I had a really good chat with @chrislaumanson.bsky.social and @tomhumberstone.com at TAGS Festival last weekend about what we, the independent comic community, can do to push our scene forward. A lot of what we discussed is UK- or world-wide rather than just pertinent to Scotland but I'll recap:

It's been a week already? How?? @tagsfest.co.uk was simply amazing!!!! Thank you so much to anyone that came to my table! Met and caught up with lovely creators and had a great panel with @slowedmountains.bsky.social about Creating Comics. Let's do it again next year, yeah? 🤖😁😊

TAGS Fest 2025 is a free-to-attend weekend market at Edinburgh's Fruitmarket, celebrating independent small press creators of tabletop games, comics, and graphic novels.

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The most talked-about item at Edinburgh's recent #TAGS Fest was a new roleplaying guide. It suggests the popular image of Scotland's Picts, the blue-painted warriors, is almost entirely wrong. The historically accurate version is far more complex.

That morning after feeling. #tagsfestival #comic #journal #illustration #inspo #convention

I had a fantastic time @tagsfest.co.uk over the weekend! Played my first non-solo TTRPG, went to some really interesting talks, and bought some cool stuff 😁.

Glad I took today off - @tagsfest.co.uk was a blast as always, and I'm looking forward to taking all day to rest and recover from the amazing creative energy of the weekend!

these guys are heroes 😤 made us feel so well looked-after!

So proud of the whole TAGS team!! Thank you to everyone who bought a Ruin book from our lovely volunteer Hannah 💕

The steward team at TAGS were absolutely incredible. I was nevous going in being my first time tabling and they were so friendly and helpful they immediately put all my worries at ease. Had a great time overall. Loved meeting all the talented artists tabling this year!

Had an amazing day tabling at @tagsfest.co.uk for the first time! It was so great to meet some fantastic comics creators and readers, and so nice to put faces to names of people I've only known online. Here's hoping I'll have more opportunities to do events like this in the future!

Did you visit TAGS this year? To help this free event continue, please let us know what you thought of TAGS Fest 2025. We can use the information you share when applying for funding for future events. 🏷️ Feedback form: forms.gle/nBuXjZb6Q9Nf...

The TAGS staff this year were as they always are a joy!

Had such a great time at this, and at the whole of the weekend! Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who came along and to all the hardworking organisers and volunteers who made another incredible TAGS!

Another year down! We couldnt have pulled this off without our absolutely incredible steward team, thank you to Susan, Atlanta, Gigi, Cara, and Hannah for keeping the event running as smoothly as possible.

Had such an amazing time at @tagsfest.co.uk today! Met a lot of very cool people, bought some cool stuff from them. Great to be surrounded by so much creativity and passion.

📢 Our last panel of the weekend is starting soon! Join @tomhumberstone.com, @chrislaumanson.bsky.social, and @evegwood.com in a discussion about the state of modern Scottish indie comics.

My little TAGS haul, had such a wonderful time meeting new people, seeing old friends & feeling inspired by all the storytelling ♥️♥️♥️ @tagsfest.co.uk

We went to @tagsfest.co.uk in Edinburgh today for amazing comic, art and game goodness! Still on for a few more hours!

Back @tagsfest.co.uk today and on a panel discussing the Scottish comics scene at 3.30pm if you’d like to come and heckle!

I'm moderating two panels at @tagsfest.co.uk today! If you're in Edinburgh come to @fruitmarket.bsky.social to check out this free-to-attend market, games room, and lineup of talks!!

A bit late posting but come say hi if you're at @tagsfest.co.uk today! I'm at table 36 ✌️

📢 Panel starting soon! Join Steven Fraser, @ashlingdraws.bsky.social and Amandawonk as they talk about the ins and outs of autobiographical work. 🎤 See what other panels are happening at tagsfest.co.uk#talks

📢 Panel starting soon! Join @pondi.bsky.social and @kingfridayjoe.bsky.social as they talk about the reality of making money as an indie comic artist. 🎤 See what other panels are happening at tagsfest.co.uk#talks

TAGS FESTIVAL 2025 DAY TWO. @tagsfest.co.uk #tagsfestival #tagsfestival2025 #tags #comicconvention #comics #comictable

Day Two of @tagsfest.co.uk in Fruitmarket Edinburgh! Come get your comics and games folks, and I'll be talking on a panel at half past three on the current state of Scottish Indie Comics! #edinburgh #comics #ttrpgs

Back at @tagsfest.co.uk today! We’ve got our shiny new Frogmen zine alongside Strang Beorn and Saint Magnus, plus @willtempest.bsky.social’s lovely Short Sword volumes and Harsh Prospect. Come and say hello!

