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Lakes International Comic Art Festival reveals “Lakeview Comics Marketplace” plans, opens applications from creators and publishers

By John Freeman on January 6, 2022

Applications for comic creators, publishers and others have opened for exhibitors to feature in their Lakeview Comics Marketplace at the 10th Lakes International Comic Art Festival, taking place for the first time in Bowness-on-Windermere (Friday 14th – Sunday 16th October 2022).

“We’ll be re-inventing the marketplace in our tenth year,” says Carole Tait, who has co-ordinated the Comic Clock Tower venue in past years, “and we hope you will feel enthused and inspired to join us.”

“It will be a new kind of LICAF, maintaining the special qualities of our Festival but with some new ideas and adventures to keep everyone on their toes!”

For the first year in the new Bowness location, on the top two floors of a lakeside Bar and Restaurant with spectacular views of Lake Windermere and mountains, LICAF are offering potential exhibitors a special discounted table price, to acknowledge the change, and encourage comic creators, publishers and others to travel with us.

The cost of a full table in the 2022 Lakeview Comics Marketplace will be £60 (if you wish to share a table, you must apply with (an)other creator(s)).

The new location is spacious and welcoming, with opportunity for visitors to sit, chat and read their recently purchased comics in a convivial atmosphere. It’s also easily accessible for loading and unloading with a lift to each floor.

“The owner and his team could not be more excited to greet us and will do all they can to make the transition smooth and stress-free,” says Carole.

As an extra “care” package, LICAF are offering each successful applicant 2 x £10 vouchers to be used at the venue for food and/or drink during the Festival weekend.

“For those who have attended before this will replace our famous Red Brigade ‘brew and biscuit’ service, but the level of care will be at least as good.”

This year’s Festival will take place across a variety of venues in Bowness, all in walking distance of each other, but LICAF will be providing a shuttle bus around the footprint of the Festival to make it easy to get around.

LICAF isn’t losing all links with Kendal either, which is just nine miles from Bowness, with projects in the wings in the town during 2022.

“We’re aware many exhibitors may prefer to stay in Kendal, where they are more familiar with the accommodation options,” Carole notes. “But out of season, there are affordable options in Bowness too, and we recommend checking out the links on the ‘Visit’ page on the Festival website.

“For those exhibitors who will be staying in Kendal we are providing a free shuttle bus between Kendal and Bowness on the Saturday and Sunday of the Festival. We’ll be sharing the timetable later in the year, but rest assured that the buses will get you to the exhibitor area in time for each day’s trading and the various return options in the evening will allow you to choose to stay and socialise in Bowness or head back for a rest – whatever you prefer!”

First guests for LICAF 2022 will be announced soon.

• If you would like to exhibit at this year’s Festival, please complete the application form available on the official LICAF web site and return it to carole@comicartfestival.com to arrive no later than 5.00pm on Friday 25th February 2022

While LICAF won’t be able to accommodate all applicants, the team will keep you well informed throughout the process and let you know if you have been successful no later than Friday 4th March 2022

• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival – back Friday 29th September – Sunday 1st October 2023 – is online at: www.comicartfestival.com

• Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast: www.comicartpodcast.uk | YouTube | Twitter: @comicartfestpod | Facebook: @ComicArtPodcast | Instagram: @ComicArtPodcast

• Want to receive news about the Lakes International Comic Art Festival? Then sign up for their newsletter now

• Check out their LITTLE LICAF Facebook Page here and the dedicated LITTLE LICAF Instagram here

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.