Have you considered any of the mainstream comic cons? Rose City Comic Con is coming up and they have a huge turn out.

I did deal at ComiCon about a million years ago, but mainstream cons are usually hideously expensive and not attended by my fanbase.

What about teaming up with some other creators and getting a spot as an independent publisher? Furry stuff can have mainstream appeal. Critters, Albedo and .357! were gateway drugs, as it were, that introduced me to furry fandom.

I've been a dealer at WorldCon and a huge anime con, A-kon, both as a furry publisher. It's an idea which sounds cool in principle, but in practice it really isn't worth the time and money. For one thing, tables at conventions like that are usually significantly higher than at furry cons. Like $100+ versus $400+. At least for us the return on investment was next to nothing compared to furry cons.

I appreciate the insight. It's a really unfortunate situation for creators who want to get into a con. If furry cons won't support their own, what good are they?

Better then to start on the smaller ones or the new ones who are rising.

If I had the finances to go all over the country to those smaller cons that would be a plan, but I don't. There's only a certain number of cons that are feasible for me to get to due to their location or nearby friends I can stay with to cut hotel costs. Remember dealers have to pay for airfare, the table and membership costs, and hotel costs, and a tiny local con won't bring enough people to make back the cost of getting there.

Damn...that sucks...like a lot :(

It's really unfortunate that many of the artists who helped shape and define what a Furry is aren't being welcomed to conventions anymore. I always made it a point to say hello to you at any con I saw you at.

It's like a cruel sort of catch 22, With every con getting bigger and bigger, there are just so many artists and other creative types out there, every year we get more popular..

I think there should be a lottery system, that way it's not the con's fault for someone not being selected.. not getting in due to sheer chance is a lot easier to swallow than 'we don't want you anymore'.. The First come First serve system seemed to work well too...

Oh you would get into BLFC, there is plenty of room.

I'm going to try, but if they have any system other than lottery or first-come first-served, I won't hold my breath.

Califur doesn't have a jury system for dealers. Nor do I think glen would ever allow that. I'm sure you'd always be welcome at CF.

C@rp. It's High School all over again. You can't join because you're not a member of the clique. Which reminds me, my 40th reunion is next month -- gee, I can't wait.

I'm sorry this is happening to you, Roz. I know it's no comfort that you're not the only one, either. I've seen at least two other veterans who are victims of this organized snub. I suspect we'll see a public shaming of the ringleaders in the near future, not that it will accomplish anything.

Even Califur? Did they institute a jury system too?

Hmm, sounds like you're over yonder on the west side somewhere :p I've only got experience with FA:U but they have a big open room they keep for just-so and its used for EVERYTHING! Gaming, gathering, chatting, chilling, eating, etc....and there are artists who setup their own signs and bring there pads and arts and sell what they have or do commishes on the fly! I actually got 2 pieces done through artists in this way last year. No jury, no signup or fee...just bring your stuff and setup!

So maybe I'm a con noob and this is a common thing, buuuuut then why not just do this? Seems easier to me :p

BLFC is getting rave reviews, so hopefully that will work out for you. I'm relocating from the east coast to the bay area, so I look forward to attending it myself next year.

How about Fur-Eh in Edmonton Alberta?

Texas Furry Fiesta had a massive artist alley.