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Steven Lake · 09-21-2010, 05:58 AM

http://www.durandfantasyexpo.com/
http://www.kerrytownbookfest.org/

Well, I've been running around, trying out different cons, and experimenting with which work best and which don't, and I have to say that I've actually taken quite a few off my list. The above ones are new events I've come across that are good locations for book sales and signings. And yes, you can sell ebooks there too! You just need to bring them in on CD is all. Now, as for the other events I listed before, let me update those and which ones were good, and which sucked. (or which genre other than sci-fi would work)

Best Books - Jackson Crossing Mall, Jackson MI
- Scrub this as a good location. In the short term it seemed good. But in the long term it's not.

Evolution Games - Lansing, MI
- It's only really a good location if you're selling books involving games or gaming.

Penguicon - Detroit, MI
- Excellent location! Good sales in general. But you actually get better kickbacks if you mingle with the con goers than if you just remain in the dealers room.

Detroit Motor City Comic Con - Detroit, MI
- Outstanding show! Face time could be a LOT better, but as for sheer sales numbers, it's top notch!

JaFax - Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
- Uh, not a good location for anyone. Anime stuff will sell, but since it's a free con, people typically don't buy much here, but rather to just hang out and have fun. You can make sales, but it doesn't typically justify the table fee. You do however get EXCELLENT face time with the con goers, as you get a lot of attention and plenty of people stopping and talking to you, all of whom are very friendly. So even if you don't sell many books or manga (manga and anime stuff goes over best here), as long as you have at least a fantasy or sci-fi book, you'll get some nice publicity and interaction.

Gencon - Indianapolis, IN
- It's an incredibly wild event. Lot and Lots and LOTS of buyers and people flowing past, sales are outstanding, and books go quickly. However, you get almost ZERO facetime. It's like consumerism gone insane. It's a good event if you want raw sales numbers, but it will NOT give you any good face time or help increase your fan base.

DragonCon - Atlanta, Georgia
- Same as Gencon, only bigger.

Anime Central - Chicago, IL
- Uh, unless you're 100% hardcore anime, don't even bother. If you don't have something anime or anime related, they won't even talk to you. And even if you do, the sales and facetime are sorta blah. Most people seem to be there just to look, but not buy.

Youmacon - Detroit, MI
- Same as Anime Central, only with a whole lot less people.

Also, if you do go to any of these conventions, always, always make sure that you get a table near the door or the front (if you can), and be sure to put an advertisement for your books in their publication or convention book (if one is available) as it'll actually help your sales.

Also, I've found a couple other sources of conventions that are worth looking into. The best thing to do however is to google dive for conventions of the type of genre your book(s) are in. If you're into sci-fi, you'll find a LOT of really great lists, including several at wikipedia, and another at fanboyslist.com.

09-21-2010, 05:58 AM	#22
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	http://www.durandfantasyexpo.com/ http://www.kerrytownbookfest.org/ Well, I've been running around, trying out different cons, and experimenting with which work best and which don't, and I have to say that I've actually taken quite a few off my list. The above ones are new events I've come across that are good locations for book sales and signings. And yes, you can sell ebooks there too! You just need to bring them in on CD is all. Now, as for the other events I listed before, let me update those and which ones were good, and which sucked. (or which genre other than sci-fi would work) Best Books - Jackson Crossing Mall, Jackson MI - Scrub this as a good location. In the short term it seemed good. But in the long term it's not. Evolution Games - Lansing, MI - It's only really a good location if you're selling books involving games or gaming. Penguicon - Detroit, MI - Excellent location! Good sales in general. But you actually get better kickbacks if you mingle with the con goers than if you just remain in the dealers room. Detroit Motor City Comic Con - Detroit, MI - Outstanding show! Face time could be a LOT better, but as for sheer sales numbers, it's top notch! JaFax - Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI - Uh, not a good location for anyone. Anime stuff will sell, but since it's a free con, people typically don't buy much here, but rather to just hang out and have fun. You can make sales, but it doesn't typically justify the table fee. You do however get EXCELLENT face time with the con goers, as you get a lot of attention and plenty of people stopping and talking to you, all of whom are very friendly. So even if you don't sell many books or manga (manga and anime stuff goes over best here), as long as you have at least a fantasy or sci-fi book, you'll get some nice publicity and interaction. Gencon - Indianapolis, IN - It's an incredibly wild event. Lot and Lots and LOTS of buyers and people flowing past, sales are outstanding, and books go quickly. However, you get almost ZERO facetime. It's like consumerism gone insane. It's a good event if you want raw sales numbers, but it will NOT give you any good face time or help increase your fan base. DragonCon - Atlanta, Georgia - Same as Gencon, only bigger. Anime Central - Chicago, IL - Uh, unless you're 100% hardcore anime, don't even bother. If you don't have something anime or anime related, they won't even talk to you. And even if you do, the sales and facetime are sorta blah. Most people seem to be there just to look, but not buy. Youmacon - Detroit, MI - Same as Anime Central, only with a whole lot less people. Also, if you do go to any of these conventions, always, always make sure that you get a table near the door or the front (if you can), and be sure to put an advertisement for your books in their publication or convention book (if one is available) as it'll actually help your sales. Also, I've found a couple other sources of conventions that are worth looking into. The best thing to do however is to google dive for conventions of the type of genre your book(s) are in. If you're into sci-fi, you'll find a LOT of really great lists, including several at wikipedia, and another at fanboyslist.com.