#dextrodiva

Kiriska: Here is my full convention history. As you can see, my annual number of conventions has steadily grown from 3 to 20 over a 7 year period. 

My first convention vending was in fall 2008. I was a full-time student until 2010, so 3-6 conventions/year was what I could schedule around classes and travel to within a reasonable driving distance of where I lived at the time. I was not yet making enough from cons to justify more expensive travel (flying).

I was lucky that after graduation, I went straight into freelance work, which allowed me the flexibility necessary to continue doing conventions while giving me a separate stream of income. Freelance work made up a significant portion of my income from 2010 to 2013.

In 2012 and 2013, I slowly started to travel further for more shows. In 2014, conventions became my primary source of income. In 2015, I did 20 conventions, including single-day shows. I’m looking at about the same number in 2016.

And honestly, 20 is probably “too many,” because this many shows is incredibly stressful and taxing to my physical health, particularly because I con solo for the most part and very rarely have a helper. But because I made conventions my primary source of income, I need to do about this many to stay in business. 

Ongoing improvement on my part in terms of convention research (picking better cons), product (better margins), and diversified income streams (selling online, consignment, etc) may allow me to do fewer and fewer shows gradually, but for now, I’m probably looking at 20 shows in 2017 too.

“Is it affordable” therefore, is highly dependent on 1) your own health, and 2) whether cons are a primary, secondary, or hobbyist source of income. For the hobbyist, it probably is not reasonable to do 20 cons a year on top of a full-time job. For me, I can’t afford not to do 20 cons a year.

Nattosoup:

I never set out to become a ‘con artist’.  I’m a comic artist who pursued a masters degree in comics, because I wanted to make comics and share them with other people.  Conventions were an avenue to do that, and for awhile, it seemed like the only avenue open to me as an artist with a manga inspired style. 

At my height, I was doing 13 cons a year, for four years (2012-2015) straight.

I.  hated. it.And I hated myself.I was angry because I met thousands of people a year, but had no friends.  I sold thousands of commissions, but my comic career was dead in the water.  I’d taught hundreds of people how to table at conventions either through here, through my con recaps on my other blog, or in person at panels, but couldn’t even liquidate product in End of Year online sales.  I was so miserable.Conventions had become an addiction in the worst possible way.  I saw them as my only way to make money as a comic artist in Nashville, TN, and I resented the fact that anime conventions did not bring in opportunities outside the con.  I had a few emotional breakdowns, but couldn’t see a way out of the situation, other than to just stop doing cons.

And honestly, that was what I needed to do.  Now I’m down to six- most of which are local to my area (MTAC, Akaicon, and Handmade and Bound), or are cons I’ve done for years, and always enjoy (Mechacon, NOCAZfest).  I’m thinking of cutting back even more, because between cons, con commissions, updating the other blog, and my YouTube channel, I don’t have as much time as I want to draw comics, and that’s the only reason I’m even doing these things.Once I hit that point of being sick of conventions, sick of commissions, and sick of myself, I was able to raise my prices enough to make things fair to me, as a human being who has bills to pay and needs to eat.  Before that, my prices were competitive only with hobbyist teenagers, and I allowed my audience to walk all over me and make unreasonable demands.  Now I can say no and not regret it, because that little bit of money lost is not as precious as my time.So while I could financially afford to go to every con that occurred in a 5 hour driving distance, I was only barely breaking even, and I wasn’t paying myself a fair rate.  Now I can’t emotionally afford to do that, so I have to prioritize and say ‘no’ more often. And that means prioritizing myself and my health.  Putting in person friendships first, so when the con year is over, or when I’m in con crunch, I have people to talk to.  Putting romantic relationships first, because the person who has my back all year round deserves to be treated well, and doesn’t deserve to come second to conventions any more.  Putting my comics first, so I have something to sell when I do decide to table.  

So how do I afford things?  I did 43+ watercolor illustrations for a children’s book from 2013-2015.  I released the first volume of my all ages watercolor comic, which I sell at cons (for way too low a margin, until I switch printers).  I do freelance with a children’s media company, and I CONSTANTLY cold contact companies and agencies.  I write an art supply review/convention review/art tutorial blog that is funded by a sad combination of Amazon affiliates links, ads, and Patreon backers, and I recently started a YouTube channel that’s funded by Patreon backers and ad money.  I also live off investments from the inheritance I received after my father passed away a few years ago.  I only travel to conventions (outside of indie cons, which are always a loss) that I KNOW I will make good money at, and I try to consistently introduce new products that my particular niche audience will enjoy and spend money on.  In a nutshell, I’m self employed, and I have to scrounge every resource I have to make a living, but it’s MY living, on my own terms.

I only see some posts from time to time, but not enough to give you complete info on this (idk if they draw aliens!). I need to do a masterpost first.

If anyone knows or is open for Mass Effect fanart commissions, can you give me a link with the prices and specifics (ex: do they draw aliens) so I can add them to the masterpost? Instant messaging is fine btw! 

3. Favorite male companion and why?

Garrus because I’m a fucking trashbag and he’s the whole reason I decided to play the game in the first place. The alien had to be mine. And he’s just such a fucking LOSER I love him. But if I had to chose someone that I didn’t have as a LI, I would go with Vega. He was just a nice guy to hang around. It took a bit to get used to him but when you’re friends he’s pretty great.

4. Favorite female companion and why?

Taliiiiiiii gosh she’s just so rad okay. Super smart, super nice. Best friend on the Normandy.

7. Most heartbreaking moment in each part of the triology and why?

I haven’t had the chance to play 1 yet;;;

In 2, I’d have to say...On my first playthrough. I didn’t really know how Mass Effect choices worked, so I was pretty neutral. I lost Legion at the very end. I couldn’t believe it and cried like a baby. He was one of my favorites and I lost him, but people I didn’t like (Miranda) survived. I was so mad and upset. I know that’s not really a major plot thing but honestly? 2 didn’t hit me really hard.

In 3, the part on Rannoch where you have to choose between the Geth and the Quarians. Since I didn’t save Legion, I couldn’t get the truce and it was just horrible. I chose the Quarians in the end, because I knew Tali would kill herself. 

Also losing Mordin was really hard too. I know he felt better for what he did, but man do I miss him.

11. Any particular memorable quote and from who?

The first thing to always come to mind is Mordin’s “Scientist Salarian” song. It’s just so catchy!

18. Renegade or Paragon and why?