Derby City Comic Con, Louisville, KY July 16,2011 Options

[Ringtail Cafe]

Thanks for the thorough response. Sounds like you're making a pretty strong effort and for that, I'll be submitting an app. As a self-publisher, the one thing I'm looking for more than anything else at a con is an audience. I think a lot of con organizers get so overburdened with the physical needs of the con that they often stumble with promotion. IMO, the most crucial time to promote locally are the 10 days leading up to the con, which unfortunately will be the same time frame that all the physical needs start eating up time too.

That said, if there are promotional efforts I can assist or participate in, please let me know. After all, helping you helps myself and my fellow comicking folk.

Also, glad to hear there's 8' tables! I have a lot of merch.

I have to agree. A few cons recently have been a little bit on the "miss" side of things. Great line up of guests, great location, well organized con. Next to zero attendance. Who is the target of the convention, and how many people do you think you can get through the door? An excellent example is Cincinnati Comic Expo. First year con, they got a TON of people to show up. They really pushed the promotion.

[livedog]

Thanks for the thorough response. Sounds like you're making a pretty strong effort and for that, I'll be submitting an app. As a self-publisher, the one thing I'm looking for more than anything else at a con is an audience. I think a lot of con organizers get so overburdened with the physical needs of the con that they often stumble with promotion. IMO, the most crucial time to promote locally are the 10 days leading up to the con, which unfortunately will be the same time frame that all the physical needs start eating up time too.

That said, if there are promotional efforts I can assist or participate in, please let me know. After all, helping you helps myself and my fellow comicking folk.

Also, glad to hear there's 8' tables! I have a lot of merch.

Thanks, Eric. I'm lucky to have a great partner who can help help take care of some of the duties, especially in those days closest to the show. My SIL is also tied in to the marketing community in Louisville and will be helping us on that front as time gets closer.

I really appreciate the offer! At the moment the most anyone can do for us is suggesting our facebook page to their friends and just spreading the word to other artists and vendors.

[livedog]

I have to agree. A few cons recently have been a little bit on the "miss" side of things. Great line up of guests, great location, well organized con. Next to zero attendance. Who is the target of the convention, and how many people do you think you can get through the door? An excellent example is Cincinnati Comic Expo. First year con, they got a TON of people to show up. They really pushed the promotion.

I think CCE really hit a nerve with the community. I had started planning before I found out about CCE and when I read about it I knew I had to make the drive over to check it out. I really enjoyed the show and it really helped fire me up to bring this to Louisville. I don't know what they did numbers-wise, but I know there seemed to be a nice, steady stream of of traffic the whole time I was there. The dealers I've talked to about it were definitely happy with how they made out. As a first year con, I think they are an excellent example.

I laid the target audience in my book-sized post earlier, so I won't make everyone read it again here

[livedog]

Just wanted to update that we signed on another great sponsor - Fearless Readers Online! I know they have a thread here so I thought some of you might be interested.

[livedog]

Just wanted to update a couple of things, both concerning our Facebook page:

Today we started our "Derby City Spotlight," which will be Q&As with our Special Guests, artists and Small Presses to help introduce them to fans who might not be familiar with them. Tony Moore kicks off the Spotlight.

To celebrate, we will be giving away one of the shirts Tony designed for Threadless.com!

We've also added a few more artists and small presses to the line-up.

[livedog]

We have a new Derby City Spotlight up on our facebook page. This spotlight shines on 2011 Guest, Bill Nichols!

[Bill Nichols]

Hey, thanks! I appreciate it!

[livedog]

Just wanted to post an update of the artist list (newest updates in red):

Gary Friedrich (Creator of Ghost Rider)
Jay Leisten (Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Legacy: Age of X)
Marjorie Liu (X-23, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Black Widow)
Tony Moore (Walking Dead, Masters of the Universe, Fear Agent)
Bill Nichols (Comics Mentor, Sketch Magazine)
Stuart Sayger (Machete, Bionicle, Shiver In The Dark)
Uko Smith (FX2 - The Lost Land)
Louisville Cartoonist Society
Eric Adams
Justin Castaneda
Rodney Fyke
Terry Huddleston
Paul McCall
Mike Maydak
Jenny M. Stead

Comic Related will also be joining us with their new display!

We've also added Gem City Comics to the vendor list and comic Geek Speak as a sponsor since my last update.

We have a new Derby City Spotlight posted at our Facebook page spotlighting Uncanny X-Men inker Jay Leisten. Check it out!

