This Saturday, at 1 PM, I’ll be signing my new book, Marvel’s Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger, at Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis.
We should have plenty of Captain America posters and bookplates for those who attend, and I’ll be happy to sign anything I’ve worked on.
If you’re in the area, come on out and say hi. It’s supposed to be a gorgeous day in the Twin Cities, a perfect day to shop for a new book!
This week is the official launch of my mini-tour to launch my latest book, Marvel’s Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger. Come out and see me in the Milwaukee area on Wednesday and Thursday evening, and in the Chicago area – well, Naperville, actually – on Saturday.
Shorewood, WI. May 4, 6:30 PM.
This is the launch of my mini-book tour for my Captain America book. According to the Shorewood Library website:
Meet Matt Forbeck, the author of CAPTAIN AMERICA: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE FIRST AVENGER. Test your Captain America expertise with a super-heroic trivia contest. Wear a costume if you’d like.
Boswell Books will be there too, selling copies of the book.
Milwaukee, WI. May 5, 4:30 PM.
The next day, I’m off to the Bay View branch of the Milwaukee Public Library that evening to sign more books. Boswell Books will be there again, selling copies of the book.
Naperville, IL. May 7. 2 PM.
On Free Comic Book Day, I’ll be at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois, signing copies of my Captain America book and anything else I’ve worked on.
If you live a bit farther north, I’ll be in Minneapolis in two weeks too.
Minneapolis, MN. May 21, 1 PM.
As part of Children’s Book Week, I’ll be signing my Captain America book at Wild Rumpus. According to their website:
Calling all superheros and superhero fans! Come to Wild Rumpus on Saturday, May 21st at 1PM to celebrate the first ever Superhero Day! We’ll have activities, giveaways, prizes and more. Marvel expert Matt Forbeck, author of the new book Marvel’s Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger, will be on the scene to quiz you on your superhero trivia knowledge.
Anyone who comes in a superhero costume will get a prize! It’s going to be a SUPER day.
My friend Allen Varney runs a website called the Bundle of Holding, which I helped him launch a few years back. It’s similar to things like the Humble Bundle and StoryBundle, in that it gathers together a bunch of electronic entertainment and sells it to you at a huge discount. It started out as a place to sell novels written by tabletop RPG writers, but it soon morphed into a site that sold massive bundles of RPG books instead.
Today, the Bundle of Holding launched a deal that features the PDFs of my 1999 roleplaying game, Brave New World. This includes all of the products currently available for the line: nine full books. The only thing that’s missing is the long out-of-print guide’s screen, known as the Power Shield, as that’s never been released as a PDF.
After the American dream died in 1963 – when superpowered terrorists assassinated Jacqueline Kennedy – and the Bicentennial Battle destroyed Chicago in 1976, the USA has become a battleground where superpowered people known as deltas fight a US government under never-ending martial law.
The central theme of the game is this: How much freedom are you willing to give up to feel safe?
Brave New World was inspired by many comics I loved, including Watchmen, Kingdom Come, Marshal Law, and American Flagg! Marvel’s Civil War came out many years later, but the themes of that epic storyline make for an uncanny match with my game.
The total retail value of the titles in this offer is $120. If you pay just $11.95, you get all four titles in the Starter Collection (retail value: $57) as DRM-free PDFs:
Those who pay more than the threshold (average) price – which is set at $19.95 to start – also get the entire Bonus Collection with five more titles (retail value $63):
Note that 10% of the proceeds from your purchase go to benefit Human Rights Watch. Seems perfect, right?
The sale starts today at the Bundle of Holding, and it runs through 2PM Eastern US time, Tuesday, May 17. So, go grab it fast before it disappears!
Just found out today that Halo: New Blood was nominated for a Scribe Award by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers! This is the fifth time one of my books has been nominated for a Scribe Award. My novelization of the Mutant Chronicles movie actually won an award back in 2009.
Here’s hoping Halo: New Blood has a chance this year. It’s up against some stiff competition in the Original Novel – Speculative category though, including a Deadlands novel by my friend Jonathan Maberry and another Halo novel by my longtime pal Troy Denning.
See below for the full list of categories and nominees. I’m thrilled to see so many talented friends have their work recognized by the IAMTW.
Congrats to all the authors, and huge thanks to the judging committee which does a ton of wonderful work to make this all happen!
The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers is pleased to announce the Scribe Award Nominees for 2016.
