On December 16th, 1984, an explosion destroyed a Middle-Eastern bioengineering laboratory operated by the government of the Republic of Saradia. The deadly terrorist attack destroyed irreplaceable research and ended dozens of lives.
On that day, Dr. Genichiro Shiragami – a geneticist heading the lab’s experimental botany research team – discovered that his daughter, Erika, was among those killed in the attack.
On that day, a father lost his child.
And his heart would never be the same again…
Season’s greetings, everyone.
Before we jump into this post, I apologize for the incredibly long gap between updates. If you’re a follower of the GNP on social media, you’re likely aware that the project went on a brief hiatus this summer/fall while I navigated some personal struggles. The back half of my year has been incredibly difficult, and at the risk of sounding dramatic, it truly did rob me of any semblance of a creative spark. Typically, writing and art are an effective escape for me, a way to recharge and heal. Sadly, not so these last few months.
That said, while these struggles are still ongoing, I have been gradually working my way back into being creative. And with the year closing out, I knew it was time for me to usher a new GNP short story out into the wild.
Truth be told, this tale is not one I was expecting to tell. It began falling out of my brain and through my fingers several days ago, and I couldn’t stop the flow.
The end result – inspired by work I did several years ago writing the script for an animated Godzilla vs. Biollante fan film that, unfortunately, remains unproduced – is not the happiest of tales. It takes the form of a letter written by a grief-stricken Dr. Shiragami roughly one year after the death of his daughter, Erika. A letter written to his daughter. A letter she will never read.
While the proposed fan film – to have been created by my dear friend “Kaiju” Kim Lacanilao – would have focused on Erika’s perspective as her psyche slowly transforms into something monstrous (a remarkable story I dearly hope Kim gets to tell some day), I instead chose to step behind the eyes of Erika’s father. To lose a child is, perhaps, the greatest, most unspeakable pain a human being can endure. What would this do to a man with Shiragami’s intellect? How would it break him, fracture his heart, and ultimately put him on the path to attempting his daughter’s resurrection five years later?
All interesting questions, and all representing the exact kind of emotional character study the GNP loves to tackle with its short stories. It’s my hope that this raw, devastated deep dive into Shiragami’s grief will not only expand upon one of the Godzilla franchise’s most intriguing and tortured characters, but also articulate – to the best of my ability – how even the strongest of people struggle to process a pain that, tragically, is all too real in our world.
That said, a word of caution: this story – as you can imagine – deals with some very heavy topics. If you’ve ever lived through the death/loss of anyone close to you (be it friend, parent, or child), please use discretion as to whether you should read or not.
The GNP proudly presents… “Missing You” – A Short Story
And with that, the GNP has officially published its last short story of 2025. I will be taking the remainder of the year to breathe, de-stress as best I can, and spend time with my family. I hope to enter the New Year with as much renewed energy as I can muster, because, to put it mildly, I will need that energy for what’s destined to be a packed 2026. Between my Godzilla history book beginning its press/promotion and hitting bookstore shelves, a whole second book I haven’t even announced yet, some exciting collaborations on upcoming kaiju Blu-ray releases, the inevitable wave of G-Fest prep, and some big plans for the GNP (including finishing that Godzilla 1985 short story I promised you), it’s going to be big and very exciting year! I can’t wait to reveal it all to you.
Until then, thank you for being here. Thank you for your patience, your support, and for continuing to believe in me and this project. It means more to me than I can say, and it has been especially uplifting for me over the last few months. I appreciate each and every one of you, and I hope you have a safe, special, and healing holiday season with those you love.
This announcement isn’t strictly related to the Godzilla Novelization Project; it’s not the reveal of a new chapter, nor does it tease an upcoming adaptation. But it’s safe to say that nothing I’m about to reveal would’ve been possible if not for the incredible community that’s formed around the GNP.
Ever since launching this project seven-and-a-half years ago, I’ve been blessed with incredible opportunities to show my love for all things Big-G. Through convention appearances and podcasts, through silly social media posts and, of course, through writing. I’ve gotten to retell my favorite films in prose, explore their stories in unique ways, weave a few original monster tales here and there, and both explore and celebrate the history and meaning of the genre through articles, essays, reviews, retrospectives, and even an audio commentary (with more on the way!). I couldn’t begin to express my gratitude for every amazing bit of it.
And now, close to a decade after starting this journey (and more than two decades since my childhood self was first inspired by the King of the Monsters), my path has led me to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
I had the surreal pleasure of revealing this dream exactly three weeks ago at G-Fest, during the Writer’s Panel on Friday afternoon. I then spent the next three days, 12 hours, seven panels, and two workshops promoting it for the single best crowd I could’ve announced it to. Literally hundreds of people got to hear the news, and now, it’s time all of you did, too…
I’m incredibly excited to officially reveal my new book: “G-Cinema: An Exploration and Celebration of Japan’s Monster King.”
