My Birthday Letter That Went Out Today, This Year On Behalf Of My Other Job—You Know How It Is

December 16, 2017

To My Friends And Peers:

All apologies for this note. This is a note asking for money. Just $5, even, but still. I'm writing this on my birthday, and I'm being reflective and sentimental, but I'm definitely also asking for money. Be warned!

The big change in my life over the last five years and my survival of two death scares is I've moved to Columbus, Ohio where I work on Cartoon Crossroads Festival (CXC), a non-profit arts festival devoted to all forms of cartooning. It's been a challenge and it's been fun.

I think we now have the shape of the CXC we want in a guests and programming sense. We'll get better at executing into the model, and there will be significant flourishes to keep things lively. We want a show that's a must-attend for fans of the art form at all levels of interest, and a show that gives back to the professional community it hopes to serve. We're getting there.

This year we get to pay more attention to professional development. The goal is that this isn't just a value of our programming, which it is, but that we respond to the needs of working makers with a combination of practical advice, directives and resources to make their lives better. I'm not sure we can ever get to a place where cartooning isn't heartbreaking and difficult on some level, but that doesn't absolve us from trying to lighten your load.

So in a way this letter is really just the standard December "ask" you get from me hoping to catch you in an end-of-year, holiday mood, reminding you that CXC is a non-profit that accepts tax-deductible donations. We can accept them straight up at the paypal account cxcfestival@gmail.com. We can accept them in check and money order form at 51 Jefferson Ave #204 Columbus OH 43215. We can accept them just about any way you're prepared to give them and I hope you'll e-mail me if you have something in mind. People have been generous so far in supporting what they feel is a good show, a Midwestern show, an arts-first and creators-first show, a valuable Columbus show, a show that specifically works for them or that they enjoy.

This year, though, just to say it out loud, anything $5 or more between now and the end of the year gets you on the list with past donors, exhibitors and special guests to make the pool of creators and industry folk that we target with our development program. So if you have an extra five or more in a holiday season where there's so much need, give that to Puerto Rican relief, or a standard comics charity, or the fund for Kate Beaton's sister. If you have another five after that, I hope you consider us. We will do our best to make sure you receive our attention in return, hopefully for years to come.

If it helps to think of it like sending me a small birthday present, that works, too.

Thank you for all that you've given and all that you've contributed to this art form and to my life. I hope you are enjoying all of the holidays and I have every best wish for your new year.

Your pal that gets all your comics jokes,

Tom

PS -- click here or through mascot Archie's image. Thanks!


 
posted 2:30 pm PST | Permalink
 

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