I mentioned in my recap of the Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo this last March that while there I’d been interviewed for a podcast hosted through Comic Related, a site that specializes in reporting on comics. I just got word yesterday that it’s now up on their site, so naturally I wanted to forward it on to you all. You can check it out via the link below.

Comic Related – The Related Recap #120

Wait for the audio to load, then if you want you can forward ahead to my interview, which starts at 40:25—and if you’re interested, right after that is an interview with my buddy Jay Jacot from Lansing.

Enjoy!

———-P.S.———–
The link was working earlier, but seems problematic now…so if you try it and it doesn’t work please give it another shot later.

Greetings, fellow peoples.

Wanted to let you all know that I’ll be on the air tonight on Q106.1 fm (WJXQ, Lansing)—they’ve been kind enough to let me come in and spread some buzz about the Sponsorship Special and the book signings I’m having tomorrow and throughout the rest of the week. I’ll be on the air most likely between 7-8pm, so if you’re within listening range, please tune in!

Book Signing Schedule

24 Hour Comics Day Recap

Retail locations selling the Archetypal Images Sponsorship Special comic:

Hero Quest – Howell

Vault of Midnight – Ann Arbor

Lansing & E. Lansing
21^st Century Comics & Games

Capital City Collectibles

Clem’s Collectibles

Fortress Comics & Games

Just 4 Fun Hobbies & Comics

It was recommended to me that I get some brief, 1-2 line quotes from people who have read the Sponsorship Special to get their impressions of it and me, as something I could use to help with further promoting the book and seeking additional sponsorship. When you have a spare moment, if you could compose a few thoughts and either email them to me or post them directly in this blog it would be a huge help.

Thanks!

The story, printed in today’s edition of the Livingston County Press (Monday) was originally meant to come out last Friday to help promote the book release party, but maybe this works even better, since now it’s putting more focus on the book signing I’ll be doing next Wednesday (17^th) at Hero Quest Comics & Games in Howell.

If you aren’t in the area or can’t get your hands on a copy you can read the article online.

If that link doesn’t work, try this one.

The best part (or probably the worst, in my mom’s case) is they brought up my last major newsworthy story from a few years back—the one that landed me in front of the Livingston County judicial system for my impropriety in paying a traffic ticket. Oh, those were the days.

I got a good chuckle out of it when they asked me about it during the interview to make sure I was the same Eric Wilmoth that wrote profanity on the check I paid the fine with—I just didn’t realize they’d mention it in the article. I swear, that event is like my days selling Cutco—they’ll both probably haunt me till the end of my days. Hopefully, though, people will start associating me with my work rather than such silly trivialities as those.

Whew! Saturday was quite a whirlwind. I had a million last-minute preparations setting up the show—which led to a slightly-delayed start—but with the aid of my mother and some dear friends we managed to pull off a pretty decent presentation which culminated in a several-hour long celebration with a good crowd who came out to show their support.

Banner moment

To all of you who were able to attend, I cannot thank you enough. Special thanks must go out to my Aunt Joann and her family for traveling five hours one-way, as well as Jessica, Jeff, Elliot & Mari—and especially my parents—for their assistance in helping me prepare for, set up and manage the event.

Setting up

I’d been running off very little sleep through the last week and foolishly left planning my presentation speech to the last minute, so my apologies for any long-winded ramblings. Though public speaking may not be my strong suit I have had my share of past speaking experiences, so I know I could have spent half as much time talking and still have had room to touch on several more vital thoughts that my sleep deprived brain failed to recall. I should be getting the video from Jeff sometime this week and I’m already cringing at reliving the experience.

Jeff, my illustrious filmographer

Fortunately most everyone there was already familiar with my particular brand of madness, so it probably went relatively unnoticed…or seemed to be easily forgiven, at the very least. After a nice round of applause I kicked into gear with exchanging books, stickers and art prints for donations and did pretty well—but like I stated at the party, it’s not about the money as much as it is about the means to convey the message.

Sponsorship Special

From here my next step is a book signing next week in Howell, along with getting the book out to local comic shops and setting up some more book signings. I’ll also be sending a stack of them out to a list of VIP’s who I think the book will resonate with and who will make great industry contacts, if nothing else.

