I had no intention of going on a convention world tour this year but that's what is happening!

Tomorrow I fly to Manila, Philippines, for a few days, to sight see and do an all-day cosplay photoshoot with photographer Jay Tablante, then I hop over to Singapore to appear as a Guest at the International Cosplay Day Singapore! A new costume might be unveiled at the event!

Next I come back to Atlanta for Dragoncon (Laborday Weekend), where I will be signing my 2013 calendar at booth G13 in the lowest level dealer hall in the Mariott. Map coming soon! I also will debut a brand new costume during Dragoncon and cosplay ALL WEEKEND long! My favorite con, it's like early Christmas.

A couple of days after Dragoncon I travel to Kassel, Germany for Connich, the largest Japanimation convention in Germany, as an invited panelist and judge for the World Cosplay Summit Preliminaries. I can not wait to see the costumes and skits! Since I grew up in Germany and this will be my first German con, it means a lot to me to be able to attend Connichi.

 

CALL FOR ENTRIES

We are seeking submissions for possible publication in 1000 Incredible Cosplay and Costume Ideas, an upcoming book by Dr. Grymm (Joey Marsocci), Allison DeBlasio and Yaya Han.

Publication date: April 2013

Comic book, Sci-Fi, and Anime conventions have been around since the 1930's. With those conventions come the ultimate fans, those who Cosplay. Joey Marsocci and Allison DeBlasio of Dr. Grymm Laboratories, authors of the immensely popular 1000 Steampunk Creations (Quarry Books, 2011), in collaboration with Internationally acclaimed cosplayer Yaya Han, are putting out a call to artists to submit their most amazing cosplay photographs for compilation into exciting upcoming book.

We are seeking submissions for the following categories:

Anime & Manga	Video Games	Comic books
Television	Movies	Cartoons
Fantasy	Sci-Fi	Original Characters
Props	Burlesque	Historical

We are not just looking for the best in each category, but for unique, dynamic, and high quality photography of characters and props.

All costume and props must belong to the contributor and be their unique work. Photos submitted by the photographer must be submitted along with a model release and the name and country of origin of all subjects. We are looking for sophisticated images to help us elevate the world of cosplay. If you would like to submit photos taken at conventions, please make sure the backgrounds are free of clutter, crowds, and other patrons. We will accept Photoshop effects when appropriate.

TO SUBMIT:

1. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and either include a link to your website/online portfolio for our review, or attach no more than 4 low-res JPEG images of your work (each file should be under 1 MB). Name each attachment with your last name, and the numbers 1-4.

2. If your low-resolution images are provisionally accepted, you will follow the below instructions on how to upload the corresponding high resolution files, and you will be required to fill out a Grant of Rights form allowing the publisher the permission to print your images. At this time, we may invite you to submit an additional 6 high-res images, for a total of no more than 10 photos/costumes entered into the final jurying round.

High Res photo submission guidelines:

1. Any type of costume is welcome!!
2. Submit 1 - 2 photos per costume, up to 10 costume total. It's better to submit too many costumes than not enough..
3. All images must be at least 4.5 x 5.75 inches at 300 dpi (or 1400 x 1750 pixels) - jpeg, tiff files etc.
4. Submit the high res images through the 1000 Incredible Cosplay Ideas Dropbox: https://dropbox.yousendit.com/1000Cosplay
5. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it your image list (keep it simple, list of each file and what the character name and source materials are)
6. Sign/scan/email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it your Grant of rights and Model relase when applicable.THESE WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU VIA EMAIL ALONG WITH YOUR ACCEPTED SUBMISSIONS

3. 1000 images will be selected for publication. If selected, you will not be required to provide any how-to instructions, but you will need to briefly describe your costume.

Published contributors will be credited on the pages where their image(s) appear, as well as in the artist directory. Contributors will also have the opportunity to purchase copies of the book at a 50% discount.

Deadline: AUGUST 31st, 2012. Acceptance begins immediately: early submissions are encouraged.

Personal Statement from Yaya:

Hi everyone! I just would like to re-iterate what a great project this is. Even though there is no monetary compensation, I believe this book is worth being a part of. Why? Because the cosplay scene is growing fast and shifting toward the mainstream. But right now the public media still has huge misconceptions about cosplayers as fetishists, booth babes, and faux geeks.

We need to set the record straight, by giving the mainstream media a collection of incredible costumes that are hand/home made, with passion and creativity. I want to be a part of "1000 Incredible Cosplay and Costume Ideas" because I know it can help non-geeks and mass media understand what WE are all about, and what is means to be a cosplayer. I believe this book can serve as a guideline to Cosplay for many years to come. So please read the guidelines and SUBMIT! Be a part of Cosplay History!"

