Zubby Newsletter #99: January Journeys

Posted by Jim Zub on January 21, 2025 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

I don’t normally send out two newsletters in less than a week but my big announcement about stepping away from teaching after 20 years deserved its own post, so thank you to everyone who reached out with comments and kind messages. It meant a lot to hear from so many of you.

Just to clarify – I’m not retired! I’ve been juggling two full-time careers for a long time and now just get to have one – writing and creative projects. This has been my dream for many years and I’m incredibly excited for 2025 and beyond!

Rest In Peace

*From left to right: Jeff Shanks, John C. Hocking, Howard Andrew Jones, and me.*

Back in October I mentioned that my friend Howard Andrew Jones had been diagnosed with multifocal glioblastoma, an intense brain cancer, and we knew time would be short. I was gutted to hear that he died last week. His friends and family are in mourning and the sword & sorcery genre is more barren for his passing.

I am so thankful for the time spent with Howard at Robert E. Howard Days back in June. Howard, John C. Hocking, and I were thick as thieves during the event, chatting about writing, fandom, and life, and laughing almost the entire time. So much of what we talked about was important then – shaking off rough spots in our careers and celebrating each victory, no matter how small – and those conversations are even more poignant now with his passing.

2025 seems set for challenges and upheaval, but we carry on as best we can.

Every day is precious. Hold your loved ones close and tell them how much they mean to you.

Heroic Signatures Fundraising For Los Angeles

Here’s what Heroic Signatures sent out last week:

LA is far from just being our company’s home. It is where our kids play, where our friends live, and where our dreams have taken root.

As fires ravage our city, we’re inspired by countless Angelenos facing this crisis with remarkable courage from everyday citizens to the LA Fire Department teams working tirelessly on the front lines.

To support our city, we’re donating $10,000 to the LAFD Foundation.

Here’s how you can help too-
For the next three weeks, we’re offering limited-edition prints of Gerardo Zaffino’s stunning tribute art. All profits will be donated to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

Let’s stand together for LA and show the world that our city’s spirit is unbreakable.

With gratitude-
Fredrik Malmberg, Jay Zetterberg, Steve Booth, Marcos Cronander, Mike Pepin, Chris Buterz, Ashley Hodgkins, Shawn Curley, Mei Ng, Lion Martinez, Gerardo Zaffino, Jim Zub, Doug Braithwaite, and Jeff Shanks.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #4 (of 4) – released December 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #17 – released December 11th.

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 TPB – released January 14th.

Conan the Barbarian Vol. 4: Frozen Faith TPB – releases February 18th.

Conan the Barbarian #18 – releases February 19th.

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – releases March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – releases March 19th.

Upcoming Appearances

Feb 6-9, 2025	Mega Con	Orlando, Florida, USA
Feb 21-23, 2025	Fan Expo Vancouver	Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Mar 20-23, 2025	Gary Con XVII	Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK