UPDATE [Feb 25, 2011]: Okay, so it looks like we’re decided – guest strips and blog posts next week! I’ll put the call out tomorrow, but if you’re a writer/cartoonist and can get me a strip this weekend or early next week, send it in!
As far as my progress for the con goes: Things are moving ahead steadily. I still have a lot to do – getting shirts printed and working on the booth banner and fliers are probably at the top of my list right now. I’ll be meeting with a printer early tomorrow before work (35 miles from my apartment. BUH.) so if all goes well, I’ll be approving proofs for the book so they can print it over the weekend! Will let you know how it goes. Maybe I can snap some images of the blueline if they have a hard copy.
Thanks for all the amazing support! You guys are the best.
—
Hey, folks! I hate to push the pause button on this storyline just as we’re wrapping things up but I have a very good reason: I’m doing my first comic convention for JEFbot next month in Seattle at the Emerald City Comicon!!! [insert Kermit the Frog wailing and flailing here]
While I’m tremendously excited about this (is that excitement or panic?), I’ve kept this mostly on the down-low because A) I was notified about my “exhibitor status” a little late in the game and B) Because of this, I’ve been scrambling to get ready for the convention in time to have my booth ready with signs/banners, fliers/postcards, and merch, including new BOTtons, tees and the FIRST JEFBOT BOOK!!! Yes, if I haven’t been Tweeting, Facebooking or generally hanging out as much as usual, it’s because almost every bit of my free time in recent weeks has been used to get the book to the printer in time for this convention. Now that the book’s out of my hands at this point, I’ve been working to get the merch and booth ready and I have less than a week left before I have to start shipping stuff from L.A. to Seattle. I really didn’t understand how much work would be involved with having my own booth until I started getting everything together for this. Yeesh.
Anyway, expect lots of information on the book and new merch as I find out what’s going to be ready in time for Emerald City and what isn’t. In the meantime, since I doubt I’m going to be able to fit in drawing time for the strip while I’m getting things together for the con, what would you all like to see? Should I put out the call for guest strips for this week and next? Detailed blog posts as I get ready for the con? Or a combination of both? Let me know.
Beyond all this excitement, I’d just like to say sorry for not having a strip up. Many of you know I have a full-time job which prevents me from not only increasing my weekly strip output, but also takes time away from organizing fun stuff like ECCC. (Not that I’m complaining. A lot of people are out of work right now and I appreciate having a job that lets me do fun stuff – like this con – that I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.) Because of this limited amount of time though, I’ll sometimes have to pause the strip. I don’t like to do it, and I know it sucks not to have a new strip up when one should be there, but I know most of you understand and encourage it. But who knows? If this convention goes well, perhaps a day will be foreseen where I can rely on JEFbot for my income! A guy can dream…
SO: If any of you live in Seattle and are planning on going to the con: stop by my booth. (#311, just like the band.) I have no idea how many people are going to come by so I’m sure I’ll have lots of time to talk, get to know many of you, and do sketches. Oh, and I’m planning on giving away free, exclusive BOTtons (like I did at Webcomic Weekend and that Earth Day event) to the first hundred or so JEFbot fans. Also, I might need some help with bringing merch back and forth from my hotel, handing out fliers and setting up my booth, so if any of you have some time and can help out, please let me know.
Okay, I’m getting back to work. These shirts and fliers aren’t going to design themselves and I know the con’s going to be here before I know it! Initiating panic mode.
Well, have a ton of fun! I wish I could be there to help support you, but know that I’m rooting for you from afar!
thanks, Tiana! i’ll need any and all kinds of rooting – near and far – so root away!
and i do believe that the Shades of Firsting help amplify all those support vibes, too: 😎
Huzzah! *uses the amplifying powers of the Shades* There ya go; I have support vibes set to “High” over the next month.
ha! thanks, T. i can feel ’em already!!!
Almost first! Darn…
Have fun at your first convention! I’d go to say hi, but being broke makes it kind of difficult. Maybe next time.
I’d also like to put my vote towards a combination of guest strips and blog posts.
Tiana’s quick on the draw and hard to beat for the Shades, Xanyth! that you were even close is quite an accomplishment!
i’ll definitely try and have fun at the convention – it’s just every hour of every day leading up to it that i know i’m gonna be stressing! 😛
cool. if i decide on guest strips, i’ll put the word out in the next day or two.
