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Join me for Dead Drop Live

Dead Drop is the name of my infrequent newsletter. (Subscribe, heathen!) The name comes from the method of espionage tradecraft used during the cold war era to exchange information. I always felt it fitted a newsletter that only comes once or twice a year (if you’re lucky). But, on Tuesday, March 30th, in celebration of the launch of Gleam Upon the Waves, Dead Drop is emerging from the shadowed spaces and going LIVE.

Join me for Dead Drop Live
Tuesday – 3/30/21 – 6–7 PM PST
– On Twitch at twitch.tv/kmalexander –

I’m going to be doing a reading from Gleam Upon the Waves. (Probably Chapter 4.) I’m going to be answering questions. I’m going to be showing the new swag. Maybe we’ll do a giveaway? Who knows! I’ve never done this before! I’m old. Streaming is new and weird to me. Let’s make it extra weird. So, mark your calendars and come join me! You’re invited.

Can’t make it. Don’t worry, the stream will be recorded and available later. But really, what else do you have happening on a Tuesday night in March during a pandemic? Exactly. I’ll see you there.

One Week until GLEAM UPON THE WAVES
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One Week ’til GLEAM UPON THE WAVES

It feels a little unreal to write this, but Gleam Upon the Waves arrives next Tuesday, March 30th! That’s right, Book IV is nearly here. I hope you’re ready, roader. Are you looking for something to do in the meantime? Here are a few ideas:

● Preorder your ebook using one of the links below:

Kindle – Kobo – Nook – Apple Books – GooglePlay

● Read an excerpt!

● Add Gleam Upon the Waves to your Goodreads!

● You got question about the launch? I have answers.

● Check out some of the new swag here! And here!

● Explore forgotten echoes, distant corners, and old haunts!

● Check out the new Bell Forging Cycle Glossary!

● Listen to my Interview on The Indie Pub podcast!

● Oh, yeah! Tell your friends!

Come See Me at Lilac City Comicon 2017
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Come See Me at Lilac City Comicon 2017

This weekend I will be returning for the 2017 celebration of Lilac City Comicon in Spokane, Washington. This year the convention is two whole days running from Saturday, June 3rd to Sunday, June 4th. If it’s anything like the last few conventions, it’ll be a blast. I’ll once again be sharing a table with comic creator and dinosaur enthusiast Josh Montreuil and we’re both bringing a ton of great stuff.

Triceratots, by Josh Montreuil - debuting at LCCC 2017!
Triceratots, by Josh Montreuil – debuting at LCCC 2017!

I’ll have copies of The Stars Were Right, Old Broken Road, and Red Litten World. I’ll also have Bell Caravans patches as well as a ton of free swag, stickers, bookmarks, and buttons. In the past, LCCC hasn’t really been interested in my badge ribbons, but I’ll have mine with me, and like other swag they’re free. If you want to draw a ribbon from THE BOX OF CHOOSING™ just ask me and I’ll be happy to let you try your luck. (Full details on the badge ribbons can be read here.)

Sir Montreuil will have his new debut comic, Triceratots, available! I’ve been given a preview, and it’s not only incredibly fun, but it’s downright adorable. If you’re a fan of dinosaurs or know someone who is (I mean, who isn’t?), be sure to pick it up. He’ll also have a bunch of fresh prints and will be available for sketch commissions.

You can find Josh and me at TABLE C10 right in the center of it all. Click the image below to see where you can find us on the full map. It’s like a treasure map, but you’ll be crossing booths filled with cool stuff and not boring desert islands.

I’m looking forward to the weekend, there are a ton talented people participating, and the 1966 Batmobile will be there! Check out the full guest list and complete exhibitor list over at the official Lilac City Comicon site. I’ll see you there!

Dead Drop: Missives from the desk of K. M. AlexanderWant to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information.  SIGN UP TODAY →

Come See Me at Lilac City Comicon
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Come See Me at Lilac City Comicon

On May 14th, I’ll be attending one of my favorite conventions: Lilac City Comic Con in the distant hamlet of Spokane, Washington! It’s a fantastic event with a great crowd. And, just like last year, I’m happy to say I’ll once again be sharing a table alongside the incredibly talented artist: Josh Montreuil. Josh will be bringing a bunch of prints and will be taking sketch requests. You should come by and say hello!

My side of the table will be pretty full. I’ll be bringing copies of The Stars Were Right, Old Broken Road, and the latest book in the Bell Forging Cycle: Red Litten World. I’ll also have Bell Caravans patches as well as a ton of free swag (including those new stickers I posted about a few weeks ago.) Lilac City Comic Con isn’t really a ribbon convention, but I’ll have the Caravan Master, Roader, and Shambler ribbons that I brought with me to Norwescon. If you want to draw a ribbon from THE BOX OF CHOOSING™ just ask and I’ll be happy to let you try your luck. (Full details on the badge ribbons can be read here.)

Josh and I will be lording over our small empire at table D10, which is clearly the best table and there is none better. It is known. Use the map below to see where we’re at or look for the big Bell Forging Cycle banner. You can’t miss it.

Lilac City Comicon 2016 Map - Small

We had a great time last year, and I’m looking forward to LLC once again. There’s a ton of great and talented people participating; you can check out the full guest list and complete exhibitor list over at the official Lilac City Comicon site. So mark your calendars Spokane, I’ll see you there!

I'm Doing a Reading - Help Me Pick the Book
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I’m Doing a Reading – Help Me Choose Which Book

Norwescon 39 is just over a week away, and on Saturday night, the 26th of March I’ll be doing a reading! (9:00 PM in Cascade 1, Come see me.) Hooray! In the past I’ve read the prologue from The Stars Were Right, I mean, it’s the beginning, right? It’s a good place as any to introduce people to the world of The Bell Forging Cycle. But I was thinking, Red Litten World has been out now for five months now, and while each book builds off of each other they have been written to be standalone novels, the books can be read in any order. So I don’t have to be worried about spoiling anything. That has tempted me to read the Red Litten World prologue instead.

