Conventional Business, or Strippin' Ain't Easy

So there are two comic book shows going on this weekend, and sadly I will not be at either of them.
The first is Anime Central (or ACEN) in Rosemont, Illinois. I've done this show for the past couple years, and I've always had a good time and met quite a few cool people, My stuff isn't really "Anime", but despite that they've been nice enough to give me a table. Unfortunately, my sales at this show haven't been enough to justify going again this year. I'm hoping to have book two out by next year, so maybe I'll give it another go then, but not right now.

The other show this weekend is Motor City Comic Con in Novi, MI. I've never had a table at this show, but I've attended it often and was kind of looking forward to going this year due to some of the celebrity guests, but I'm thinking now that I may skip it. I don't really have a ton of free funds at the moment and I have many a thing I should get done at home (not the least of which is getting a new strip posted, but more on that in a moment). Again, by next year, I'm hoping to have the second collection of Wombat strips published, and at that time, I'm thinking I may have to invest in doing a couple of larger comic conventions.

I'm still planning to do Detroit Fanfare in October. It was the first show I ever bought a table at and the prices are super reasonable. Also it's a lot of fun and I've made several connections at that show, so there's no reason not to do that one. I'll keep going to that one as long as they'll have me back. I'm also still waiting to hear back about the Grand Rapids Comic Convention. It's the first year for that show, and a couple of things have me nervious about wether or not it will be worth my time, but I'm willing to give it a shot. It's a one day show, so worst case, I waste a perfectly good Saturday, best case I get in on the ground floor of a new, local show.

As for the strip. It's not dead. I wish I could say there's a major reason there hasn't been an update lately, but sadly, no. I just need to get off my lazy butt and produce. It doens't always come easy (I'd say it mostly doens't come easy), so the natural inclination is to just not do it, but I need to get past that. I've been trying to spend any and all free time I have drawing, even if it's not the strip...but then I feel guilty for drawing something that's not the next strip and I stop doing that as well. I have a strip half penciled as I type this and I'm hoping to get the pencils done tonight. Either way, I'm thinking that I can use Star Trek this weekend as good goal for getting the strip done (I won't allow myself to see it until the new strip is posted). That also means I have to avoid the internet as I've already seen people talking about it online.

Chicago or Bust, or...Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes

It's been a while since I've posted, but I've got a few things going on, so I thought I should do a post. First off, I've added the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (also known as C2E2) to my list of appearances. Though I won't be there selling or showing any of my own work. My "professional" registration was excepted (it's always nice when the industry itself recognizes your contributions) so I've received my weekend pass to attend as an attendee. As much as I'd like to have one there, tables at C2E2 are a little out of my price range based on sales from other conventions I attend. Maybe after Wombat Vol. 2 comes out (if I keep to my new schedule, that will hopefully be early next year, more on that in a minute), I can justify it, but I just can't right now. However, if you know your going to be attending the show and would like to pick up a copy of Wombat, or commission me for any other work, contact me and I'm sure we can work out some sort of meeting time/place at the show to do such a transaction.

There's also going to be a new show in Grand Rapids in October called the Grand Rapids Comic-Con. I have applied for a table at that one, but as of this posting, have not yet heard back either way. I'll keep you updated on how that goes. Even if I don't get a table, though, I'll likely attend this show as well as it's good to help support a new show, especially one so close to home. If this happens, again, I'm sure we can work out a meeting time/place at the show if you'd like to get anything from me.

As for Wombat, I know that over the past year or so I've been kind of hit or miss (mostly miss) on posting a strip a week. Sometimes it seemed I was lucky if I posted a strip a month. I assure you, it's not from lack of desire to get a strip up...if anything I'd say a lack of will/free time. But I think I've found a way to get myself back into a groove. I've done two weeks in a row now, and I'm well on my way to hitting week three on time, so that's a good thing. I've even got a couple ideas for story lines past my current one. If all goes as planned and I'm able to keep on a schedule this year (even if I miss 1 or 2 weeks), I figure I should have enough strips completed by the end of the year to put out a second print volume.

Also in the works, a redesign of the Wombat Comic website. I feel I had learned quite a bit about coding in HTML while making http://www.neilbryer.com/ and I've gotten even more practice lately thanks to being put in charge of redesigning the website for...um...actually that's a project that I probably shouldn't go into detail about right at this moment...but anyway. I've got a design mapped out that I like for the Wombat and the coding shouldn't be TOO difficult (actually, it'd probably be child's play for an actual professional, but being that I'm kinda learning this stuff as I go, I'm fairly proud of myself for what I'm able to do). After that goes live, I'll likely turn my attention back to http://www.neilbryer.com/ and see what improvements I can make here.