But I'm here now, and that's what counts, right?
Ahem.
This weekend just past was Ottawa ComicCon. I have had a table at ComicCon every year since it started way back in... uh... 2012? 2013? I think it was 2012. It's been a bit, and my memory is terrible. But since it first came to Ottawa. I've been there. Some years were great. Some were not good at all.
This was one of those years that was wonderful. I had lovely chats with so many of you, I signed a few books, laughed at my incompetence... cringed at myself.
Which reminds me, Anne, I am terribly sorry about my spelling when I signed your book. My brain was absolutely fried and I couldn't even spell my own name at that point. If you get another book signed, I promise I'll actually be able to spell. Maybe.
That signing will haunt me forever.
There were some really awesome costumes. I didn't take as many pictures of those as I would've liked, but if you want to have a look at the ones I did snap, you can find them on my Facebook page here.
In a surprising twist of events, my art caught a lot of interest. It sold pretty well. Usually, people have a look, but pass it over pretty quickly. This time around, though, people were stopping a lot longer, and I sold more than I was expecting, art-wise.
It's tough trying to sell my art at ComicCon. My art is original, and doesn't relate to any fandoms, which puts it at a distinct disadvantage at events like these. It always takes me by surprise when people buy it at ComicCon.
In any case, it was a fantastic weekend.
Not financially, of course. I barely broke even on the the table... which is usually the case for me. I don't expect to make millions going to ComicCon, and as long as I break even, I'm doing alright.
But that does bring me to some sad news.
The organisers of the event have upped the prices of artist's tables quite a bit this year. So much so that, unless I can share a space, I have been utterly priced out. I cannot afford a table at next year's event.
As a solution, the lovely folks at Renaissance Press offered to get a corner. That way there could be two tables and thus enough room for us both. We could share the costs and it would be fantastic.
Unfortunately, they were told that despite charging extra for the privilege of a corner, they could not guarantee that we'd get one. We'll know in a fortnight or so, according to them.
If we cannot secure that corner, there will not be enough room for us both and, as I cannot afford my own table, I will not be able to be there next year.
I'm really quite upset about it all. I love being able to have a table at local events, so that I can meet you and chat, and maybe sign a few books, and Ottawa ComicCon has always been fabulous for that. I'm desperately hoping for that corner unit, so I can be there next year. But I'm also bracing for disappointment.
It's hard trying to get your name out there as an unknown writer. And it just got a little bit harder.
I'm disappointed and sad, but fingers crossed!
Hey, maybe one of these days, I'll be invited as a guest (scoff).