• Category Archives Conventions
  • Posts pertaining to comic book and book conventions.

  • Appearance Announcement: Winnipeg Comiccon

    Winnipeg Comiccon

    Please note I will be tabling at the Winnipeg Comiccon on October 30 to November 1, 2020. You’ll find me and author Melinda Marshall in Artist Alley with a couple of tables full of monster and superhero books, comics, and art.

    This is the first show I’m booked for since taking a break from conventions and appearances in 2018-2019.

    I’m looking forward to it. See you there.


  • The Snow has Arrived – Event Planning this Winter

    Snowy Yard
    A snowy yard this morning

    The snow that hit earlier this month had melted but this morning the yard is white. It may or may not stick around, but even if it goes away, it’ll be back with a vengeance because snow is what we do six months of the year here in Winnipeg. And while the possibility of doing things outside gets greatly reduced during the winter months, being locked indoors for half a year has its advantages when you make books and comics for a living.

    You get to just, simply, work. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for out-of-the-studio excursions in the New Year.

    If you go to the Convention and Book Signing Schedule section of this site, you’ll see that I didn’t do events in 2019. There are lots of reasons for this, some of which had to do with being unwell. With the loss of the Central Canada Comic Con–my “default” show for every year except for last year–I have to do some research for local events over the winter so I can book on time for the 2020 season. If I succeed in what I have planned for the winter, then I’ll have a lot of new material for next year’s shows plus any book signings along the way. There has also been talk here at the Central about leaving the province–possibly even the country–for a few events next year. Once dates and locales are locked down, I will announce them here. I’m eager to connect with fans again at these venues. Always a joy to see them.

    In the meantime, I’m really looking forward to just working throughout the winter season. It’s been a good long while since I was able to create without hindrances. I can’t wait to get back to it again.

    Ps. A new behind-the-scenes entry is scheduled to go on my Patreon page later this week. Join the journey to catch the post plus other behind-the-scenes goodies already on the site. Of course, getting access to a serial novel, essays, patron-only posts and patron-first announcements along with an exclusive membership card isn’t a bad deal either.


  • Welcome to October: The End of Central Canada Comic Con

    Welcome to October, ladies and gentlemen. Today marks the beginning of a new month, the onset of fall (my favorite season), warm houses, cozy soups, lots of coffee, Happy Jack (pumpkin ale from local brewery Fort Garry Brewing Company) and, of course, lots of work.

    Under normal circumstances, the end of October would not just be Halloween, but the Central Canada Comic Con (C4) as well. I couldn’t attend last year because I was ill and this year it was unfortunately announced C4 has closed its doors for good. Which is too bad. It was a massive show with tens of thousands of people in attendance. I always looked forward to it to meet my readers and sign old books and new. I tabled there from 2007 to 2017. It is a bummer, but all good things must come to an end, I suppose. I don’t know what happened behind the scenes or why the show wasn’t sold to another party, but I am grateful for all the years I attended, the year I was a guest, the kindness of the show’s owners (Michael Paille and Violet), the cool people I met, the creators I networked with, the wicked cosplay I saw, and, most importantly, having a chance to talk to my readers face-to-face.

    It truly is the end of an era, the end of Central Canada Comic Con.

    I wish Michael and Violet the best as they go into the future.

    Back to October: I have some plans for this month. Not sure what I want to say on here just yet, but creating will be done. I suppose for now just watch this space or subscribe to my weekly newsletter.


  • FanQuest 2017 Appearance

    fanquest logo

    I will be tabling at the first-ever FanQuest here in Winnipeg, “created by fans, for fans,” as per their tagline.

    The show runs May 26-28 at the University of Winnipeg in Riddell Hall.

    Should be a lot of fun.

    I’m going to be tabling small at this convention so that’s going to be an interesting experience, too. My main focus will be superhero and monster stuff as opposed to bringing everything. Might bring some art prints for sale as well.

    Come down. Say hello. We’ll chat.


  • Double Trouble — Two Comic Con Appearances Booked for 2017

    Tonight I locked down two more shows for this year.

    They are as follows:

    Manitoba Comic Con – April 1 and 2 at the RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg. Hours run from 10am until 6pm on Saturday, and 11am until 5pm on Sunday.

    Central Canada Comic Con – October 27 to 29 at the RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg. Hours are 2pm to 9pm Friday, 10am to 7pm Saturday, and 11am to 6pm Sunday.

    I will be in Artist Alley for both shows so stop by for superhero and monster thrills and chills, heroic adventures and excitement!


