(For the purposes of transparency I would like to state from the outset that I am not a convention organiser. I am not involved in organising True Believers or any other events. Anyone who does organise one needs a round of applause in my opinion. From what I’ve heard and seen it’s very hard work.)
It’s now the run up to True Believers. A comic centric, grass roots convention run by enthusiasts for the medium for those who read and create. Done for free to promote the medium in some difficult times of bad sales and commercial closures.
They’ve made myself and my two podcast brothers Vince and Dan guests. I actually feel really blessed (and a touch of the imposter) to have a free table at the event. We are big fans of comics conventions and True Believers is one of the best. We’ve decided that it made a great place to release issue 1 of our Awesome Comics anthology last year and we’ll be rounding off the celebrations by releasing issue 4 (our last chapter) at the 2019 event on the 2nd of February. We had great sales there and have an absolute blast year after year in Cheltenham.
I’ll also be releasing with Andy Hanks and the Fair Spark Books brigade our charity comics and activity book ‘How To Make Comics with Springworth’.
So I’ve been throwing myself into promoting the event. The three of us have been talking it up a storm on the podcast and invited the organisers on for a quiz and interview. I’ve written numerous blog posts (scroll below) and mailer pieces. We’ve all been Facebook and Twitter reposting (and so on). It’s not difficult and it’s a very worthy event. I make zero money out of any of this and neither do Vince or Dan. We do it for the love of the medium.
So last night I thought I would have a look through the other guests and see what they had been looking forward to at the event and to see if any had opened any commission lists I could jump on.
It’s great to see that Comichaus will be there and they have posted and spoken about the event. Pete is a good egg - let that be known and Comichaus is a growing resource for indie comics at a great value.
But as I scrolled through the social media accounts of the other guests I didn’t find a great deal. Virtually nothing in fact.
Why is that?
Do they think that gracing an event with their presence is enough? Maybe it is?
Are they in fact just shy and RT’ing the ticket link is too scary?
Are they just oblivious?
Selfish?
In another country?
Out of internet reach?
Captured by witches?
Chained to a radiator in a rock star’s flat?
It’s getting to the point where you’re more likely to see some hobbyist small press comics maker talking up the event than you are someone who pays the mortgage with their work.
I’m afraid that after scanning their posts the excuse of being ‘too busy’ doesn’t wash. They have time to talk about all sorts (I won’t repeat these posts on here to save a few blushes) but can’t seem to find the time to RT a link to the ticket sales?
Or even just mention that they are attending? Isn’t it worth them publicising their attendance from a sales point of view? I’ve spoken to four convention organisers elsewhere than True Believers and they have had the same problem every single year. Some of these people have a substantial following that would financially assist the conventions and themselves if they announced appearances one would guess?
Many of these guests are also getting travel payments and complimentary hotel rooms in a pretty nice hotel as part of their deal.
Yet still radio silence.......
Isn’t now a time to get behind events like this? The industry is in flux and comic shops are closing all over the country at a worrying speed. This sort of event will get new eyes on comics and inspire those with a possibly flagging interest.
So professionals. Pay attention and help us to help you and the rest of comics. In the long run it can’t hurt to repost a link or say how much you are looking forward to something.
Come on... we’re in this together.
Here’s that ticket link again http://oktruebelievers.com/tickets/
If you are there please come say hi.
If you are one of the people shouting loudly about comics I’m on your side.
Many thanks for reading.
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