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bfowler
05-26-2004, 09:38 AM
As the title says, I'm setting up an artist table at the Heroes comic book convention in NC. This will be my first time setting up at a con and I'm pretty excited. I was hoping to get any advice that anyone might want to share on doing this.

Here's my setup. I've gotten an 8 foot table that I'm going to be sharing with a friend and fellow artist. I've been working on a 4-issue mini series that I've written. It's in the fantasy genre. It's called "The Ogre's Head" I've done an Prequel ashcan that sets up the story that I'm going to be selling at the con. It's a small 8 pager with some sequential pages, book information, sketches, etc. This is all in black and white. In addition to this I'll have 2 to 3 11x17 full color prints which I will sell although I'm not sure how much to charge. I'm thinking 10 bucks or so. I plan to pimp my book which I will either self-publish next year as a graphic novel if I can't find any publishers such as Image, Dark Horse, etc. to take it on.

The interior of the ashcan is lineart but the book is going to be painted in greyscales. I will have one of these fully painted pages on display. I've also made up new business cards to hand out.

I also plan to have sample packets of my work to give out to any industry contacts I may meet.
And of course, I'll do sketches and take commissions. And I'm making my own t-shirt with my art and web address on it that I'll be wearing, but not selling.

I think I've covered all my bases. Any opinions and advice anyone else may have are welcome.

Jason J. McCuiston
05-26-2004, 09:53 AM
Sounds like I could have asked YOU for advice when I first tried to break into the biz back in '97!

You've got your stuff stacked up high and nailed down tight, as far as I can tell. Good job.

And, of course, the best of luck.

--JJM

MetalMan
05-26-2004, 10:23 AM
I'll be there as well... so if any of you guys (or ladies) want to pimp your portfolio to me, I'll be roaming about probably acting like a total fanboy.

Just look for the guy in the black "heyoka studios" dress shirt, flag me down, shove your portfolion under my nose and whisper "I work cheap" in my ear ;)

For those of you who actually live near Charlotte, NC and like comics, I would very much recommend HeroesCon for meeting your favorite artists. I'm putting a link to the guest list below:

http://www.heroesonline.com/con-guests.htm

fireMonkey
05-26-2004, 10:28 AM
If you want guaranteed traffic to your table, then you would need to have a sexy female mascott in a skimpy costume hawking your books. It's kind of embarassing, but it's just good marketing. If I was a publisher, I probably wouldn't think twice about it. So in a couple of years if you go to a comic convention and see a booth with gang of hot costumed ladies, it might be me! ;)

bfowler
05-26-2004, 11:16 AM
Firemonkey - I've already asked my wife. Let's just say my reflexes are still good.

fireMonkey
05-26-2004, 11:22 AM
Originally posted by bfowler
Firemonkey - I've already asked my wife. Let's just say my reflexes are still good.

Did you ask her to get in a costume or did you ask if you could hire some strippers for the day? I say you should hire a stripper and tell your wife that the guy sharing your booth was the one who did it. (Just make sure she doesn't see you paying the stripper afterwards.) :D

MetalMan
05-26-2004, 12:47 PM
Originally posted by fireMonkey
I say you should hire a stripper and tell your wife that the guy sharing your booth was the one who did it. (Just make sure she doesn't see you paying the stripper afterwards.) :D

... and if you're REALLY slick you then write off the money on your taxes for "business promotion" :D

fireMonkey
05-26-2004, 01:25 PM
Originally posted by MetalMan
... and if you're REALLY slick you then write off the money on your taxes for "business promotion" :D

Actually, that is perfectly legit and would fall under advertising expenses. Now writing off that lap dance and your "business meeting" at the local strip joint would really be slick. (I personally know guys who've done it.) :cool:

(Just try not to get audited.)

Glen Osterberger
05-26-2004, 02:17 PM
Thing is that sometimes the pretty girl scares away the true geek :) They just drool and stammer and move along ... Just have noticed that from some con goings