Comic Books Value

Comic Books Value
By Robert Grazian

You might be sitting on a treasure chest without even knowing it. Almost everybody read comic when they were young, so you probably did, too. Some people have the foresight to keep those comics, and they are reaping the benefits now, because comic books value is always unpredictable, and the lucky ones find that they have ones which have extremely desirable comic books value.

There are many factors that decide a comic book’s value. Let us take a look at a few.

1. Condition: The condition the comic book is in is important. This is classified under a lot of headings, from mint, which is the best condition the comic book can possibly be, to poor. Realistically, you can expect most comic books to be anywhere from good to fine, with fine being a grade higher than very good. However, keep in mind that even if the rest of the comic is in great condition, if the cover is missing, the book’s value will come down considerably.

a. Is the cover still on the comic book, first, and if it is, is it on good condition? This is the single most important factor as far as the comic’s condition is concerned.

b. Are there any creases? The less noticeable creases there are, the higher your comic book will be priced.

c. Is the spine in good condition? This is another important consideration. You will start wishing you had never folded it back when you were reading it!

d. Are the staples rusted or discoloured? This is another important factor that decides how your comic book will be priced.

e. Are there any stains? Any kind of stain will lower the price of your comic.

f. Is anything torn, especially the corners? Or are they bent? If they are, obviously the value will go down.

g. Comic books value also depend on whether there are any pages missing. In short, you cannot expect much if the books are almost falling apart.

2. Rarity: As common sense dictates, the rarer the comic is, the higher its value will be. However, here, again, you have to have the cover of the comic to get a good price for it.

3. Popularity: The popularity of the comic in general is a question here. A rare edition of a Batman comic, for example, will fetch a much better price than a comic that is not that popular. Here, again, though, the way you market your comic books can make a lot of difference. There are plenty of collectors who specifically want out of the way comics, so you have to find these buyers if you want a good price for these comics.

If after reading that list, you think you might have something, get a professional to set the comic books value, and you will be all set.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about comic books value visit Comic Book Collectibles for current articles and discussions.

Paranormal

• Active-Stream: The Story Tellers
  - A collection of short stories and essays focusing upon the paranormal
  phenomena.
• Archive X - A collection of over
  1600 paranormal stories. Categories include: near death and out of body
  experiences, angel, ghost, and channeling stories.
• The Buckingham Palace
  Ley Line - An interactive tour of the ley line running through
  Buckingham Palace, London, England.
• Clairvoyancy and the Paranormal
  - Devoted to all aspects of the paranormal. Free psychic chat. Online
  awareness and meditation classes, message boards, pictures of orbs, ghosts,
  spirits, hauntings and poltergiests as well as scrolling UK news.
• Darkened Chronicles
  - Dedicated to the paranormal with information on auras, ESP, and encounters
  with the unknown. Also includes poems, stories, a forum, and a chat room.
• Ellis C Taylor -
  Investigates and highlights sinister occult aspects to serious crimes and
  events around the world. Other specialty subjects include UFOs and the
  unexplained, predictions, animal welfare and conspiracies.
• InnerSanctum6 - Self help
  mind test for mystical experiences, near death, alien abduction, psychic,
  haunting, out-of body uncovered and verified by neuroscience mind test.
• The Lone Conspirators -
  Includes conspiracy theories, UFOs, aliens, ghosts and other paranormal
  topics.
• Mysterious Britain -
  Growing resource highlighting the ghosts, legends, folklore, and paranormal
  mysteries within the British Isles.
• Mysterious Reality -
  Paranormal, unexplained and strange phenomena.
• Mystical Blaze - Dealing with
  the exploration of paranormal topics, including ghosts, psychics, afterlife,
  and UFO’s.
• Myth and Mystery Code10
  - A eclectic selection of various paranormal and mythological themes.
  Includes articles, book reviews and links.
• Paranormal Place -
  Dedicated to the search and study of vortexes, parallel universes, UFOs, and
  otherworldly things that go bump in the night.
• Paranormal.com - Information,
  discussions, books and links.
• Project X - An on-line spiritual
  community that shares personal supernatural experiences.
• Seekers - A wide variety of
  paranormal topics in article form.
• The Shadowlands:
  Mysteries and the Unexplained - Numerous areas of the supernatural world
  are covered in detail. Topics range from Bigfoot to the Jersey Devil, to sea
  serpents and lake monsters, to Spring Heeled Jack.
• Spirit Home - An
  eye on the paranormal offers information about mysterious secrets and
  phenomena.
• Subconscious
  Perception - Submit, share and view great stories, dreams and
  experiences.
• Under the Bridge - Stories
  of the Paranormal - A collection of reader-submitted stories of
  encounters with ghosts, mysterious creatures, UFOs, psychic powers and other
  paranormal or strange phenomena.

