My first Con appearance was one for the books!

Thank you to all the amazing creators, cosplayers, event staff, and readers that welcomed us out West!

It truly was one FOR THE BOOKS. 

I know I usually reserve this text area for snark and shenanigans, but not this time. This time, you get full-on, sugary sincerity. You've been warned, I'm about to say a lot of nice things... seriously, call your dentist because you're about to get a toothache... still here? Okay, here goes...

Geek Out Napa Valley was a smashing success and I loved every second of it. 

People showed up! Like, A LOT OF PEOPLE. I met a ton of young readers, inventive cosplayers, and avid fans from all across the geekosphere. One six-year-old kid took over my table and made his dad wait around for thirty or so minutes while he read Creepover #3 in front of me and demanded I answer all of his questions on the spot. It was simultaneously intimidating and wonderful. You think writing horror's scary? Nah. Six-year-olds are scary. 

I got to share a panel with one of the most acclaimed comic artists of our time, Mr. BRIAN FIES, and it turns out... he's one of the sweetest, smartest guys you'll ever meet! Go check out all of Brian's masterful work at BrianFies.blogspot.com.  I highly recommend his book, A Fire Story -- and I also recommend you grab a box of Kleenex while reading. It tore my heart out in a way few books ever have. Like the written equivalent to the first fifteen minutes of Up. It cuts deep on a human level. Just genius from cover to cover. 

Our moderator, Derek, cosplayed as Eddie Munson and hit me with a ton of great Stranger Things questions. Big thanks to Derek, Tess, and all of the Napa Valley Library staff who put on this fantastic event. There were game tables, toy booths, and even a robot team on-site showing off their varied skillsets. Seriously, Otter Bots makes great robots... and blueberry muffins! 

Going into this, I'd heard all sorts of horror stories from fellow authors about their first Con appearances. I expected to be at my panel, look out, and only see one random stranger there in the back row, half-asleep. I cringed at the thought of no one coming to my table, sitting there in front of a stack of unwanted books, and no one asking for a signature. Would I look like the lone weirdo stumbling around on the dance floor with everyone in sight trying to avoid me? No.

The total and complete opposite. 

Geek Out Napa Valley made us feel so, so, so welcome. Each person we met was incredibly kind, and interested. We had constant foot traffic from opening to close. There was always someone to talk shop with, high-five, or just, you know, GEEK OUT. 

First appearances never go this well. But mine did. And I have all of YOU to thank for it. Whether I met you yesterday, or you're halfway around the globe and you only know me from my books, thank you. Seriously. You helped me get here and feel like a very cool guy for a day. I'll always remember this one. I had no idea so many people read my stuff, or cared this much. 

As I said, it was one for the books.

Thanks as always for supporting me and my work. If you like what you see in this newsletter, please spread the word!  And if you post on Instagram, tag me up at @mattgilbertwrites 

Until next Comic Con,
--Matt