Prairie Comics Fest: My Winnipeg Weekend
Looking back on my first time at Winnipeg's author-exclusive comics show.
Hello friend,
As I mentioned in a previous post, I spend a lot of time in Winnipeg thanks to my in-laws, and over the years I’ve done a handful of shows there. But this past September was my first time at Prairie Comics Fest, and let me tell you—it was a great experience.
The show was thoughtfully organized, and the venue—the Manitoba Museum—was a gem. High ceilings, great lighting, and a theatre that was perfectly sized for panels.
And here’s a detail that deserves its own standing ovation: snacks and water for exhibitors. PCF, you had me at free food. These show days are long, often lonely, and taking care of our bodies goes a long way. A granola bar at hour six feels like a Michelin-starred meal when you’ve been smiling and pitching books all day.
Also, the team running the show made vendors feel genuinely cared for, especially S.M. Beiko (aka Samantha Smash), who was helpful at every stage: check-in, tear-down, and all points in between.
And here’s the thing about these shows, no matter how sales go: they’re always inspiring. I’ve never had one where I didn’t come away a newly minted fan of an author I’d never heard of before. That was certainly true of this one, as I made connections not only with Manitoba creators, but got to see the work of a handful of writers and illustrators from my own home province (namely Graeme Zirk and Anthony Woodward, both based in the Regina area) too.
Reconnecting with Good People of Comics™
One of the highlights was reconnecting with Nicholas Friesen (aka Nicholastronaut)—yet another good person of comics™ I met through other good persons of comics™, Chris Sanagan and Jason Lapidus (the Group of 7 creators I had the dumb, wonderful luck of being placed next to in the Canadian pavilion in Angoulême). Nick took me, a creature of habit who usually sticks to chain restaurants, to a truly Winnipeg dining experience at a place called Kevin’s. Comfort food, live band, and at one point, both of us stopped mid-conversation to ask, “Is that the theme from Jurassic Park?” It was. And it was glorious. Nothing says “authentic Winnipeg” like slurping Mulligatawny while a band plays John Williams.
Nicholas’ work is excellent. His background in film really shines through—the pacing and “cinematography” of his comics have that visual rhythm you only get from someone who thinks in frames. If comics had a Best Director Oscar, Nick’s American Youth would be on the shortlist.
Plus, I discovered I’m one of the pull quotes on an issue of Ageless Beauty!
The Hotel of Solitude
Saturday was busy at the show, and the artist dinner I’d planned to attend got bumped to Sunday—my flight day—so I couldn’t make it. That left me with a rare and enticing occurrence: a completely free night in a hotel, no kids, no obligations. Reader, I leaned in. Walked across the street to Earl’s (my kind of chain), grabbed take-out, watched a true crime doc, and crashed early. It felt like winning the lottery, if the lottery prize was “quiet and an Earl’s Bigger Better Burger.” Don’t get me wrong—I love networking and meeting great comics folks (with how many great friends I’ve met over the years, I’d be foolish not to), but sometimes cancelled plans are the best plans.
Sunday Panel: Talking Romance Comics
Sunday brought a panel on romance comics with the great Kathleen Gros, Autumn Crossman-Serb, and hosted by Stephanie Guest (aka sakasketches). It was fun, well-moderated, and eye-opening. We all came at romance comics from different angles, and I learned a lot listening to the other panelists share their perspectives.
Family, Friends, and a Little Bit of Bummer
I was touched that my sister-in-law (and fellow Godspell alum) Sheryl popped by (and brought the heavy boxes of books I’d shipped to her and Zach—saving me from crippling airline freight fees). And I was thrilled to see my old Winnipeg C4 comic con buddy Alyssa Fraser, now a wildly successful tattoo artist, who came by with her fella to say hello and grab my newest book.
That said, with all the family and friends I have in Winnipeg—and after working reasonably hard to let people know I was coming—I have to be honest: I was a little bummed at how few folks made it out to a completely free-to-attend show. When I’m feeling understanding, I chalk it up to a busy weekend. When I’m feeling less generous, I think of it as a handy way to prune the Christmas card list. How about you? Any tips on how to take that stuff in stride?
The $24 Burger That Broke Me
Finally, it happened: a burger so expensive, even I couldn’t bring myself to buy it. For some reason, eating airport food feels like part of the travel experience for me, and on these book tour trips, food is basically a write-off. But even I—the burgeriest burger guy in the world—couldn’t justify $24 for a single hamburger with no sides on my return trip to Saskatoon. True Burger, you did it. You created a burger so small and expensive that even I couldn’t justify it. Somewhere, a cow is laughing.
Thanks for sticking with me, I know it’s been a long time between posts. It’s honestly been a pretty insane schedule of late in my real life, with a huge career change and other big adjustments. But I do hope to have more posts coming in the next little while. I had two more shows after PCF to wrap up my comics year that I can share about at some point, and I’d really like to share more slice of life stuff on here, if you’re into that. Let me know.
Thanks for reading, I love you.