After my successful participation at New York Comic Con in October 2025, I was eagerly anticipating the Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo in January 2026. I was convinced my artwork would resonate with the gaming tribe gathering for the four day event.
I booked my hotel, drove from Brooklyn to Philadelphia, set up my table on Thursday morning, and was ready before the doors opened.
And then I sat.
And sat.
And sat.
For four days.
It turned out to be the slowest convention I have done so far. The layout was strange and essentially cut off the vendors’ area from the natural flow of attendees coming in to play. I spoke with other vendors who were there to promote their products and RPG games, and no one was having a strong show. It was simply very slow for all of us.
I felt beaten up. I had invested in the hotel, per diems, gas, and all the small expenses that add up. I was basically losing money.
Thorin and his harp.
Then on Sunday morning, one person stopped at my booth. He noticed my dwarf harp player illustration and said he would mention it to a friend of his, a publisher who was also at the convention and who also happened to be a harp player. I immediately told him that I was a harp player as well and would love to connect.
A couple of hours later, he showed up and introduced himself as Eric Menge. He complimented my work, and we had a wonderful conversation about his publishing projects, my art, and our shared love of the Celtic harp. He bought several pieces, and we agreed to stay in touch.
That afternoon, I drove back to Brooklyn still feeling defeated. Because of course, a slow convention triggers all the wrong buttons. I am not good at this. People do not like my work……
It is amazing how quickly the mind spirals.
Pencils work-in-progress of one of the illustrations I am currently working on for RealmsBound.
I waited the whole week. The following Friday, I decided to follow up with the publishers I had met at the convention. I sent emails that included attachments of my most recent work.
Eric responded a day later and mentioned that he thought his art director had already reached out to me about contributing to his current publishing project.
I thought, I do not think so. Unless I somehow missed the email, which would be strange because I am very diligent with my correspondence.
Still, I checked.
And there it was.
An email from Eric’s art director, Lori, proposing a collaboration on their upcoming RealmsBound project, a project initiated by none other than Ed Greenwood, the legendary creator of Forgotten Realms.
I was astonished.
First, because I had somehow missed that initial email, and that truly bothered me. Second, because how could I possibly say no. What an incredible opportunity to contribute to a project connected to someone as iconic as Ed Greenwood.
I replied immediately. Within a week, I had signed the contract.
And now I am officially collaborating with Mythmakers on their RealmsBound books.
Fantasy.
RPG.
Ed Greenwood.
The lore of the Forgotten Realms.
What began as my slowest convention turned into one of the most exciting professional opportunities I have had so far.
That is how a negative turns into a positive.
Sometimes the win is not in the crowd.
Sometimes it is in the one conversation.
Also, the importance of following up! I f I had not followed up with Eric, I would have assumed the convention was a total failure as I had missed that email from Lori, the AD.
To learn more about RealmsBound check the website at https://mythmakers.com/realmsbound/ and sign up for their email , for exacting updates about the project.
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