10/14: Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang in Los Angeles, CA
Writer Cory Doctorow and illustrator Jen Wang will be reading from and signing copies of their new graphic novel, In Real Life (First Second), at on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30pm at Skylight Books in Los Angeles, California. In Real Life centers on an Arizona high schooler named Anda who joins the online game Coarsegold and gets a taste of 21st century globalization through Raymond, a Chinese player who exploits the game to earn a meager living. Purchase of the book is required to attend. Skylight Books is located at 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027.
10/15: Nick Dragotta in Santa Clara, CA
Eisner Award-winning Illustrator Nick Dragotta will be appearing at Illusive Comics and Games in Santa Clara, California on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 3–10pm. Dragotta is the artist of East of West (Image), and his most recent project is Howtoons: Tools of Mass Construction (Image). In addition to singing copies of his books, Dragotta will be holding a Q&A session and a sketching tutorial. This event is free. Illusive Comics and Games is located at 2725 El Camino Real, Ste. 105, Santa Clara, CA 95051.
10/17–10/19: The Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal, Cumbria, UK
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) is taking place on Oct. 17–19 Kendal in Cumbria, England. Now in its second year, LICAF celebrates comic art from around the world and in various forms like graphic novels, comic books, and comic strips. Programming includes panel discussions, workshops, creator spotlights, the Comics Clock Tower/Marketplace, exhibitions (such as "The Great War," "The Universe Within: The Art of Doug Braithwaite," and "Drawing on Japan"), competitions, screenings, performances, live drawing, family zone, and more. Guests include Charlie Adlard, Mark Buckingham, Boulet, Eddie Campbell, Becky Cloonan, Darryl Cunningham, Glyn Dillon, Jonathan Edwards, Gary Erskine, Dave Gibbons, Rian Hughes, Scott McCloud, Junko Mizuno, Sean Phillips, Gail Simone, Dez Skinn, Jeff Smith, Joost Swarte, and Bryan and Mary Talbot (full comics guest list here). Admission to the festival is free but individual events require tickets.
10/18–10/19: F.A.C.T.S. convention in Ghent, Belgium
The F.A.C.T.S. convention, one of Europe's top destinations for comics, science fiction, fantasy, and anime fans, is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19 at Flanders Expo in Ghent, Belgium. Although originally focused on merchandise, over the years F.A.C.T.S. has grown into a full-fledged comic con, with activities and events taking place throughout. Comics guests include Ethan Van Sciver, Eduardo Risso, Carlos Pacheco, Guillem March, Ian Gibson, Jesús Merino, Juan Jose Ryp, and more. Tickets are €11, €15 at the door, children under 10 get in free. Flanders Expo is located at Maaltekouter 1, 9051 Ghent, Belgium.