Across its 224 pages (32 of them in full color with images/artifacts scanned from my personal collection), this book seeks to tell the entire story of Godzilla and – through the “Exploration and Celebration” of the title – answer the question of why Godzilla is so enduring, so beloved, and so incredibly special.
Here’s the official synopsis:
He’s iconic. He’s atomic. And at 70 years young, he’s still the King of the Monsters.
Ever since his silver screen debut back in 1954, Godzilla has maintained a mighty hold on the collective imaginations of cinema lovers around the world. Originally conceived as a powerful metaphor for Japan’s fears of nuclear destruction, the character has undergone a complex metamorphosis over an incredible seven decades and more than three dozen films. From allegory to superhero, from atom-age menace to children’s matinee star, from arthouse to grindhouse and back again, Godzilla has survived by adapting and reacting to the changing cultures and generational expectations of the countries – and the filmmakers – that bring him to life.
In this exploration and celebration of Godzilla’s first 70 years, the full story of Japan’s kaiju icon is revealed through detailed histories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, cultural connections, and contextualizing thematic analyses. Beginning with his postwar origins and continuing through his many rises, falls, revitalizations, and reinterpretations, this comprehensive companion to the Godzilla franchise seeks to place the character in his proper historical perspective and, by doing so, shed light on the depth, the flexibility, and the fun that’s kept him relevant and beloved for generations.
The book is being published through the amazing folks at Fonthill Media, who will distribute it in both the United Kingdom and the United States. I owe them more than I could possibly put into words for allowing me to go on this journey, and I thank them dearly for giving this book a home.
There’s so much more to talk about regarding this book, but for now, mark your calendars… because “G-Cinema” is coming to bookstores (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.) in February 2026!
(Preorders will be opening soon, so keep your eye on the GNP’s social media – and this page on the website – for links when they become available.)
As I said above, I owe so, so much to the amazing readers who’ve supported the GNP for all these years. You’ve allowed me to celebrate Godzilla in ways my childhood self never would’ve thought possible, and now, in seven months’ time, my ultimate celebration of the franchise will be appearing on bookstore shelves. It’s surreal and humbling to even contemplate, and I have to keep reminding myself that it’s real. But real it is, and for making it possible, I thank you so very, very much. I hope you enjoy the book when it releases!
Until next time, please stay happy, stay safe, and stay kind.
My G-Fest in a nutshell: my program book, my name tag, and… something else…
Greetings, cool people!
July is rapidly winding to a close, which means this year’s annual G-Fest convention is now in the rearview mirror. It’s amazing how quickly these weekends seem to sneak up with each passing year, and even more shocking how rapidly they pass.
2025’s G-Fest was a big deal in a multitude of ways. The convention celebrated its 30th year, Tsuburaya Productions officially brought Ultraman (and a few of his monster/alien cohorts) to participate in the festivities, and it felt like the list of special guests was twice as long as it usually is. Also, while I don’t currently have the numbers to confirm this, I have a sneaking suspicion this was yet another record-breaking year in terms of attendance. It’s wild how big this con has gotten, and if you were there this year, I’m sure you could feel that bigness. From the packed rooms and expanded footprint across the Hyatt Regency to the fully decked-out main panel room (complete with concert-style lighting, mics, and even a producers booth in the back to keep it all running like a well-oiled mech), everything about G-Fest XXX just felt… big. Legitimate. Maybe even… fancy.
And somewhere in the middle of all that madness was li’l ol’ me.
This year’s G-Fest was certainly an epic event in general, but it has also gone down as easily my busiest, most hectic G-Fest yet. Over the course of four days, I (no joke) co-hosted 12 hours worth of programming across seven panels and a duo of two-hour workshops between Friday and Sunday, talked with countless amazing people, watched five films on the big screen, ate at the same restaurant four times, slept very, very little, drove 10 hours, and made one exceptionally BIG announcement…
Needless to say, by the time it was all over, I was exhausted down to my bones. But through it all, I was, and remain, incredibly fulfilled, excited, and endlessly grateful to have been a part of it all.
As is tradition, what follows is my yearly post mortem on the whole crazy affair, complete with reflections, insights, lots of gratitude, and some fun pictures. So, get cozy and grab your popcorn, because it’s time get this story told…
G-Fest ho! Baragon is dutifully buckled in and ready for the drive to Chicago. (He and his buddy Frankie were conscripted as props for the Frankenstein Conquers the World panel, but alas, only Baragon got to enjoy the trip from outside my suitcase. Sorry, Frankie.
G-Fest XXX kicked off the same way my G-Fests usually do: with a five-hour drive from Ohio to Chicago. Well, kinda. Owing to both an early departure and what I can only assume was divine providence, my trip was barely four-and-a-half hours, during which time traffic was almost supernaturally cooperative. I even got through the infamously congested Chicago Loop – the stretch of highway where timely commutes go to die – in about seven minutes without stopping once. Not a bad start!
