I ruled that con like a pro! I was prepared, relied on my NYCC veteran status and got all I wanted and more.
And what did you get, you may ask? Well don't bother asking, I'll tell you anyway:
Ellis had about NO line most of the time. I arrived 45 minutes before his signing, was second in line (behind a smelly old guy, the joy!!). At the booth, they told they didn't not know if he would sign due to an aching hand and also cause he was a bit of a "diva". 5 minutes before the signing started, the smelly guy told "It's busy,eh?". So I looked behind me and there were 15 people top. I wanted to laugh at smelly guy and tell him that's a tiny line for Warren Ellis but didn't do that cause I'm a polite person (also, he was big). Ellis arrived on time, signed the comics of the guy in front of me then it was my turn:
"Hello, will you sign multiple items?
-As long as you didn't bring a box
-No, just 2 books and a comic.
-Fine, give it here.
-Can you personalize them?
-As long as it is simple...
-Well, this one is for Nicolas.
- I know 2 ways of spelling Nicolas.
- O. It's N.I.C.O.L.A.S. This is for Cameron.
-Where I'm from, there are 3 different spelling for Cameron!
- (me stuttering, cause I'm taken aback) C.A.M.E.R.O.N.
And then I spelled my name for the last item, thanked him and was on my way.
Then I went in line for RJ Ellory and chatted a bit with him and got his latest signed. Moved on to the booth right next to him where Pelecanos (writer on The Wire and Treme) was signing so got one book signed.
Then went upstairs to catch a break. From upstairs, I noticed there was no line left for Warren Ellis, the guy was taking pics with his phone so I ran downstairs and got another comic signed by him (for me). From there I noticed Pelecanos has just 2 people waiting so I went back there and bought a book and got it signed for my brother.
That's when I noticed that the James Ellroy signing was winding down and the line wasn't that big so I ran there, got in the line just in the nick of time before being told I would be last. He signed "Blood's a rover" for me. Ellroy's sig is just a quick scratch on the book. I guess you do that you have to sign 100+ books in one hour. He called a "cool guy" or "good chap", can't remember, that was funny.
And by that time Lauren Beukes, who was just next to Ellroy, had arrived so I handed her Fairest #13 and she seemed really happy to sign it.
And with that done, my task was completed and I left the venue like a prince.
The score :
Gun Machine by Warren Ellis (x2, one for Cameron)
Moon Knight #1 by Warren Ellis (for a friend)
Global Frequency #7 by Warren Ellis
The Big Blowdown by George Pelecanos (x2, one for my bro)
Saints of New York by RJ Ellory
Blood's A Rover by James Ellroy
Fairest #13 by Lauren Beukes
Cameron, I will need a shipping address.