• All Destiny - Online magazine
  for supernatural and new age subjects. Articles and stories are updated
  bi-monthly, with sci-fi news monthly and horoscopes weekly.
• The Anomalist - A print and web
  journal exploring the paranormal.
• Awareness
  and Intuition - Overview of intuition, definition of various types such
  as clairvoyance and clairaudience.
• Bite Me Magazine - How to
  become a werewolf, and what it’s like to be bitten by a vampire.
• The Crystal
  Star - New Age site covering subjects such as aromatherapy, astrology,
  books, crystals, healing, ley lines, past lives, runes, and tarot.
• Expansions - Ezine
  covering a wide variety of topics, from religious issues, to psi, to
  chakras.
• From Beyond - A curious collection
  of uncanny occurrences. Articles and links.
• Ghost!Magazine - Each issue
  features articles for the ghost researcher, enthusiast, or the adventurous.
  Highly haunted bed and breakfasts from around the world are profiled,
  discounts offered.
• Ghosts and
  Hauntings Magazine - Investigates and reports on ghosts, legends,
  folklore and UFO’s. Includes a subscription form.
• The Haunted Island: The LIGH
  Newsletter - A quarterly free online based newsletter with articles
  ranging from personal hauntings to movie, book, and website reviews.
• ITC Journal - Journal on
  instrumental transcommunication.
• Light Technology Publishing - The
  home of Sedona Journal of Emergence, and also publishes channeled books
  about crop circles, UFOs and ETs.
• Mysterious America -
  Home page of Alternate Perceptions Magazine online. UFOs, paranormal
  investigations, archaeological anomalies, and monthly news.
• Mystery Magazine - E-zine
  covering paranormal mystery investigations. Includes feature sections on
  mysteries and haunted places in Britain, as well as newsletter and
  discussion forum.
• Narratives of the Weird - True
  stories of the paranormal. Includes stories about ghosts, UFO’s, angels and
  other unusual things.
• The New Enlightenment -
  Quarterly E-Zine of metaphysics, cinema, literature, politics, humor, and
  ecology.
• Occult World Ledger -
  Reviews and rates books on occult/wicca/paranormal topics. Accepts
  submissions. Occult search engine, webrings, links. Occult webmaster
  resources. Updated bi-weekly.
• The Open Line News - A newsletter
  including the Sciences with inside information about what is going on within
  the hard Sciences and the Spiritual Sciences.
• Paranormal - Professor
  Fringe’s site of the paranormal. Photos, articles, stories and paranormal
  news on many fringe subjects.
• Para-normal.com - Daily
  updated news, video downloads, extensive gallery and large community.
• Power
  of the Mind Magazine - The online magazine devoted to bringing you the
  truth about human existence, our place in the universe and our relationship
  with intelligent extraterrestrial species.
• Psychic Journal - Weekly
  magazine with articles and features about psychics, readings, tarot cards,
  and all topics paranormal. Available by free subscription. Hundreds of
  articles of interest.
• Science
  Frontiers Digest of Scientific Anomalies - E-zine featuring a wide array
  of both articles and links to mysterious pheneomena.
• The Skeptic Magazine - An
  alternative look at paranormal phenomena.
• Spirit-Quest E-Zine And Community
  - E-Zine and member based forum focusing on a multitude of new age,
  spiritual and paranormal topics. Members can create online journals, and
  showcase writings and artwork. E-Zine is published once monthly.
• STRANGE Magazine - Print
  magazine published twice yearly.
• Transcommunication - A
  journal of research on instrumental transcommunication (ITC).
• Urban Legends - Urban
  Legends - incorporating myths, ghosts, horror, UFOs
• Weird World Magazine
  - Current events dealing with the strange and paranormal. All stories of
  recent anomalies and general weirdness.
• X-Project Paranormal Magazine
  - A weekly investigation into paranormal phenomena and Fortean events.
• Zerotime Paranormal - Paranormal
  online free magazine. Tons of free information, articles, links and stories.
  Ghosts, Hauntings, UFOs, and Vampires.