Next came the traditional “double-double-bill” film screenings at the gorgeous Pickwick Theater. This year was a real treat, with the first double feature being a G-Fest premier of Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965) and War of the Gargantuas (1966), and the second being two Big-G birthday bashes: Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (now 30 years old) and Terror of Mechagodzilla (now 50). Seeing Godzilla and his monstrous ilk at the Pickwick is always a mixed blessing: the opportunity to see these films in the format they were created for – particularly the Showa-era films in their glorious TohoScope – is always a treat, as is seeing said films in the company of friends, but the rowdiness of the con crowd often make these viewings a frustrating experience. I don’t care how many times a particular viewer has seen Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, or if they think their God’s gift to comedy… when Godzilla Junior is murdered, you don’t. friggin’. cheer. (Yes, this really happened.) It was embarrassing and disrespectful, and incidents like this really make me consider saving my money and avoiding the Pickwick every July.
The Pickwick lineup! I managed to see all but one of the films being shown. Not too shabby!
Thursday evening ended with the Hyatt Regency’s security system malfunctioning, resulting in a long line of cars stuck in front of the gate waiting to enter as a thunderstorm shot streaks of lightening across the sky. After an hour or so of waiting and wetness, the issue was fixed and we were finally let back in, where I spent a few hours in the lobby assisting with some prep for the following day’s panels.
And ooooooh boy, did I ever have panels the next day. Of Friday’s seven hours of programing between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, I was involved with five of them (four of which were consecutive). I was excited and grateful to do it, and even more grateful that several of these panels were the result of invites from folks who wanted me to join… but it was a lot.
A duo of gorgeous Godzilla statues based on his Minus One look stood vigil in front of the glass doors leading into the lobby on the first floor. Sadly, by the end of the weekend, one of them was missing an entire arm and several fingers on the hand that hadn’t been snapped off. Classy.
First up at 11:00 AM, I joined my good friend Elijah Thomas of the Kaiju Conversation podcast for a deep-dive discussion on the kaiju filmography of Shinpei Hayashiya. The unique mind behind Gamera 4: Truth and the Deep Sea Monster Raiga trilogy has long been a source of inspiration and entertainment for me, and that passion culminated last year when Elijah and I got to host the audio commentary for the SRS Cinema Blu-ray release of Hayashiya-san’s War of the Ninja Monsters: Jaron vs. Goura. (You can snag a copy here if you’d like to hear it!) This year, we were determined to celebrate him and his films for the G-Fest crowd.
The panel went great, highlighted by some prize giveaways courtesy of our partners at SRS, a special video introduction filmed by Hayashiya-san specifically for the panel, and a magical moment where the entire room stood and cheered, creating a 60-second standing ovation that Elijah filmed and sent to Hayashiya-san. I hope seeing all that joy and support showed him how beloved he is by U.S. fans.
After a quick snack break, I ran downstairs to take part in the yearly Kaiju Writers Panel. Several years back, I co-inherited this panel from its founder, kaiju author Neil Reibe, and it’s been my genuine honor to participate in, and help run, this event at every G-Fest since. This year’s gathering of monster wordsmiths was stacked with talent: writer/poet Donny Winter (who was part of the Eisner Award-winning team behind IDW’s “Godzilla 70th Anniversary” anthology comic), the aforementioned Neil Riebe (longtime G-Fan contributor and author of “I Shall Not Mate” and other kaiju novels), John LeMay (the mad genius behind the “Lost Films” book series and literally dozens of kaiju reference tomes), Christofer Nigro (the purveyor of the amazing Wild Hunt Press), and Nathan Marchand (a guy who hosts podcasts, writes books, acts in audio dramas, and has interesting taste in hats). For two hours, we answered questions, offered advice, provided feedback, and nerded out with a room full of aspiring writers, all of whom came extra-curious and eager to hone their craft!
This particular Writers Panel was particularly unique, as it was not only double the typical length, but also a lead-in to a full-on G-Fest Writer’s Workshop on Saturday. This proved a double-edged sword for the panel; while it was amazing to have the extra time for more questions, its association with the workshop led to the con stuffing the event into a tiny room in the basement. In years prior, the Writers Panel was held in one of the main ballrooms, allowing for larger crowds and greater exposure. Last year, nearly 100 participants joined the fun. This year, the shoebox dimensions of the basement room held barely more than 30 people. It was a massive downgrade, and Neil spent the better part of Thursday night and Friday morning scrambling to add extra tables for the hosts and as many seats as possible for the participants. Yikes.
Despite the cramped conditions and the out-of-the-way location of the panel, we made it work, and the turnout was still solid. This panel was also the most personally significant event of the weekend for me, for reasons that I’ll circle back to in a bit… (I know, I’m such a tease!)