Sorry for the lack of regular updates, my dear peeps!! It's so much easier for me to throw something up on Facebook and Twitter from my phone while I'm traveling, and boy have I been traveling a lot. Please LIKE my Facebook Page for daily photo updates, and Twitter for daily musings. I am also creating a corset giveaway on Facebook when I reach 50,000 Likes so please support that goal for a chance to win free prints, t-shirts, calendars, posters, cosplay accessories, and a corset made by me!!

I will make a conscious effort to update more often and today am able to show you my new Chun Li costume gallery with lots of photos and construction notes!

All in all, July was a very successful and exhausting month for me, and I am very happy to take today off to veg on the couch, watch Marvel Studios movies on Netflix, and update my website. Anime Expo, San Diego Comic Con and Otakon, one after another with a couple of big photoshoots thrown inbetween. I certainly had my hands full. But I am absolutely happy as a clam, having had the chance to see my far away friends, meet new friends, and cosplay at three of the largest geek-events of the country. Otakon surprised the heck out of me, not just with the success my exhibitor booth had, but also the overwhelming amount of incredibly kind people who came to talk to me, purchase a print and/or calendar, and take a photo with me. I really felt a strong connection with so many of you and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to walk over to my booth and speak to me. Meeting like-minded creative passionate people is my favorite part about cosplaying and conventions.

For now I have a small break at home, but I will not be resting on my laurels. I have lots of new costumes to make for Dragoncon and the International Cosplay Day in Singaore in August! I am traveling to Manila, Philippines, to do an exciting photoshoot with photographer Jay Tablante, then hopping over to Singapore to be a Guest at the ICDS! After my return it's time for my favorite con of the year, Dragoncon, where I will be signing calendars and merchandize at my dealer room booth G13 (in lowest level dealer hall).

 

 

Here it is! My SDCC schedule! Come next week, I'll never stop running lol. I don't have my own booth at Comic Con but will be appearing at various booths all weekend long! CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE!!

Thursday:
I am hosting my Sociology of Cosplay panel for deviantART at noon in Panel Room 2. Wearing Ame-Comi Wonder Woman
Gentle Giant Booth #3513 signing: 2pm - 4pm LIMITED CALENDARS AVAILABLE!! Wearing Amber - Sucker Punch

Friday:
Off site shoot during the day (sorry can't say more)
Anovos booth appearance #832 in the afternoon, around 5pm I hope, wearing Anovos licensed Star Trek TOS dress!

Saturday:
Arkham City Catwoman *NEW COSTUME* in the morning - I am open for photoshoots!!
Gentle Giant Booth #3513 signing: 2pm - 4pm LIMITED CALENDARS AVAILABLE. Wearing Psylocke - X Men (fully remade costume!)
I will also be hanging out at the MARVEL booth as Psylocke, time to be announced

Sunday:
I will re-wear Arkham City Catwoman FOR FUN!

Can't wait to see everyone! It's going to be an insane week. INSANE!!

I can't believe it is that time of year again. July is about to hit me upside the head with Anime Expo, San Diego Comic Con and Otakon. Yes I will be at all three.

Anime Expo is first, and I am flying out on Thursday morning to meet a horde of 40,000+ anime/video game/sci-fi/comic hungry people at a cavernous convention center in downtown Los Angeles. Do I feel prepared? .....Somewhat. I always feel overwhelmed at the thought of AX, but then I remember, I have been going to this con since 1999! And I've done just about everything you can do there, from competing in the Masquerade (costume contest), displaying at the Art Show, selling prints in the Artist Alley, doing photoshoots, giving panels, and exhibiting in the MASSIVE dealer hall. That thought usually makes me excited to get out to AX, which is what I'm feeling now.

So come Friday, you can find me at the YayaHan.com Exhibit Booth #815 at the convention's South Hall. Here is a map of where I'll be - click for larger:

 

I will be doing a panel presentation on Friday, the 29th June: Sociology of Cosplay, 1pm, room #411. If you have always been curious about the unique social structure in Cosplay, stop by and give it a listen, maybe share your experiences too!

Not only will my 2013 calendar be available for perusing, sale and signing, but I have been working my tail off to produce a full stock of my cosplay accessories! I will also have prints, t-shirts and other merch at the table, and of course I will be cosplaying all weekend, so come by and say hi!