How to sell art at FLUKE
An insider's personal experience selling artwork at the annual FLUKE convention
FLUKE is an annual independent mini-comic and zine convention held at the 40-Watt Club in Athens, Ga. I, along with 11 SCAD Atlanta students and alumni, tabled at FLUKE 2018 on March 24.
FLUKE was my first convention tabling experience and I had no idea what to expect. I had attended many conventions before, but they were all considerably larger than FLUKE and with different interests. I talked to the upperclassmen who tabled previously and followed their advice. FLUKE is a convention where if you make back the cost of your table and a little over, you’ve done well.
I printed two postcard-sized copies of five prints, six copies of my full-color zine about Soviet children’s media and six copies of my black-and-white autobiographical comic. I sold three copies of the full-color zine and one of the black-and-white comic. I also sold four sketch commissions on index cards for a dollar. Since my goal for the day was to come back with less things than I arrived with, I felt reasonably successful.
FLUKE was enjoyable. The 40-Watt Club is inviting and atmospherically lit with neon, string and assorted chandelier lighting. Attendees and exhibitors received free chocolate cake and water. The SCAD group clumped together near the back, which was nice because I sat with people I trusted and liked. I had fascinating conversations with the attendees. Many people took my business cards and expressed appreciation for my art, but not as many of them were willing to spend money on it. FLUKE was smaller, less crowded and more relaxing than other conventions like MomoCon.
Connie Hernandez, second-year sequential art student in attendance said she loved her experience. “Fluke was an awesome first con experience. Everyone was really supportive and friendly, and even though I’d only been once I really felt like part of a community. I’m excited to table there again,” said Hernandez.
Overall, I had a good time and while I can’t recommend FLUKE as a convention for making a profit, I can recommend it as a good first convention-tabling experience.
