Book Signings and Events

Big Buffy fun at Dark Delicacies! Author Nancy Holder, joined by actress and author Amber Benson (Tara), John Vulich (Emmy-Award winning special makeup effects guru), Camden Toy (the Gnarl, the Ubervamp, and one of the Gentlemen in “Hush,”) and Todd McIntosh (Emmy-Award winning makeup king) signed new, hardback volumes of Buffy: The Making of a Slayer. The books are just gorgeous and a must have for any Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan.

Nancy Holder, Amber Benson, Camden Toy & Todd McIntosh

Matt R Lohr, Diane O’Bannon and John Vulich

Remember these gentlemen? Heh heh heh…
Click on the photo… if you dare…

Camden is SUCH a gentleman…

From SFcrowsnest.org.uk “What is outstanding is the variety of colour photographs included and some of these are really superb. Many are full page and some double-page … At the back of the book, there is an enormous bibliography in case you missed any of the associated books, let alone all the comics, canon and otherwise, to this point.”

Wired.com’s Geekmom says “This beautiful hardcover book comes in a clamshell slipcase and is the first authorized, fully illustrated retrospective of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It’s full of pictures and commentary that give a behind-the-scenes look at everyone’s favorite slayer. You’ll learn about the characters and mythology of the universe and how it developed further with each season while you drool over the 120 images of the cast, props, and show memorabilia.”

Matt R Lohr and Diane O’Bannon

Simultaneously, Dark Del ran a separate event with producer Diane O’Bannon signing copies of her husband Dan O’Bannon and Matt R Lohr’s book Guide to Screenplay Structure.

Click here to see all our photos from this event…

Until our next hushed adventure…
P~

All Babylon 5 fans remember this beautiful lady! Claudia Christian began her acting career at age 5 and had her big break when she landed the starring role of Susan Ivanova on the big science fiction hit. Not surprising, she was voted “sexiest woman in sci-fi” by SFX Magazine in 1998.

Ms. Christian, who speaks several languages, is an actor, a musician, a singer, a director and, of course, a writer, which is how we crossed paths at Dark Delicacies. Check out her new book Babylon Confidential: A Memoir of Love, Sex, and Addiction:

When actress Claudia Christian flees a troubled childhood and moves to Hollywood at age 17, she steps through the looking glass into another world. From the set of Dallas to her starring role on the sci-fi series Babylon 5, Claudia’s affairs with billionaires, supermodels, rock stars, and celebrities are mixed with shootings, stalking, heartbreak, and betrayal. Hollywood life takes its toll on Claudia as she descends into alcohol addiction and a desperate battle to reclaim her life. Close to despair she discovers a treatment that saves her life. Sometimes shocking, often humorous, always captivating — Babylon Confidential is a story of hope that will inspire and enlighten you. (Amazon)

Until our next Babylonian adventure…
P~

William Goldstein signing copies of his latest book, Dr. Phibes – In the Beginning and Justin Humphreys signing Little Shoppe of Horrors – Dr. Phibes edition

After decades, a new Dr. Phibes novel by William Goldstein:
HE’S BACK! This is the story you’ve all been waiting for and why you continue to show such strong loyalty. ‘Dr. Phibes – In The Beginning’ tells the origins of the phantom-phantastic and exactly how he became who he is, of the enigmatic Vulnavia and those wonderful and wondrous ‘Clockwork Wizards’, and what the good doctor is doing right now, as well as providing a crucial clue as to where he will appear next. ‘Dr. Phibes – In The Beginning’ is simultaneously and stunningly both a classic love story that has been tempered by horrific tragedy as well as a classic horror story borne from that ultimate of all human emotions. (Amazon)

The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a 1971 horror film starring Vincent Price as Dr. Anton Phibes. William Goldstein, creator of the character and author of the three Dr. Phibes novels, wrote the original screenplay for the film with James Whiton. In the sequel, Dr. Phibes Rises Again, the story picks up 3 years after the ending of the first film. But what Phibes Phans really want to know is… will Depp and Burton rise again with ‘Dr. Phibes’?

Bill and I were not privy to this “private conversation”, but Sue emphatically encouraged Mr. Goldstein’s son to, I dunno, “make it happen Dude” (er, or something like that). And Del seemed to almost kinda sorta agree.

