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Con Etiquette

casemaker

16:02 / 19.04.07

For those of you that attend cons regularly, I am curious about your advice on etiquette when approaching publishers and/or creators.

I have been to many cons as a consumer, but this coming weekend I'll be attending the Atlanta Comic Expo. This will be my first attempt at speaking to industry people since my first comic has been printed. I'm treating it as a dry run for Heroes Con, where I'll have a table this summer. I will also be pitching a mini-series there.

I've read around and one consensus seems to be that it is fine to ask an editor how to approach a pitch and maybe give them a business card. It's also better to let them know ahead of time that you're coming to talk to them. However, it's not a good idea to drop a script and pitch on someone unless they ask for it.

Does this fit with what your experience has been? Do you have any further advice for pitching at cons?

Mario

16:47 / 19.04.07

If I recall what I've been told, the answer to "What's the best way to pitch at a con?" is "Don't". Most of the big companies won't even LOOK at an unsolicited pitch for legal reasons.

OTOH, using the con as a way to network is still a good idea.

Benny the Ball

17:52 / 19.04.07

If you have something printed and published, then take lots of copies and show them around - with your contact details - take a lot to sell, but look also at giving some away.

Otherwise, most con's only really offer Pro's looking at art sessions, written stuff won't get a look in.

Use the time to make friends and contacts by finding shared interests and chatting with folks, and then in the future in a less busy environment, you can move to pitching stuff.

Mark Parsons

20:49 / 19.04.07

Have your books and cards ready. You may be asked to pitch on the spot: a freind of mine sold an idea to Dark Horse and Top Cow a few SDCC's ago. He had zero comics work but had done some movie work. Good Luck! Post back with tales from the trenches (and check out Ellis' The Engine for more tips)

sleazenation

22:08 / 19.04.07

Legend has it that what finally turned Alan Moore off going to Cons was an experience where an over-enthusiastic fan followed him into the toilet in search of a signature...

So, um, don't do that.

Tim Tempest

22:12 / 19.04.07

Good thread. I'm hitting up my first con in about a week. So, will the average comic dude actually get some time to talk to some of the pros? Or is it a quick "get your autograph and go" kind of environment? Because alot of those people that makes the comix sound like they'd hold a fun conversation.

Mario

22:31 / 19.04.07

It actually depends on the pro, and often on the context. I've shot the breeze with a couple of pros (and turned into a babbling idiot when I met Walter Simonson) but I've also been herded along because of long lines or other issues.

Benny the Ball

22:47 / 19.04.07

Completely - head to the bar too, you'll find most of the relaxed ones there!

Alex's Grandma

23:43 / 19.04.07

I think the main thing to do is not threaten anyone, unless it's absolutely necessary.

I suppose the above advice about not following the talent into the toilet has some merit, also.

Although I did get his autograph, in the end.

sleazenation

23:49 / 19.04.07

And on the pitching front you can always be a bit more pro-active.

People who work in comics tend to like comics, and everyone likes free stuff, especiually if its good. And the best way to show you've got what it takes to make entertaining comics is to make entertaining comics.

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