No sooner had the Writers Panel concluded than I found myself racing to my third panel of the day: a 30th anniversary celebration of Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. This panel was a last-minute addition to my already hectic day; due to a schedule change, it became necessary to slot a panel into the 3:00 PM time slot, and Destoroyah was the lucky pick! Nick Crispino, Billy Dubose, and yours truly spent about 50 minutes looking back on the emotional bookend to the Heisei era by exploring its history, its deeper themes, and its special place within the franchise three decades after its release. Nick even shared some amazing photos he’d taken at the recent Destoroyah retrospective event in Japan, which included some astonishing props and suits from the film!
Once that wrapped up, it was off to another ballroom for another panel. (I’m truly not sure how I could see straight at this point.) But gosh darn it, Gamera was having a big birthday celebration, and I wasn’t gonna let the titanic terrapin down! The 60 Years of Gamera panel ended up being a highlight of the weekend; Nick Huber, Nathan Marchand, Elijah Thomas, and myself did our darndest to help the beloved turtle titan ring in his big 6-0 in style, and lots of folks came up to us to say we did a good job. If you were one of them, I thank you!
Co-hosting the Gamera 60th anniversary panel on G-Fest’s fancy-dancy Sessions 1 stage. Photo by Damon Noyes.
The view from the stage just before showtime. It’s funny… put me in front of a meeting room at my job with, like, 20 people to do a presentation, and it’s heart palpitation central. Put me in a giant ballroom with upwards of 100 people, professional lighting, hot mics, and cameras rolling, and I feel not an iota of stage fright. Make it make sense…
The Gamera Gang, chilling post-panel. (If you’ve never seen me before, I’m the nerdy looking one in this pic. Hope that helps!) Photo by Damon Noyes.
The hours following the Gamera panel were spent in a flurry of conversations with GNP readers, panel attendees, and dear friends who only cross my path this one weekend out of the year. After a refreshing cheeseburger at the the Red Bar (the Hyatt’s bougie built-in restaurant), it was time to settle in for the con’s traditional Opening Ceremonies. While previous years have included extensive video content (a tearful “in memorium” video honoring kaiju alumni who’ve passed away in the 12 months between cons, kaiju movie trailers, the latest Dojo Studios fan film shot during the previous G-Fest), this year’s ceremonies were rather truncated. After the incredible folks who run the show introduced themselves and the special guests got a moment to greet their fans, a video played showcasing each of the guests, and then… that was it. Very strange, but just as well, as I was aching to lie the heck down after my obscenely long day. Of course, that meant skipping Godzilla vs. Megaguirus at the Pickwick, but my eyelids were simply not having it. And in matters like this, my eyelids typically get the final say.
See what I mean about the Sessions 1 ballroom? This space was bonkers, man.
The Opening Ceremonies lookin’ legit. From the spotlights and professional lighting rig to the starry background and G-Fantis suit, this is a monumental leap forward for the con and its visual style.
After a not-so-refreshing night of sleep (why my body kept waking me up at 6:00 AM the whole weekend, regardless of when I’d fallen asleep, is beyond me), my day kicked off with the first of two sessions for G-Fest’s inaugural Writer’s Workshop. For me, this was the absolute highlight of all the programing I co-ran, and a delight through and through. This workshop was something of a grand experiment; while G-Fest has had rooms for modeling, drawing, gaming, indie film screenings, and much more, there has never been a place for aspiring writers to congregate and get hands-on experience crafting stories under the guidance of established writers/authors. The two-part workshop was designed to fill this void and become a safe, supportive, and inspiring space where writers could come together to learn, to share their passion, and most importantly, to create!
And I’ve gotta say… mission accomplished! During the first session, attendees sat and wrote a piece of kaiju flash fiction, and during the second session, those stories were read aloud for critiquing/feedback. It was all hands on deck as Donny Winter, John LeMay, Nathan Marchand, Neil Riebe, Christofer Nigro, and yours truly answered questions, offered suggestions, helped research, and – during the second session – split the packed room into small breakout groups to share our stories.
The sheer amount of raw, impactful, and pure creativity I witnessed in my group was deeply wonderful. Everyone’s stories were special, ranging from fan fictions with familiar characters to entire worlds with original monsters to populate them. Seeing the excitement, joy, and bravery (it takes guts to write a story in two hours and then read it out loud to a circle of strangers!) in the group was legitimately inspiring, and a good, energizing time was had by all.
If you were a participant in the workshop, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of it. Your creativity and passion blew me away, and it was a privilege to be in the presence of such enthusiasm and talent. I hope to see your stories grow and evolve alongside your skills, and I’ll be looking for your names on the shelves of my local Barnes & Noble some day!
(Also, the feedback from attendees was glowingly positive, and I’d be shocked if this workshop doesn’t happen again next year. With any luck, they’ll put us in a bigger room next time!)