The enthusiastic owners of Dark Delicacies, the home of horror, flaunted their haunted holiday best for us shoppers. In addition to their exotic array of sexy scented oils, toys, handbags, wallets, toiletries, spooky housewares, kids’ stuff, DVDs, and mucho clothing for the horror fans, the sparkly black Christmas tree was on display for the shopping season.

To view all our photos from the Dr. Phibes event click here…

Until our next shopping adventure…
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Dark Del’s frequently turns over some über-trendy displays in the store window area. Check out the ginormous wall sized movie poster!

Another LosCon. I’ve been attending LosCons since the mid 80’s. Bill and I met at LosCon in 2005. At this point, they are as much a part of my life as Thanksgiving and New Years. Of course, they change over the years, different people take on the various roles and new books and media are celebrated. Even the hotel location has changed several times. But there’s a core feeling that stays the same. So as we say, another LosCon!

The past few years we’ve been delighted to see Tim and Serena Powers becoming regulars. It doesn’t take long (bees & honey?) for The Powers, Bill and Ken to find each other and after cheerful salutations the cards emerge and the magic begins…

Jason V Brock, Sunni Brock, Tim Powers and Bill Wu

Ken Estes, Bill Wu and Bill Nolan

Bill Wu, Jason Brock, Sunni Brock and Bill Nolan

This year, our dear friends Jason and Sunni Brock came down from the great Northwest with William F Nolan for their first public screening of The AckerMonster Chronicles. The last time we saw The Brocks, they were doing a book signing at Bookfellows for The Devil’s Coattails. So obviously they are multi-talented people… writers, editors, movie making documentarians… even vegetarians!

William F Nolan, Jason V Brock, Wilma Tomerlin, John Tomerlin, Sunni Brock, Marc Scott Zicree, George Clayton Johnson and Diane O’Bannon

William Nolan, George Clayton Johnson and John Tomerlin

Click on the photo below to see a brief video of Jason V Brock discussing The AckerMonster Chronicles

Click here to see all our photos from LosCon 2012 (page 1)
And here for page 2…

Until our next monster adventure…
P~

What a pretty pair! Kevin Anderson, author of many exciting novels such as continuing the Dune series with Brian Herbert, and his lovely wife Rebecca Moesta, science fiction author, together for a book signing at one of our favorite hang outs, Dark Delicacies. Recently a friend of ours saw a Facebook check in that we were at Dark Del’s, and she asked (innocently), oooo is that a chocolate shop? Um, well, noooo, but I’m sure they would be happy to sell dark chocolate bats and other sweet delicacies. Heh heh….

This signing was promoting Mr. Anderson’s two newest books, Death Warmed Over with Dan Shamble, Zombie PI, and Clockwork Angels, an unprecedented collaboration with the Canadian rock band Rush. Wait, a novel and an album? The newest Rush album, Clockwork Angels is a story in Neil Peart’s lyrics which has been expanded into Mr. Anderson’s steampunk novel with carnivals, anarchists, alchemy, pirates, and a watchmaker. Yep, it’s fair to say the Kevin Anderson is a major Rush fan.

Until our next delicate adventure…
P~

Del Howison of Dark Del’s

George Clayton Johnson and William F Nolan share touching memories of their beloved friend Ray Bradbury

Bookfellows was like a 2nd home to Ray Bradbury. Bill and I looked forward to the events and especially his wonderful birthday parties every August. Though we lost Ray a few months ago, he lives on in spirit at Bookfellows. (Psst… We heard the REAL truth, and are leaking it right here at William Wu Books… Ray Bradbury didn’t actually pass away, he went home to Mars after his successful 91 year mission on Plant Earth. Martians welcome his homecoming.)

Jason V Brock was busy signing boxes of his The Devil’s Coattails downstairs since it was standing room only upstairs where William F Nolan, George Clayton Johnson, Dennis Etchison, Peter Atkins, John King Tarpinian and many others paid their tribute to Mr. Bradbury. I couldn’t even get up the stairs it was so packed, but we could still hear the touching and funny stories being told by his loved ones.

Malcolm and Christine worked hard to pull this memorial party, book signing and raffle together. The bookstore was filled with Ray Bradbury memories and friends as well as new young talent.