• Adrian Antonovici
  - Romanian parapsychologist specializing in astrology, white magic,
  energetics, divination, numerology, tarot, paranormal, and occult.
• Aha! - Synchronicity
  Central - Written logs of coincidences, synchronicities, premonitions,
  and other unusual phenomena.
• Amazing Brain Music Adventure -
  Information on creativity, intelligence, pleasure, and ESP, including
  techniques for brain self-control by clicking your amygdala forward and
  increasing frontal lobe processes.
• American Association for
  Parapsychology - Seeks to provide a better understanding of the
  scientific basis for extrasensory perception and other psychic phenomena.
• American Society for Psychical Research
  - Founded in 1885, the ASPR supports the scientific investigation of
  extraordinary, or yet unexplained phenomena that have been called psychic or
  paranormal.
• Astral’s Realms -
  A forum dedicated to the exploration of the interaction between philosophy
  and parapsychology. Discussion of historical, practical, and theoretical
  sides to anomolous research especially as it relates to consciousness
  theories.
• Calmer-Karma - Offers
  services including palmistry, rune stone forecasting, dream analysis, tarot
  reading, personal item reading, and hand writing analysis.
• Consciousness Research Laboratory
  - “Conducts scientific research on commonly-reported human experiences
  traditionally called psychic (psi for short). CRL concentrates on controlled
  laboratory studies of mind-matter interaction phenomena, distant healing
  intention, clairvoyance, and precognition.”
• Elfis Network - Portal to Possible
  Paradigms - Multidisciplinary investigation of all aspects of UFOs,
  mind, and parapsychological inquiry.
• Explore
  Parapsychology - Introduction to parapsychology, glossary of terms, an
  on-line psychic experiment, psychic stunts, links, and recommended books.
• A Gypsy Wagon - Psychic
  readings and seance by email, chat, or phone. Includes offers on herbal
  products, amulets, charms, and bracelets.
• ID Communications -
  Offers information on business and lifestyle changes through nonverbal
  communication techniques.
• The Institute of Applied and
  Theoretical Parapsychology. - An accredited seat of learning founded to
  provide recognized accreditation and support for those who have an active
  interest in the psychical field. Includes distance and online learning
  courses and faculty information.
• International Academy of
  Conscientiology - Non-profit research and educational organization that
  studies out-of-body experience (OBE), bioenergy, paranormal phenomena, and
  consciousness development.
• JREF Challenge -
  An offer of $1,000,000 to anyone that can demonstrate paranormal abilities
  under laboratory conditions.
• Keys to Power - Offers a course
  on developing psychic abilities and harnessing the unlimited power of the
  universe.
• Koestler Parapsychology Unit
  - Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh. Information and online
  experiments.
• Magical Concentration by
  Ed Strachar - Books and tapes that teach the power of meditation and
  concentration to stay focused, to enhance mind power, clairvoyance, and
  psychic healing ability.
• Parapsychological Association -
  Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
• 
  Parapsychology by Brian Roesch - Brief information about parapsychology
  and the universities.
• Parapsychology Foundation -
  A not-for-profit grant-making foundation which provides a support for the
  scientific investigation of psychic phenomena. Provides information about
  the organization, publications, grants, and news.
• Pennsylvania State
  University Paranormal Research Society - One of the only
  university-backed paranormal research centers, involving researchers from
  many departments. Studies a wide range of paranormal phenomena, and
  publishes a quarterly magazine.
• Psi Explorer - A multimedia
  site that explores all aspects of scientific parapsychology.
• 
  Psi Research - Links and bibliography about scientific research in
  Parapsychology. Labs, journals, online experiments, discussion groups and
  related subjects are listed.
• 
  PSILAB - Private Virtual Research Laboratory - Online parapsychology and
  astrology experiments. [Available in English and German]
• PSS Paranormal -
  Possible explanations of paranormal events. Includes viewer pictures, FAQs,
  and help sections.
• Remote Viewing
  Discussion Group - A public internet discussion forum on remote viewing.
• Rhine Research Center - Promotes
  research and investigation of paranormal science. Actively seeking accounts
  of paranormal or psychic experiences.
• San Antonio Parapsychological
  Association - For those interested in the study and research of
  anomolous phenomena. Includes meeting times and contact information.
• San Antonio
  Parapsychological Association - Share ideas and news, including upcoming
  experiments, events, and meetings.
• Science of the
  Subjective - Paper by Robert Jahn and Brenda Dunne of PEAR.
• Sean Harribance
  Institute for Parapsychology Research - Papers - Parapsychology papers
  based on studies of the psychic Sean Harribance.
• Society for Psychical Research -
  Founded to advance the understanding of events and abilities commonly
  described as ‘psychic’ or ‘paranormal’. Site includes membership details,
  journal, research directory, notices, conferences, and contact information.
• Southeastern
  Institute of Parapsychology - Investigations and research on the
  paranormal. Includes articles and theories on ghosts, hauntings, psychic
  abilities, and offers certification awards.
• SpiriTech Research and
  Development - Research project to study, define, and analyze spiritual
  gifts, abilities, and psychic powers. Readers can add to the database.
• Stephan A. Schwartz -
  Magazine articles, research papers, and interview transcripts.
• Telepathy, Etc. - A method for
  teaching yourself mental telepathy.
• Three Writers in Search
  of the Paranormal - Review and analysis of three books that purport to
  give an unbiased assessment of paranormal phenomena and psi research.
• The
  Paranormal: the Evidence and its Implications for Consciousness -
  Article by Jessica Utts and Brian D. Josephson discussing the evidence for
  paranormal remote viewing. (April 5, 1996)

