Anthrocon Trip Report

I’ve been looking to do more furry cons as of late, as I specialize in comics featuring talking cartoon animals, so I was pretty excited when I got the word that my Dealers Room application for Anthrocon in Pittsburgh (held July 4-7 this year) got approved.

I’ve been in a few furry cons (Midwest Furfest in 2019 and Anthro Northwest earlier this year), but Anthrocon was my “white whale” for a while, so when I got my booth approved I made the most of it. I made sure to print up copies of me two “Lauren Ipsum” books, plus promotional materials (I made mini-comics promoting the comic, plus postcards, stickers, business cards). Along with my old stock of “The Fuzzy Princess” books I think I brought over 100 books. I figure this will be enough for the 3 day con attended by thousands of people.

I carpooled with a friend who was also going to AC. During the journey I had to crash at several places, including my sister’s home in Nashville, but I mainly stayed at a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, sharing a room with Jan (tigerknight.net), who was visiting the convention all the way from Hong Kong. We’ve been corresponding for a while and admire each other’s comics, so meeting him was a highlight.

The Dealer’s Room wouldn’t open until Friday the 5th, but we were allowed to get our badges on the 4th and set our table up, which I did. The 4th was also when I would host a panel screening my animation work. I wound up being late by about 10 minutes because I forgot to bring my charger for my laptop (thank god the hotel room was within walking distance). After the setback I talked a bit to introduce myself as the computer booted up, and once I did it was a matter of running my animation on loop until it was over. I’ll admit that I cringed when I looked at some of the cartoons; I hadn’t seen most of them since I first made them and all I could think was “I would do this differently”, but I guess that’s normal. A lot of people seemed to enjoy it, at least.

My booth was between two people I’ve known for a while: Jared Hudson, who does “Cashmere Sky” (www.cashmeresky.com), and Bill Holbrook, of “Kevin and Kell” fame (www.kevinandkell.com). It’s always nice to be surrounded by comics people. As I was sitting in my booth for hours at a time, having other comics people to talk “shop” with is nice. Especially enjoyed talking to Bill, who have been syndicated since the 1980s.

I vastly underestimated how well I would do at the convention. Many AC attendees were especially receptive of “Lauren Ipsum” and bought the book by the dozens. I thought I brought enough books for the con, but by the end of the second day I sold out all the “Lauren” books. Selling out of comics was common with AC this year; Jared and Bill both had certain books sold out before the convention was over, too. I’m not complaining; I’m very happy that people still enjoy comics and the attendees were receptive of supporting independent creators. 17,639 people attended AC this year, one of the bigger venues I went to.

As I was mostly vending, I couldn't attend much panels but I did go to one Jared did on how to create comics, which I thought was educational. Jan also did a Webcomics Meetup where creators and fans could hang out. It was nice to meet familiar creators there, including bheckadee and The Gneech.

I saw a lot of people I know online at the con (finally met Lauren's voice actress, Perrydotto, for the first time in person!), some only briefly due to my limited time, and it made me feel at home. I will have to make sure to return next year.

My next convention is Cartoon Crossroads in Columbus. I had a blast last year and I can’t wait!

My Anthrocon haul