Instead of hemming and hawing over the decision myself. I figured why not ask you, my community of amazing and loyal readers! Which book do you think I should read? Should it be the introduction with the anur spectacles dealer from The Stars Were Right, or should it be the prologue with the creepy evangelist from Red Litten World? Use the poll below and vote. Voting will continue for a week and end next Wednesday, the 23rd. Whatever book wins will be the book I read at Norwescon!

You can see my full Norwescon 39 schedule over here. Make sure you stop by my table on Writer’s Row and say hello. We can talk about Lovecraft, horror in general, sci-fi, fantasy, the world of the Territories, whatever! I’ll have all three books available for purchase (at the discounted convention price.) You can pick up some free swag and make sure to ask me about how you can get one of my badge ribbons. There is a lot of stuff going on and I can’t wait to hang out with everyone. So vote and I’ll see you at the convention!

Norwescon 39
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My Norwescon 39 Schedule

Norwescon 39 is just around the corner (57 days!) and yesterday I received my tentative schedule! Last year I ran my table and had a blast. But this year, things are going to be a lot busier. As before, I’ll be back with another table among Writer’s Row, plus I’ll also be participating on panels, and I’ll be doing a reading on Saturday night. It’s going to be fun.

Full details are below. I tried to link to the blogs or twitter accounts for the panel’s moderators and my fellow panelists. I’m honored to be sitting next to such talented folks. I’m excited to hang out with everyone again. Listing all this out got me excited, I can’t wait.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24th

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Writer’s Row

Location: Writer’s Row
Details: Once again I’ll be headquartering myself at a table. Of course, I’ll bring along copies of all The Bell Forging Cycle books and, like last year, I’ll also have a bunch of free swag: stickers, buttons, and bookmarks galore. Stop on by, say hello. I’ll sign your books. We can talk cosmic horror, indie publishing, cover design, world building, weird fiction, Lovecraft, and pretty much whatever else you feel like.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM — Horror’s Fantasy Roots

Location: Cascade 10
Moderator: Logan L. Masterson
Panelists: Jason Vanhee, Nathan Crowder, K. M. Alexander
Details: Join Logan L. Masterson, the other panelists, and myself as we discuss a time when the darkness was fought back with swords and sorcery as we explore the roots and the muddy line between fantasy and horror.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Writer’s Row

Location: Writer’s Row

FRIDAY, MARCH 25th

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Writer’s Row

Location: Writers Row

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM — Horror Influences

Location: Cascade 9
Moderator: Nina Post
Panelists: Morgue Anne, Alex C. Renwick, Lisa Bolekaja, K. M. Alexander
Details: Join Nina Post as she talks with myself and the other panelists on who inspired us to write and create horror and on what scares us. Should be a good time.

1:00 PM – 7:00 PM — Writer’s Row

Location: Writer’s Row

SATURDAY, MARCH 26th

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Writer’s Row

Location: Writer’s Row

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM — SF/Fantasy Battle Royale

Location: Cascade 9
Moderator: Matt Youngmark
Panelists: Erik Scott de Bie, Peter Orullian, K. M. Alexander
Details: Who would win in a fight? A fast-paced, bracket-style, breathtakingly unscientific showdown to determine this year’s Ultimate Fictional Champion. Ready…? Fight! This will be fun.

9:00 PM – 9:30 PM — Reading: K. M. Alexander

Location: Cascade 1
Moderator: K. M. Alexander
Details: Hey, look at this, I’m doing a reading! Before you hit up a room party or turn in for the evening why not come by and let me read you a creepy excerpt from one of my books. Which one… well, I’m not sure yet! (I might have a little poll to decide. Stay tuned.)

SUNDAY, MARCH 27th

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM — Horror As a Mirror

Location: Cascade 13
Moderator: Jeremy Zimmerman
Panelists: Jude-Marie Green, Kate Jonez, K. M. Alexander
Details: What does the horror genre tell us about the culture in which it was written? What does today’s horror tell us about modern society? And as a creator, how do we craft stories that have a greater impact by reflecting on things that resonate more deeply with our audiences? Join us for this thought-provoking panel.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM — Writer’s Row

Location: Writer’s Row

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM — Location: Horror’s Unsung Character

Location: Cascade 10
Moderator: Laura Anne Gilman
Panelists: Lisa Bolekaja, Arinn Dembo, Logan L. Masterson, K. M. Alexander
Details: Where a story is set lends itself to the impact of that story. Whether you set your story in a crumbling castle, a small town in Maine, or a sleek office tower, how do writers craft a setting with staying power? Come for favorite examples and ways to build your own and play against expectations to greater effect.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM — Writer’s Row

Location: Writer’s Row

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Level Up Your Self-Publishing Skills

Location: Cascade 12
Moderator: Elliott Kay
Panelists: Matt Youngmark, Ryan Macklin, K. M. Alexander
Details: Elliot Kay leads us in a discussion on self-publishing. How do you find a good editor or cover artist? What’s your pricing strategy? Does free work? What are the best keywords to use? How do you get reviews? We’ll discuss the best practices for putting out a professional product and the current strategies for finding success.

You can preregister for Norwescon 39 here and get passes to all four days for only $70. There’s also a lot of information at Norwescon.org including details on this year’s guests of honor, The Philip K. Dick Awards, Doubletree hotel information, and a lot more. Hopefully, I’ll see you there!