Go for it, Jeff! There’ll be plenty of us here to cheer you on, so do what you need to do. And my vote goes for whatever course of action allows you the maximum amount of time to get those things done!
big thanks, Kim! nice to know i’ll have all that support for this convention. and as far as your vote goes: cool! i’ll be able to make a more informed decision once i can make an assessment of all the work that still needs to be done.
Yay for conventions. Boo, on the other hand, for there being no UK-based ones. There are a small number of US based online comics, the creators of whom I would really like to meet. As discussed, you’re up there with the rest of the best 🙂
Yay also for books. Writing online is rewarding, but nothing really beats the joy of holding a real live book, your own book, in your hands. The feel, the look, the…dare I say it? Yes, I dare, the smell! I’m looking forward to getting book 3 out shortly 🙂
Have fun. But get another comic up soonish, ‘kay?
thanks for putting me up there with your favorite creators, Gaz Hunter! i’m honored. if i can ever swing a vacation/business write off in the UK, i’ll be sure to take the opportunity. 🙂
you’re right about the book thing – i still don’t have a physical copy of the book yet, but i used to love my Calvin & Hobbes and Far Side collections, and being part of that tradition has me absolutely excited and thrilled.
i’ll try and get another comic up soonish, but it’s looking like it might be another week. maybe i’ll post some sketches from the con in the meantime?
Eee! That was the first thought that crossed my mind when I saw the ECC banner. The emikae is very excited, as I shall be there, somewhat bright and early (early is anything before noon for me). I can’t wait for the con now. Good luck getting everything together, remember to breathe, and pack warm stuff. We’re expecting snow this week… thankfully ECC is next week. But if you plan on going outside and actually enjoying Seattle, dress warm and expect rain of some sort.
Lucky! Jealous (1000)
WOOOO! happy to hear you’re going to be there, emikae! since this is my first convention, i have NO idea if i’m going to busy, bored or a combination of the two so i love that at least a few of you readers are going to be there. make sure you stop by my booth to keep me company. 🙂
thanks for the heads up on the weather – i haven’t given any thought to clothes packing yet, so it’s good to know i should bring some warm stuff.
I’ll see ya there dude! Don’t forget to call me before you head up there if you still wanna chat about things. Also, so we can arrange hangin’ out up there. :]
Another lucky one!
i wish you were gonna be there, shanna!
we’re definitely hanging out up there, dude! hopefully our booths are near each other – i gotta check the floor map.
Unfortunately we are clear across the convention center from each other. BUT, I’ll swing by for sure. :] If its as jammed as last year though.. I may just have to call you at the end of the day or something. Either way. We’ll hang. :]
aw, crap. was hoping we’d at least be in yelling distance of each other. ah, well – yes, we’ll definitely need to make time to hang, eat and drink. gonna be awesome!
Holy shit, if this isn’t the coolest goddamn thing that’s happened in a long time! It’s about time, imo! Unfortunately, the Emerald Isle keeps me from the Emerald City but I’ll be rooting my heart out for you, ‘bot. Make sure this merch sees the stores after the con, and take pictures and generally enjoy yourself.
As long, long time reader, I feel very proud, like I’m watching my kid go to the first day of school or win his first swim meet or something.
Hi fracking five, dude. <3
many thanks, Kate! i’ll definitely enjoy myself up there, once i get past all this pre-convention stress getting everything ready. and yeah, it’s totally about time! heheh. it’s been a long time coming, but also a surprise the way this convention came up. once this one’s done, i’ll be much more prepared and ready to go for the next one (whatever or whenever that may be.)
thanks for the “proud” vibes and for being around and supportive to me and the strip for so long. 😀
*smack* high frakking five!
I’d say that’s an acceptable excuse for a brief period of intermittent comics . . . good on yer!
I wish I could volunteer to help set up or shill, but I’ll be about 1,600 miles away – but if you ever come to the Chicago Comic Con (nudge, hint), I’m there!
thanks, Sarah W!
and i’ll be looking at other cons once this one’s over, so i’ll put a circle around Chicago to see if it’s doable. nice to know i’ll have a volunteer for it if it happens! (i’m gonna hold you to it.) 🙂
OMG That is so cool! I vote for both or whatever gives you the most time.
