I will be exhibiting at Wizard World Chicago Comic-Con with a table in Artist Alley. I’ll also be appearing on several speaker panels.
The show is Thursday, August 21st through Sunday, August 24th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. (Right near O’Hare International Airport and less than an hour from downtown Chicago.)
I will be at Artist Alley table B-8, next to my friends Gibson Twist and Rori!, the latter of whom is an artist collaborator on my new comic anthology Vital Signs.
» Click here to see the con floor map.
This is promising to be the biggest Wizard World convention ever and is taking up the entirety of the convention center. The guest list is huge and impressive, both with comic creators and celebrities.
Speaker Panel Appearances
I will be speaking on and moderating three panels at the show, one each Friday-Saturday. Check out the details below.
How to Be a Nerd For a Living: Career Paths within Nerd Culture
Friday, August 22nd | 1:30pm – 2:15pm | Room 2
Want to work in a fandom-related industry you’re passionate about, but not sure where to start? These professional “Nerds for a Living” will discuss careers within gaming, film, comics, illustration and more and share their career-building experiences. Topics include training, online resources, networking, and tactics to use (and avoid) for breaking into your dream industry. Featuring:
- Jenny Frison – illustrator / cover artist (Revival)
- Kurt Lehner – animation artist (Gargoyles, W.I.L.D.Cats)
- Jon Schnepp – producer/director (Metalocalypse, The Venture Bros)
- Josh Blaylock – CEO, Devil’s Due Entertainment
Moderated by Adron Buske (creative director, Nerd For A Living). This panel will conclude with an audience Q&A.
What’s the Story? Creating Stories that Captivate
Saturday, August 23rd | 12:00pm – 12:45pm | Room 1
Whether you are a seasoned writer or a brand new one, the journey of writing a compelling story is a tumultuous one. It is often time laden with all kinds of discouraging land-mines or creative dead-ends. Join our special guest speakers as they discuss the essentials to writing captivating stories on this one-of-a-kind panel. This experienced team of writers, directors, and producers will share their secrets to not only completing a compelling story but developing habits to be a more effective content creator. Featuring:
- Adron Buske – writer (Vital Signs, Amby Verce & The Ascenders)
- Jon Schnepp – producer/director (Metalocalypse, The Venture Bros)
- Allen Turner – game design instructor, DePaul University
Moderated by Adam Simon (actor/writer – Man Down; Synapse).
Building your Creative Platform: Everything you need to Know about Self Promotion
Sunday, August 24th | 11:30am – 12:15pm | Room 6
As an artist, writer, producer, designer, actor, musician or creator, self-promotion is an important part of building a career. However, if poorly executed, self-promotion can do more harm than good. How is the conventional wisdom wrong? What are the more advisable but underrated neglected approaches? Hear our special guest speakers discuss this pivotal topic. Find out what promotional techniques they use, have seen, or have adopted, and their personal experiences building a business, an online presence, and best practices to utilize in every entertainment industry. Featuring:
- C.S. Marks – author (Elfhunter, Fire-Heart, Ravenshade)
- Kim Koltzau – owner of Steampunk Cellars
- Ryan Morrow – content director / writer, OneSquaredStudios.com
Moderated by Adron Buske (creative director, Nerd For A Living). This panel will conclude with an audience Q&A.
