you're older than that, email us and we'll see what we can do :) ), Young Adult: 13-17, and Childrens: 5-12
 All entries/submissions become the property of Hap Hazzard and his crazy friends. Again . . . PLEASE DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS.

Waiver/ Disclaimer
Any and all Entries in the Hazzardous Universe Creature Creation Contest (collectively the “Entries”)
shall be deemed, and shall remain, the property of Hap Hazzard and his crazy friends. Hap Hazzard and his crazy friends shall not be subject to any obligation(s) of confidentiality with respect to any Entries, nor is Hap Hazzard and his crazy friends liable for any use or disclosure of any Entries. Without limitations of the foregoing, the entrant hereby grants Hap Hazzard and his crazy friends a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive license of every kind and nature throughout the universe, and Hap Hazzard and his crazy friends shall be entitled to unrestricted use of the Entries for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or otherwise. The Entrant shall also have unrestricted use of his/her entry for any purpose whatsoever because Hap Hazzard and his crazy friends are just sharing like that.

Send entries to info (at) hazzardousuniverse.com OR mail them to PO Box 130 Oak City, Utah 84649

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Hello July

Oh, look, July is almost here. In case you didn't know, Hazzardous Universe is available at Costco and Julie and I will be visiting, signing books, and telling confused customers where to find paper plates.

Friday, July 15th - 11-1pm - Orem Costco
Saturday, July 16th - 11-1pm - Lehi Costco
Friday, July 22 - 11-1pm - Orem Costco
Saturday, July 23 - 11-1pm - South Ogden Costco

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Upcoming Utah Appearances

Would you like to get a signed copy of Hazzardous Universe?  Julie and I have several signings and events planned in Northern Utah in June.   Here's our schedule for the first half of the month.  We will announce more events very soon.

Friday, June 3 - 11am -1pm, Book Signing at the Salt Lake City Costco
Saturday, June 4 - 10am-Noon, Book Signing at the South Ogden Costco
Thursday, June 9 - 11am -1pm, Book Signing at the Sandy Costco
Friday, June 10 - 11am -1pm, Book Signing at the South Ogden Costco
Saturday, June 11, Ogden Arts Festival
Friday, June 17, Write On Workshop, Westminster College, Salt Lake City
Saturday, June 18 - 11am -1pm, Book Signing at the Salt Lake City Costco

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Monsters

Yesterday, while at CONduit XXI, I had the opportunity to participate in "Monster in an Hour."  This is one of my favorite events at the convention.  It works like this: several artists stand at easels in front of an audience, the audience makes suggestions for the monster, and then the artist creates the monster on the spot.  Today, the art will be auctioned off for charity. 

This year the audience came up with some interesting ideas, things like one eye, horns, and a purse.  Yes, a purse. I'm not sure where that idea came from, but we had to put it in the picture. I didn't get a chance to photograph my drawing, but I will say it was highly influenced by the luck dragon in Never Ending Story. 

Today I was thinking about my Monster drawing and decided to give it another shot.  So I doodled a new character, loosely based on the same ideas . . . except the purse. Logic tells me that monsters don't like purses.  Purses hold mobile phones, money, make-up . . . things monsters have no use for.  I mean, can you imagine Godzilla in lip stick?  Or Frankenstein using a mobile phone? Hmm, on second thought, that might be quite funny.  Anyway, I skipped the purse.

Now I could use some help, because this little monster needs a name.  Feel free to comment and leave a name suggestion.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

CONduit 2011

Julie and I will be attending CONduit 2011 in Salt Lake City over Memorial Day weekend at the Downtown Radisson Hotel.   Here's our schedule . . .

Friday, May 27, 2011

Noon:
- Drawing fabric. How to draw clothing, capes, drapes and other fabric so it drapes and flows. In other words, how to draw fabric so that it doesn’t look like it’s made of wood.
(Brian Hailes (M), Zachary Hill, Kevin Wasden, A. J. Bell)   
Note:  Due to a scheduling conflict, I won't be able to attend this one.  Sorry.  But Brian and co. will do a fabulous job. 
 
5:00 PM
- How Not To Talk Down To Your Audience. How do you find the right balance between talking over your reader’s head and treating them like a child? Especially when they ARE children?
(Jessica Day George, Dan Willis (M), Bryce Moore, Julie Wright, Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury)
  
Saturday, 28 May 2011

 10:00 AM
- *The New Face Of Self-Promotion. It used to be the publisher did most of the book promoting. Now, it’s up to the author. What should you do to sell your own book? How can you atrract readers?
(Michaelbrent Collings (M), Jaleta Clegg, Jess Smart Smiley, Tristi Pinkston, Larry Correia, Steve Diamond, Kevin Wasden)
Note:  Prepare yourself to learn all the secrets to great self-promotion . . . or at least get a few tips on how to sell your book in New Hampshire. 

11:00 AM
- Writing/illustrating Graphic Novels
Graphic novels use both art and words to tell their stories. In a well-designed piece, the elements work together, seamlessly passing the story between the visuals, descriptions and dialogue. But learning to
balance, reinforce and illustrate the plot can be a juggling act. Come listen to our experienced panelists share their knowledge.
(Brian Hailes, Blake Casselman, Andrew Adams, A. J. Bell, Jess Smart Smiley, Kevin Wasden (M)) 
Note:  That "M" means I've been chosen to be the moderator.  If any panelists start to fistfight, I am required to throw myself between them.
 
