Comic-Con: Indie Author Book Shop

(Image from Monopoly Events 2023)

Hello, my fellow hyped comic book artist and graphic novelist,

Comic-Con was last weekend, and I was able to meet Misha Collins and Jensen Ackles! Both wares lovely. My sister meat Helena Bonham Carter for her birthday. Awesome. We watched the cosplay competition did a potions class and saw so many amazing costumes. If you have never been to one and you are a big fan nerd like me, I really recommend. It’s literally a big celebration of all things nerdy ( wrestling and boxing are also often featured) where you can nerd out with a lot of like-minded people, as well as a chance to meet your own beloved icons. Honestly one of the things I look forward to the most in the year.

Now you might be wondering what this has to do with a writer’s blog. Well simple.

This fabulous celebration of pop culture is also a perfect place for independent creatives to sell their wares, which also includes the fabulous works of Indie authors.

Now I cannot speak about the experiences from a author’s point of view, but I have been to a fair share of Comic-Con as an conventioneer (yes I looked it up. Don’t act like you knew this word excited). Where I have picked up comic books/books from Indie authors/publishers. Personally I think that this is a good marketing tactic, especially now that independent authors are becoming more and more prominent in the literary landscape. Competing with authors who are backed my traditional/larger publishing house as you have less resources, might be becoming a little easier with the rise of social media. However, a large budget and a recognizable brand does get you in front of the reader in physical book shops. Something you cant really do on your own. Comic-Con however, gives indie authors that opportunity and a chance to talk to potential readers face to face.

And as an attendee I have notice 3 things that have attracted me and others to their booths.

Interesting/Relevant Decor

There are so much to see at Comic-Con: Cosplay, actors, film sets/props. There are even streaming panels into the main hall. That’s not mentioning the other vendors you’re competing for attention.

So you need to have find a way to stand out, now you don’t have to go overboard. Just a view relevant little decoration, or fun way to stack your books works. I still remember that and that was 2018 I can still picture it.

If you can’t decorate your stall, why not dress up, have a bit of fun with the character you’ve created. Once again one Comic Con I went to a comic book author had their friend dress up as their character Moon.

Talk to Me

Speaking of you being your own decoration, talking to people is a great way to engage with future audience members. You are your books biggest advocate. No one knows it as well as you or cares about it as much as you. So, tell people about it.

If you are friendly and passionate about your work, I will get excited with you. Your and your book will be more memorable, and I am more likely to want to see for myself.

e.g. My sister bough a gremlin comic book from Matt Stapleton. He was so passionate, excited and knowledge about horror I was getting excited. I don’t even like horror.

I know this isn’t easy for every, talking to stranger and even people I vaguely know scares the hell out of me. But look at it this way you’re talking to people who love similar things as you. Nerd out together.

Business cards/ Promotional material I cannot stress enough how much I love a good business card. You can get so much personality in such a tiny card, so many little context cluses for your book on a flyer before you even include any words. They can be little table decoration, book summaries and reminders all in one. I also can’t explain how disappointed I was in the lack of them this year. And I’m not just saying this because I have a wired thing for stationary. I do but that for a different post. When I go a con, I do an initial lap of the of the entire convention. So, I can plan out my day and my money. If I See something I like I take a card. It helps me remember where you, stops me from impulse buying and if I can’t afford you right now, I can look you up later.

Something I will forget to do if you don’t have a card. I am forgetful and I know this is potentially wired of me to say. But Business cards or flyers, can really be useful. So use them.

Now of course this is all from my experience as a consumer nor the author them self’s. I can’t say how successful these authors are at Cons, or how they even measure success for them self until I do my own. But if this is something you would like to look into more and need an author’s perspective I suggest you read K. Rowe’s article The Cost of a Comic Con for an Indie Author.

The article is from 2016 and is also from an American perspective, so prices may vary. Rowe’s experience is first hand, which will hopefully be useful and interesting to some.

Another thing consider Comic-Con isn’t the only option for something like this. There are book conventions, and festivals out there you could try. I’ve been to a local Makers market, where the stalls are 20£ and were selling their books. So there are a variety of events you could use to your advantage.

The Overly Anxious Writer.