• Adrian The Ageing Hippy
  - Full of great stuff for all old hippies, flower-children, drop-outs,
  long-hairs, tree-huggers and hobbit-lovers.
• After Midnight -
  Unique stories of the supernatural.
• Afterlife Files -
  Vision dreamings, where the author was taken by Guides, into the afterlife
  spirit worlds.
• Alien and Paranormal Activity -
  Dedicated to alien activity, paranormal phenomena, UFO sightings, and
  supernatural hauntings submitted by site visitors.
• The Alien Universe
  - Aliens, ghosts, UFOs, spontaneous human combustion and other sundry
  paranormal topics.
• The Art Of Paranormal
  Experience. - A visionary folk art gallery featuring the sketches
  produced by witnesses to such enigmatic, supernatural entities as Bigfoot,
  Chupacabras, Mothman, Dover Demon, MIBs, fairies, demons, various space
  aliens and ghosts.
• Bard of Ely’s Matrix -
  Conspiracy theories, the paranormal, UFOs, and ghosts.
• Bazaar of the Bizarre -
  Unexplained mysteries.
• The Benandanti
  Fellowship - Benandanti leave their bodies at night to struggle with
  Malendanti for the sake of the Harvest and to keep safe the paths of the
  Dead.
• Black Pyramid - Information
  about mystery writers, famous detectives, mysterious places and persons.
• Book of the Unnaturals
  - Hamilton Jackson, Keeper of the Book, is your online guide to tales of the
  paranormal.
• Brian Baker’s Website - The
  official website of newly graduated U of T Student Brian Baker.
• Bridge To The
  Paranormal - Pictures and stories regarding paranormal phenomena.
  Includes books and message board.
• Chillseekers
  - Personal site dedicated to the weird and paranormal.
• Clubalien.com - Message board and
  alien games.
• Consciousness-Centre
  - UK site with three main interests: anomalous lights (UFOs), remote
  viewing, and mandalas.
• The Cosmic I -
  Exploring the paranormal universe, alien spaceship sightings,
  extraterrestrials. Reviews of books and movies related to the psychic and
  spiritual cosmos and related subjects.
• CrypticLink - Offers a
  new way of looking at the UFO phenomenon, as well as interesting topics such
  as Astral projection, Meditation, Qigong, Gung fu, Dreams, Chakra’s and
  Reincarnation.
• Crystallotus.com - Shana’s
  world of Lemuria, chakras, damaru and paranormal insights.
• Dane Spotts - A man ahead of
  his time, Dane invented the Brain Supercharger technology and Zygon’s famous
  Learning Machine. He authored several innovative mind, meditation and
  motivational books plus the ultra meditation audio system.
• The Dark Clouds
  - Paranormal and strange happenings from around the UK Midlands.
• Dark Moon/Two Thirds - Nasa hoaxes,
  Apollo landings faked, Face on Mars, alien intervention.
• Dreaming the Same Dream
  - An Astrological vision of the evolution of mankind in the New Age.
• Eden’s Eve - The Crossroads To all
  Things Paranormal - Maintained by Bobbie J. Pemberton, an ESP
  experiencer/dreamwalker.
• Edge of Mystery -
  Original writing on themes of inter-dimensional existence. Astrology and
  sacred symbolism. Feng shui, alchemy and healing.
• Evil Knows it’s Place -
  Concentrates on evil. Only real life cases are in this site.
• The Forbidden Zone - Various
  paranormal and occult topics, including information concerning a mysterious
  quartz crystal skull.
• Frank’s Page - Information
  on earth wisdom, alternative culture/spirituality, futurism/UFOs,
  quake/climate/space data, philosophy, entertainment, humor, Asheville local
  interests/media.
• Frank’s Page -
  Information on UFOs, philosophy, religion and general esoteric.
• Gagnon’s
  Phenomenons - Extraordinary and eerie events from actual cases the
  webmaster witnessed or investigated.
• Global Revolution -
  Webpage providing information on areas related to the occult such as
  astrology, magick, and astral projection. Writings by the author of the site
  dealing with everything from the occult to politics.
• God, Astrology and the Hollow Earth
  - A synthesis of new age or occult topics and subjects, mainly astrology,
  religion or spirituality, and hollow earth.
• 
  GraceWatcher’s End Time Events Page - This site deals with UFOs, aliens,
  ETs, pyramids, earth changes, spiritual warfare, and how we can live and