GAHHHHHH I would so totally help if you were in Tampa Florida. It’s in the 80’s here and not under a mountain of snnnoooooooowwww.
So proud of you with the book and all. You go on with your Bad A$$ Exhaulted One self!
thanks for the vote, Pixie! still not sure what i’m going to do for friday (i have 26 minutes left ’til then) but i’ll probably put out a Guest Strip request tomorrow, so if that goes well i might have some of those to post next week.
okay, so i have you pencilled in if i make it to tampa. 😀
thanks for the pride! am definitely feeling the love from you guys!!!
Congratulations on your first convention on the “other” side of things 😀
{{{Hugs}}}
And you know, when you come to MI one day, DaughterJudyK and I will totally volunteer to help you!! (I have a pickup truck 😉
(BTW, do you see how many people want you to come to their state?? LOL Eh, get close enough and DorkKing and I may travel…LOL)
Lots of deep breaths, you’ll do fine!!! I hope it’s a big success!!
As far as the comic goes…we appreciate the time and work you put in, so much!! I think as far as web comic people go, you care the most about your readers 😀
So, my vote for what to do for the next week or two…guest strips would be great…and I’m sure with everything you’re going to be going through, you’ll need to write it down…so, yep, blog posts too, to keep us up to date!!! Good luck and knock ’em dead!
thanks for the congrats, ESQ! yes, it’ll definitely be a change being on the other side of the table. especially cuz so many cool people are gonna be there, i’m going to want to go all fanboy and check everything and everybody out!
okay, with all this awesome volunteering going on, i’m going to have to take notes so i remember who i can randomly call on when i’m in their neighborhood. heheh. so i’m pencilling you and DJ in for MI. 🙂
been doing a lot of deep breathing, lately! i’m sure it’ll all come together next week but right now, things are pretty dang chaotic. hopefully things will be a little less so after this weekend.
thanks for the kind words about the comic and stuff. i really do love you guys! can’t wait to start meeting you all in person when i do a real tour.
i’ll see what i can do with the guest strips – putting the call out tomorrow! and i’ll definitely be blogging about this whole experience as it happens. 😀
Congrats on having a booth for the con! I *SO SO SO* wish I could go. 🙁 Maybe next time. Are there any good comic cons going on in the Denver area?… And the book!!! Hooray!!! I’m so glad that you have gotten that well and truly in the works. I can’t wait. How far into the strip does it go? Or if you’d rather wait to do a full reveal, that’s cool too.
What to do with the strip in the mean time? I vote BOTH! I’d love to know how the prep is going for the con AND see guest strips if people are willing to draw them for you!
New merchandise – hooray, again!!! I know there have been lots of votes to make a large number of strips into Ts. I’d say if you are going to design several, my votes would be for (either from strips or new designs):
– something with Chubman and Scrawn
– something with Jefbot and cel
– something with Jefbot and Wil (assuming he gives the thumbs up – perhaps geek rage on one side and a team WheatZee high five on the other)
– and something with our favorite abducted hamster (I sure hope they aren’t using little hamster-sized probes on his orifaces :O – but something tells me they are friend rather than foe to Mu)
And to finally end this WAY TOO LONG post: I hope you are gonna save some of the new BOTtons for the super-loyal among your fans! *cough* Harem *cough* 😉
I almost forgot about Musashi o.o
don’t forget about Mu, dj!
i’m REALLY excited about that booth, shanna! part of me wanted to do some small stuff first, like artist alley tables or local stuff around L.A., but when this opportunity presented itself, i couldn’t resist! now i’m paying for that in stress, though. 😉
i know there’s the Rocky Mountain convention, but i’m not sure if it’s still around (or if it’s any good). if you hear about any Denver cons, let me know. i’d love to come out there as i have a few friends i’ve been meaning to visit, and i’d love to finally meet you, too!
yes, can’t wait to finally get the book in my hands, shanna! (especially cuz i have less than a week now before i’m in Seattle. aagh!) it’ll collect the first 203 strips, so up to that “2010” comic with bot looking out the window of his apartment, dreaming of space travel.
thanks for the vote! looks like both guest strips and blog posts are winning so i’ll put the word out tomorrow to other webcomickers.
yep! new merch! as for shirts, depending on if i can find a printer that can screen tees in a few days, i should have shirts with Scrawn, Chubman, jefbot, cel and possibly Mu. would love to do a Team WheatZee shirt but i’m not sure how Wil would feel about that. maybe i’ll ask him at the con, since he’s gonna be there! 😀
and don’t worry ’bout the BOTtons – i got your back.