Acknowledging excellence in this very competitive field, the IAMTW’s Scribe Awards honor licensed works that tie in with other media such as television, movies, gaming, or comic books. They include original works set in established universes, and adaptations of stories that have appeared in other formats and that cross all genres. Tie-in works run the gamut from westerns to mysteries to procedurals, from science fiction to fantasy to horror, from action and adventure to superheroes. HALO, Elementary, 24, Star Trek, Mike Hammer, Star Wars, Shadowrun, Doctor Who: these represent just a few.
The Scribe Award winners will be announced at ComicCon San Diego in July. The exact day, time and location of the Scribes Panel including the award ceremony will be announced shortly.
IAMTW thanks everyone who sent entries, all wonderful, for consideration. Congratulations to the following nominees:
This Thursday, April 14, starting at 6 PM, I’ll be at the Beloit Public Library to talk about my work and to sign my latest book, Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger. This marks the public debut of the book for me, and the first opportunity anyone will have to get a signed copy.
Library staff will have copies on hand for sale, and I hear we may have a trivia contest with exclusive Marvel bookmarks for prizes.
You’re not obliged to buy anything, of course. Feel free to just show up and chat with about Marvel comics, my Halo novel, or anything else I’ve worked on. Hope to see you there!
Hey, this is a crazy time of year for lots of us. Finding receipts. Entering numbers. Adding it all up to see if you owe something or have a refund coming your way. You know what I’m talking about.
Tax time.
My pal Brad Beaulieu came up with an idea for a way to alleviate some of your tax-time frustration and boredom: Great books cheap. Sounds like a winner, right?
Then he asked a bunch of his friends–well, eight of us–to join in on the fun. The list includes Brad, Gwenda Bond, Jeff Carlson, Brian McClellan, Michael J. Sullivan, Martha Wells, Chuck Wendig, and me.
From April 12th — 16th, you can get any of the 21 books the participating authors are offering at steep discounts, some at up to 70% off! A few of our books are even FREE!
Here’s a rundown of what everyone’s offering:
That’s a virtual wheelbarrow full of reading for you, all at great prices. If you spot something you like, be sure and grab them fast. The sale ends on April 16.
If you know anyone who might like to take advantage of these great deals before they’re gone, do everyone a favor and pass along the word on Twitter, Facebook, or the social media of your choice. You could even do it in person! Thanks!
My latest book, Marvel’s Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger, hits shelves today. This is a gorgeous coffee-table book featuring illustrations from dozens of fantastic artists, and it covers all 75 years of Captain America’s history, from World War II all the way up to today.
I was the lead writer on this, but I had a lot of help from Dan Wallace and Alan Cowsill as well. Big thanks also go to my editors–Elizabeth Dowsett, Tori Kosara, Kate Berens, and Kath Hill–who kept all of us on track throughout a tight project. Thanks too are due to Rob Perry, Simon Murrell, and Mark Richards, who handled the book’s glorious design. Cap’s never looked better.
I also want to thank Stan Lee for writing a foreword to the book. When I was a kid growing up and reading Stan’s comics, I never would have dreamed I’d be so honored.
DK’s sending me on a mini-tour to help promote the book next month, so if you’re in Milwaukee, Chicago, or Minneapolis, you should have the chance to grab an autographed copy soon. I’ll also be signing books at the Beloit Public Library at 6 PM on April 14. Otherwise, you have no reason to wait. Go on out and grab yourself a copy now!
Thanks for your support!
If you’re a tabletop gaming professional and would like to a featured presenter for the Industry Insider track at Gen Con–hands down, my favorite event of the year–applications for that are now open. You need to register with Gen Con to even be able to read that page, though, so let me copy and paste the high points for you below. See the actual page for the full details, and check out the Industry Insider FAQ (PDF) too.
What is the Industry Insider Program?
Gen Con’s Industry Insider program is first and foremost a program based around all things gaming related. It consists of a curated tract of events made up of seminars, panels, and workshops that are suggested and hosted by industry insiders themselves, events which are then highlighted by Gen Con. Each year the topics/events differ as the industry insiders’ change, but they always remain based around games.What Do You Look For In a Featured Presenter?
Gen Con strives to bring as much diversity to the Industry Insider program as we can, and so we want people from all backgrounds and understandings to submit to be a featured presenter. The advisory panel makes an effort to reach out to individuals not only for specific event types but who also represent different experiences. However, we are limited to who and what is submitted each year for event programming and the featured presenter list. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to submit. If you know someone who would make a good fit, please encourage them as well.What is Required of an Industry Insider Featured Presenter?
