Meet Berto the "Writist"

Here is the first introductory video in what I hope to be a long series. Listen to the inspiring words of our creative collaborators, or about their great projects, or...well...this video. Do not be fooled by the few, unique words of this writer. He is actually a very very talented individual. Be sure to check out his epic comic series, Boot Hill. The first issue of Cellar Door contains the story Boot Hill: One Born Every Minute. Be sure to check it out!

The Future is NOW!

Greetings all. Just have to say that just when I think I can't get any more excited about the upcoming book and all the collaborations and projects that are springing up around us (here in Denver and abroad) I reach a new height.

We met some great people and sold some buttons and art at the two most recent cons (first the Supercon video game conference and then Cowtown Indie Comics as mentioned below).

Tonight, though the turnout was slow at first, things built up to a great night at Denver Drink & Draw at Leela's. Thanks to Charlie (of the ever fantastic Indie Spinner Rack podcast) for a fruitful and fun drawing/writing jam! Our prodigal and wonderful friend Kevin returned to our masses! I'm sitting here afterhours with two new friends (and very talented artists) Andy and Fritz.

I'm constantly amazed at how much talent that I've become privy to. I feel like I caught a light through a keyhole then watched the door fall away to a fantastical world in which the horizon keeps growing and growing. (Disclaimer: It is nearly three o' clock in the morning of a rather long day...take that into consideration if you will). If you are reading this rambling blog I'd like to know your feelings on what is to come. Be a part of this movement. Give us your art. Give us your words. Give us your support whether it be simple encouragement (priceless) or financial. Help us make the world a more interesting place.

Thanks for reading this all the way through! More thoughts to come soon I'm sure.

Cowtown!

This Saturday is the Cowtown Alternative Comics Festival hosted by the Tattered Cover in LoDo. There's going to be plenty of great talent there to come and see. There's going to be plenty of great work there to come and purchase and read. Support local and independent art! Come out! Yours Truly will have half a table with author buttons and Cellar Door materials (not the actual book quite yet unfortunately). I'll be right next to the infamous Leila del Duca, art director and creator extraordinaire! Sam Spina will be there too! He drew the flier in this post and a three page comic that will be featured in the anthology.

Don't miss this!

Unraveling

While we are still working hard on getting the first issue of Cellar Door out I'd like to announce the theme for the second book. It will be UNRAVELING (or unmaking if you prefer). Start thinking up stories, poems, comic proposals, visions of standalone art, and the such and we'll be putting together an updated Call for Talent that reflects the theme and a few new ways of doing things (perhaps).

So...think of Things Fall Apart by the wonderful African author Chinua Achebe...think Sweater Song by Weezer...think of crumbling...and unworking...and whatever you need to inspire a piece of work about UNRAVELING!

A Night at Drink & Draw!

Welcome to Leela's European Cafe (or at least a brief video representation)! This is your average Tuesday night for us at Drink & Draw. Many of the artists and writers who are compiling the work in our first issue can be found here though there are some great ones from abroad as well. In the upcoming blogs we'll have bios and interviews from some of these talented individuals. If any of you contributers and future contributors from away would like to send us something to put on here just send it to Cellar.Door.Book@gmail.com.

The JRR Tolkien Button!

This is our button depicting the enchanting JRR Tolkien of Lord of the Rings fame. He holds a special place for the anthology since the title for the book comes from an essay by the brilliant creator of Middle Earth:

"Most English-speaking people, for instance, will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and its spelling). More beautiful than, say, sky, and far more beautiful than beautiful. Well then, in Welsh for mecellar doors are extraordinarily frequent."

Tell us your thoughts and/or experiences with reading Tolkien!

This button was drawn by the wonderful Leila del Duca whose project is listed in the previous post.