  survive the troubling times that are coming.
• Grassy Knoll Theories
  - Humorous look at various paranormal theories.
• Greg311.com - Site containing
  personal views and links on the paranormal.
• The Holy Crypt of
  Divine Interdiction - Resources on religion, faith, and the paranormal.
• The Home Of De Mania
  - Personal data and paranormal subjects.
• Inexplicado
  - The expedient’s X-site.
• Jan and Dano Waiting
  to Ascend - Jan and Dano search for answers to earths most intriguing
  enigmas. From the intangibles of psychic and paranormal, to the phenomena of
  crop circles.
• Jilaen
  Sherwood’s Paranormal Pages - Information about haunted Britain,
  poltergeist experiences, ESP, telepathy and paranormal investigation.
• Jinn Information - Jinn materialize
  as many creatures: UFO, monster, elementals, demons, Ascended Master,
  apparition, doppelganger and angel. They are masters of astral and etheric
  alchemy and create religion and mythology.
• Journey into the
  Unknown - Contains personal paranormal experiences as well as a chance
  for readers to post their own stories.
• J’s
  Paranormal Ponderings - Christian paranormal investigator ponders
  ghosts, hauntings, aliens, vampires.
• Lady Death’s Page of The
  Paranormal and Unexplained - This page contains information on ghosts,
  vampires, and witches.
• Legends of the Shroom -
  Includes articles entitled evolution in progress, chariots of the gods, food
  of the gods and proof of the gods’ existence.
• Life Is So Strange -
  For anyone who is interested in anything weird. Read strange stories about
  ghosts, aliens, and Bigfoot.
• Lightworkers
  Tempel - 2012, ascensions, aliens, and other paranormal topics.
• LoSt MinD -
  For everyone to express, generate their ideas and opinion about everything,
  preferably the paranormal.
• My Dismally Bad
  Luck - Discusses the authors life with bad luck. Discusses evil eye,
  psychic attack, evil spirit. Includes a discussion board.
• My HomeLand -
  Personal discoveries about magic, otherrealm, and past life.
• Mysterious
  World - Offers a journey of unsolved mysteries, ghosts, the supernatural
  and extraterrestrial. Revealing some of the most isolated and mysterious
  enigmas of the mysterious world.
• Occult and Paranormal
  Research - Dealing with occult and paranormal research at Clapham Woods
  and Chactonbury Ring in West Sussex. There are also occasional updates
  regarding more general studies.
• The Other Side
  - Paranormal book reviews, first-hand accounts, and help to those in need of
  spiritual assistance.
• Paranormal Aries -
  Paranormal and art. Contains some information on Atlantis and crop circles.
• The Paranormal Palace -
  Gateway to the Paranormal. Topics include, ufo’s, aliens, abductions,
  psychic abilities, ghosts and cryptozoology.
• Paranormal Stuff -
  Paranormal information, stories, and adventures.
• Past Life Experiences in the Life
  of a Rock Musician - The Stain of Time is a past-life website biography
  exploring past life experiences and rebirth within the life the man who
  fronts the rock band, Nine Inch Nails.
• Peet’s Paranormal Notebook -
  A site devoted to discussion of Belief Systems and all aspects of the
  Paranormal. Fully searchable, with free webmail service.
• Phantom and
  Feathers Realm of Spirits - Paranormal phenomenon, Native American
  Spirituality and personal writings.
• Phenomene Art - A technique
  that uses the cycles of the planets and stars to create a profound and
  meaningful alignment with the forces of one’s life.
• Phenomenon - The
  Mysterious and Unexplained - About mysteries, UFOs, aliens, and lost
  civilizations.
• Post-Fortean Meta-complexity -
  Fiction and nonfiction speculations on the weirder fringes of science and
  culture - chaos theory, UFOs, the paranormal and antigravity, Forteana,
  postmodernism and the New Age.
• Project Lex - Unsolved and/or
  mysterious cases around the world, utilizing newspaper clippings, news
  coverage excerpts, and various other sources.
• Psi Knowledge - Paranormal
  and psychic experiences from the author’s point of view.
• The Psi Report Uk -
  Daphne Plowman collects articles and items of interest for Paranormal and
  Psychical Research in Scotland.