Noon:
- Comic Art
What are the techniques for drawing comics? How does comic art differ from other types of art? Find out here what skills are needed to make great comics.
(Brian Hailes, Jess Smart Smiley (M), Emily Sorensen, Kevin Wasden, Rebecca Jensen, Travis Walton, A. J. Bell) 

1:00 PM
- SIGNINGS (1 – 2 PM): Tracy Hickman, Michael Young, Peter Orullian, Jaleta Clegg, Kevin Wasden, Julie Wright 
Note:  Hazzardous Universe retails for $12.99.  Just in case you were wondering. 

2:00 PM
- What A Kid Wants In A Story
Some adults have a tendency to talk down to kids. Some writers do it, too. Or they don’t know what a kid looks for in a book. Our panel “gets it.” Come hear more about this growing genre.
(J. Scott Savage (M), Jason Shumate, Dene Low, LuAnn Staheli, Bryce Moore, Julie Wright, Jessica Day George) 
Note:  Personally, I think all kids want a story with aliens, spaceships, magic, ray guns, and impending destruction . . . and I think it should be called Hazzardous Universe.

4:00 PM
- Monster in an Hour
Come enjoy our yearly contest waged between several artists drawing from audience suggestions Cooks have “Iron Chef” with a secret ingredient that they have to incorporate into their instant creations. Selected CONduit artists have “Monster in a Hour” where they take their audience-selected challenges and create a masterpiece. Their pieces will be sold in the art auction on Sunday to benefit our charity.
(Mike Oberg, Brian Hailes, Kevin Wasden, Sarah B. Seiter)
Note:  My annual Dr. Frankenstein moment! 

7:00 PM
- Artists on Art
Four of our favorite artists talk about art: creation, marketing, business. You’ve admired their work, now hear what they have to say on the subject.
(Brian Hailes, Howard Tayler (M), Kevin Wasden, A. J. Bell, Travis Walton)
 
Sunday

Noon:
- Walking the razor’s edge between hurting your character for story and hurting your character for sensationalism. Why do you want to put your character through the wringer in the first place?
(L. E. Modesitt, Jr., T. Wingate, Julie Wright (M))

1:00 PM
- Art Auction
Going, going, Gone! Come to the art auction to defend your final bid
or whisk that desired piece away from your fellow bidders.
(Mike Oberg, Joe Monson)
Note:  Monster in an Hour art will be available.

2:00 PM
- Art Auction, cont.
Going, going, Gone! Come to the art auction to defend your final bid or whisk that desired piece away from your fellow bidders.
(Mike Oberg, Joe Monson)

- Romancing the Ghost: Paranormal romance
What is the draw of loving the dead and undead? Is it the moral and emotional turmoil that forbidden love can kindle? The idea that there is someone we can’t really fully have? Or is it another manifestation of loving the ‘other’?
(Ann Chamberlin, Julie Wright, Ann Sharp, Elisabeth Waters (M))



Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Laney

I had a few minutes after class today, so I painted a quick sketch of Laney from Hazzardous Universe.  I suppose this is what she would have looked like a few years before the events in the books, which is a year or two before she became the outlaw she is today.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

In the News

A little while ago Julie and I were interviewed by Deseret News' Hikari Loftus.  The interview was published today.  Here's a link

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Basking in Success. . . just for a moment.

First, I would like to let everyone know that on May 7th, Julie won the 2010 Whitney Award for Best Romance Novel.  I want to publicly congratulate Julie for her accomplishment.  She's awesome, and I don't think I'm biased one bit.  :)

Also, thank you to everyone who has supported Hazzardous Universe.  The book has reached Deseret Book's Top 10 books for kids, ages 9-12.  Just ahead of it are books by Brandon Mull, James Dashner, and Obert Skye . . . that's pretty good company to hang out with.

And, if you're wondering, Hazzardous Universe 2 is currently in the editing stage.  We'll soon start the cover art and interior illustrations.  Stay tuned for more information.

-kevin

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Updated Signings and Events

April 22 - School Visit, Orion Jr. High.

April 23 - Book Signing, Mount Pleasant Library, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Julie will be signing books. 

May 13 - School Visit, Millard High School.

May 16 -Book Signing, Barnes & Noble, West Jordan, Utah.  Kevin will be signing books. 

May 27-29 - CONduit, Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention.  Both Julie and Kevin will participate on several panels and will be signing books.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

MOVING AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT

It's hard to believe how fast the past two weeks have passed since the release of Hazzardous Universe.  Julie and I had a blast at the Book Launch Party and look forward to meeting more of our readers at upcoming events and signings.  Here's a brief list of what's ahead.

March 25th - Book Signing, The Purple Cow Bookstore, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, 992 N. Main, Tooele, Utah.  Julie will be signing books.

March 26th - Book Signing, Seagull Book, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, 514 N. 325 E., Harrisville, Utah (Near the Harrisville Walmart, just north of Ogden).  Kevin Wasden will be signing books and giving away original Hazzardous Universe sketch cards.

April 2nd - Book Signing, Deseret Book, "Ladies Night", 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, 339 East 2250 South (the corner of Kiesel and 2250 South) in Ogden, Utah.  Julie will be signing books.

April 23rd - Book Signing, Pleasant Grove Library, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 30 East Center Street, Pleasant Grove, Utah.  Julie and Kevin will be signing books and giving away Collectible Sketch Cards.

March 4 - 29 - Kevin Wasden's Art Exhibition at Gallery at the Station.  It's not too late to check it out.  Hours 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.  Admission is FREE.  Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue, Ogden, Utah.


I can't sign off without first thanking you all for the enthusiastic support you've given to Julie and me.  We're excited about the response that Hazzardous Universe has received.  Thank you.

Hazzardous Universe Book Trailer