Book Conventions – as an author. I’ve been to two conventions in two weeks and I’m going to another one this week. What’s it like as an author? I’ll let you know below.
Plus, I’ve got a new review of a fantasy book for you. Then I have my usual free book offers. And I’ll let you know about a sale, coming up this Sunday, March 20, first day of spring.
Begin With the Future – What Conventions Are Approaching?
A simple search for book conventions brings up hundreds. My first filter was, “What’s in Peoria?”
In 2016, when I published my first book, nothing.
This one is definitely NOT a turkey!
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017
‘He felt great. He was full of energy, he had many hens to breed with, and he was the leader of a great flock.’
Sam Melvin is a reporter with the Midley Beacon, it’s a tiny local paper – with an online presence – run by its penny-pinching editor Lisa Kambacher. When Sam sees the two turkey hunters on the slab in the local mortuary, he knows he has a story to cover and he sets out to do so with great gusto. As the zombie turkeys multiply, Sam and Lisa are the leading media team on the ground and the Midley Beacon goes international, solving their financial woes and syndicating their work across the globe. But it’s not all good news. After all, there are those people-killing zombie turkeys heading into town…
Alara
So, I went to Chambanacon, in Bloomington. It was one hour drive from Peoria. It cost some money, but I was willing to risk it. I had fun and sold some copies of my first book.
That’s pretty much how I pick my conventions.
Book Conventions -The Next Step is Packing
What to pack? How about books?
I have seven different books (soon to be eight!) and almost two hundred copies. What to take?
All of them.
What else should I take?
From the very beginning, I’ve always had a signup list for my newsletter. People who buy my books are my favorite people. What if they want more? You can sign up here and get free books.
I pile about a hundred books into my rolling suitcase and another hundred in cardboard boxes ‘just in case I need them.’
Should I take anything else? How about posters, table swag (candy, business cards, bookmarks), and decorations.
Here’s my most recent convention, showing everything I’ve mentioned so far:
Surely that’s everything, right? Surely not!
Looking through my most recent packing list, other things are:
- tablecloth
- duck tape
- extension cord
- computer and cord and case
- two cell phones with chargers
- credit card reader
- book stickers
- cash box
- receipt book
- vaccination card
- mask
- tea thermos
- lunch box
- moving dolly
Book Conventions – Being There
I get totally hyped at book conventions. I love meeting my customers and future customers. Then I get to read from my books for them. Perhaps the best of all is meeting newsletter subscribers who love my newsletter and my books. No, I think the best is when a person buys my next book after enjoying one.
But wait, there’s more!
I also get to meet and talk with other authors–and–wait for it–learn from them!
Yes, I don’t know everything. I’m always picking up new ideas and approaches to writing and promoting my books.
What’s the Down Side?
There are negatives. First, you’ve got to schlep hundreds of pounds of stuff to your booth location and set everything up.
Next, you’ll get tired. Sit down, then stand and talk. Repeat for eight hours. Before, during, and afterward, be positive. Don’t let them see you cry, moan, or complain.
Finally, you’ll lug your luggage back to your car and drive home.
Do you have any questions for me? Just ask me by clicking here.
What About My Books on Sale?
Oh, right. I’ll have two books on sale from March 20 to 27, 2022. Here they are:
Everyone can be brave and heroic
I love that someone is writing fun superstories in which disabled and differently abled kids can see themselves as potentially brave and heroic. The story doesn’t just show them doing impossible things that fully abled people can’t even do; it shows them using their heads to solve problems and cooperating together to use their different gifts to change the world for the better. And it’s well told, with a youthful sounding narrator that highlights the 12-13 years of the characters.
Krista Gimeno
I received this free audiobook and voluntarily left this honest review.
Book Convention – One More Book
Kids with Disabilities Saving the World + a hamster
Note: While this is Book 2 in the series, it works pretty well as a stand alone story (tho book 1 is a lot of fun).
Once again the Secret Supers (Jeremy, Dan, Kayla, and Aubrey) combine their skills to fight evil! Well, actually, they were having a bit of a vacation and evil found them. But evil will certainly be sorry! Once again, Andy Zach gives us another delightful kids’ book. I’ve listened to his other audiobooks, including the Zombie Turkeys books, and this is a great addition to that collection.
DabOfDarkness