The three-hour gap between the two workshop sessions afforded me just enough time to do something I hadn’t had a chance to do the day before: enter the hallowed halls of the G-Fest Dealers Room. After three years of congesting the main Hyatt hallway where the con typically sets up camp, the dealers were relocated to an entirely different ballroom closer to the elevators, and the line began forming – I kid you not – on Thursday night, a full 14 hours before the room opened on Friday morning. Insane. Due to my packed schedule, I was only able to enter the Dealers Room a couple of times, losing my chance to meet up with several dealer friends and support them. That was a real bummer. Regardless, I managed to navigate the shoulder-to-shoulder unpleasantness of the hall and snag a couple of cool things for my collection.
The main loot pile! My finds include a flying Mechagodzilla Bandai toy (I’m a sucker for kaiju in flying poses), the Y-MSF 1960s Rodan (I’ve been waiting for this guy for years!), a Gamera Laserdisc from my pals at Seismic Toys, a Simitar Godzilla VHS box set and a DVD, a promotional “Godzilla: The Ride” newspaper, a small Booska keychain (a gift from a grateful attendee who enjoyed my panels – thank you, sir!), and a duo of adorable Ultraman Kids inflatables, one of which was a gift from the amazing Jay Key from Toku Toy Town. Thank you, Jay; I appreciate your kindness and your friendship!
Two beautiful posters: a GxK theatrical one-sheet and a vintage 1960s double-bill poster featuring GAMMERA THE INVINCIBLE, now signed by actor Yoshiro Uchida (who played little Toshio)!
Mere minutes after the Writers Workshop concluded, I was conscripted into helping judge the art contest a few doors down in the basement. As always, seeing the artistic talents of the con attendees was a blast, and I hope the winners enjoyed their shiny new ribbons! By the time I left the art room, I’d missed two different dinner invites, but managed to snag a seat at the Red Bar and consume my third cheeseburger of the weekend. I was so tired, I completely forgot the costume contest was happening downstairs. A lot of the con simply passed me by this year, both for better and for worse.
Thankfully, the night ended on a “better,” as I joined dear friends “Kaiju Kim” Lacanilao, Nate Marchand, and Damon Noyes for a Pickwick screening of 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Now, I realize this is one of those G-flicks you’re not supposed to admit you enjoy, lest the internet crucify you for the grave sin of enjoying a motion picture, but guess what? I adore this film. It makes me happy whenever I watch it, and seeing it on the big screen again after six years was a joyous experience for me. Was it a late night? Definitely. Did my eyes droop a couple of times? Maybe. But it was worth it.
Sunday passed – as Sundays at G-Fests always seem to do – in a blur of final activities, last-minute meetups, and yet more panels. Three more, to be exact, beginning at 11:00 AM with a discussion on the wild and wacky kaiju films of cult filmmaker Minoru Kawasaki. This was another collaboration with my good friend Elijah Thomas, complete with another giveaway from SRS Cinema and lots of deep diving into the unique style, unbridled passion, and unhinged insanity that make Kawasaki-san’s kaiju films such a joy to watch.
One of the biggest casualties of my busy weekend was being unable to attend almost any of the Ultraman events taking place between Friday and Sunday. From character meet-and-greats to full-blown stage shows, Tsuburaya Productions descended on G-Fest like a Spacium Beam explosion, allowing attendees to visit with the original Ultraman, Ultraman Zero, the evil Ultraman Belial, the brand-new Ultraman Omega, and a whole slew of kaiju, including Jirass, Pigmon, Jamila, and Alien Baltan.
It was to the Baltan meet-and-greet that my very tired feet carried me after the Minoru Kawasaki panel wrapped up. I had just enough time to squeeze in this single, solitary Ultra event before the weekend ended, and I wasn’t gonna waste the chance. The results speak for themselves.
Your humble author chilling with a would-be world conqueror. I’m sure it was completely safe… right?
The decision to meet Baltan also opened the door for my absolute favorite moment of the entire con. Standing in line in front of me was a family, among them a little girl dressed as Ultraman Tiga. The pure excitement and wonder emanating from this kiddo was magical; she was in her element, happy beyond measure and spreading smiles throughout the entire line, just by being herself. By the time we were halfway to the photo stage, she’d shown me how to properly perform the famous Ultraman Spacium pose and the Baltan “claws up while laughing” pose.
I crossed paths with her and her family a few more times on Sunday, and had a long and wonderful talk with her mom about her children’s love for kaiju/heroes and all the fun they’d had throughout the weekend. To me, it was the perfect encapsulation of what G-Fest is all about. To this amazing little girl, with her costume and poses and happy laughter, the weekend – and everything about it – was magic. And a bit of that magic was shared by everyone she encountered, including my friends and I. Nearly 60 years ago, Eiji Tsuburaya created Ultraman as a tangible hero, a character who could emerge from the TV screen and exist in the real world – Disneyland-style, but better… because it’s Ultraman – as a source of inspiration and wonder for children of all ages. At G-Fest XXX, I saw that wonder in practice, and it was a beautiful thing to see.
