• Tag Archives Central Canada Comic Con

  • The Snow has Arrived – Event Planning this Winter

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs
    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.


    📂This entry was posted in Book Signings Conventions Life Patreon Stuff 📎and tagged

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

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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.


    📂This entry was posted in Conventions 📎and tagged

  • ‘Twas the 1.5 Weeks Before Winter Hibernation

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    APFuchsfirstC4
    This is me the first time I tabled at the Central Canada Comic Con in 2007. It was also the same weekend my son was born. I’ve tabled every year since.
    It’s coming up soon, but beginning November 1, I will be switching over to broadcast mode for the winter. Pre-programmed content will still air on my social media channels. I’ll also be broadcasting from this blog and, of course, there is my weekly newsletter (which you should totally be reading).

    In work news:

    Progress is being made on the book front, with many titles waiting in the wings to go through the production process before getting into your hands. This was an experiment for me–writing books in bulk–and was a lot of fun. It also meant not releasing anything for a year, but still a good experiment nonetheless. What this means for output in the future, I don’t know. I do need to be releasing titles more frequently, however. This blog will also have details on each project as they come out. You’ll also learn the names of Secret Projects Nos. 1 and 2 (which are written).

    Also upcoming is the Central Canada Comic Con from October 27 to 29 at the RBC Convention Centre here in Winnipeg. This is my last public appearance for the year and, possibly, well into next year or even until 2019. I have some plans and experiments I want to run, but I can’t do them if I’m committed to shows and signings. It just makes for too much work, and I’m not as spry as I used to be when I first started out in this business.

    I’m looking forward to hunkering down for the winter. I’m looking forward to the quiet. I’m looking forward to working without other things buzzing in the back of my brain.

    I’m looking forward to making more books.


    📂This entry was posted in Stuff Web Stuff Writing 📎and tagged

  • Double Trouble — Two Comic Con Appearances Booked for 2017

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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!


    📂This entry was posted in Conventions Promo Items 📎and tagged

  • Axiom-man Prints and Original Superhero Art Now Available

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Axiom-man Prints and Original Superhero Art Now Available

    Axiom-man Prints: 3-pack

    Straight from the pages of The Axiom-man Saga, introducing new Axiom-man prints available for direct order!

    You can now add the Cobalt Crusader to your print collection with these prints that debuted at this year’s Central Canada Comic Con.

    (All prints and original art come with an optional signature and/or personalization. Signatures are free, of course.)

    Please email apfuchs(at)gmail(dot)com to make arrangements.

    1 print for $10

    2 for $15

    3 for $20

    Plus shipping.

    All prints come in standard-sized comic book bags and boards.

    Axiom-man and Redsaw Print
    Axiom-man Flying Print
    Axiom-man Alley Print

    Axiom-man Original Artwork

    The original art–pre-digital modification–for the above prints is also available for direct order.

    The original art was produced on 8.5 x 11 paper using pen and ink and marker.

    Each piece is $75 plus shipping.

    Axiom-man and Redsaw
    Axiom-man Flying
    Axiom-man Alley

    📂This entry was posted in Artwork Axiom-man Promo Items Superheroes 📎and tagged

  • C4 Comic Con Appearance 2016

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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.


    📂This entry was posted in Conventions 📎and tagged

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

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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.


    📂This entry was posted in Articles Conventions Publishing Self-publishing 📎and tagged