Just back from Brisbane Oz Comic-Con 2018 and I’m still buzzing.
What an amazing weekend it was.
After a week and a bit of lead up prep and panic, I arrived in Brisvegas Friday evening and the weather was bang on perfect. It was too late in the day to bump in to the event, but thankfully my flight wasn’t redirected to the Gold Coast this time (thanks lightning gods, 2017 was enough for this author).
After some issues at Sydney Supanova and AVcon Adelaide, this was to be the first event since launching Apocalypse: Diary of a Survivor 3 without any book problems. So, you can probably imagine what went though my head as I got to my table for the first time and there was no product waiting for me (if you’re struggling, just search gifs with the terms ‘shocked’).
It was a short-lived panic as the awesome staff at the Hall 4 entrance to the Convention Centre soon had me headed in the right direction (they were super helpful).
In true Matt J slacker style, I was still putting the finishing on my table as the first wave of the weekend crowd was filling the venue.
The next two days of exhibiting just flew by.
I met some amazing people across the weekend. There is a chilled vibe at the BrisOzCC, same as last year. It’s just so enjoyable to stop and chat about life and my books, to make a fool of myself… or whatever. To those who stopped by, bantered back, ignored me with a cool blanking move, I thank you – you all go to making the event full and interesting.
As to those who bought a book or more, I am forever grateful. This is obviously what I want to do for a living, so every moment someone is engaged in the covers, blurbs, posters or author banter, enough to buy a book, well, it’s a great feeling.
I was also lucky enough to have readers who I met at my first Brisbane event last year come back to buy again in 2018. If finding new readers is an amazing feeling, this is something better. It is so very satisfying to realise one of my stories has resonated with a reader enough for them to read further into a world. So for those who purchased sequels in Apocalypse or Starship Dorsano Chronicles, and/or purchased the other series you didn’t last time – thank you!
I had some really cool moments with readers who had purchased before – the sort of moments that stay with you. Readers from last year telling prospective readers that book X is so good they just have to buy (they did)! I also had amazing moment when someone who bought my Zombie RiZing series to read to her son (in Sydney earlier this year), came by my table to tell me where they were at with the series and how much they were enjoying it (a Brisbane highlight for me). Another reader came to purchase Zombie RiZing after a recommendation from a reader at SydSupa17 (thanks Evil Genius Mum)!! I also got to meet a reader I first met in Brisbane last year, who has since became a beta reader on Apocalypse 3 (Marc) – another very cool moment.
My stall was positioned between kids/YA author AJ McMarson and illustrator Stewart McKenny (amazing artwork). What are the odds of having probably the only two authors in Aus with slime as merch positioned next to each other on one side and someone who worked for the same company as me on the other (I’m going to guess quite high)? Anyway, both were relaxed and easy to exhibit alongside. Across the aisle in the same row, were some of the usual indie suspects including Kimberley Clark, Alex James, Renee Spyrou and Sam Colbran. We were keeping guard of the gateway to artist alley – a very cool spot to hang for the weekend.
The Saturday night authors dinner on South Bank was another winner. As was the chance to catch up with my amazing editor Lisa Chant on Sunday evening. Biggest thanks go to Candi, who kept me sane for the trip, was great company at the table and helped me enjoy the Brissy night life – thanks birthday girl!
Loved my second BrisOzCC and I will be back for an event in 2019!
Meanwhile I’d better get writing.
Currently scribing Zombie RiZing 9: Beath Metal (part of ZR season two, or, ZR7-12)
in the bullpen:
Apocalypse: Diary of a Survivor 4
on the writing playlist:
Gang of Youths: Go Farther in Lightness
coming events:
Guide to Digital Publishing talk, Mitcham Library, September 26
Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair, October 1
Adelaide Zombie Walk, October 13