As the comics events calendar winds to a close we’re preparing here at BF for our final tabling appearance of the year at the Catford Comic & Zine Fair at London’s Blythe Hill Tavern on Sunday December 8th. Perhaps the friendliest little fair on the circuit, this compact event takes place at one of London’s finest pubs in a room above the bar (and spreading out into other environs).
The Blythe Hill Tavern welcoming the small press scene (left) and BF ‘Six to Watch’ artist Olivia Sullivan (right) at 2018’s event
On a purely personal note it has a special fondness for me given that last year it was where I was presented for my 50th birthday with the only print copy in existence of a special anthology comic about me with work from so many of my favourite indie comics artists (put together by BF’s Ally Russell and Jenny Robins). But I rather self-indulgently digress…
Run by father and son team extraordinaire Henry and Stanley Miller, this year’s event has a stellar exhibitor list including: Rachael Ball, Aleesha Nandhra, Lucy Sullivan, Kim Clements (who designed this year’s poster), Olivia Sullivan, Dominique Duong, Ben Williams, Joe Decie, Joe Stone, Wallis Eates, Colossive Press, Ed Cheverton, Sean Azzopardi, Jenny Robins, Esther McManus, Dan White, Fraser Geesin, David Biskup, Katriona Chapman, Douglas Noble, Hannah Lee Miller, Elizabeth Querstret, Tim Bird, Zoom Rockman, Simon Moreton, Rob Marland, Peter Morey, Matthew Dooley, Emix Regulus, Jade King, Gareth Brookes, Decadence Comics, Gareth A Hopkins, Happy Otter, Avery Hill Publishing, South London Review, Raechel Leigh Carter, Nick White, Paul Ashley Brown, Hato Press, Gluezine, Daniel Bristow Bailey, Centrala, John Riordan and King Louie’s Lab!
Broken Frontier’s Ally Russell and Andy Oliver at the Communal Table last year
Once again the Broken Frontier team will be looking after the Communal Table. Below is CCZF’s guide to the Communal Table so please read carefully before bringing your comics on the day. We’re looking forward to pushing your work at Catford and, as ever, I am more than happy to talk to anyone wanting advice on self-publishing or feedback on their work if you come over to the Communal Table on December 8th.
See you all then!
For more information on CCZF follow them on Twitter here and Instagram here.
What to bring
You can bring comics and zines; up to 2 titles per person and no more than 5 copies of each please.
We won’t be able to take: prints, badges, patches, T-shirts etc.
Also if your work is A4 or larger, we may only be able to have one title on the table at a time, depending on what the response is like.
You must bring comics and zines in person. We can’t accept comics and zines in the post. Sorry!
What to do when you arrive
When you arrive the communal table will be situated close to the entrance and clearly sign-posted. Andy Oliver is recognisable from his hat.
We will take your comics/zines, and fill in a form so we know what you’ve left with us. We’ll make sure your work is clearly displayed and priced.
CCZF starts at 12 noon, you can leave comics and zines with us at any time, but the earlier you come the more time we will have to sell your work.
After you’ve left your work with us, you are free to enjoy the fair. There are many exhibitors selling their work, a wonderful pub, Pizza from Van Dough and social events from 5pm. So there’s plenty to see and do!
What to do when you leave
You can leave at any time but please come and pick up your money and any unsold comics/zines by 5pm when we end.
Please make sure you pick up your work! We won’t be able to post things back to you and any unclaimed comics and zines may be disposed of!
A couple more things…
We are happy to sell any comics or zines of any kind on any subject, but we do reserve the right to take work off the table if we feel it’s in any way hateful to any group of people.
We will do our best to sell all your work, and may rearrange the table during the day so that everyone gets a decent chance to be seen.
— Andy Oliver
Andy Oliver is Broken Frontier’s Editor-in-Chief and site owner. He is also a co-organiser of the annual UK Small Press Day and has been a judge or committee member for the Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition, the British Comic Awards and the SICBA Awards.