Industry Insider Featured Presenters must attend Gen Con and are asked to …
- Participate in 3-5 seminars/panels over the course of the four days; flexibility is key.
- Submit topics you are interested in and would like to host at the show.
What do Industry Insider Featured Presenters Get In Return?
Gen Con offers the following …
- A complimentary “Industry Insider” badge (good for all fours days of the show)
- Highlight, including a picture and bio, on our website and in a dedicated section of the program book
- A hotel code that allows access to an exclusive block of “self-pay” rooms just for Industry Insider Featured Presenters (you are responsible for acquiring your room and covering the costs)
- Access to the VIG Lounge located in the Convention Center. The VIG Lounge offers relaxed seating areas, free Wi-Fi, and complementary drinks among other things.
- Early access to the Exhibit Hall on Thursday morning
Key Industry Insider Dates/Deadlines
Featured Presenter Submission Period March 18 — April 11 Advisory Panel: Presenter & Topic Review/Selection April 11 – May 9 Featured Presenter Notification On/Around May 2 Picture Deadline May 9 Featured Presenters: Topic Review May 9 – 16 Event Registration Opens May 15
So, what are you waiting for? If you’re qualified, go apply, and please spread the word to anyone you think might make for a good fit. I’m on the selection committee, along with Nicole Lindroos and Ajit George, and I love seeing lots of great applicants.
Thanks, and good luck!
To promote the launch of Marvel’s Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger next month, DK is sending me on a regional book tour. It includes stops in Beloit (my hometown), Milwaukee, Naperville, and Minneapolis, and it includes school visits as well as libraries and bookstores.
Details below, and I’ll update them on my Appearances page as we get closer to the events. If you’re within easy striking distance one of those areas, be sure to save the appropriate date!
DK is also bringing me out to Comic-Con International in San Diego this summer, for the second year in a row. It’s always a fantastic time, and I hope to see lots of you out there as well. Meanwhile, keep your eye out for my Captain America book, which debuts April 5.
Beloit, WI. April 14, 6 PM.
To celebrate the release of Marvel’s Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger I’ll be appearing at my local library to talk about the book, what I do for a living, and answer questions. Drop in to say hi, purchase a book, and have it me sign it for you.
Shorewood, WI. May 4, 6:30 PM.
This is the launch of my mini-book tour for my Captain America book. According to the Shorewood Library website:
Meet Matt Forbeck, the author of CAPTAIN AMERICA: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE FIRST AVENGER. Test your Captain America expertise with a super-heroic trivia contest. Wear a costume if you’d like.
Boswell Books will be there too, selling copies of the book.
Milwaukee, WI. May 5, TBA.
I’ll be visiting some Milwaukee public schools during the day, and then I’m off to the Bay View branch of the Milwaukee Public Library that evening to sign more books. Boswell Books will be there again, selling copies of the book.
Naperville, IL. May 7. TBA.
On Free Comic Book Day, I’ll be at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois, signing copies of my Captain America book or anything else I’ve worked on.
Minneapolis, MN. May 21, 1 PM.
As part of Children’s Book Week, I’ll be signing my Captain America book at Wild Rumpus. According to their website:
Calling all superheros and superhero fans! Come to Wild Rumpus on Saturday, May 21st at 1PM to celebrate the first ever Superhero Day! We’ll have activities, giveaways, prizes and more. Marvel expert Matt Forbeck, author of the new book Marvel’s Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger, will be on the scene to quiz you on your superhero trivia knowledge.
Anyone who comes in a superhero costume will get a prize! It’s going to be a SUPER day.
It’s finally here! Today, Halo: New Blood finally hits actual, physical shelves in a snazzy print edition.
The book originally came out about a year ago, but only in ebook and audiobook formats. It’s gotten rave reviews, but the biggest complaint some readers had about it was that they couldn’t hold a copy in their eager hands.
The wait for that is finally over. If you’re one of those stalwart souls who refused to grab an ebook or audiobook – or even if you just want to finally cradle a copy in your fingers – go hit up your favorite bookseller and grab one for you.
As a special bonus, I wrote a short coda to the original story – an additional five-page chapter that helps solidify the bridge between the book and Halo 5. Writing it brought me right back to when I first finished the book and reminded me just how much fun I had with it.
Don’t skip to the end, though, just because of that extra special bit. Read the whole thing in order to make sure it hits you in just the right way.
Oh, and thanks so much for being so patient! I hope you enjoy it!