This might be a reach...
A professor of engineering writes a hard science fiction novel, only to have his publisher title it "Bimbos of the Death Sun" and then he learns from his friend and professor who teaches science fiction, that writing is only the first step, he has to promote it as well so they attend a local convention and.....
Bimbos of the Death Sun
Sharyn McCrumb
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/sharyn-mccrumb/
one of my all time top recommendations for any genre: comedy, sci fi, mystery etc