This update might be a two-for-one because on my last post (November 15), I did another test run with new subscription client settings, but the test might not have worked; I received an email with a link to the post, but I’m not sure anyone else did. Have a look at the newest Pandagram pandas: www.drawstheeventide.com/newpandas/

I am happy & relieved to report that PhilCon (Nov. 16-18) went better than the previous convention (Nov. 2-4 & noted in the above post). The drive was much easier (less than an hour, easy navigating, & no tolls) and business better–still on the slow side, but I sold a record 8 books! Additionally, my table neighbor was very friendly. Since it was a literary convention, the audience was notably different from the anime & comic con crowds–generally quieter & more mature, but this is not to say people did not get excited about their dragons, Star Wars, Tamora Pierce books, or how to shelve & preserve their hardback collections. Also, people seemed to be especially appreciative of others’ creative endeavors & would often ask about works in progress, ways to market, etc. This was probably in part due to the fact that PhilCon is hosted by an active, long-established science fiction society, so many people already knew each other, & there is already a dedicated fan base. One fellow said this year was his 50th PhilCon! 

I didn’t sketch so much as at anime conventions because “draw this character” commissions weren’t part of the convention culture, but I did do some sketching for me. (Below is an idea that began in South Australia & ended up with Scottish corsairs or explorers somewhere between the Hebrides and Scandinavia.) I also scribbled down a few pages of notes for a writing project.

Because the PhilCon dealers room hours ended earlier than other events I did this fall and the drive was shorter, I stuck around for some evening panels & events (costume contest, concert, recitation of “The Hunting of the Snark,” to name a few) before heading home. It’s a nice bonus to be able to enjoy events in addition to vending, and it’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that.

Last but not least, I hope you each had a restful, joyful Thanksgiving & will carry some of the spirit of gratitude into every day hence.

Happy October, everyone. Hard to believe it’s autumn — partly because it’s still fairly green here, but also because time seems to fly. Where did June, July, & August go, let alone September? 

On Friday, some friends and I went to New York Comic Con. It’s was pretty big; the artist alley and show/dealer floors were gigantic. I don’t know the square footage of the convention center, but the rows of art and swag seemed endless. Although there was a lot of similar-styled American superhero comic style (of course), and the mass of big muscles and “grr” faces started to wear on me, that wasn’t the whole of it. Other styles were represented, too, and seeing hundreds of people selling their published comics and other books has given me a little inspirational boost to resume working on some of my book projects.

Also, I heard back regarding one of the pending conventions and am pleased to announce that I’ve been accepted for the artist alley at Philcon 2018, November 16-18, in Cherry Hill, NJ. Philcon is hosted by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society and is a little different in that it has both an artist alley (part of the dealers room) and an art show. I’ll just participate in the alley this year, but perhaps if it goes well, I’ll do both another year.

My first convention of the season has come & gone. Although business was rather slow the whole weekend and the event itself could have been better organized as far as artists & vendors are concerned, it was not without good elements. Pandagrams certainly made a lot of people smile and laugh, and I got to walk along the beach. (Yippee!) That is because the hotel where the event took place is on the Atlantic Ocean. This was extra fun because a month ago, I visited the Pacific Ocean–I’ve gone coast to coast in a month!

I drew quite a little throughout the event, too. Here are some of my favorite character drawings from the weekend.

L to R (click to enlarge): Rey, Star Wars, Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist; Makimachi Misao, Rurouni Kenshin

‘Tis the autumn of artist alleys. September is here, and that means my season of selling at anime/pop culture conventions begins. What’s more, this year I can actually call it a season since I’ll attend more than 1 convention in closer succession than spring & fall. It begins this weekend.

• Sept. 14-16, J1 Con, NJ
• October 5, New York Comic Con, NY (I won’t actually have a booth here, & it lasts 4 days, but a couple friends & I will attend—in costume—for fun and maybe just a bit of learning.)
• November 2-4, Thy Geekdom Con, PA

I was scheduled to do Shikkari Con, PA, at the end of October, but the convention has been postponed to 2019. The convention staff let accepted artists stay on the list for next year.

There are 2 other conventions in November I hope to attend – 1 will send acceptance notices October 1, and I have been wait-listed for the other (DerpyCon, NJ). I was wait-listed for it last year but got to go at the last minute and did quite well; I hope the same will play out this year.

On another note, you might have noticed I’ve been fiddling with making the email notifications you receive more interesting visually; I’m using 2 different programs since I’m not sure the two separately do everything I would like them to. You might see 2 versions of the notification now & then as I train myself to turn off one before I hit “Publish.” =)