Question Concerning Comic Cons and Katie Cook

Kallile

Awkward Earth Pony
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Apr 18, 2013
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Alright, as some of you may know or remember, my husband and I are good friends with a local vintage toy store owner. Last year we got our own little Comic and Toy Expo up and going and for a first year had a really good turnout.

This year the location is in a three floor art gallery, all three floors are at our disposal, we have panels and contests in the works and the expo is being paired with an artist who paints superheros on scrap metal. We are looking to double our turnout and what's even better is that all artists who set up a booth will be able to leave their art up for display and sale at the gallery the entire month of February.

All we are missing is one bigger name...and we are really hoping for Katie Cook. The contact email is going out tomorrow but I need honest opinions first before we reach out to her.

So my question is--as a fan of ponies, comic cons, or just art in general--how much would a guest like this entice you to come to an expo to be able to meet her, buy art from her, or possibly even go to a panel? We've already had lots of people from out of state show up for our first year so we know people are willing to travel to us.

We know it's a long shot, but we're hoping the fact that she gets free display of her art in a gallery for a month will help to be a draw for her. Just wondering if she was one of those names you all might be really excited about...or if we should keep looking.
 
I personally would be happy to meet her at Con sometimes, maybe to talk to, take an autograph, etc. - it all will be great. But I don't understand something - if you have an opportunity to invite such a person, why do you need our opinion at all? Surely you must know better already, and what does it change?

Would be interesting to know afterwards how it all went, photos maybe?
 
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We don't know that she will come at all--my husband was hesitant to reach out to her at all since he doesn't know much about the pony community. Still being pretty new to collecting and things outside the show myself I simply wanted opinions on how exciting her name would be to see on a special guest list. We're still a really small comic con and we don't want to bring in someone so obscure that they have a terrible time and no line of fans, you know? If the general response would be one of "eh...I guess that'd be cool" then we would look elsewhere. We'd like to build a good relationship with up and coming comic artists and such so as our comic con grows, hopefully so will the size of our special guest list. But that often won't happen if our guests don't have anything to do but sit there and be bored.

Simply trying to gauge how large of a star she is in the pony/comic community or in general, since I know only a small bit about her career and comic communities in general. ;)

But if by chance she would come, I will definitely be giving you guys all the details!
 
Oh, in this aspect. Yes, it makes sense.

Well, as I said, I definitely would be glad to meet her at Con. If an artist of her level also draw/takes commisions/gives autographs there - it usually gather a big interest. But as for particular interest in adult fandom for comics... I am not sure, really. At least one of her MLP comic pic's in particular generated tons of LOL's I am sure :). You need to collect more opinions, and at more brony-populated forum maybe.

Also maybe you can ask her opinion too - some of well-known MLP artists, singers, animators and other creative people like to attend to such events, and chances are she already knows the answer to your questions.
 
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I'm sorry to say I have no idea who Katie cook is. Until now that is. But I'm also not familiar with the newer stuff in general.
 
I'm sure she's in demand, so she'll require a pretty good package as incentive to come. In ye olden days a good package usually included all travel costs (plane tickets both ways, taxi from airport to hotel and back), room cost (a good room, usually a suite with all the extras), a set amount of room service (should they opt to eat in their room. Never give a guest a bar tab, that can be mighty costly), all meals provided (usually includes one fancy meal out with con staff should the guest be willing to go. Lots just stay in their room or go out on their own then the con has to foot the bill), a set amount of floor money (cash they will spend out on the floor, some don't ask this), a set fee for attending and speaking (amount set by their popularity and how many panels they attend) and a set fee for autograph signing (we never charged back in ye olden days, we had no idea our signatures were worth anything. hehe. Some will expect to be paid to sit at the table PLUS they will charge fans per signature/commission. Depends on the guest).

Some guests can be very costly. I was part of a team of creators, so we were a package deal. Being a con guest is a surprising amount of work, especially if you actually go out and mingle, and try to be part of things. The guests that just do what they gotta do then hide in their rooms are sorta poots.

Look to see if you have any indie artists/writers in your town or nearby. Even webcomic creators are popular at cons now. Many of them are newbs, and would come guest at a con just for free table space to sell their wares. They're wonderful to have at cons and usually super helpful because they're looking to forge relationships in the industry and get good names out for themselves.

I'm probably missing something, but hopefully that is a start to help you out!

(I'm going to go ask a few comic people I know if any good artists/writers out in WV. Can't hurt to see who's near.)
 
My husband has been involved in many conventions before and has a package offer all set up for her, which I have glanced over and if memory serves includes most of the things you mentioned. We are painfully aware we probably won't be able to get her, she's our top "we would love to have you" guest and should she say no it won't be the end of the world. Maybe she's in the Christmas spirit and will say yes, who knows. :p We had another writer in mind--one who works on the Mass Effect comics that my husband has met and talked with on several occasions at numerous conventions (my husband is one of those people who can talk to literally anyone, about anything, for hours). He was even kind enough to sign a comic to our son for free when he heard we had had a baby. However I do know that he's unable to attend but hopes to see us again at TriCon.

We only know of a small group of comic writers and artists locally, and if I remember the conversation correctly they are already planning to attend. One owns a local comic store and we always attend the little convention he holds annually as part of our toy store owners booth.

Thanks for the outreach though--we greatly appreciate it!
 
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