• Psychic
  Angels - Information on all things paranormal, with a focus on psychic
  phenomena.
• Randy Liebeck: Paranormal
  Investigator - Features information on ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists,
  and the investigative methods used by credible researchers.
• The Relativity Theorem
  - Devoted to discovering what lies behind the mysteries of the paranormal,
  and classifying them. Ghosts, U.F.O.s, Telekenisis and other articles.
• Richard Lawrence - Media
  personality specializing in the paranormal, meditation and world healing.
• Runamucks - Gothic theme,
  myths, legends and stories about the paranormal.
• The Search for the Truth
  Within…The Chosen - An archive for the paranormal and spiritual. Part
  of the X-triad, a project for the enlightment of the world to the paranormal
  and spiritual.
• Seeker - Devoted
  to investigating the paranormal. Stories and photos of the spirit realm as
  well as information on the zodiac.
• Selkie Sound - Art and
  literature exploring the spookier side of metaphysics including ghosts and
  divination tools.
• Shadows of the Moon -
  Discussing and investigating paranormal activity and hauntings. Includes
  evidence, how-to’s, do’s and don’ts, and equipment.
• The Site For True
  Paranormal Experience - Info and images of UFO, alien, ghosts, yeit,
  chupacabra, devils, and monsters. Space to enter own personal encounter is
  also provided.
• Six Stories and Poetry
  - Six short tales, each of which has a paranormal aspect, with a theme in
  common. While these little vignettes are based on true events, the author
  has taken liberties with the truth, to protect the real people involved.
• Slate’s Paranormal
  Page - A site for people interested in paranormal events to meet and
  exchange pictures and experiences.
• Solar’s
  Theories - Theories about paranormal and supernatual issues.
• Spectre - Resource center for
  those interested in paranormal happenings. Forums, encyclopedias, true
  stories.
• The Strange and
  Beyond - For strange stories and links to quality paranormal websites.
• Strange Coincidences -
  A place for people to share any extraordinary coincidences or synchronistic
  experiences they may have had.
• Strange Encounters - Articles
  about the paranormal and unexplained, including interviews with writers and
  researchers. Also offers book reviews and paranormal news headlines.
• The
  Sulphur Enigma of Paranormal Visitation - UFOs, the paranormal and
  lightning all have one thing in common: the smell of sulphur. From aliens
  and succubii to Bigfoot and high energy physics.
• Supernatural Happenings
  - About ghosts, psychic phenomena, and other paranormal topics.
• Supernatural Or Natural -
  Information on topics such as demonology, witchcraft, UFOs, and famous
  occult figures.
• The Supernatural Zone -
  Dedicated to the study of the supernatural and the paranormal.
• Surfing the Tao -
  Investigates the paranormal against the backdrop of the wisdom of the most
  ancient and revered sages. Consider UFOs, the pyramids, free energy and
  end-of-the-world scenarios, and discern them from the truth about God.
• UFO Cite - Personal
  paranormal experiences.
• UFO’s, Paranormal, Out
  of Body Experiences - A quick look at personal paranormal experiences
  with links to some top sites on UFOs and paranormal.
• The Ultimate Page To The
  Unexplained - A layman’s guide to the paranormal and the unexplained.
• Ummo - Certified remote viewer and
  explorer of the unexplained.
• Unexplored Worlds
  - Personal site dedicated to the paranormal and related entertainment.
• The University of
  Life - All aspects of the paranormal.
• Unusual Research -
  A variety of articles and links on the author’s exploration of the
  unexplained.
• Weird9 - Aliens,
  UFOs, ghost stories, photos, visions near death, and a webring.
• Welcome To
  All Things Paranormal - True ghost stories and anything paranormal.
• Wilson’s Paranormal
  Page - Me, myself and the Paranormal.
• Winter Steel -
  Paranormal information and stories of the unexplained. UFO’s, pictures,
  ghosts, hauntings and general esoteric.
• Yogi Guru Tadas Home
  - Quest for mind powers and immortality. Articles, books, resources,
  software.

