Silly Ellen.

[ellenmillion]

I'm such a dork.

I posted on a yahoogroups list about a convention I went to in 2000 that I lost my shirt at (well, about $1000....) in reply to a 'does this happen often?' query and now I feel terrible, 'cause the guys in charge were really nice about it, and I'd consider them friends. I didn't mention their names or the location, and I even tried to put a positive spin on things, but I still feel badly for dissing their con in public.

It was justified, it feels good to rant a little, I wasn't that accusatory, but I still feel like scum.

There is a Tanith Lee (I think) book about a prince who is cursed to be a raven an hour a day and his sister, who is cursed with being so nice it's silly. I really relate to that poor girl.

Comments

[watergazer.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I hear this is the case for most 1st time artists that go to cons and in fact I'm kinda dreading my convention for this reason. Some artists get lucky....some don't. Even XianJaguar's first con had her in tears. But they all say that the more you go to cons the less money you'll loose and hopefully by the 3rd con you'll make some profit. And BTW: I loved your "Between" piece....still want to see you do a scratchboard though.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Actually, I sold just fine... but never got paid. There were a ton of unlucky screwups and the con went bankrupt, so I didn't get paid for the artshow, even though I paid my artists what I could remember of their sales (never got a bidsheet, either, so I had to flounder on memory). Attendance was fairly low, so it wouldn't have been a smashing success, even though I did sell as well if not better than anyone else. Not getting reimbursed for the artshow turned it from an acceptable learning experience to an unmitigated loss. I don't think this would ever be a problem at an established con... this was a new one, just trying to get started, and the risk didn't pay off.

And thanks! I tried to get some scratchboard and Michael's yesterday, but they were out. :(

[mersades.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, that happens more times than not here. -_- Things only seem to make money if they're wall-known, big-name things.

It really was a bummer.

[watergazer.livejournal.com]

Michaels sucks for most things I find...tell you what, I'll get some for you and send it your way when we do this whole order thing. Just give me a price tag. Oh, and about using the Skin Shifter piece, factor that into the order even without having a file yet...I am going to work on getting you a scannable smaller image for you to work from and might ask you to do others. And I know I'm very confusing, but go with the order as I mentioned last time (if you lost it I have a copy), and we'll work from there cost-and production-wise. Erm...and wow I went off track. That's a scary thought you didn't get paid...and a horrible happenstance. I don't know what to say. I can't believe that happened. I wish you could come over to my con...

[boogarshadow.livejournal.com]

Dont beat yourself up about it..if you lost your shirt on it, you have every right to bitch. YOu are dissing them as friends..just your experience.. ;o)

[millennialhippy.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I'd like to read that book. Any more info?

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

I don't remember the name of it. :( It was fairly thin, fairly funny, very tongue-in-cheek... I shall see if I can't find more about it.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

A-hah! The Dragon Hoard. :)

eh, I wouldn't worry.

[uneide.livejournal.com]

Ah Ellen, I read your post on the group and I think you were rather nice about it, myself. ;) People have been worrying about the particulars of being stiffed in such a way, so any input and experience shared is welcome. Pretty much the purpose of the group and one of the reasons I've been on it ages.

So yes, no guilt and no second thoughts at all! ;)