Comments on: MeCAF report http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:44:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Fleen: Enjoy Our Semi-Abusive Opinion Mongering » It’s All Books And Fests Today http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3272291 Wed, 20 May 2009 19:01:04 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3272291 [...] It was the first in what will hopefully be an annual series of MeCAFs, so the website is pretty much that of the organizers, Casablanca Comics of Portland. Fine con reports have gone up in the past few days from Heidi MacDonald, Alexander Danner, and Kean Soo. By all accounts, it was a fine/fun show, and Soo let slip a hint of his next project now that the Jellaby books are done: the adventures of a fact-checking octopus. This has got to be years from arrival in stores and I want to read it yesterday. [...] […] It was the first in what will hopefully be an annual series of MeCAFs, so the website is pretty much that of the organizers, Casablanca Comics of Portland. Fine con reports have gone up in the past few days from Heidi MacDonald, Alexander Danner, and Kean Soo. By all accounts, it was a fine/fun show, and Soo let slip a hint of his next project now that the Jellaby books are done: the adventures of a fact-checking octopus. This has got to be years from arrival in stores and I want to read it yesterday. […]

]]> by: Barry Corbett http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3269428 Wed, 20 May 2009 01:35:30 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3269428 It was, without a doubt, the best event we've exhibited at in years. The venue was bright and cheery, the con was run smoothly and effectively, the attendance was fantastic... and best of all, FREE coffee while setting up! You could tell all the kids were having a blast. There was a ton of excitement and positive energy everywhere. We sold more than twice what we expected, as was evidenced by the folks who didn't bring enough books. Great job by Rick Lowell and his hard working crew at Casblanca Comics. We'll definitely be back in 2010! It was, without a doubt, the best event we’ve exhibited at in years. The venue was bright and cheery, the con was run smoothly and effectively, the attendance was fantastic… and best of all, FREE coffee while setting up! You could tell all the kids were having a blast. There was a ton of excitement and positive energy everywhere. We sold more than twice what we expected, as was evidenced by the folks who didn’t bring enough books. Great job by Rick Lowell and his hard working crew at Casblanca Comics. We’ll definitely be back in 2010!

]]> by: Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources - Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment » Comics A.M. | The comics Internet in two minutes http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3266969 Tue, 19 May 2009 14:15:14 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3266969 [...] Conventions | Adri Cowan and Heidi MacDonald post reports and photos from Sunday’s Maine Comics Art Festival in Portland. [Maine Comics Art Festival] [...] […] Conventions | Adri Cowan and Heidi MacDonald post reports and photos from Sunday’s Maine Comics Art Festival in Portland. [Maine Comics Art Festival] […]

]]> by: John Platt http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3265062 Tue, 19 May 2009 01:49:51 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3265062 What a great show and great day! What a great show and great day!

]]> by: Bill D. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264999 Tue, 19 May 2009 01:12:50 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264999 Glad to hear the show went so well. I'm really hoping to be able to go next year. Glad to hear the show went so well. I’m really hoping to be able to go next year.

]]> by: Sam Costello http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264914 Tue, 19 May 2009 00:33:16 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264914 What a fun show MeCAF was! It was my first con promoting Split Lip and I had a great time. I met some terrific folks, sold 50% more books than the target I'd set for myself and really enjoyed Portland. It was terrifically well-run for being a first show and I can't wait to get back next year. What a fun show MeCAF was! It was my first con promoting Split Lip and I had a great time. I met some terrific folks, sold 50% more books than the target I’d set for myself and really enjoyed Portland.

It was terrifically well-run for being a first show and I can’t wait to get back next year.

]]> by: The Beat http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264270 Mon, 18 May 2009 19:41:45 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264270 Ha! I to have some more "normal" shots but where's the fun in that? Ha! I to have some more “normal” shots but where’s the fun in that?

]]> by: The Beat http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264267 Mon, 18 May 2009 19:41:17 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264267 Ha! I to have some more "normal" shots but where's the fun in that? Ha! I to have some more “normal” shots but where’s the fun in that?

