For some people it was father’s day, or a chance to see the Dynamo or Astro’s, but for me June 19 was the epic final day of Comicpalooza (and ended with a blood filled episode of Game of Thrones).
It’s always great to meet new readers-of which I met several-to share my work along with the other great stories from local authors. They got a chance to meet my character Samantha Locke who I cosplayed as for the event (although I was much nicer than Samantha would have been to a group of strangers). I hope that they all throughly enjoy my debut novel Blood On The Potomac, along with my three short stories in Eclectically Criminal, and my short story The End which can be found in Eclectically Vegas, Baby all from Inklings Publishing and available for purchase via Amazon.
I hope that everyone that took home one of my pieces gives me an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads after their finished.
And if you go to enough of these events then you do have a chance to see your friends that live far away-which is always a pleasure. I got to meet author D.L. Young’s family (he’ll be taking over my blog on July 1 when he answers my 20 Questions…), had a chance to catch up with awesome local artist Johnnie Rosales Jr. (who’s artwork literally is in every room of my house you can check out his work on Instagram), and had an opportunity to meet Daryl Dixon himself because of the kindness of fellow author Patty Flathery Pagan (more on that at the end of the blog, but check out Spider Road Press a local publishing house that has awarded me another honor this time for my piece Blanquita).
It’s always great to connect with friends and make new ones-including the Ariel’s in attendance who were nice enough to take a picture of me although my shirt directed Ariel about to be eaten by Jaws (you know Shark Week is coming up…).
Although I didn’t get to meet him fellow author Andrea Barbosa and I were standing about 20 ft. from Charlie Hunnam star of Sons of Anarchy. And I must admit the pic I got of him is quite funny, and he’s so handsome even pixelated.
Finally one of the highlights of my life was getting a chance to meet and have Norman Reedus himself sign a photo for me. My friend Patty couldn’t wait in line anymore (she’d already waited over an hour and it was her husbands first father’s day) so she gave me her place in line so I’d have a chance to meet him and get my own signed photo with him. If you notice on my pic (the one on the right) it’s slightly smudged from his thumb which I think is super awesome!
Norman is easily the most famous person I’ve actually spoken to which made me nervous (his handler told me to take a few deep breaths and had me repeat my name three times just so I’d remember to tell him what it was) but he was so very sweet. There was a line of easy 50 people waiting for his signature and he knew we were hungry so he brought us all pizza and had his security pass out the boxes which we then passed through the crowd like body surfing (although I didn’t eat a piece didn’t want to mess up my makeup before I spoke to Daryl). He came over the table and hugged a couple of little girls that were dressed like the princesses from Frozen and spent time talking to everyone that stood in line.
A young girl was about six people ahead of me, and you weren’t aloud to have your phone out when you were actually at the table (although I did take some pics as I waited in line which was allowed) so she asked me to use her phone to record her giving him a piece of fan art. She started crying, Norman told her it was beautiful, and had someone hang it up under the banner behind him.
It took me forever to pick which picture on the table that I wanted him to sign, but I think I chose a good one, and once I finally was face to face with him I totally forgot how to speak (which if you know me is super weird). Here’s how the conversation went:
Norman: (shakes my hand) Hey, how are you doing?
Me: (not letting go of his hand then something that sounds kind of like English comes out of my mouth) My name’s Melissa. I’m nervous so I thought I’d forget, but it’s Melissa.
Norman: (starting to pull his hand away) Your name’s Alyssa?
Me: (I finally let go) No, Melissa. My name’s Melissa. You know like Melissa McBride (Carol on The Walking Dead)
Norman: Okay (he starts signing my picture but then really looks at my shirt and starts to laugh) Your shirt is really cool. (nudges his security guy who had an awesome fade) Look at her shirt man. (Security guard laughs at Jaws about to eat Ariel the little mermaid)
Me: Thanks it’s like my favorite shirt now! I wrote a book (hand him a postcard with my book info which his security guard instantly takes) I should have brought a copy, but I forgot because I’m really nervous. My name is Melissa by the way.
Norman: (slyly smiles) Great meeting you, Melissa.
Me: (Comicpalooza worker starts to motion me to move because my 30 seconds is up) No it was really great meeting you. Sorry I’m weird, I’m just really nervous.
Norman: It’s okay, have a great Con.
Then maybe I said something else, and on my way back to the Inklings table I did bump into some people I knew, but I was on cloud nine. I’d originally planned on not washing my right hand, but I ate some nachos so I had to.
Although I am contemplating framing the shirt I wore because Norman Reedus said he liked it…
Melissa Algood- Author/ Poet 