Regarding Conventions (Please read)
a year ago
General
So I'm just typing this hear so that it's properly known.
I came to FWA with the intent to make some money. I don't really go to the conventions solely for vacation because I would generally be in my room sleeping. I would see a few friends, but they have their own schedule. I don't like impeding on people. I don't feel productive at conventions just sitting around doing nothing. Working helps me feel like I'm contributing, like I'm earning what I strive to work hard for. Art is my life, it's what helps me feel like I had a purpose. I came to make money that I spent to resupply for the occasion, the hotel room and parking fees, gas, food... All of that.
They had rejected not only my dealer's den table application, but also to reserve a table as well. With the same reason being "300 applicants have applied". However, there was hopes that I would get a table if I did the first come/ first serve. What they did at the last week was let us know there will be a "raffle" system. None of us would know who will have an artist table until the Thursday night leading to the start. This is what screwed me over. The fact that I had hopes to get a table, but did not get a single fucking day. I came with the intent to make money, only to make nothing and now be in the negatives. Had they pulled the raffle a month in advance, this would have been avoided. I wouldn't have went.
Because of this simple choice, the "Make or break" has become a BREAK. I won't be able to recover that fast as I'm already piled with current commissions. Sadly... this might be my very last convention for a few years. It has devastated not only me, but my business partner in all this. There's nothing I can do right now but head home and reassess how much of a damage this put me in and how to repair this damage.
I won't be able to go to any cons for a while, I'll have to work. FWA, you've vastly disappointed me, someone who went for 14 years. Nothing you can do will resolve this problem you help create.
What upsets me even more if the fact that a few artists had two days as their name was called and even a select few that got all three days. I went through and saw many tables were left open, which upsetted me greatly as I had a chance to make some difference. But would not be allowed unless my name was pulled. No, these artist alley tables are not meant to be paid for, but are generally free. The only money I spent on the con itself was for the registration to get in and I barely used it at all.
I wish for a refund on that as the only reason why I intended to attend was to work at a con, but instead was stuck in my room with barely anything to do. I solely came to make money to survive. And I was not given the chance. I'll be very upset about it for a very long time. But at this point I've exhausted myself from crying and being depressed over it.
I came to FWA with the intent to make some money. I don't really go to the conventions solely for vacation because I would generally be in my room sleeping. I would see a few friends, but they have their own schedule. I don't like impeding on people. I don't feel productive at conventions just sitting around doing nothing. Working helps me feel like I'm contributing, like I'm earning what I strive to work hard for. Art is my life, it's what helps me feel like I had a purpose. I came to make money that I spent to resupply for the occasion, the hotel room and parking fees, gas, food... All of that.
They had rejected not only my dealer's den table application, but also to reserve a table as well. With the same reason being "300 applicants have applied". However, there was hopes that I would get a table if I did the first come/ first serve. What they did at the last week was let us know there will be a "raffle" system. None of us would know who will have an artist table until the Thursday night leading to the start. This is what screwed me over. The fact that I had hopes to get a table, but did not get a single fucking day. I came with the intent to make money, only to make nothing and now be in the negatives. Had they pulled the raffle a month in advance, this would have been avoided. I wouldn't have went.
Because of this simple choice, the "Make or break" has become a BREAK. I won't be able to recover that fast as I'm already piled with current commissions. Sadly... this might be my very last convention for a few years. It has devastated not only me, but my business partner in all this. There's nothing I can do right now but head home and reassess how much of a damage this put me in and how to repair this damage.
I won't be able to go to any cons for a while, I'll have to work. FWA, you've vastly disappointed me, someone who went for 14 years. Nothing you can do will resolve this problem you help create.
What upsets me even more if the fact that a few artists had two days as their name was called and even a select few that got all three days. I went through and saw many tables were left open, which upsetted me greatly as I had a chance to make some difference. But would not be allowed unless my name was pulled. No, these artist alley tables are not meant to be paid for, but are generally free. The only money I spent on the con itself was for the registration to get in and I barely used it at all.
I wish for a refund on that as the only reason why I intended to attend was to work at a con, but instead was stuck in my room with barely anything to do. I solely came to make money to survive. And I was not given the chance. I'll be very upset about it for a very long time. But at this point I've exhausted myself from crying and being depressed over it.
FA+

Yeah, if they were smart they should either sold tables at a higher place, done the raffle a month before, like you said, Tell people that if they weren't there an hour after artist den opens, then it's a free grab, or a mix of all three
yeah, I was thinking about more cons to go to, and don't look like FWA should be one
But it's fine. Once I'm able to get out of this debt hole I'm in, we'll pick a new one to work at. Just for now, we'll opt out of cons.
I had wanted to do more with the community like ten years ago, try to socialize and get to know names. I was a DJ for a year and went to Anthrocon, only to learn the people running the station were super scammy and it made me quickly back pedal.
Here's hoping that good happens in life and you're able to make the financial recovery
The fact this decision was made is grounds for it. They stole your money, get the other disenfranchised artists who also didn't get a table who came earlier as well together, and sue'em.