What I learned: Comicon 2025

The benefit of being behind the scenes is that you get to take your pictures and chat with fellow exhibitors while they are fresh!

My day started at 6:30 AM when I met David A. Lloyd, an author, screenwriter, and WCYR member, who organized our table at Comicon 2025. We arrived early at the Metro Convention Centre in downtown Toronto—enough time to set up our table and grab a few hot drinks from Second Cup.

By 8 AM, my +1, Rachel Rosen, a local author and podcast host for Wizards and Spaceships, joined us.

The doors opened for VIPs at 9 AM, and from 10 AM - 7 PM, they opened for regular tickets. The flow of people began at 10 AM. As it was Friday of March Break, I counted on more children among the attendees.

I sold my first autographed copy of BEST FRIENDS to a little girl named Eliana. Her parents wanted to buy something wholesome for their daughter, so she chose which book she wanted. I admit it felt really weird writing in a kid's book.

My second book was sold to a frazzled mum who was instantly sold on the book cover for 'WHICH FEELING.' She didn't have cash, so it was an opportune moment to test my Stripe interface.

Several more people stopped in their tracks, enamoured by my books—namely, adults looking to encourage communication with their kids. This included social workers, teachers, and parents!

So many kids were lured by the opportunity to play (and win) a cup and ball game. I had a tin filled with random chocolate. When those ran out, we replaced them with a box of Timbits.

Other moments of note were:

• seeing the glazed looks of the throngs of people wandering;
• observing the costumes, the cosplayers, and amazing attention to detail!
• being inside a TARDIS!
• talking to many artists, teachers, comic book artists, podcasters, you name it.
• the general feeling of a shared experience.

I would do this again—possibly at the Fan Expo and local book fairs in the GTA.

-D.M. De Alwis