The Birmingham International Comics Show was last weekend and I had a table there, sharing withchamonkee. I took a camera along to take pictures, but couldn't find it on the day (hidden at the bottom of my bag) so I've no photos. However, if you've ever seen comic convention photos you know what to expect: tables of crazy-eyed small press people trying not to look too desperate for you to buy their stuff, the bald spots of the famous artists face down in their convention sketches, cosplayers with bad VPL/camel-toe/man boobs (delete as applicable).

It's only the second convention where I've had a table and the first big convention I've done, so I've nothing to really compare with it, but I certainly had nothing to complain about - an interesting, spacious and airy venue (a science museum), with convenient cashpoint and snack bar and not too far to the city centre.

There were quite a variety of panels, with the potentially more popular ones held on Sunday to encourage punters on what would traditionally be a slower day. This seemed to work - at least for us - with sales spread fairly evenly over both days. I was expecting slightly better sales at BICS than I had at the Thing, just because of the size of the event. In fact, it worked out roughly the same per day which, on reflection, makes sense as the Thing is specifically small press whilst the punters at BICS were more likely there to see the famous people. Tozo sold well with minicomics and miniprints also moving along steadily.

Our table neighbours weregirlycomic and discipline_lad  of Factor Fiction, experienced convention-goers who were great company and could give me all the gossip when I pointed at someone and said: "Who's that?". Our other neighbours were a couple of pro artists who turned up for a couple of hours each day, did sketches and left. They even had little entourages - all very rock star.

Discoveries: Warwick Johnson Cadwell's hilarious and colourful illustrations - also a very nice chap to talk to. Lovely but dangerous Mallory Smith has started a printing service which I will certainly look into for future Tozo printing. Lee Thacker's rich black-and-white intelligent and thoughtful comics. More anarchic madness in the latest issue of Doctor Simpo's Things & Stuff Comics (no website I'm aware of, though there's a bit of information here and he can be emailed at doctorsimpo at hotmail{dot}co{dot]uk). ztoical 's lovely charity anthology - I'd buy it for the gorgeous cover alone. I also picked up a few books from the Cinebook stall where they sell English translations of European comics - well worth a look. I bought Blake and Mortimer - The Francis Blake Affair, Aldebaran - The Catastrophe and Green Manor - Assassins & Gentlemen.

It was great to make new acquaintances and catch up with old ones - and especially nice to meet people who were enthusiastic about my stuff. Thank you very much if you bought something from me - I really hope you enjoy it. And of course, thanks to chamonkee  for being such a great table-mate. I even got to take the standee of Tozo home where he now glowers over my desk. Will is planning to do a whole diorama of his characters for future cons which should be amazing if the Tozo one is anything to go by.

Although the con was a very positive experience on the whole, I'm still not entirely sure whether conventions are really my cup of tea. I had enough what-am-I-doing-here moments to make me wonder whether I love comics enough to take the hit on the expenses and hassle of preparation, travel, etc and sitting behind a table for a solid weekend. This isn't meant to sound negative, I think I just need to get my thoughts straight on what I'm trying get of the whole thing and perhaps adjust my focus a bit, maybe being a bit selective about what I take part in - I certainly couldn't do the convention circuit that some of the small press stalwarts take part in.

Andi Watson had a table sort-of opposite us and I couldn't help observing him (in a non-stalkerish way), thinking he probably had things about right: a definite following to keep him busy at his table (no props or table dressing, just him and his books) but not the kind of 'star' who had people queueing around the corner for sketches so he time to occasionally take a break and go for a wander. He looked relaxed and chatted with everybody - involved with the convention but aloof (in a nice way) from it all. I thinks that's how I'd like to be. Of course that is only my perception - he could hate every second of it and be completely stoned for all I know.

More thought required on this - I'd love to hear others' opinions on conventions.

A good (but exhausting) weekend.