Yay! I can’t tell you how excited I am for you. I feel all bouncy. The only way it could be better is if you were less stressed and if *I* got to be there. Oh well. One of these days when you are totally famous and making the comic con circuit, I’ll get to see you at a con somewhere nearby. 😀
I’m super excited about all the new merch. Now I can get a shirt! Just don’t make them all olive. 😉
thanks for the excitement, shanna! although things are still crazy hectic, i’m starting to feel the excitement as the date approaches. and definitely planning to do more conventions (unless this one is absolutely miserable, which i can’t imagine) so hopefully i’ll get to one closer to you faster than either of us can predict!
oh, and you’ll be happy to know that none of the new shirts are olive – they’re all black this time, which is by far the most popular color! at least of the shirts i’ve made. heheh.
I hear Wheaton will be there.
Omg
yep, i saw that too, Nate. i think he was a late addition ‘cuz i didn’t see him on the ECCC webpage as a guest until recently. i’m gonna have to walk over and give him a book, methinks. 😀
Damn. If I’d known, I could have finished the Fawks doll I was crocheting of him and sent it to you to give to him. I started it when I thought I was going to get to see him at a con that I ended up not being able to go to. At that point I stopped working on it.
when you get around to it, finish the doll up, shanna, and maybe i can give it to him at another convention soon!
Or a high five punch in the gonads. Lolz. Just kidding. Send my regards to my. Tell him a fan from borneo sends regards
after all the time i’ve put into getting ready for this convention, it would suck if i got thrown out the first day due to a testicular punch, jf#300! 😉
(Longtime reader, first time poster)
Oh man… This means I’m going to have to go to that convention now!
*goes to see if tix are still available…*
Welcome to the comments section!
Welcome to the posters. what took u so long? lolz.
WOO! thanks for your first post and welcome, Cosmo!
yes, definitely come to the convention and say hi! looks like online tickets are sold out but if you live in the area you can still buy them at several local comic shops or at the door.
Lol… I live next door to the convention center. 🙂 It’s actually a longer walk for me to one of the ticket sales places than it is to the convention center.
ha! awesome. hope to see you there! 😀
Good luck! I expect to hear a full report. If it’s good enough for you to go again next year, I may indeed join you (not necessarily in your booth, mind you, but in our own booth, or perhaps one shared with Strange Child, or Bluewater).
thanks for the luck, Stan. i will definitely need it to get all my booth stuff and merch ready in time!!! i’m hoping it’ll be a great experience so i’ll want to go again next year – we’ll see. maybe we can get adjoining booths or something.
I have only three things to say to you mister:
1. GOOD GOING, MAN! I wish for your booth to have tremendous success. This comic deserves it. No, DEMANDS it even!
2. I would LOVE to come. You have NO idea how much. But alas, its a little difficult to do from Europe with allmost non-existent income. So Im
CALLING ALL READERS: Go to Seatle and show both mine and yours support!
Hell, if many of you come and it turns into real-life Jefbot fanbase meet Im going to weep for not being there…
3. Last, but not least, Congrats on THE FIRST BOOK! I knew this day will come.
i love all three things you said, Maryz! thanks a ton, man.
1) cool! i will demand success, then!
2) i wish you could be there, too, but i understand that it’s just not feasible. you’ll have to visit me at a con if i ever do one near your part of the world, though! so far, from emails, comments and tweets, it looks like i’ll have a handful of JEFbot peeps to hang with at the con, so let’s hope that “fanbase meet” becomes a reality!
3) thanks! i don’t have the book just yet, but when i get my little claws on it, you can be sure i’ll be posting about it with pics. 🙂
You should consider blasting some 311 just to help us fans find your booth. AWWWESOME!
ha! i’m totally down with it, but my neighbors in the booths next to me might not appreciate your suggestion, AnEpicNguyen. heheh. maybe i should play “Amber” on a loop on this website to remind people. 😉
so does that mean you’re gonna be there? i hope so!!!
