SPX Review (by John Donnell)

Small Press Expo - The "small" may be misleading (image by SPX)

by John Donnell

The parking lot of the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conf. Center was jammed with old run down cars trying to find spaces to park. Every car I saw had at least three passengers… most of which abandoned the drivers while they rushed excitedly into the convention. The hotel was spacious, but already the main hallway was crammed with people. The flustered looking man at the check-in counter managed a weary smile as he fiddled with his iPad trying to get the card reader to "wake up.” 

The Small Press Expo was alive with normal convention hustle and bustle, and I found myself pleased. It is encouraging to think “Small Press” could have such an exuberant and numerous fan-base. This was especially evident in the dedicated workers and volunteers helping run the convention. I have spent much of my life now going to and working with conventions. I have gone to gaming conventions of just over a hundred people, and general fandom conventions that number in the thousands. Running something like this can be exhausting, stress-inducing, and fairly thankless. 

These people were not just in it for the ride. They had a real passion for what they were doing. I couldn't help but marvel at the efficiency of a few dedicated people manning the front desk. Despite the chaos, they gracefully moved what seemed like a sea of people in front of us and we entered the main ballroom just minutes after arriving. Hundreds of people bustled through the ballroom maze of author tables. 

SPX 2012 crowds (image by Pelle Sten)

Many Authors were swamped by fans, with big names like Jeph Jacques, and Chris Hastings generating long, winding lines to dance through. Despite their hordes of clamoring fans waving posters and other merchandise to sign, these authors made sure every fan received a little attention. Mr. Jacques was cordial and happy, genuinely enjoying each fan, but he only has so much time in one day. 

Other authors sat behind their booths idly toying with their merchandise or doodling. These were the ones to talk to. These new authors, the up and coming talents, are eager to answer questions and discuss with you all the nuances of plot and quirky humor. These people felt so real to me. It was so easy to relate to them, discussing the odd dichotomy of passion and trepidation that comes with putting the product of your toils out to be judged by the masses. One young comic artist, after showing me a few of her sketches, laughed and said to me “If sales don’t pick up soon, it’s back to a ‘real’ job for me!” Both of our smiles falter, and I wonder if I could have the courage to do what she was doing right then. 

Far from the bustle of the main room, panels and conferences were poised to steal the show. Several other authors, publishers, teachers, and librarians discussed publishing, copyright and free press laws. They discussed favorite works and rising stars in various genres. The audience sat in the lecture halls, looking for all the world like attentive university students. A costumed flapper girl behind me actually whispered “Wow… I should be a librarian.” 

"She blinded me with library science!"
(image by Brett Weinstein)

My friends and I laughed at what we overheard, but she had a point. Librarians know their stuff. It is important that panels like these occur. Breaking into a business like this can be difficult and fairly daunting for a budding writer. The overwhelming prospect of just figuring out what medium to best express your stories in can knock promising artists out of the running. These experts were not only well-read, they were accessible and they encouraged questions.

As the brief trip drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on what I experienced. With the growth of the webcomic and small press industry, many people have found a creative voice. Unfortunately, with so much media vying for attention, artists and writers can get lost in the shuffle. The message of the industry as a whole can be muddled by so many different creative visions. Where some artists see small press as a way to express free speech without “corporate” input, others see their publications as a way to get noticed by design studios and companies. 

A few things are certain, however. The appeal of working for oneself or expressing oneself will drive thousands of people to start web comics or small print media in coming years. With the enthusiasm of the staff, the great location and the variety of speakers and panels, the Small Press Expo will be able to tap into that growing force and be a nationwide attraction for art lovers for years to come. The Small Press Expo was an incredible experience, and one worth a recommendation.