Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Lake
You're welcome. I'm just surprised more people haven't added to the list. While some people seem to think that doing shows, cons, and signings is so passe and last century, I've actually found it to be a great way to connect with people, and they love that I come out to meet them rather than just being a faceless name online or in bookstores. Rather than being a high and mighty writer who is so far above you that he can't be touched, they see a very person individual who is friendly, fun loving, and willing to come to them to offer his thoughts and wares.
You'd be surprised at the power of personal interaction. I'm even looking for ways to reach out to people who won't buy a paperback because they're all digital and do everything on their ebook reader or PC. Things such as selling ebooks on flash cards in shrink wrapped packages. I still haven't nailed that down yet how that's going to work, but I've already seen considerable interest in that. Especially at shows where tech savvy people want to buy my book, but don't want to be bothered with the paperback.
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When I first started going to Norwescon, low these many years ago, the con had a reputation for getting LOTS of pros - so much that it was worth it for any pro to attend just because they might meet and network. That quality has gone away, but it is still a gathering point for regional pros, with more drifting up and down the coast. It seems easier to sneak up from California than to jump cross country. I found it very interesting to just listen to a panel of authors and editors talk about what they found interesting in publishing that year.
And you don't even need to make personal contact, although that helps. I've tried authors that I've heard on a panel, just because they had a good discussion. On the other hand, my first year I attended a panel whereupon the moderator introduced the panel with "On the far left we have Harlan Ellison, and somewhat to the right of Genghis Khan we have Jerry Pournelle."
If I were going to aim for only one Con (since they have this habit of being at different times of year...) I'd go for NorWesCon. It will be the largest, usually a bit larger than Westercon, with about 3000 attending. If you've got a decent book to showcase, you might be able to work in a tour with local stores or the local NPR station. If you've got personal reasons for going to Spokane or Bellingham, WA, or Portland OR, then go for those cons.