I just wrapped up a delightful weekend at ConQuesT 49 in Kansas City, MO. Yes, it's my "home convention," but it was a particularly good one, this year--and I'm not the only one I heard say that.
The presentations by the amazing Elizabeth Leggett were worth the price of admission, all by themselves--Especially the big reveal of my friend Lynette M. Burrows's cover for her soon-to-be-available new book, My Soul to Keep. It was part of Leggett's presentation on the making of book covers.
Unfortunately, I was so busy I barely got to see half of the wonderful Dealers' Room, and never made it all the way around the entire Art Show, though I helped hang the mail-in art. Did manage to get a photo of my own display.
I spent a lot of time at author readings, during the convention. I had my own reading on Saturday--and was overjoyed when I got a good audience! Thanks, everyone!
I make a point of going to other authors' readings, too--for several reasons. I like to know what their current projects are, and because it's fun to find new things to read. I also like to support my fellow writers--and it's a lot more fun to read your work aloud when there's someone eager to listen!
I had panels opposite some of the authors I wanted to hear, but I did get a chance to listen to Kevin Wohler, J.R. Boles, Jim Yelton, Julia S. Mandala, and Van Allen Plexico. I also really wanted to hear Sean Demory, Lynette M. Burrows, R. L. Naquin, and Rob Howell, but unfortunately I had duties elsewhere when they were reading.
One thing I did notice was that all readers are not equally audible, or intelligible. I was half-planning to create a post about "Reading Best Practices," but Lynette beat me to it--and I don't think I can improve on her excellent post! If you are an author who does readings--or if you know an author who does readings--give her post a close look! If you look at readings as a marketing vehicle, or if you plan to record your own audio-version, pay close attention to her advice!
It also pays to advertise, so come prepared with pre-printed information about where to find your work, and what it's about. I'm always amazed how many authors forget to tell what the book is about, in their promotional material. Authors (especially Indie authors) sometimes think that making appearances at sf conventions isn't worth the effort because it doesn't normally result in an immediate jump in sales.
It also pays to advertise, so come prepared with pre-printed information about where to find your work, and what it's about. I'm always amazed how many authors forget to tell what the book is about, in their promotional material. Authors (especially Indie authors) sometimes think that making appearances at sf conventions isn't worth the effort because it doesn't normally result in an immediate jump in sales.
But I am convinced that appearances at conventions are not so much about lead generation as they are about brand-building. Why do you think so many traditionally-published writers with established reputations still bother with going to conventions? It's a chance to interface directly with a larger number of one's fans, and to impress more, through your knowledge on panels, your attention, which is flattering, and your demonstrated grace. Of course--if you don't demonstrate much grace (skip panels or readings, hide out in your room, or shy away from fans), you won't develop a whole lot of brand loyalty!
IMAGES: Many thanks to Elizabeth Leggett's public Facebook page, for the image of developmental stages for the cover of My Soul to Keep by Lynette M. Burrows! I took the photo of my Art Show panels; you may re-post the photo with my blessings if you don't alter it, give an attribution to me, and link back to this post. The cover image for Blood Songs is from Amazon; the cover image for Singer's Call is from J. R. Boles; and the cover for The Alchemist's Stone is from Kevin Wohler. The photo of J. R. Boles and Sean Demory is from Sean Demory's Facebook page.
The presentations by the amazing Elizabeth Leggett were worth the price of admission, all by themselves--Especially the big reveal of my friend Lynette M. Burrows's cover for her soon-to-be-available new book, My Soul to Keep. It was part of Leggett's presentation on the making of book covers.
 |
| This is only a tiny glimpse of the "Book Cover" presentation by Elizabeth Leggett, featuring development of the cover for My Soul to Keep by Lynette M. Burrows, a spine-tingling alternate-history thriller soon to be released by Rocket Dog Publications. |
Unfortunately, I was so busy I barely got to see half of the wonderful Dealers' Room, and never made it all the way around the entire Art Show, though I helped hang the mail-in art. Did manage to get a photo of my own display.
 |
| Here is my before-sales display at the ConQuesT 49 Art Show. I sold several of my larger pieces! |
I spent a lot of time at author readings, during the convention. I had my own reading on Saturday--and was overjoyed when I got a good audience! Thanks, everyone!
I make a point of going to other authors' readings, too--for several reasons. I like to know what their current projects are, and because it's fun to find new things to read. I also like to support my fellow writers--and it's a lot more fun to read your work aloud when there's someone eager to listen!
 |
| Just a few of the books from which their authors selected scenes to read at ConQuesT 49: L-R, Blood Songs, by Julia S. Mandala, Singer's Call, by J. R. Boles, and The Alchemist's Stone, by Kevin Wohler. I either own, or will soon buy, copies of all of them. |
I had panels opposite some of the authors I wanted to hear, but I did get a chance to listen to Kevin Wohler, J.R. Boles, Jim Yelton, Julia S. Mandala, and Van Allen Plexico. I also really wanted to hear Sean Demory, Lynette M. Burrows, R. L. Naquin, and Rob Howell, but unfortunately I had duties elsewhere when they were reading.
One thing I did notice was that all readers are not equally audible, or intelligible. I was half-planning to create a post about "Reading Best Practices," but Lynette beat me to it--and I don't think I can improve on her excellent post! If you are an author who does readings--or if you know an author who does readings--give her post a close look! If you look at readings as a marketing vehicle, or if you plan to record your own audio-version, pay close attention to her advice!
It also pays to advertise, so come prepared with pre-printed information about where to find your work, and what it's about. I'm always amazed how many authors forget to tell what the book is about, in their promotional material. Authors (especially Indie authors) sometimes think that making appearances at sf conventions isn't worth the effort because it doesn't normally result in an immediate jump in sales.
 |
| J. R. Boles and Sean Demory, who teamed up this winter as part of the Palookaville team, both did readings at ConQuesT 49. They came to meet fans, talk about their work, and share thoughts. That's sold brand-building. |
It also pays to advertise, so come prepared with pre-printed information about where to find your work, and what it's about. I'm always amazed how many authors forget to tell what the book is about, in their promotional material. Authors (especially Indie authors) sometimes think that making appearances at sf conventions isn't worth the effort because it doesn't normally result in an immediate jump in sales.
But I am convinced that appearances at conventions are not so much about lead generation as they are about brand-building. Why do you think so many traditionally-published writers with established reputations still bother with going to conventions? It's a chance to interface directly with a larger number of one's fans, and to impress more, through your knowledge on panels, your attention, which is flattering, and your demonstrated grace. Of course--if you don't demonstrate much grace (skip panels or readings, hide out in your room, or shy away from fans), you won't develop a whole lot of brand loyalty!
IMAGES: Many thanks to Elizabeth Leggett's public Facebook page, for the image of developmental stages for the cover of My Soul to Keep by Lynette M. Burrows! I took the photo of my Art Show panels; you may re-post the photo with my blessings if you don't alter it, give an attribution to me, and link back to this post. The cover image for Blood Songs is from Amazon; the cover image for Singer's Call is from J. R. Boles; and the cover for The Alchemist's Stone is from Kevin Wohler. The photo of J. R. Boles and Sean Demory is from Sean Demory's Facebook page.
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