Following my Baltan encounter, I joined Kevin Horn and Brady Johnson Jr. on stage in Sessions 1. Our mission: to roll the seven wonders of the world into one by celebrating 60 years of Toho’s Frankenstein Conquers the World. We had a blast talking about its production history, its iconic cast, its exciting special effects, and of course, Baragon! The highlight was listening to Brady tell his amazing story of having seen the film in theaters in the 1960s, and how it felt to be a kid growing up with a love of Japanese monster movies. “Frankenstein was our hero,” he said to the audience. It was an amazing, emotional thing to hear. I dearly hope it was recorded; stories like Brady’s deserve to be preserved, shared, and celebrated.
The wonderfully moving Frankenstein Conquers the World panel. Thank you for sharing your story, Brady, and thank you for your service. Photo by Damon Noyes.
Next came a desperate scramble to the autograph room. Owing to my limited budget, I only had enough financial wiggle room to secure two autographs: Kurt Carley, the talented actor who donned the lean Godzilla costume for the 1998 film, signed my DVD copy, and Yoshiro Uchida, child star of the original Gamera the Giant Monster 60 years ago, signed a beautiful vintage poster I’d secured in the Dealers Room the previous day. (Pictures of these encounters exist, but I look like death warmed over in all of them, so you’ll just have to use your imagination.)
My avalanche of panels finally, finally ended at 3:00 PM, when Elijah Thomas, Nathan Marchand, and I teamed up to celebrate half a century of Terror of Mechagodzilla. It was a wonderful discussion that explored the fascinating history, layered storytelling, and overall brilliance of the Showa era’s last entry, made particularly special by the fact that Terror was both Elijah and Nathan’s first Godzilla film. It meant a lot to them to be there, reliving memories and chatting about the movie half a century after it first released. I hope they had as much fun as I did.
Talkin’ Terror. Well, at least one of us is. No texting while paneling, gents.
And then, suddenly… it was done. The lights came back on, I climbed down off the stage, and it sunk in that I’d just survived 12 hours of paneling across three of the busiest days of my life. An attempt was made to spend the next hour before the con ended visiting every spot I could, all in a desperate bid to experience anything I could possibly fit in. Alas, the Dealers Room began tearing down an hour early, as did the Artist Alley, the model thread, the game rooms… within minutes of me vacating the stage, it was all disappearing.
Bummer.
A neat 3D-printed Final Wars Anguirus noggin I managed to get a pic of before they threw us out of the arcade room on the last day.
Thankfully, all was not completely lost. After my fourth and final Red Bar cheeseburger of the weekend, I met up with friends Kim, Nate, Danielle, and Brendan for what we’ve coyly dubbed the “wholesome hangout.” This introvert-friendly alternative to the drunken chaos of the bigger afterparty typically involves board games, snacks, bad puns, and me doing stupid voices for a few hours until our collective exhaustion catches up with us. This year, a new wrinkle was added: the discovery of a pile of artwork/coloring pages created by the talented kiddos in Minya’s Place, the con’s space for young G-Fans. A few of these pieces became the subject of a delirious night of goofiness and sleep-deprived shenanigans, none of which I can relate here without sounding like a complete lunatic. It’s one of those things you just… had to be there for.
Some of the art we discovered and converted into shenanigan fuel on Sunday night. The art was destined to be thrown out, so I couldn’t help saving a few of the pieces for posterity. (Also pictured: the top of a Red Bar take-out box with a drawing of Orga by my dear friend Danielle. I couldn’t throw that out, either!)
By the time Monday rolled around, I was definitely ready to head home. After a weekend of being “on” nonstop, some recharging was desperately needed. And sleep. Lots of sleep. And five hours after jumping back into my packed car, “lots of sleep” is just what I got.
More than any other year by a longshot, G-Fest XXX felt like a working trip. Far from a vacation or a chance to unwind from the daily grind, the weekend left me feeling profoundly exhausted, and my schedule definitely took its toll. I missed a lot, was unable to reconnect with several people, and barely had time to breathe, let alone shop, admire art, or take a breather in my room. I was so tired by Sunday, that I actually left my AV adaptor plugged into the Sessions 1 video cord. By the time I returned to try and find it, the AV company had torn everything down.
RIP AV adaptor. RIP my brain cells.
So, all of this begs the question… why exactly did I do this? Why did I sacrifice so much of my time, my energy, other opportunities, lots of sleep, and more than an expendable share of sanity to put my poor introverted self in front of so many people? Surely it couldn’t have just been because I enjoy talking about this stuff (although that’s true), or that I enjoy not sleeping (which is not true). So, what gives?