Science Fiction Conventions 101

Science Fiction Conventions 101
By Leslie Halpern

So you want to find out the latest gossip about the next “Star Trek” spin-off television series. You need to debate the overlapping qualities between science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. You’d like to match trivia about the making of the Harry Potter film series. You’re excited about showing off the new Zorro costume you designed and hand-stitched. You can’t wait to “do the time warp again.” It sounds like you’re ready for a sci-fi convention.

You can choose from a large variety of science fiction conventions (either general sci-fi or catering to specific genre such as horror or anime). Nearly every weekend, there’s a convention going on somewhere in the country. The bigger ones offer gaming rooms, panel discussions, special guests, lectures, movie screenings, dances, singing, trivia contests, role playing games, interactive events, Q&A, dealer rooms, auctions, and a con suite (a hospitality room in the hotel or convention center with mingling and munchies). Just check your favorite search engine for “science fiction convention listings” or “sci-fi conventions” to find out some of the available options that suit your schedule and interests.

I’ve attended many conventions in recent years including large events such as Worldcon, Necronomicon, and Megacon. Whether it’s a one-day event or a three-day celebration, here are a few helpful suggestions for newbies attending their first sci-fi convention.

1) Besides the usual items, you might want to pack a costume or two. Some conventions have multiple costumed events (e.g., interactive “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” masquerade party, themed dances). Some attendees dress in one costume for the entire event (Darth Vader, for instance); others dress in different costumes for different events; and some choose to observe rather than participate in costume contests and events. Check the conference schedule for costumed events that interest you and then pack all the accessories (except the weapons) to make the outfit complete. Don’t be too disappointed when someone shows up with a better costume than you!

2) For the packrats out there, bring a tote bag, backpack, purse, or hip bag for carrying essentials like the program guide, camera, notepad, snacks, and freebies (given out at panel discussions or taken from the freebie table at most cons).

