The Tremendous Newsletter - Issue 1
Tremendicon is a three-day convention focused on Education, Inspiration, Encouragement, Collaboration, and Charity.
Welcome to our very first issue of the TREMENDOUS NEWSLETTER! Thank you for signing up! Thank you for sharing this with your friends! As September winds down and October prepares its jump-scares, we’re looking to the next year’s convention. In the meantime, we’ve got a ton of fun in store for you, dear reader! In the newsletter ahead, you’ll find updates, news, upcoming events, and enlightening interviews.
And it all starts with a few words…
I was asked by someone, “Why are you running Tremendicon?”
The answer goes back to a Drink and Draw several years ago.
My wife and I were sitting at a table having a drink and enjoying the fun. There was a young girl sitting at the same table. She was drawing in a small sketchbook. I could see the sketches and I thought they were good.
The Drink and Draw organizers invited anyone to come up and draw some fun prompts. She didn’t feel comfortable doing that even though complimented her on her sketches. But I could tell she wasn’t confident in her work, and she said as much.
I know it is hard as a young creator to build up your skills, your brand and confidence. It’s even harder when you don’t have any people to ask or go to for support. And, I thought, we could create a convention where that is pre-made and ready.
This young artist told us how she was self-taught but didn’t have any plug into other artists and I felt like that was a common feeling. The lack of confidence, not knowing how to progress or improve and not knowing (or being too shy) to ask anyone for help.
Tremendicon is that safe place for all creatives. Yes, we have built a fun convention for everyone, but for a creative person it could be the turning point that leads them on a happier and more rewarding path.
So, why am I running Tremendicon?
It’s for that young artist and every other creative person to find community.
—David Stanfield
REGISTRATION FOR 2025 IS NOW OPEN—Now is the time to sign up to attend Tremendicon! And at an early bird discount, too! Reserve your tickets! Use the discount code PREREG during checkout for $10 off the regular admission price! Here’s the link!
VENDOR AND ARTIST ALLEY TABLES ARE NOW AVAILABLE—Vendor tables for the convention are $200. Artist Alley tables are $100. To get the ball rolling, apply to exhibit at the show! Here’s the link!
JOPLIN COLLECTOR’S EXPO — The gang showed up at the Joplin Collectors’ Expo to share their excitement for next year’s Tremendicon! There, we got to hang out with friends of Tremendicon like the Missouri Ghostbusters, Rachel Newhouse, and Champion Comics!
We’ve got plenty of events planned to help you while away the hours until the next Tremendicon!
SEPTEMBER 28 - 29, 2024 — TREMENDICON AT EXTREMICON
Come to St. Robert for Extremicon Comic Convention! Stop by the Tremendicon table to meet the crew, learn more about the exciting events we have planned, and have a terrific time in general. For more information on Extremicon, visit extremicon.com.
OCTOBER 2, 2024 — WHISKEY AND WORDS
Our fourth Whiskey and Words event will be held from 7 - 10 at Best of Luck Beer Hall.
Join Cullen Bunn and the gang from Tremendicon for a night of creativity, camaraderie, and fun! Writing is said to be a lonely road, but not this time!
Enjoy good drinks, good food, and the company of other writers as Cullen challenges you with some of the craziest writing prompts you've even encountered. What fictional masterpieces will you create? We can't wait to find out!
Not a writer? Who cares! You can still join in the fun, either as a participant or as a spectator.
There will be prizes and a raffle! If you know other writers in the area, please let them know about this. This is an ages 21+ only event.
Just look at all the fun at previous Whiskey and Words events!
OCTOBER, 2024 (TBA) - TREMENDICON AT FIELD OF SCREAMS
The Tremendicon team will be setting up at Field of Screams later in the month to listen to your bloodcurdling screams as you wander through the haunted forest! Keep an eye out for dates and stop by to say hello!
Every issue, we will be interviewing one of our creator guests from Tremendicons past, present, and future!
This time around, we talk to author Aaron Conaway!
Tell us about yourself. What do you create? What are you working on?
My name is Aaron Conaway, and I'm an author and amateur cartoonist. As such, I write novels and short stories and occasionally write and draw comic books. I'm currently working on The Timberhaven Chronicles book series, trying to button up my latest entry, Monsters in the Park.
What is your history with Tremendicon?
I've attended every Tremendicon since the first.
The pillars of Tremendicon are education, inspiration, encouragement, collaboration, and charity. What do those pillars mean to you? How have you seen these pillars demonstrated in your Tremendicon experience?
If you're an artist today—be it an author, maker, designer, or what have you—you know how tough it can be to create, really pour your blood, sweat, and tears into something, and feel like you don't have the energy left to make it through the gauntlet of pop culture news and social media posts to show your creation to the world properly. The pillars of Tremendicon are fantastic about doing just that: reenergizing you. Providing a respite to gather your strength or refocus your intentions. Educate yourself by talking to or attending panels of creators who are further down the artistic road you want to go down, because you don't always know what you don't know. Inspiration and encouraging conversations are happening EVERYWHERE at Tremendicon and more than a few projects have been born in the halls and at the tables. You just have to be open to it all.
What do you get out of Tremendicon? What do you think attendees can get out of the event?
Basically, everything that I wrote about above! I always feel wholly invigorated at the end of the weekend and ready to get back in the studio. You can, too.
Share a favorite Tremendicon memory!
It's always great meeting readers at my table who are curious about my work or want to buy my latest. Still, my favorite memories have more to do with chatting with fellow creators between table-sitting and panel appearances. Sipping on an Old Fashioned and talking shop—nothing beats it!
Where can we find out more about you and your work?
This will point you to everywhere I am and everything I'm making: https://linktr.ee/aaronconaway
Hope to see you all there!
Stay “in the know” with all things Tremendicon! Follow us on social media and join the conversation! We want to hear from you!
Our website - https://tremendicon.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Tremendicon/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tremendicon/
Proud to be a small part of this great convention!