Well, there’s absolutely a reason, and despite the exhaustion it caused and the time it reallocated from so much else I wanted to do over the weekend, I believe it was a good reason.
As it turns out, I had something to announce. Something… kind of remarkable. Something I wanted 12 hours worth of audiences to hear about, in the single best place an announcement like this could possibly be made.
If you were at any of my panels, you already know what this announcement is because, well, I announced it! But if you weren’t, take another gander at this picture…
Notice anything suspicious, hiding behind the program book and the tag?
Yeah… something cool is cooking. A project I’ve been waiting a year and a half to announce, and nearly my entire life to get the chance to create.
But all that malarky deserves its own update post. Be on the lookout for the full reveal within the next day or so. I hope it’ll be worth the wait!
And with that, another G-Fest post mortem has come to a close. If you made it down the above wall of text, I thank you for doing so. I hope it was a fun (if often harrowing) read!
As draining as much of G-Fest was for me this year, make no mistake: a great deal of fun was absolutely had. I laughed more than I have in months. I got to meet some amazing special guests, make a couple of cool purchases, eat more cheeseburgers than I probably should have, lecture on topics that mean a lot to me, be in the presence of incredible creativity in the Writers Workshop, and – most important of all – reconnect with the wonderful people who make this con special. My dear friends, my extended G-Fest family… and you, the GNP readers who continue to support and believe in me.
If you were one of the many cool people – friends, readers, listeners, supporters, all of the above – who attended a panel I co-hosted, got creative in the Writer’s Workshop, stopped me to chat, or showed me love during the weekend, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. More than any panel or event, you are G-Fest to me.
I’ll see you again in a day or two for that announcement. Until then, stay happy. Be kind to one another. Find joy however you can, wherever you can. I’m so glad you’re here, and I hope you’ll join me for what comes next…
Well, we finally made it. Even as we speak, Godzilla is ringing in his 70th birthday in style, and fans around the world are joining the festivities with movie marathons, merch purchases, and nostalgic remembrances of their favorite moments from the Big G’s career. Every November 3rd is a special day for G-Fans, but it’s always extra special when a big, satisfying round number is involved. And make no mistake: 70 is a big number and a big deal! I hope you get the chance to celebrate this awesome day in whatever way makes you the happiest, and that you’re reminded of just how important this incredible character is to you and your life.
So, that leaves the big question: what’s left? What new Godzilla adaptation would be perfect to launch on Godzilla Day itself?
I think you’ll agree there was only one answer to that question…
(And yes, I know the title of the update gave it away, but what can I say? A little dramatic flourish never hurt anyone!)
That said, I’m thrilled to officially announce that – in celebration of Godzilla’s 70th anniversary – the GNP has launched its novelization of the 2023 masterpiece Godzilla Minus One!
Yep, if ever there was a Godzilla adaptation worth seven entire weeks of buildup, this is it!
You don’t need me to tell you that Minus One has been a phenomenon since its release exactly one year ago, during which time it has become everything from a money maker to an Oscar winner. The film has done so much for the franchise as a whole, giving it a level of prestige and reevaluation not seen since the mid-2000s, when the original 1954 film was finally reappraised in the west and hailed as the masterpiece that it always was. Minus One is that rare mixture of important, highly acclaimed, appealing to the masses, and genuinely, deeply good; a film that thrills, inspires, moves, and reminds you that being alive is a gift that should never be squandered.
It’s my sincere hope that the GNP’s new prose adaptation can honor the tone, the intent, and the power of Takashi Yamazaki’s remarkable film. Even having the chance to attempt such an adaptation is a privilege, and preserving the elements that make it so special will be both an incredible challenge and a thrilling journey as a writer.
I hope you stick around to enjoy the ride with me, because its going to be a wild one. And very, very fun!
Chapter 1 is now live here on the website, and you can read it right here.
Feel free to leave feedback on the book’s Table of Contents page, via social media, or through email to let me know what you thought, and – if you’re so inclined – share the link around with other Godzilla fans so they can check it out, too.
(Also, as a side note, the opening quote for the novelization was pulled from an absolutely remarkable source: the 1945 Project, an incredible and heartbreaking collection of testimonials from hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) who witnessed and lived through the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The stories of these remarkable men and women truly contextualize the nightmare of the bombings in a way few other sources have, and if you’re at all interested in exposing yourself to the this pivotal moment in history, I highly recommend seeing the project for yourself. You can visit the website here and see a story about the endeavor here.)
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And with that, the last seven weeks of new content have come to a close. I hope you all enjoyed the new stuff, and I hope you had fun on this crazy journey. It’s been a blast writing, sharing, and seeing the responses to each new chapter as they’ve gone live. Big projects like this don’t happen without readers to tune in and show their support, and the fact that so many of you did just that means the absolute world to me. You helped make this 70th-anniversary celebration so incredibly special, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’ll be back soon with more chapters, more updates, and more fun… just as soon as my typing hands recover from seven weeks straight of writing. (Yikes!)
