# Rejected, Again Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/pesto-comics-audio-edition-7033321/rejected-again Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/pesto-comics-audio-edition-7033321/rejected-again.md Podcast: [Pesto Comics - Audio Edition](https://stenobird.com/podcast/pesto-comics-audio-edition-7033321) Published: 2026-03-12T20:30:00+00:00 Episode link: https://pestocomics.substack.com/p/rejected-again Audio file: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/190752952/d1022a7f68a2aff7dc283e9b9d832bf3.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/pesto-comics-audio-edition-7033321/episodes/rejected-again Duration seconds: 798 ## Resource After being waitlisted for TCAF, I’m reflecting on why "rejection" is actually providing the clarity I need to pivot away from the stress of convention tabling. I discuss the shift toward the direct market, the success of my latest projects, and why my "mainstream" style is finding a better home south of the border and in local comic shops. Join me as I talk about building a creator community in Toronto and why 2026 is shaping up to be my biggest year yet despite the setbacks. 00:00 Welcome Back 00:53 Cutting Back on Tabling 01:21 The Cost of Conventions 02:39 Convention Connections & Community 04:42 2026 Wins & the Roadshow 05:39 Handling Soft Rejections from Stores 06:16 Early Lessons in Rejection 07:19 Toronto vs. Mainstream Comics 09:08 Finding Success in the Right Places 09:54 Turning Rejection into Clarity 11:00 Reminders & Sign-Off This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pestocomics.substack.com ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/pesto-comics-audio-edition-7033321/episodes/rejected-again/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/pesto-comics-audio-edition-7033321/rejected-again.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.