Best strip of the year right here!!! ……..
Have fun at the convention bro! Wish I could join you.
lots of fun to be had! you should come!
Like those before me I would also like to be at the convention but the air miles intervene. It is quite difficult here in the UK to follow my fav webcomics knowing that the events that happen, where we might meet the authors we follow, mostly all happen in the USA. So please get sooooo famous that you can come over to Europe and I’ll buy you a beer!
i appreciate the support, even if you can’t make it to the con, Rod Lane. and yes, if this lil ol’ webcomic gets big enough to travel to Europe, i’m gonna claim that beer from you! 🙂
Doods, have anyone seen the Empress of Doom?
Not since her post about just getting out of the hospital. I hope all is well with her doominess!
Me too, Im a little worried about my Empress
We all… well, most of us miss her.(I can’t speak for everybody here) Let’s just hope she is doing okay.
i exchanged emails with her mom, recently, and while we are all hoping she makes a full recovery, her condition is very serious. if i hear anything more, i’ll let you know.
thanks bot, im really worried now, I want my empress to be well again
If you happen to e-mail them again, make sure we are all eagerly awaiting her return and are sending healing thoughts, and waves and every well-wish there is.
i’m worried too, guys. i’ve let her mom know how much we miss Sonitan and that we’re sending healing wishes her way.
yes, as maryz said, let her know we want our empress of doom healthy and back on her throne, that we hope she will be all right soon
what?! no comic? somebody is in for a serious hurting.
just kidding jb. would love to go there and meet you at the con if i wasnt stuck in the middle of this island in the middle of nowhere.
you have my eternal support (unless you forget about us little people when u get uber famous). any new BOTton to be won? please include an autographed headshot to the winner. i forgot to ask for it when i won the last two BOTton. hehe…
in the middle of saving enough money to buy your books when it comes out (because it will worth about two weeks of fuel for my car after the conversion)
jigoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
would love it if you could come to the con, jf#300, but i totally understand. your support is huge, so that’s more than enough to keep me going through this con!
and yeah, i’ll keep a few of the exclusive BOTtons to give away – perhaps in a contest – when i get back. not sure if anyone will want a headshot, tho! heheh.
as for the book, i’ll let you know when it’s available. (although the price being the equivalent of two weeks of fuel makes me feel bad!) the ones i’m printing for the con are a limited run, so i’ll be doing another one for the BOTshop at a later date.
and there it is folks one of the reasons I regret not living in the US of A being unable to assist your fave e-comic artists at their time of need. If you’re ever coming to the Philippines though Jeff, let me know
if i’m ever in the philippines for a convention, i might not sell many books but i’ll definitely be calling on you to give me a hand, Jiro. 🙂
Dang wish I could go. Be all “Off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of bot!”
ha! now you’ve got that song running through my head, Liam. 🙂
Hell yes, Jeff. Well deserved break (if you want to call it a break). You doing SDCC in July? If so, I may know someone who can schlep your gear around.
too busy to call it a break, eleventeen! but once i get to the con, maybe i’ll be able to relax a little. heh. probably not.
not doing SDCC – the waitlist for a table there is like, seven years and a crapload of money. maybe i’ll get to know someone with a table that wouldn’t mind splitting it. i’d even do artist’s alley but you can’t sell anything there.
and who would be this person you know? cuz there are other cons i’m starting to eye, and i could use someone who’s good at schlepping. 🙂
I would HIGHLY suggest Comic-con! My wife and I went last year ( and would be going this year if we had the funds to) and we had a blast! Honestly if you are into Sci Fi or into Comics there is plenty to do there. If you can though bring your own lunch, that is my only suggestion. 🙂
as i mentioned to eleventeen, SDCC is crazy-expensive for exhibitors, Jereme, and there’s a long waitlist for it. would love to have a table there someday, though. even with as crazy as it has gotten lately, it’s still the KING CON everybody wants to get into! and good tip: you can save a lot of money and waiting by bringing your own lunch. 🙂
OH NO I need the new Bottons to put on my backpack o.o
no worries, dj. i’ll be saving some for you guys when i get back from seattle.
