ArtPop3

I need to start writing more of these kind of quick posts. For one, it’ll get me writing more often, and for another, maybe people might wanna know how these conventions or 1-day shows actually work out for vendors and artists. Crazier things have happened…

I attended a one-day show, called ArtPop3, this past Saturday, December 1. I hadn’t attended the first two shows, but from what I heard from other artists who did, this new location (Ogma Brewery in Jackson, MI) was a much better venue. Despite the rotating temperatures between Arctic and Hades, I would have to agree that the brewery was pretty cool.

As I don’t consider myself an artist in the traditional sense (as in someone who draws or paints, or creatures sculpture or jewelry,) I wasn’t sure I was going to be a good fit. But Cody Lockwood, the organizer, assured me I’d be just fine. And, honestly, I felt right at home.

And apparently, the customers agreed. I ended up doing a decent business for only six hours of my time, and met so many nice people there. Even when the bands were playing, and it got a titch difficult to speak with anyone except through sign language, it turned out to be worth the time and effort.

Photo Credit: Cody James Lockwood, 2018

So, big thank you to Cody for accepting my application, and being super nice and easy to work with through it all. I hope you’ll have me again next year! And thanks to Ogma Brewing Company for hosting such a fun day.

Little Miss Independent

I wish I could be a bit more consistent with posting blogs but mostly time gets away from me or I simply just forget that this is an outlet I could/should use. Well, maybe someday...

I'm not exactly sure where this post will go or how long it will be but I just wanted to blog quickly about a new aspect of my life. Most of you know I've been working conventions with my writers' group, Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers, for years now. We started at Motor City Comic Con 9 years ago and, starting last year, have really branched out into out of state shows - or at least ones that are within the 5-6 hour driving range.

Being able to do those with the group has been awesome. It's helped me get out there and learn a little about what it takes to sell the goods, if you know what I mean.

via GIPHY

PERVS, ALL OF YOU.

Then back in 2016, I decided to do something very unlike me -  I signed up for an author event but as a solo mission. Alone. ALL BY MYSELF. As terrifying as it was, it was also exciting. I rarely do things on my own (including other aspects of my life) so this was a giant step. It was scheduled for June of 2017 so I figured I'd have over a year to prepare for it and get all that nervous energy out of my system. 

It tickles me that by the time that event rolled around, it ended up being my fifth solo convention! Thanks to a couple of small cons (Flint April Ghoul's Day, Free Comic Book Day at Dire Comics in Howell, and the Downriver Comic Con in Lincoln Park) and one big one (Steel City Horror Con in Pittsburgh), this past June's convention was a cake walk!

Who am I and what have I done with myself?

via GIPHY

Being able to do these conventions on my own has really helped me realize my terrible procrastination habit and inherent laziness need to FUCK THE FUCK OFF if I want my writing to be more successful. I need a lot more discipline in my life (this is not news to me) and now is the time to get hella serious about it.

I have a fantastic support system in my corner and I know I'd be useless without them. So thank you to all my friends and family that have purchased my goods (stop it...) or come to conventions or tutored me in the ways of the force or just waved sparkly fluffy pom poms in the distance to cheer me on. It means more to me than you'll ever know or that I could possibly convey. So I'll let Wade do it for me.

via GIPHY

All right. Time to stop playing on my webpage and get to work!