  • St. Valentine’s Horror Con 2017 Appearance

    St. Valentine's Horror Con

    I will be tabling at C4’s St. Valentine’s Horror Con on February 11 and 12 at the RBC Convention Centre here in Winnipeg.

    Last year was their first year doing the show and it was an absolute blast. I look forward to seeing what’s in store this year and watching it grow.

    Monsters will abound as will my zombie books and other horror titles.

    See you there.


  • C4 Comic Con Appearance 2016

    thisisC4logo2016

    From October 28-30 I’ll be in Artist Alley at the Central Canada Comic Con (C4) here in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre. This will mark my tenth year doing the event. Sheesh. Has it been that long? I started doing it in 2007. Damn. Getting old. But it’s a great show. A ton of people come out–over 40,000–and celebrate nerdy goodness for three days. I’ll be there, full-blown display and all. Books and comics will be available for purchase and signature. You can also bring books from home and I’ll be happy to sign those as well.


  • Convention Basics: Five Tips to Make Your Book Stand Out

    Convention Basics: Five Tips to Make Your Book Stand Out

    Convention Basics Central Canada Comic Con Book Display

    This article was originally published January 7, 2016 on the Operation Awesome Blog.

    With so many writers these days focusing all their marketing efforts on-line, they’re putting themselves in a corner and limiting their exposure. Off-line sales are where the bread and butter is at if you play your cards right.

    I’m talking conventions, which are basically glorified book signings.

    Since 2007, I’ve been tabling at Central Canada Comic Con here in Winnipeg, a giant comic book convention. This show is also a big part of my paycheck, and my books fit right in because I write nerdy stuff like monster stories, superhero fiction and sci-fi.

    A lot has been learned about having a successful show over the years. Here are some convention basics to get you and your book(s) started:

    1. Display

    Have an eye-catching display. When competing against so many other booths and tables, you need to stand out. Bring a tablecloth because not all shows provide them. Use signage, big ones, like 11”x17” set up on stands so folks catch sight of your book’s cover or what the deal of the day is. Want to really stand out? Get a big banner printed up, one you can put behind you. This can display your name and what you do. It can feature your book covers, a web address. Lots of options.

    By all means, lay your books flat if you want, but if you prop them up on book stands, all the better. It raises them above the table and draws the eye. Simple picture frame stands work fine. I use iPad ones because they compact better for transport.

    Have a series? Lay them out in order of reading.

    Write in multiple genres? Organize them as such on the table. Makes it easier to direct the customer to what’s what.

    2. Pricing

    Big sales point. Offer convention-only pricing. I do ten dollars a novel, five bucks a novella. I make sure the customer knows the convention is the only place to get the deal. Get my stuff at a store or on-line and you’ll pay more. Everyone likes saving money.

    You can also bundle your books. Have a series? Instead of three books at ten beans each, how about three for twenty-five? You can also do a buy-two-get-one-free thing. Whatever works for you provided you come out in the black all things considered.

    3. Book Stock

    Better to bring more books than necessary. Nothing worse than selling out and having someone want something. With time and experience, you’ll learn your top sellers and will stock up accordingly. For a first-time show, I recommend at least fifteen copies of each title. If you only have one book out, bring at least twenty.

    4. Miscellaneous Items

    Scatter bookmarks and business cards around your table. If someone doesn’t buy something, at least you can send them off with a card for a potential after sale.

    5. You

    Be courteous, be nice, give the customer the time of day. Don’t be a fake. Answer their questions honestly. Be active. Don’t squirrel yourself away behind your table. Say hi to people as they walk past. Smile. And, please, don’t do the lonely-author thing where you sit there staring at folks, the look in your eyes saying, “Please come talk to me.” Just be cool. Relax. With time and experience, you’ll find what works for you in your personable approach. Ultimately, be yourself. This isn’t a show.

    There’s so much to expand on regarding the above, but space doesn’t allow it. Why not sound off in the comments below and exchange tips and tricks with your fellow authors? I’ll tune in when I can and do the same.


  • C4 Winnipeg Pop Culture Expo Appearance

    thisisC4logo2016

    Today I committed to appearing at C4’s Winnipeg Pop Culture event on April 9th and 10th at the RBC Convention Centre. This will be the first time in two years C4 has hosted a spring two-day event. The last two-day event was in 2013, and in 2014 and 2015 they held a couple of one-day events–one in the spring, one in early fall–before the big show toward the end of the year.

    I’m looking forward to it and getting my geek on. My plan is to bring the whole catalogue just like I did for Horror Con. I still have a small amount of free copies of A Stranger Dead available so these will be given away with each purchase. Offer good while supplies last, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Not getting anymore in because that book is long out-of-print.

    Look forward to seeing you there.