<3 YAY!! will you be having a contest to see who gets them or is it a first come first serve kinda thing?
nope, no contest – if it’s good, it’ll go up! 😀
That’s so exciting! You will have an awesome time. And don’t worry on late strips – seriously you’re one of the most frequent up-daters of any comic I’ve read and you care very much for all of us readers – thank you! Would love to hear more about how things are progressing in blog form. And please let us know when the book is ready for pre-order. Go get ’em!
yes! so exciting, Angela – as long as everything gets done before i leave for seattle! 😀
and thanks for your reassurance on the delayed strips. i definitely don’t pause the strip on a whim, so i’m glad you know i care about the readers and will get back on schedule once the craziness of this convention is over.
i’ll definitely be blogging and letting you know when the book goes online! since i should have a bunch of new merch for the con, i might just revamp the entire BOTshop when i get back from seattle.
Awesome! Have a most excellent adventure in Seattle, and maybe do a short web cast or something! 🙂
i’m hoping my adventure is most excellent, Alana! thanks! and i’ve been thinking about doing webcasts – will be bringing along my videocam, for that very reason. 🙂
*laughs hysterically* It’s funny because I’m working on the play Wizard of Oz. Speaking of witch, the first showing is tomorrow and we’re doing teasers all day during school… let the “fun” begin.(we’re going to be sick of whatever scene we decide to do the most very quickly) Here’s hoping I can get a chance to get on the computer again over the weekend.
ha! so you’re “following the yellow brick road” too then, Fijiman! hope everybody broke legs during that first showing. let us know how it went. 🙂
I have returned from the land of backstageia with great news! Our first performance could have gone smoother than it did, but was overall a success. Our last three shows(one today and two yesterday) all went incredibly smooth with little problem. I imagine that the next few shows will be great but what I’m waiting for is the pickup rehearsal. So many people have planned what their going to do on that night, it’s going to be a wreck.(last year an entire scene was dominated by Berny Mack jokes, my favorite being “I am youth, I am joy, I am BERNY MACK!”. Trust me, you should have been there)
congrats on the shows, Fijiman! great to hear. let us know how that pickup rehearsal goes. 😀
I shall tell you how it went sometime after tomorrow, don’t know when I might get the time to get on the computer for the next few days.
Good to hear the progress update. 😉 35 miles to meet with a printer? Yick!
thanks, T! yeah – everything’s so spread out in L.A., but fortunately, it’s pretty close to work. now let’s just hope they can get it printed in time! (they still aren’t done.) BUH.
Huge Jefbot fan… but poor as well. Couldn’t afford tix this year. CURSES AND FIE!!! If you find the urge to come down to Tacoma or even hang out in Seattle though, let me know.
hey, Psynapse! no sweat. your good thoughts and support are enough! if all goes well, hopefully i can do it again next year and you can make it then. 🙂
the best of luck from me, supersonic cucumber! 🙂
thanks, supersonic cucumber! since i haven’t gotten any of my merch or handouts back from any printers yet, i’ll totally be needing all the luck i can get. 🙂
How about me singing a geeky song? 😛
ha! can you improvise a song and have it be about cel, jefbot, his family or the Cornfather, Clayton Gee? 😉
When I finally got to checking on your strip, I realized that there were a TON of comments, so I didn’t wnat to do one more, but I decided to go ahead.
Have fun with all that stuff. Have you thought about Gen Con here in Indy?
heheh. we can always use one more comment here, Kypress. 😉
and no thoughts about Gen Con yet, but i’m keeping a list of all the ones you guys mention so i can evaluate them when i start planning my next comicon!
Lar and Somer (erm, I mean, Blind Ferret) come to GenCon 🙂 As well as I have seen it on Danielle’s list of stuff on her site (GWS).
If I could do anything more than eyes (they really are awesome) or stick figures, I’d send a strip… But, yeah…. Not happening 🙂
I wasn’t doing this con as well, I’d try to get a guest strip done for ya! damn. oh well. I’ll getcha one for the next con. :]
thanks, joenis. i’m going to copy your comment and then send it to you the next time i need a guest strip! 😉
Guest strip sent Sir!!
WOO! checking it now! 😀 😀 😀