Until then, happy Godzilla Day to you all, and to all, a good night!
Well, we’ve somehow arrived at the penultimate week (the sixth, for those playing at home!) in our seven-week, seven chapter celebration of Godzilla’s 70th birthday. It’s been a fun ride so far, and I hope you’ve enjoyed all the new reading material!
With only one week until Godzilla Day next Sunday, it’s time to reveal the sixth chapter in our marathon. And for this one, we’re going right back to the beginning with the film that started it all… because what kind of 70th-anniversary celebration would this be if we didn’t doff our caps to the original Godzilla from 1954?
The GNP’s adaptation of the first film was also the book that launched the project back in (wow) 2018, and it was high time to give it a new chapter. This installment covers the panic following the sinking of the Bingo-Maru, the rescue of the survivors, and the introduction of Odo Island.
That just leaves one final chapter drop for next week. What might it be? Feel free to leave a guess in the comments or on the GNP’s social media pages, and stay tuned, because all will be revealed next week…
Until then, stay awesome, stay happy, and as always, thank you for being here. Happy reading!
Another week has arrived, and that means a new GNP chapter is nigh. And this one’s a real head-spinner! (Feel free to groan.) That’s right… we’re jumping back to 1974 to finally continue the novelization of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla!
This might be the novelization I’ve gotten the most requests to continue over the years, and I’m thrilled to finally be jumping back into this adaptation with an official “chapter 1,” following up on the prologue I wrote years ago. It’s been a long time coming, and I hope you enjoy this new installment. It was a lot of fun to write!
At this point, it’s no secret that this seven-week celebration of new chapters is focusing on Godzilla’s anniversary films; we’ve started new novelizations for 1964’s Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, 1984’s The Return of Godzilla, and 2004’s Godzilla: Final Wars, and added new chapters to 1994’s Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla and now 1974’s Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. With two more chapters to go until Godzilla Day, the possibilities for the next two chapters are shrinking… any guesses as to what they will be?
The answers will be coming soon, so stay tuned for the last couple of new chapters as the countdown nears its end! Thank you all for your incredible support. I hope you’ve been having as much fun with this 70th-anniversary celebration as I have.
There are two things you don’t know about the Earth: one is that Don Frye’s mustache can slam revolving doors, and the other… is that Godzilla: Final Wars now has its very own GNP novelization!
Now you know both! 😉
That’s right: in celebration of Final Wars turning 20, I’m kicking off its adaptation with a new prologue. This is an adaptation I’ve been looking forward to tackling for years, and it’ll be every bit as fun as it is challenging. I can’t wait to translate this wild and wonderful film into book form, and I hope you’ll join the fun!
And here’s a link to the book’s main page, so you can (heh heh) bookmark it for future chapter updates, if you’re so inclined. (Fun fact: this was the 100th page published to the website, which is pretty darn cool. Hurray for round numbers!)
Four chapters into this crazy seven-week celebration, and I think you’ll agree a pattern is emerging with these chapters. What could possibly be next? Stay tuned for the answer later this week!
See you then, and as always, thank you for being such wonderful readers. There’s more fun to come!
Well, another week has passed, and that means a new GNP chapter is now live on the site to celebrate 70 years of Godzilla… and 30 years of his space-born arch nemesis!
It’s been a few years since the project has returned to its ongoing adaptation of 1994’s Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla, but with such a big anniversary hitting this year, now seemed like a perfect time to dust it off and get back into the psychic swing of things. (My brain cannot wrap around the fact that the film is now three decades old. Seriously, where did the time go?)
I hope you enjoy it, and if you do, feel free to leave a comment on the chapter page or on the GNP’s social media letting me know what you thought!
I’ll be back in a few days with another new chapter (and if you’re playing along at home, you might be noticing a pattern with the books being updated/started…). Until then, stay happy, stay healthy, and stay awesome. Thank you for being here!
As promised, the second installment of the GNP’s seven-week birthday bash for Godzilla’s big 7-0 has arrived, and it comes with the beginning of another brand-new novelization!
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the project is proud to reveal the 1st chapter of The Return of Godzilla!
This one has been a long time coming. It’s a book I often get asked about starting, and this seemed like the perfect time to do it. Translating this 1984 classic into book form is going to be an incredible journey. Its dark tone, gothic trappings, and apocalyptic overtones will be an absolute joy to adapt, and I hope you enjoy this inaugural chapter.
Check it out by clicking this link (as as always, feel free to share the chapter around and leave feedback in the comments on the page, on social media, or by emailing me!).
Happy reading, and I’ll see you all next week for the next chapter reveal!
The Godzilla Novelization Project 