Comic-con Part 2 - Learnin' from the elders

Enough from me, lets have some words directly from Nicola Scott, Shane McCarthy and Christian Read

Is Comic-con really as overwhelming as they say?

Response from every person who has been: YES... and more.

There seem to be fewer opportunities to physically network with publishers or as many creators in Australia. Given the vast and overwhelming size of San Diego comics con having networks/contacts in place before you go sounds like it would be very useful. Firstly, is this true? and secondly what can creators do to overcome the tyranny of distance and establish points of contact prior to the convention?

Nicola: The internet is your friend, use it. While in the planning stages of your trip, you want to find out who else from Australia is going. They are your touchstone. Some people will be going for fun while others will be going to find work. We have local websites, local conventions and simply our own ability to catch up for a drink to find people we know and get along with well enough, with the same interests. It always surprises me how many of us are there each year. Even just to bump into on the floor and share stories with.

As for making contacts with US based people, it depends why you're going. Again, you want to be an active member of as many US based websites as possible. Find out who from there is planning a trip to Comicon and make plans to catch up with them too. If you're after a publisher, the smaller they are the more likely you can set up a meeting before you leave. The bigger ones, you might just have to meet on the com floor. If you're after an editor, you may have luck setting up a meeting before you get there but that depends on how accessible they are.

THE MOST YOU CAN HOPE FOR IS THEY SAY "COME BY OUR BOOTH/TABLE". That's it. Having a list of people you HOPE to catch while you're there might be as good as it gets. Any meetings you do get will be brief and probably very noisy. Be ready with a brief and succinct introduction and your folio. Meetings can pop out of nowhere. Of the people you DO know, ask them if there's anyone they could introduce you to.

If you're going simply to make contacts then introduce yourself to as many people as possible, get their cards and leave them with one of yours. Follow up all cards about a week after the con with a "we met at San Diego. I'm ..." e-mail. If you're going to find work be prepared to commit to going to Comicon every year.

Shane: The sad fact of the Con is that, especially as a writer, you're just not going to be able to make contacts or network effectively before going (for the first time). I'd certainly recommend emailing potential contacts (editors etc) but the problem with that is you're still just another name on an already incredibly crowded desk (or desktop). Emailing John Smith prior to going is the way to go but you'll find you have to reintroduce yourself when you're there anyway and 9 times out of 10 they won't have the foggiest who you are or that you emailed to begin with. It can't hurt but it rarely helps.

The alternative would be to try and strike up a rapport with an editor over a long period of time that eventually culminates with your arrival at the Con. Sadly the chances of having this happen are slim as well since, honestly, they'd much prefer to be left alone rather than dealing with a faceless entity from a country 'far, far away'.

In the end what I would recommend, from personal experience, is to have a few contacts in mind and hunt them down once you're there. Introduce yourself, be polite, be clear, interesting and natural and then leave them the hell alone. You want to introduce yourself to them as a person first and as a writer second. Then you can build on this relationship since they have a face and an impression to the name.

If you could only take one thing with you to Comic-Con, what would it be?
Christian: Obviously, prophylactics. But failing that, business cards.
Shane: Comfortable shoes, you're going to be walking A LOT!
Nicola: When I was trying to find work the most important thing was my portfolio. Everything revolved around the folio. Now it's water.