At home at work

Beyond that…well, it’s looking more and more likely that I’ll be attending SCAD this spring, and in the meantime I’ll be prepping my portfolio for that, looking for some freelance work and hyping this Sponsorship Proposal every which way I can think of.

My loyal subjects! I kid, I kid...

Again, my extreme gratitude goes out to everyone who picked up a book, especially those of you who gave above and beyond to help me afford more time to keep working on this dream. Times are tough all around, so your gift says a lot about your spirit and your faith in me—I swear to put it to good use.

My best to you all,

E!

Mingling

P.S. – as lame as this is, in all the hullaballoo of the party I failed to keep track of who donated what amounts the other night—except for those of you who donated by check. If you gifted above and beyond the book and any prints you may have picked up, please send me a quick email reminding me what you gave so I may give you the proper thanks you deserve.

The proud father

My first official engagement following the book release party will be at Hero Quest comics & games, next Wednesday. I’ll be there all day to promote and ‘sell’ the book. If you missed the book release party this would be a great opportunity to see what the buzz is all about!

When
Wednesday September 17^th, 11am till 8pm (open till close), which is new comic book delivery day

Where
Hero Quest Comics & Games
2608 E. Grand River Ave. Howell, MI 48843/
517-540-9790
http://www.heroquestcomics.com

I’m rockin’ out on this final day before the book release, pulling all sorts of last-minute tricks out of my hat.

For those of you in the Lansing area there should be an article in the State News today, as well as some blurbs in the City Pulse and Noise—though I haven’t confirmed all this yet.

For those of you who are interested, here’s a link to download that interview WHMI did with me that aired last Sunday. There’s another person interviewed before me; my interview starts about 18 minutes in.

Ok—that’s it for now. Hope to see a ton of you there tomorrow!

E!

P.S. – again, here’s the link to the info on where the event is being held

The books are in…

…and the clock is rapidly ticking down to the release party…

I want to encourage everyone to get there as early as you can, since I plan to start the event (at 6pm) with a brief presentation—roughly 15-30 minutes long—to basically talk about the book, explain its purpose and share a bit about my plans following this event. Even if you can’t make it in time to catch that portion of things I’ve got a buddy who’ll be shooting a video of the event, so it should be available on youtube shortly thereafter.

Incidentally, if anyone has forgotten where the book release party will be at, the info is here.

I’ve been out beating the streets the last couple days, posting flyers and postcards around Lansing/East Lansing, now that classes are finally in session at MSU and LCC. It’s actually been a bit of fun, and it feels good going out and raising awareness of the book and the event. It’s even nicer when I stumble into someone who is genuinely interested in comics and excited about coming to the event.

I sent out press releases on Friday to Lansing and Howell newspapers and radio stations, so hopefully I’ll get some attention through all that, as well.

Honestly, I could really use another week to prepare for this release—everything’s taken twice as long to deal with as I’d expected, so I’m behind where I want to be with a number of things. All-in-all, though, it looks to be shaping up pretty well, and has been one hell of a learning experience.

Incidentally, It turns out I’m competing for that weekend with the wedding of a relative on my dad’s side of the family which we all overlooked, so an extra week would’ve helped there, too—but them’s the breaks.

Anyhow, if you haven’t done so already, please invite some friends to join you—let’s make this thing a bash!

Can’t wait to see you all there!

E!

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P.S. —

My buddy, Steve Peters (creator of Sparky), just came out with a new book: Awakening Comics #0, which is a precursor to his Xeric Award-winning series, Awakening Comics. It covers Steve’s entire artistic life, from birth to the time period in which the first issue came out in 1997. It is a prequel issue that sets up the events of Awakening Comics and casts them in a new light.

If you’d like a copy, the book is available direct from Steve himself, for a mere $3.99. To purchase, visit www.awakeningcomics.com.

For all of you out there who’ve been avidly awaiting your very own, tangible copy of my first, full-size, solo project, the wait is nearly over! I’ll be premiering the Archetypal Images Sponsorship Special at the Gone Wired Café in Lansing, a gorgeous art-friendly coffee shop that’s showcased some of my work in the past.

When:
Sat Sept 6^th from 6pm – 9pm+

Where:
Gone Wired Café
2021 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912
(517)853-0550

Still haven’t seen the book? Check it out online!

Please RSVP below if you have a moment—I’d love to start getting a sense for who-all can make it.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

E!