3) Wear a watch. Generally events are included on the schedule, but many overlap or run concurrently. Events are scheduled well into the night, so you’ll always need to know what time it is so you won’t miss anything you just have to see. Keep the program guide in a convenient place as you’ll be consulting it often.

4) Bring extra cash, checks, and a credit card for the dealer’s room. Try to support the on-site vendors. The dealers offer unusual sci-fi merchandise and rent the space to be there. Other vendors who rent tables near and around the con area are often panelists and speakers selling their books, magazines, and other merchandise. These vendors typically don’t get paid for attending the convention and offering their expertise during the sessions. Support them as well.

5) If you have a product or service of interest to sci-fi fans, bring your own give-away items (postcards, bookmarks, flyers, magnets, booklets, etc.) for the freebie table.

6) Upon registering at the convention, you’ll be issued a badge. Wear it the entire time you’re there. Even in costume, bring it with you. It’s your security clearance and free admission to everything.

7) If you’re planning on attending the convention simply for the gaming room, you can ignore suggestions 1-5. All you’ll need is a comfortable chair and an extremely large caffeinated drink until you emerge bleary-eyed, days later at the end of the event.

Most importantly at any sci-fi convention, bring a sense of humor. Most of these conventions are run by fans and attended by fans. And don’t forget that “fan” is just a few letters short of “fanatic.”

Copyright 2006 Leslie Halpern

For more movie news visit: http://home.cfl.rr.com/lesliehalpern/leslie_halpern.htm
Central Florida entertainment writer Leslie Halpern wrote the books “Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science” (McFarland & Company), an analysis of representations of sleeping and dreaming in more than 125 science fiction, horror and other movies and “Reel Romance. The Lovers’ Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies” (Taylor Trade Publishing), which reviews date movies and suggests romantic ideas inspired by these films. Both books are available at Amazon.com (Leslie Halpern) and Barnesandnoble.com (Leslie Halpern)

A Look At Science Fiction Books

A Look At Science Fiction Books
By
Morgan Hamilton

Science fiction books have been my favorite reading since my childhood days. I was introduced to the world of science fiction at the good young age of eight, when I was introduced to a science fiction book club. We children enjoyed good time reading classics like ‘The Time Machine’, ‘Invisible Man’, Journey to the Center of the Earth’, and a whole lot of science fiction books. The experience of reading them was so unique that I cant really forget the story line and characters in space operas like ‘Citizen of the Galaxy’ by Robert A. Heinlein, ‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson Scott Card, etc.

I always liked to anticipate the unpredictable, see the future. It is the epic scope of the science fiction books that attracted me. The books of a specific kind called speculative fiction try to tell today what the world looks like tomorrow. Space opera captured my childhood fantasy and still continues to. Whole galaxies lining up for a war, one party to establish supremacy and the other one defending their ground; there is suspense, thriller, unpredictability, and everything you need to unleash your fantasy. Alien races from a different dimension, prophecies, betrayal, love, honor, etc made science fiction books playing with my emotions for many years now.

Many that become sci-fi lovers asked me suggestions on science fiction books. My advice to them is to browse through collections. Science fiction books are the best categorized form of fiction writing. There come dozens of new collections every year. You can find them in different combinations. While making you choice from among the variety of available science fiction books, always make it a practice to skim through the content. At first read excerpts from all science fiction genre, and without much delay you will identify the science fiction books that are really suited for your taste. Just go with your heart – do you find it interesting to read a story? Pick it. Do you find the storyline tough? Drop it. It is that simple to make your choice.

Fantasy books sometimes overlap with science fiction books, although they are always not the same. If you have a taste of fantasy, chances are higher that you have a heart for sci-fi too and vice versa. You can clearly distinguish between fantasy and sci-fi in most cases, but there are no rules to distinguish them. Harry Potter series is pure fantasy while Time Machine is purely sci-fi. Fantasy books come with some magic, supernatural powers etc, while sci-fi characters are made more believable by defining technology, timelines and possibilities and the topics sci-fi writers choose generally will be of interest by common man.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning books. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Science Fiction Books