This year I had the best SPX I’ve ever had — but for some reason I neglected to take any photos other than the sad, blurry one at the top of this post (the lettered balloons were to identify the blocks of tables — I was in the “L” block). It may have been because I was just so busy at my table — the crowds were incredibly heavy and were extremely generous — I heard some folks could barely stop selling long enough to go to the bathroom, and several people sold out of books entirely on the first day, including C. Spike Trotman and my next-door neighbor, Pregnant Butch author A.K. Summers.

I sold out of Clockwork Game mid-day on Sunday, but I was able to take orders for a few more copies (they went out this afternoon, and should arrive soon!) and I know I could’ve sold a dozen more, if I’d only had them on hand.

I did manage to get away long enough on Saturday to buy a few books, including Sisters by Raina Telgemaier, O Human Star by Blue Delaquanti, Vattu by Evan Dahm, Bonnie N. Collide by Monica Gallagher, Chester 5000 XYV by Jess Fink (link NSFW) and this ridiculously cute stag beetle necklace by the remarkable Esabelle Ryngin.

There were at least fifteen other artists I wanted to get around to and see, but I just ran out of time. I’m especially sad to have missed Emily Carroll and Eleanor Davis, though I did get to speak at length with Eleanor’s husband Drew Weing on Sunday, which was awesome, because his Set to Sea is beautiful!

I was also lucky enough to get away long enough to see the incredible Lynda Barry who is one of my comics heroes. Lynda is absolutely incredible, and her book about writing, What it is, resonated with me on a level like no other book of its kind. Seriously, if you’re in a funk about writing, do yourself a favor and read both that and Picture This. She’s amazing, and constantly makes me stop and re-evaluate how I think about my art.

The highest point of the show was meeting so many young men and women who’d first read Vögelein in their school and public libraries — one young guy said it was one of the first graphic novels he’d ever read, and another girl said the copy in her library had been read to pieces. What an honor to be a part of so many readers’ lives! I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the librarians who’ve supported me over the years.

I probably won’t be back to SPX as an exhibitor until I have a new book out, but in coming years, I’m going to try to get there as an attendee. There are so many outstanding panels and incredible artists to see that I hate missing out because I have to sell my own stuff. I’m already looking forward to next year’s show!