]]> by: michael http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264165 Mon, 18 May 2009 18:56:01 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264165 I agree with rich! Every picture taken looks, creepy....Is there no natural sunlight in Portland? O.o I agree with rich! Every picture taken looks, creepy….Is there no natural sunlight in Portland? O.o

]]> by: Richard J. Marcej http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264000 Mon, 18 May 2009 17:22:55 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3264000 The show sounds great. Rick, please keep everyone informed when/if there'll be a show next year. I'd love to get a table (any excuse to travel to Maine is a good one). The show sounds great.
Rick, please keep everyone informed when/if there’ll be a show next year.
I’d love to get a table (any excuse to travel to Maine is a good one).

]]> by: Matt Maxwell http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263911 Mon, 18 May 2009 16:44:18 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263911 Looks like more fun than the show I went to this weekend. But I have to agree, that sunset picture isn't exactly warm fuzzy-inducing. Looks like more fun than the show I went to this weekend.

But I have to agree, that sunset picture isn’t exactly warm fuzzy-inducing.

]]> by: rich http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263820 Mon, 18 May 2009 16:14:59 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263820 That's an ominous-looking sunset. That’s an ominous-looking sunset.

]]> by: Sean Murphy http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263605 Mon, 18 May 2009 15:16:02 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263605 I attended with my 10 year old stepdaughter. She has only a passing interest in comics but loves art and was swept up in it all. Chris Giarrusso drew her a sketch of Zantanna that she has hung in a place of honor in her room. As we walked to the parking lot she said "I can't get the smile off my face", which really is the best recommendation anyone can offer. As for the question about the mix of indie and kid-friendly art, my stepdaughter hurried by the tables with more adult art and questioned why a mother would buy a younger child something called Bloodsword or some such. But it isn't a lot different than when she flicks through channels on the TV... she keeps going when she hits something she thinks is "inappropriate" to find a program she likes. Course, if her mother attends next year she might have a different opinion, so perhaps a new seating plan would be good. : ) I attended with my 10 year old stepdaughter. She has only a passing interest in comics but loves art and was swept up in it all. Chris Giarrusso drew her a sketch of Zantanna that she has hung in a place of honor in her room. As we walked to the parking lot she said “I can’t get the smile off my face”, which really is the best recommendation anyone can offer.

As for the question about the mix of indie and kid-friendly art, my stepdaughter hurried by the tables with more adult art and questioned why a mother would buy a younger child something called Bloodsword or some such. But it isn’t a lot different than when she flicks through channels on the TV… she keeps going when she hits something she thinks is “inappropriate” to find a program she likes. Course, if her mother attends next year she might have a different opinion, so perhaps a new seating plan would be good. : )

]]> by: Rick Lowell http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263568 Mon, 18 May 2009 14:55:20 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263568 Hello Heidi, Thanks for joining us. We are still recovering today but are already looking ahead to next year. It was definitely a learning experience. There are lots of factors to consider, and considering how many kids and families we had we may need to seriously look at a different seating plan next year. It is still too early to tell what we will do, and I am waiting to hear back from the attending creators for feedback on how we can improve. We want it to be the best experience possible for both the creators and the attendees. The venue had lots of great natural light and the fact that there are high ceilings kept things from getting too loud. We had a steady crowd all day long (especially at opening!). I will announce here that yes, we will do this again next year. It will probably be the same weekend. It may be a two day show but that is still to be determined. Hello Heidi,
Thanks for joining us. We are still recovering today but are already looking ahead to next year. It was definitely a learning experience. There are lots of factors to consider, and considering how many kids and families we had we may need to seriously look at a different seating plan next year. It is still too early to tell what we will do, and I am waiting to hear back from the attending creators for feedback on how we can improve. We want it to be the best experience possible for both the creators and the attendees.

The venue had lots of great natural light and the fact that there are high ceilings kept things from getting too loud. We had a steady crowd all day long (especially at opening!).

I will announce here that yes, we will do this again next year. It will probably be the same weekend. It may be a two day show but that is still to be determined.

]]> by: Jeff Pert http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263509 Mon, 18 May 2009 14:31:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/#comment-3263509 Thanks for coming to the show, Heidi, and for the great write-up! It was nice meeting you. Rick Lowell and his team deserve a lot of credit for putting on such a great first-time show. Thanks for coming to the show, Heidi, and for the great write-up! It was nice meeting you. Rick Lowell and his team deserve a lot of credit for putting on such a great first-time show.

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