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Memorial Day this year is Monday, May 29th, and as our state’s official triple-digit-temperature kickoff, this three-day weekend is the perfect opportunity for local Phoenix authors to emerge from their writing caves for some pool time, sunlight, and a good ol’ dose of vitamin D. Midnight Publishing knows a thing or two about shying away from the heat in lieu of tapping away at our computers—as award-winning editors, ghostwriters, and marketers based in Phoenix, Arizona, the staff here is often too busy working on a manuscript for a client to take a dip in the pool or pig out on some backyard BBQ. But this year, we want that to change!

As creators and artists, it’s important to take the time to get outside, visit with friends and family, and make a concerted effort to live life—it’s the only way we can come back to the keyboard refreshed, inspired, and ready to write! Midnight Publishing wants to encourage every Scottsdale or Phoenix-based writer to push themselves this year and try something new for the holiday, whether it be selecting something you’d normally never eat from a menu, dancing at a rooftop party in downtown Phoenix or spending a day at the waterpark. Below are four Memorial Day weekend events you simply cannot miss if you’re looking for new experiences and inspiration.

Phoenix Comicon

When: Thursday, May 25th to Sunday, May 29th, panels ranging from 10:30 a.m. to midnight

Where: Phoenix Convention Center, 100 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

What: This massive event in downtown Phoenix saw record crowds last year (106,000 people!) and will have over 40 bestselling and award-winning authors in attendance. Expect to meet the likes of Diana Gabaldon, Pierce Brown, V.E. Schwab, Sam Sykes, Suzanne Young, Myke Cole, Beth Cato and many more local and nationally-based authors. All tickets can be purchased here, and range from $20 for a day pass to $75 for the entire weekend. Besides the incredible writing talent, there will also be dozens of celebrities to meet, and vendors selling a wide variety of art, comic books, and other items.

**To find out the best panels and writing classes at Comicon this year, read Midnight Publishing’s latest post for our top picks!**

It's #MemorialDayWeekend. Get out from behind the keyboard and check out these #author #events. Click To Tweet

2017 Cave Creek Balloon Festival

When: Saturday, May 28th, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Where: Rancho Manana Golf Club’s Driving Range at 5734 East Rancho Manana Boulevard, Cave Creek, AZ 85331

What: This is the eighth annual balloon festival to be held in Cave Creek, and is an exciting event for everyone to attend! There will be a military flyby at 5:30 to honor the Memorial Day holiday, followed by local live music, food carts, a Kidszone area, and fireworks to end the night. Buy your tickets early here to save money (they’re between seven and fifteen dollars) and skip the lines.

Wyatt Earp Days

When: Saturday, May 27th to Monday, May 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Tombstone, Arizona 85638

What: One of the coolest things about living in the southwest is our “wild” history, which can be seen in full force in Tombstone, Arizona. This event is only a dollar a person (or six tickets for five dollars) during the Memorial Day weekend will have three straight days of action-packed “gunfight” reenactments as well as Wyatt Earp lookalike contests, 1880s fashion shows, raffles, and street entertainment. Find more information on the event at their website here.

“Swim Meet” Pool Party at The Saguaro

When: Saturday, May 27th, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where: The Saguaro, 4000 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

What: Enjoy local up-and-coming DJs like Trilltone and Austin Feldman at this pool party in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Swim and soak up the sun’s rays with mixed drinks and snacks, all while the latest dance music plays in the background. What better way to research a party scene in your next novel than by having a bit of fun yourself? Tickets are available here, but if you RSVP before 1:00 p.m., you can get in for free.

Midnight Publishing invites all of our potential author clients to reach out for a sample edit or to discuss your book idea or project, just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean we’re not available to chat! We’ve been trusted with over five million words since inception and would love to add your book to that list.