[livedog]

New Derby City Spotlight on Eric Adams up at our Facebook page!

[livedog]

Just wanted to put up another quick artist update (new in red):

Robert Atkins (GI Joe, Heroes For Hire)
Steve Bird (Green Arrow, Birds of Prey)
Gary Friedrich (Creator of Ghost Rider)
Rick Ketcham (Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Runaways, Doctor Who)
Jay Leisten (Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Legacy: Age of X)
Marjorie Liu (X-23, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Black Widow)
Tony Moore (Walking Dead, Masters of the Universe, Fear Agent)
Bill Nichols (Comics Mentor, Sketch Magazine)
Stuart Sayger (Machete, Bionicle, Shiver In The Dark)
Uko Smith (FX2 - The Lost Land)
Jason Walker (Contract, The Gift)
John "Waki" Wycough (BloodRayne, Transformers, Star Wars)
Louisville Cartoonist Society
Eric Adams
Dustin Carson
Justin Castaneda
Rodney Fyke
Terry Huddleston
Paul McCall
Mike Maydak
Jenny M. Stead

[livedog]

Another quick update (new in red):

Robert Atkins (GI Joe, Heroes For Hire)
Steve Bird (Green Arrow, Birds of Prey)
Gary Friedrich (Creator of Ghost Rider)
Rick Ketcham (Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Runaways, Doctor Who)
Janet K. Lee (Return of the Dapper Men, Emma)
Jay Leisten (Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Legacy: Age of X)
Marjorie Liu (X-23, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Black Widow)
Tony Moore (Walking Dead, Masters of the Universe, Fear Agent)
Bill Nichols (Comics Mentor, Sketch Magazine)
Stuart Sayger (Machete, Bionicle, Shiver In The Dark)
Uko Smith (FX2 - The Lost Land)
Jason Walker (Contract, The Gift)
John "Waki" Wycough (BloodRayne, Transformers, Star Wars)
Louisville Cartoonist Society
Eric Adams
Dustin Carson
Justin Castaneda
Rodney Fyke
Terry Huddleston
Paul McCall
Mike Maydak
Jenny M. Stead

Small Presses:
Broken Icon Comics
CZKWorld
Near Mint Press
Old World Comics
The Pantheon, Inc
Ringtail Cafe Productions

Vendors:
Charles Bond Comics
Fearless Readers Online
Gem City Comics
The Great Escape

Also, don't forget our "Derby City Spotlight" available exclusively on our Facebook page. This weeks Spotlight is on indie creator Paul McCall. We'll also be posting a preview of one of our posters very shortly!

[Ringtail Cafe]

I'm happy that Ringtail Cafe will be making it to that show. I've really been looking forward to this one.

[livedog]

Brief update: Today we announced one of the causes we will be helping with our auction at the show - The Library Foundation. This is a local non-profit that helps fund programs at the Louisville Free Public Library locations. The money we donate will be earmarked to purchase graphic novels for the libraries.

Also, we've updated our Web site with expanded bios for our Guests, Artists and Small Presses. Because our Derby City Spotlight, our Facebook exclusive Q&A has proven to be so popular, we have added the Derby City Spotlight Archive to the site. With the exception of the current one, Spotlights will be archived a couple of weeks after first appearing on the Facebook page.

Speaking of Facebook and the Web site, you can currently see a sneak peek of the art for one of our posters. But because I'm excited about it, I'll put it here, too!


This post has been edited by livedog: Feb 14 2011, 11:09 AM

[livedog]

Another quick update (new in red):

Robert Atkins (GI Joe, Heroes For Hire)
Steve Bird (Green Arrow, Birds of Prey)
Gary Friedrich (Creator of Ghost Rider)
Rick Ketcham (Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Runaways, Doctor Who)
Janet K. Lee (Return of the Dapper Men, Emma)
Jay Leisten (Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Legacy: Age of X)
Marjorie Liu (X-23, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Black Widow)
Tony Moore (Walking Dead, Masters of the Universe, Fear Agent)
Bill Nichols (Comics Mentor, Sketch Magazine)
Stuart Sayger (Machete, Bionicle, Shiver In The Dark)
Uko Smith (FX2 - The Lost Land)
Jason Walker (Contract, The Gift)
John "Waki" Wycough (BloodRayne, Transformers, Star Wars)
Louisville Cartoonist Society
Eric Adams
John Barker
Dustin Carson
Justin Castaneda
Frank Cvetkovic
Shalan Darragh
Rodney Fyke
Terry Huddleston
Doug Hufford
Bruce O. Hughes
Paul McCall
Mike Maydak
Joseph Morris
Jenny M. Stead
Scott Story
Billy Tackett
Mike White