Bill finally managed to squeeze into the signing line and grab a few more signatures on his copies of Coattails. Quite a day in Glendale!

Left to right seated: Marc Scott Zicree, Paul G. Bens, Jr., William F Nolan. Diane O’Bannon, Sunni Brock, Jason V Brock

Click here to see all the photos from this memorial event…

Until our next stroll down memory lane as we make new ones…
P~

Earl Hamner Jr, Dennis Etchinson and George Clayton Johnson

As usual it was quite the par-tay at Bookfellows! And Malcolm and Christine make everyone feel right at home. As you may know, George Clayton Johnson and William F. Nolan wrote the science fiction classic Logan’s Run. George wrote several episodes of the original Twilight Zone such as Kick the Can, Nothing in the Dark, A Game of Pool, and the very first aired episode of the original Star Trek The Man Trap, more affectionately known as the SALT MONSTER!! And let’s not forget Ocean’s Eleven.

So, John King Tarpinian had told Bill and me an amusing story…. Back in the day (and I mean “those daze”) George was the proud proprietor of Café Frankenstein and had charges brought against him for a nude photo session of model Barbara Kellogg in his establishment. Something about the windows being painted, not stained, something about minors peaking through scratches in the paint in said windows, something about an outraged parent… Well, it was the 60’s Baby!

Bill and I said hello to the birthday boy and had our books signed by the Twilight Zone legends.

Click here to see all the photos from George’s 2012 b-day party…

Click here to see his 80th b-day party pix from 2009…

Until our next birthday adventure…
P~

Another fun filled shopping and signing adventure at Dark Del’s. Not only a great event, but we make of point of seeing Amber Benson whenever can, cuz, we LUV her. Also signing for the anthology, edited by Christopher Golden, were John Skipp, SG Browne and Cody Goodfellow.

Del and Sue demonstrated their usual hospitality in their delightful store which is reminiscent of the Haunted Mansion, except with a lot more books and DVDs! And naturally, they have an exotic array of sexy scented oils, toys, handbags, wallets, toiletries, spooky housewares, and mucho clothing for the horror fans.

People who know Bill know he’s a magician, so inevidibly the cards come out. Not only will he do a trick or two, but he has a special deck he has people sign… maybe a magician’s autograph book?

Click here to see all the photos from this event…

Until our next zombie adventure…
P~

As some of you know, Bill has been a vendor at Comic Con for over 30 years now. Every year he makes a tuff decision, should I do this again one more year? It’s a whole lot of hard work, and time, and Comic Con doesn’t exactly cater to the small vendors anymore since the show has become such a huge media event. But we did reserve our booth for next year, so we will put forth the effort at least one more time. Once we are down in San Diego with our loaded cargo van, the forklift drivers have hauled our product inside on wooden pallets, and the booth is finally set up, we remember all the wonderful benefits of being a vendor… the good friends we see, the new friends we meet, the awesome customers we have, the great signings, and the overwhelming mind-blowing phenomenon that is Comic Con International.

We had our same great neighbors again, Things from Another World and Girls Drawin Girls. It makes a huge difference when you have neighbors who will watch your back and lend a helping hand. We heart them! And as per usual, a big thanks goes to our BFF’s Dan and Amy who bust their tails helping us set up and break down. This year, we also had their roommate Mike helping out. Of course we ended up at Joe’s Crab Shack and I ended up downing a “shark bite“. Yeah baby.

Oh – this is funny. The Ralph’s down the street gets hit hard every year… basically their deli food, not to mention the chips, soda and candy isles are picked clean. This year, they set “con food” outside for easy access. Hilarious.

Click here to see all the Comic Con photos…

Until our next epic comic adventure…
P~

Just for laughs… here’s something the average Comic Con attendee will never see…

Yep… shows you what we were up against.

Len Wein was in rare form that Independence Day at Galaxy of Comics. Not only was it a hot day, but Mr. Wein had been stuck in traffic and had quite a line waiting by the time he arrived. Bill was happy he got some stuff signed. And there was much rejoicing… or at least, some all around silliness, Wein style.

Click here to see all the Len Wein photos from this event…

Until our next X-venture…
P~