Hello!
On Wednesday, I saw astronomer, science writer, and Vampires on Mars special guest Phil Plait speak at Boston’s Museum of Science.
He got me FIRED UP, and I knew I had to write about it and share it with you.
Some quick creative updates first:
VAMPIRES ON MARS
Today’s the 4th day of the campaign, and we’re on solid ground at 57% funded (as I write this).
This is going to be a grinding campaign, and that’s okay.
I set the project up to stretch myself and ensure I stay engaged for all 26 days, and that’s what I’ll do.
Luckily, it’s easy to talk about. I wrote the book I wanted to read and created it with people whose work I’d buy in a second.
And YOU get to benefit from my selfishness! 😊
I do want to point out that we only have one more VAMPIRE ASTRONAUT PORTAIT reward available.
So, if you’d like Fernando to immortalize you as an undead space explorer, jump on that soon.
OUTWEIGH THE WORLD
The acoustic rock album I released earlier this year is part of Bandcamp Friday today.
Bandcamp is a music site, and on Bandcamp Fridays, they waive their processing fee and send all the money to the artists.
If you dig the album and would like to own it, head over to Bandcamp, and your support will go a little further today.
You can also check out the album on Apple Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, and pretty much anywhere else you listen to music.
ON MY MIND—PHIL PLAIT
As I mentioned, Phil was in Boston Wednesday to discuss the eclipse at the Museum of Science.
I went because I love his vibe, and I wanted to repay the support he gave me by doing the Vampires on Mars interview.
I walked out on a cloud, ready to take on the world.
Not what I expected going into a science talk.
95% of the evening was what I expected: Phil was smart, funny, engaging, and energetic.
This wasn’t a dry science talk, either. His talent is using science to connect with an audience.
…even if his Pee-wee’s Big Adventure reference was greeted by silence. Seriously, my heart broke watching his heart break as a quote from one of his favorite movies only got a small chuckle response.
But two moments will stick with me and hit me to the core:
At the end of his talk, he mentioned all the citizen science experiments one could do during the eclipse, but this was his final thought (that I hope I paraphrased accurately):
“But I encourage you to do nothing and just experience the eclipse. Understand I’m a scientist saying this—there is something magical about an eclipse, and I encourage you to be in the moment when it happens.”
Again, paraphrased, but you could feel how much he wanted us to appreciate the spectacle. To live in it.
The scientist had stepped back, and Phil put his heart on full display.
It was powerful, honest, passionate, and inspiring.
Later, during the Q&A session, he ended with the questions: When did you become a scientist, and when did you start teaching about science?
His first answer brought such a deeper response than I was expecting. He said he’s always been a scientist because, as a kid, he would get curious about something and want to learn about it.
It was an eye-opening perspective—that you aren’t a scientist because a college or university gives you a piece of paper. You’re a scientist because you act on your curiosity about the world around you.
And when he talked about teaching, once again, his passion and love were front and center.
He has so much love for astronomy and science that he has to share it with others.
When he sees something cool or fascinating, his first impulse is to bring people together so they can experience it as one.
The word that kept coming to mind as he spoke was passion. Raw, beautiful passion.
I saw—hell, I felt—a connection to that passion. I saw a similarity between scientists and artists.
Both paths are built on curiosity and passion.
And for every Stephen King, there are thousands of writers doing their thing because they love it.
And for every Carl Sagan, thousands of astronomers and scientists are doing their thing because they love it.
It’s not a road to riches. Some get lucky, but most are fueled by love, curiosity, and passion.
And while it might look like a dichotomy on paper—the passion-fueled scientist—hearing Phil talk hit me like a ton of bricks: passion is the only path that makes sense.
After the talk, I got a chance to introduce myself to Phil—to put a face to the email exchanges—and he couldn’t have been nicer and more gracious.
It was late in the evening. He’s been traveling a lot. He just wrapped up a two-hour talk. But he still had the energy to engage with a few stragglers.
And when he met a kid who was into science and astronomy? He lit up. He tapped into his reserve and gave those kids a little extra.
If those kids follow their muse into the sciences, Phil’s energy and enthusiasm that night will be a factor, I have no doubt.
And if any part of you loves science or space, I highly recommend his newsletter.
It’s like getting little hits of Phil’s passion and enthusiasm three times a week. Plus, you’ll learn about some incredibly cool things along the way.
So thank you, Phil, for not only fueling my passion for science and space but for giving my creator side a jolt, as well.
HENRY
Couch frisbee is a crowd favorite in the house. Here’s a shot of our furry athlete in action.
Our boi has HOPS!
COOL THINGS TO SUPPORT
This was a busy week for Kickstarter launches, and I’d love to show you two projects grinding alongside Vampires on Mars.
An overprotective father. A defiant daughter. An inevitable rebellion. A new sci-fi/action series begins with this 32-page 1st issue!
A big sci-fi story that’s gonna sneak some parent/child realness in? Sounds great to me! They’re also offering some gorgeous variant covers.
A couple of paragraphs isn’t going to do the story or art justice, so head over to their project and see if it hits you the way it did me.
Every Last One #1 - horror crime series
A supernatural serial killer is on the loose. A rookie detective and a telepath are on the case. Join the hunt.
Every Last One is a 4-issue miniseries that begins with this exclusive first issue. Set in the drab, Gotham-like city of Glasgow, the story follows a brutal case where the impossible becomes possible. A serial killer is on a rampage using powers beyond our understanding.
This is a little bit of X-Files with Ed Brubaker's crime vibe (a VERY good thing) and some Silence of the Lambs thrown in. I very much want to see how all these elements come together!
UNTIL NEXT TIME
I don’t talk about my day job much, but I had a moment that ties in nicely with today’s theme.
I wrote a headline for a thing that I liked but thought it was too real, direct, and honest. Too passionate, really.
I almost didn’t pitch it because I thought it was too much.
My coworkers loved it. And hearing them talk about my line hit me in the feels a bit. Not only did they get it, it fired them up.
It was the cherry on top of Phil and launching Vampires on Mars this week—you’ve got to lead with passion.
It’s scary. Scary as hell. And not everyone’s going to get your passion.
But the ones that do get it? It’ll change ‘em. They’ll start reflecting your passion back to you. And that feedback loop? Man, that’s everything.
I hope you get to indulge and engage a passion this weekend. And boy do I hope you get to share that passion with someone else.
All the best, and we’ll talk soon!
I wanna be George O'Connor when I grow up.