Greetings loyal airmen.  Well, last week at this time I was in a plane flying to Chicago where I would attend the Windy City Paper & Pulp Convention.  It was my first time at this particular convention and I didn't know what to expect.  I'm very happy to report it was one of the most enjoyable weekends I have ever experienced.  My good of some twenty-five years, artist, Rob Davis, was decent enough to pick me up at Midway Airport.  We would be sharing a room during the show.  It was the first time Rob and I had ever met face to face, and it truly was as if we've known each other all our lives.  He's a great guy and terrific roomate.

Once we were registered in our hotel, we headed for the Sheraton where the convention was being held.  This all taking place in a suburb known as Arlington Heights.  It is truly a beautiful area.   Once at the show, we again signed, received our badges and went to set up our table.  I don't know for a fact exactly how many vendors were at the show, but I would guess betweeen 80 and 100.  It was just a colorful gathering of pulp and comic collectors ala Moonstone's truly amazing booth (above) manned by their Publisher/Managing Editor, Joe Gentile.  Joe was another one of those people I'd spoken with over the phone over the years and was now putting a face on that voice.  He's a really fun guy and happily part of the weekend was our opportunity to discuss a project that he wants to publish.  I'm very excited about this will divulge more as I am able.

The gentlemen above is artist Doug Klauba, one of the most talented painters I've even encountered.  Doug did the cover for the SPIDER CHRONICLES that Moonstone published a few weeks ago and that I had a story in.  I got Doug to sign my copy on the cover with silver ink.  It looks so cool.

Looking at Doug's table above, if you moved to the right of it, you would come to writer Van Plexico's table.  Van was our con neighbor above and he is the author of several exciting Science Fiction novel, which I picked up from him the first day we met and were setting up.  Van, Rob, Doug and I are all members of an interent club known as The Pulp Factory and this get together was really fun for all of us.  Of course you can't tell from the angle, but that is a Pulp Factory sweatshirt I am wearing.   Rob, who snapped these pictures with his digital camera sat to my right with his comics and he actually did sketches for several people at the show.  Whereas you can see that stack of my own pulps in front of me.  Well I came to the show with 40 copies of my stuff and by the time we packed up Sunday to noon, I only had 8 books!!  It was by far one of the most successful shows I've ever gone to.  We met so many cool fans.

And before heading out, I managed to get all of us together in front of Joe's booth for this group shop.  Left to right, Van Plexico, Rob Davis, yours truly, Joe Gentile and Doug Klauba.   A wilder bunch of fun loving amigos you won't find anywhere.   As Rob was driving me back to the airport, we were both in awe had just how fast the weekend had flown by.  But then again, that's what always happens when you are having such a good time.  I hope to return to Windy City Con next year and many after that.   And let me publicly tip my fedora to the two gentlemen who produced this con, Doug Ellis and John Gunnison.  Gentlemen, take a bow…and thanks.

Okay, so I'm home again.  Battling allergies and trying to get back to a writing routine.  Here's hoping all of you remember your mothers on Sunday, not so much with a gift, but with a hug and heartfelt thank you.  Mothers are the true angels of our world.

Ron – Over and out.