SECTION 1: About You
Leo Nocedo: What is your name, and what do you go by at cons (business name, artist handle, etc.)?
Maria DeVivo: Author Maria DeVivo
Leo Nocedo: How would you describe what you do?
Maria DeVivo: Small press / indie comics publisher
Leo Nocedo: What is your primary medium or product?
Maria DeVivo: Horror and Dark Fantasy novels
Leo Nocedo: How long have you been vending or tabling?
Maria DeVivo: 8+ years
SECTION 2: The Comic Con Experience
Leo Nocedo: How many cons do you typically attend per year, and which ones?
Maria DeVivo: 30 ish. Some include: Scaradise, Tampa Bay Comic Con, Ocala Comic Con, Central Florida Comic Con.
Leo Nocedo: What draws you to comic cons specifically, versus other markets or shows?
Maria DeVivo: I love the atmosphere, the community and the camaraderie
Leo Nocedo: Walk us through what a typical con weekend looks like for you — from setup to teardown.
Maria DeVivo: Setup is usually a beast! About an hour to an hour and a half, then it’s GAME ON. I rarely walk around, so what I see is whatever comes to me. This is my job, so I’m working constantly.
Leo Nocedo: What’s the most rewarding part of tabling at a con?
Maria DeVivo: Meeting all the readers and seeing all the cosplayers.
Leo Nocedo: What’s the most challenging or underrated difficulty of doing cons?
Maria DeVivo: Long hours. It’s draining. And my product is kinda niche to that audience, so I work hard
SECTION 3: Business & Economics
Leo Nocedo: Is this your full-time income, a side hustle, or something else entirely?
Maria DeVivo: Part-time / significant side income
Leo Nocedo: Has the cost of tabling (table fees, travel, supplies, etc.) changed noticeably over the years? How so?
Maria DeVivo: The first year I did TBCC (2013), the table was like 100$ for the 3 days. Prices have definitely gone way up.
Leo Nocedo: How has the rise of online selling (Etsy, Instagram, conventions going digital) impacted your business, if at all?
Maria DeVivo: It hasn’t.
Leo Nocedo: What does a “successful” con look like for you — is it purely financial, or are there other measures?
Maria DeVivo: Financial is definitely one of them, but networking is another!
SECTION 4: Community & Culture
Leo Nocedo: How would you describe the vendor/artist community at cons? Is there a sense of camaraderie, competition, or both?
Maria DeVivo: In my “sector” we are a family. It is mainly camaraderie. Their success is ultimately my success.
Leo Nocedo: Have you noticed changes in what attendees are buying or interested in over the years?
Maria DeVivo: I’ve noticed more readers! Yay! Win for me!
Leo Nocedo: What trends in fandom or pop culture have most impacted your work or what you sell?
Maria DeVivo: It hasn’t.
Leo Nocedo: Is there anything about the vendor/artist experience that you wish attendees understood?
Maria DeVivo: Art is work. It’s sad when they expect it for free.
SECTION 5: Looking Ahead
Leo Nocedo: What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting their first table at a con?
Maria DeVivo: Think about cost. It can get pricey.
Contact & Consent
Name: Maria DeVivo
Business / Artist Name: Author Maria DeVivo
Website / Social Media: www.mariadevivo.com
Email: mariadevivo1@gmail.com
NocedoPhoto Media Group
NocedoPhoto Media Group is an innovative and creative consortium that unites photographers, writers, cosplayers, event promoters, vendors, costume and prop makers, and other creatives under one roof to use their collective skills to maximize their distribution and presence on digital media platforms. Their goal is to create a well-rounded and successful network for all involved.
