My Comic Con Journey

I was thrilled when I finally got into C2E2, the comic con in Chicago. I had been trying for almost a decade. The confirmation came six months after Fan Expo rescinded my booth, three weeks before the comic con. I'm still salty about it, but getting into C2E2 was awesome.

For me, though, the last few years have been a little stressful. Divorce, a move, a new job, a whole lot of changes. So, after getting into Comic-Con, the doubts, the worry, and the stress set in. The lack of movement in my writing career was the cherry on top of the worry sundae.

This comic con was bigger than any show I've ever been to, and in the weeks leading up to it, I got nervous. More for logistics of getting there, driving in the city, and getting my stuff up to the show floor. I became a basket case. But I knew this comic con was the right choice.

I also knew this would happen. I also knew that once I got moving that day, it would be easier than I imagined, even after starting the day by buying a toll reader, putting gas in the car, and loading the car with every book I own. I even survived a temper tantrum when I couldn’t get everything into the car. I took a breath, rearranged it all until it fit. I took another breath and felt embarrassed.

I needed to remind myself many times over the weekend that this was all part of the journey. I needed to take a breath when the stress became overwhelming, and really, I needed to stop worrying to begin with. Every moment of getting to Comic Con, while a lot of heavy lifting and preparing, needed to be enjoyed, and if not enjoyed, at least appreciated for the experience.

Once I got to the hotel, I realized they had a parking garage, that the hotel was a six-minute drive to McCormick Place, and that all that worry was wasted time. I met my publicist in person for the first time after communicating with her every week for almost two years via Zoom calls. We walked around the South Loop, saw Buckingham Fountain, Soldier's Field, and Lake Michigan. I took a moment in the rush of this journey to breathe. To enjoy a moment before the real work started.

We planned. We made it to check-in. We brought all the books to the table. We set up the booth.

The convention was awesome. I sold more books on day one than I ever had; I brought in more money than at any other convention. I met some great people.

I love Comic Con, the people, the costumes, and the events while there. I loved writing the books, and at Comic Con, I can share them with readers. It’s always a good place.

At one point, an adult male was at the booth next to mine. He was animated, excited, and admitted to a friend that he felt he could be himself, there at Comic Con. And that, my friends, is the key to Comic-Con. The ability to be yourself, dress your way, see your fandoms, and be your lovely, geeky, nerdy self.

So, after all that weirdly self-imposed worry, I finally learned to relax. To enjoy the journey. To make the most of the opportunities that cross my path.

Here’s to C2E2 2026. If you haven’t gone before, you need to go. It’s awesome.