Jon Sprunk

Hey folks,

I have a copy of the audiobook of Shadow’s Son for one lucky person (check it out here). All you have to do is leave a comment in this post to enter. As always, no review is necessary if you win, but I’m sure the fine people at GraphicAudio would appreciate you spreading the news.

Best,
Jon

Hey folks,

So sorry for not posting in a while. I’d give you some excuses (Jenny’s surgery, a book project that keeps growing in scope, and playng Mr. Mom to a 3-yo), but you’re probably more interested in what’s been going on.

Balticon was, once again, awesome. I got to spend time with old friends and made a few new ones. I actually sold some books at my book signing (yay). My agent had a bunch of authors there, so we swapped stories and shared a fine meal (thanks, Joshua). Thank you to everyone who took time to sit and eat/drink with me.

In July, I’ll be going to Confluence, which is another regional con with great people and a fun atmosphere. Then, in September, is the Big Momma: DragonCon. Jenny’s coming with me this year, so she can share in the zanniness and the grandeur.

Nothing new to share about the next series. I can see the light at the end of the first draft, but that’s just the beginning, of course. This one is going to be a bigger book than any of the Shadow series, with a correspondingly longer and more complex revision process. It’s scary and exciting at the same time.

So, that’s about it. Hope to see some of you at those cons, or online. Stay in touch.

Hey Sports Fans,

here’s my schedule for Balticon (May 25-27):

Autographing: Scott Sigler, John Sprunk and Alex White Friday at 4:00 pm in Maryland Foyer (50 minutes) Scott Sigler, John Sprunk and Alex White signing at the Autograph Table in the Maryland foyer. Speakers: Jon Sprunk; Alex R. White; Scott Sigler

speaker
F-2. Martial Arts Demos Friday at 6:00 pm in Garden Room (50 minutes) Some of the expert martial artists in fandom show us how it’s done and explain the differences between their particular disciplines. Wear comfy clothes and learn some great warm-up stretches! Moderator: Larry A. Reclusado Speakers: Jon Sprunk; Deja Biernesser; Yoji Kondo/Eric Kotani; Jonah Knight; Steve Biernesser

attendee
SE-9a. Friday Face Time: Meet the Guests — Mix and Mingle Friday at 9:00 pm in Con-Suite Mix and mingle with the Guests of Honor and Balticon 46 Program Participants. Moderator: Con Chair Patti Kinlock Speakers: Jody Lynn Nye (Guest of Honor)

speaker
R-8. The Effects of War on SF & F Saturday at 1:00 pm in Salon B (50 minutes) How has our war torn era shaped fantasy and SF? Moderator: Myke Cole Speakers: Charles Edward Gannon; Bill Fawcett; Jon Sprunk; Jean Marie Ward

speaker
W-10. Sequels And Prequels: — How Hard Can They Be? Saturday at 4:30 pm in Belmont (50 minutes) So you want to do Part 2…or 3…or 4…and with the first book done, it’s just a matter of moving forward. Right? You have the universe built, your characters developed, and your cultures cultured. So, what’s holding you up? As we have seen in both sequels and prequels, sometimes the formula you have worked so hard to succeed the first go-round can miss a step on the second. What are the challenges in a series? Are prequels really needed? And when do you decide to “shake things up” and set your sequel with a new set of characters? Listen to the pros on how they work through the challenges in the universes they create. Moderator: Walter H. Hunt Speakers: Jon Sprunk; Joshua Palmatier/Benjamin Tate; Jaclyn Dolamore; Gail Z. Martin

speaker
R-29. The Ethos of Homicide — A Round-table Discussion Saturday at 6:00 pm in Parlor 1041 (50 minutes) Many fictional settings, from Harry Potter to Star Trek, have a safe, mostly nonviolent and painless way to stop an enemy. What effect is there in a world where killing is not necessary to end a threat? Is this a cop-out or does it speak to a more moral mindset? Moderator: John C. Wright Speakers: Yoji Kondo/Eric Kotani; Jon Sprunk; Lyle Blake Smythers; Kate Kaynak; Ian Randal Strock; James Maxey; James Daniel Ross

speaker
R-38. Space War — How and Why? Saturday at 11:00 pm in Parlor 1041 (50 minutes) Panelists debate how space war would be waged and explain some of the science behind the methods. Moderator: Michael Andrew D’Ambrosio Speakers: Ian Randal Strock; Jon Sprunk; John Ashmead; Tad Daley

speaker
R-45. The Fantasy of Physics Sunday at 11:00 am in Pimlico (50 minutes) Panelists discuss how to make your magic believable. Moderator: John C. Wright Speakers: Michael D. Pederson; Peter BL!X Bryant; Chris Evans; Jon Sprunk