Today we are at @tagsfest.co.uk and so should you because it's awesome and full of cool people who brought their cool comics and games. Also props to @brianbloodaxe.bsky.social who just delivered an unexpected sausage roll.

📢 Panel starting soon! Join @lostpages.co.uk, @toadlett.bsky.social, and @ancientrobotgames.bsky.social as they talk about the game-making process. 🎤 See what other panels are happening at tagsfest.co.uk#talks

TAGS Fest is back at @fruitmarket.bsky.social for Day Two! We've got a Market, a Board Game Zone, and a whole lineup of talks - and it's all completely free to attend! See you there! 🏷️ Learn more about TAGS Fest at tagsfest.co.uk

My first day at @tagsfest.co.uk was great. I had good chats with good people, and most importantly tanked next to @catsinook.bsky.social who felted me a wizard, like, in real time. But not simply a wizard. But a wizard with a great butt. Just look at that wizard butt. Look at it.

Had a great time today at my first @tagsfest.co.uk !! Huge thanks to Eve, Brian and all the staff for being so helpful and checking in throughout the day- Shows like this remind me why I continue making work and how much passion exists within Scottish comics.

Thank you @tagsfest.co.uk! Had the best day tabling at your festival today! 💛

That's us back in Glasgow with an excellent @tagsfest.co.uk haul. Will try and tag everyone below! But the two top middle books belonged to @lostpages.co.uk who were a delight to table next to ✨ #comics #graphicnovels #zinehaul

On my way home from this. A great event, venue and interesting talks. Well worth popping along for day 2 on Sunday.

I may or may not have splurged on some goodies at @tagsfest.co.uk 👀 (its pay day weekend I am allowed)

That's a wrap on Day One! Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by. We've got even more games, creators, and talks lined up for tomorrow - see you then!

Thanks to everyone who came along to this - we had some very insightful audience members!

Let's gooooo! Here all weekend at @tagsfest.co.uk in Fruitmarket Edinburgh! Come along and buy comics and games! #Edinburgh #Comics #TTRPGs

There’s a handful of signed copies of my new vampire book at TAGS this weekend, blessed to be sitting alongside some really fantastic stuff from @stoutstoat.co.uk & @quindriepress.com !! Including a couple titles (with arrows) with artists who make guest appearances for special endings…

Tags fest? @tagsfest.co.uk taaaags fest.

📢 Our last panel of the day is starting soon! Join @tomhumberstone.com in conversation with La Belle Adventure as they talk about generative AI in the arts. 🎤 See what other panels are happening at tagsfest.co.uk#talks

📢 Panel starting soon! Join @tsundernova.bsky.social and @juliecampbelldraws.bsky.social as they talk comics, education, and community. 🎤 See what other panels are happening at tagsfest.co.uk#talks

How good is @tagsfest.co.uk so many amazing artists! I love comics 🥰

At @tagsfest.co.uk this weekend at Edinburgh Fruit Market! If you're in town, stop by for @bluefoxcomics.com

TAGS FESTIVAL 2025 DAY ONE. @tagsfest.co.uk #tagsfestival #tagsfestival2025 #tags #comicconvention #comics #comictable

📢 Panel starting soon! Join @elljwalker.bsky.social and @mortiscausa.bsky.social as they talk about modern and historic fanfiction. 🎤 See what other panels are happening at tagsfest.co.uk#talks

All set up @tagsfest.co.uk and repping a beautiful new tee by Ryan Hamill. Very relevant to my talk at 3.30pm!

We're here at @tagsfest.co.uk in #Edinburgh!! Look for us to chat about #horror, check out and pick up our #zine featuring the lycanthropic Mahu's Get from our forthcoming #urbanhorror #TTRPG "The Hidden Keys," and grab a book and some art! Today only! See you soon! #horror #indiedev