Small Presses:
Broken Icon Comics
CZKWorld
Near Mint Press
Old World Comics
The Pantheon, Inc
Ringtail Cafe Productions
Zephid Comics

Vendors:
Fearless Readers Online
Gary Gamboa Comics
Gem City Comics
The Great Escape

You can see our first poster on our Facebook page or download your own copy from our Web site!

Speaking of our Web site, we've updated it to include bios of all of our Guests, Artists and Small Presses, we've added an archive of our Facebook feature, Derby City Spotlight, and we've added all of our press releases to the site.

Tickets went on sale online today!

We will also be holding an auction to benefit two causes. The first is the Library Foundation, in Louisville. This money will be earmarked to purchase graphic novels for the Louisville Free Public Library system. The second is Comic Geek Speak co-host Jamie D. Jamie is a battling breast cancer, something you don't hear about too often in men, and the money will go toward the medical bills accrued in his treatments.

[livedog]

It's time for another update! (as usual, new in red)

Creators:
Robert Atkins (GI Joe, Heroes For Hire)
Steve Bird (Green Arrow, Birds of Prey)
Gary Friedrich (Creator of Ghost Rider)
Rick Ketcham (Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Runaways, Doctor Who)
Janet K. Lee (Return of the Dapper Men, Emma)
Jay Leisten (Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Legacy: Age of X)
Marjorie Liu (X-23, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Black Widow)
Tony Moore (Walking Dead, Masters of the Universe, Fear Agent)
Bill Nichols (Comics Mentor, Sketch Magazine)
Stuart Sayger (Machete, Bionicle, Shiver In The Dark)
Uko Smith (FX2 - The Lost Land)
Jason Walker (Contract, The Gift)
John "Waki" Wycough (BloodRayne, Transformers, Star Wars)
Louisville Cartoonist Society
Jonathan Matthews (DC Direct sculpter)
Eric Adams
John Barker
Jenevieve Broomall
Dustin Carson
Justin Castaneda
Edward Choi
Sterling Clark
Frank Cvetkovic
Shalan Darragh
Kurt Einhaus
Rodney Fyke
Charles Hall
Terence Hanley
William Hood
Terry Huddleston
Doug Hufford
Bruce O. Hughes
Knifley
Leen Ink
Paul McCall
Mike Maydak
Michael Mayne
Nathan Thomas Milliner
Joseph Morris
Eric Orr
Scott D.M. Simmons
Jenny M. Stead
Scott Story
Billy Tackett
Jim Tinnell
Mike White

Small Presses:
Action Lab Entertainment
Bitter Teas Studio
Broken Icon Comics
Cataclysm Press
Cosmic Moustache Comics
CZKWorld
Mourning Daily Publishing
Near Mint Press
Old World Comics
The Pantheon, Inc
Ringtail Cafe Productions
Zephid Comics
The Zombie Marge Comix Group

Vendors:
Comic Book World
Fearless Readers Online
Galaxy of Heroes
Gary Gamboa Comics
Gem City Comics
The Great Escape
The Estate of Richard Grinnell
Leroy Harper Comics
Royal Buttons
Wallace Smith Comics
Typecast Publishing

And more to come!

[livedog]

Vendor tables are almost sold out, so if anyone is considering getting one, drop me a line soon!

[CZKWorld]

We will be attending...look forward to networking and meeting everyone.

[MasonEasley]

I'm interested in this show, since Louisville isn't too far from C-bus. Are there artist tables still available?

[livedog]

I'm interested in this show, since Louisville isn't too far from C-bus. Are there artist tables still available?

We still have some Artist tables left!

We only have 2 more vendor tables left if anyone reading is considering selling at the show.

I'll probably update the guest list here later this week, but in the meantime, check out our Facebook page and our Web site for the latest daily update. We've also started a Tumblr page to showcase some of the work from attending creators. Check it out at derbycitycomiccon.tumblr.com and see the fantastic print Bruce O. Hughes is bringing to the show!

[Bill Nichols]

You guys still want me to do a panel? Shoot me a note with any details (as in will I have a spot at a table somewhere, etc?)