Good cons, shows and signing locations

Steven Lake · 03-12-2010, 08:34 PM

Ok, I don't see anything in here that lists this topic, so I'll start it and if it's already been done, feel free to merge my post into the thread. But I really didn't see anything on this topic. Anyhow, not long back I did a list of shows, conventions and meetings for Linux users to help centralize the list and bring a hodgepodge of shows together into one location for easy access and reference. I'm sorta hoping to do that with writing here for those of you who like to go and do conventions, shows, signings and the like. Now I only know of these few so far, but as I get more I'll update my list and add more. If someone wants to compile this into a nice neat little wiki page, by all means feel free. Anywho, here's what I've learned.

Best Books - Jackson Crossing Mall, Jackson MI
Good for all genres. Very friendly. Very open to local authors. Just be careful about when you setup a signing. If there's a big event in town the mall is nearly empty. If not, it's best to do signings on Saturdays from 1-3pm as that's the highest traffic time.

Evolution Games - Lansing, MI
Good for sci-fi, fantasy, and gaming genres, as it's a gaming store. (Ie, board games) Best dates vary, so check with the store owner ahead of time. Very friendly and open to local authors.

Penguicon - Detroit, MI
Good for sci-fi and fantasy. It's a Linux con, so tech books based on FOSS or Linux also go good. The show isn't managed all that well, and they have some real organization issues, and you need to reserve a spot and get confirmed by the 31st of Dec to be guaranteed a spot as a featured author. If you do get in, be prepared to sell books like mad and sign till your hands bleed.

Detroit Motor City Comic Con - Detroit, MI
Good for Sci-fi, Fantasy, action, adventure, super powers, etc. It's a comic con, but there's lots of geeks and nerds there, plus celebrities, and they're all loaded with cash. And I mean loaded. Expect to sell no less than 500-700 copies of any book you bring.

JaFax - Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
It's a small Anime fan convention, two days long, held on the GVSU campus. This is an excellent show for sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, and action. Not a big place to sell books, as you'll clear 150-200 books, but you'll get a lot of attention, as the few people you sell to, if they like your book, will tell no less than 20 others. So while you won't make as many sales as some of the other big cons, it's a great location for getting your name out there, and also to meet your readers. So be ready to market yourself HUGE while you're there.

Gencon - Indianapolis, IN
Big, big gaming convention. Scifi, fantasy, action, adventure, super powers, etc will sell well there. But be ready with a lot of books. You'll clear anywhere from 700-1500 books in one weekend. No joke. Some rare individuals have cleared over 2500 of just one title. Just be sure you get in really super early, because space goes quickly. And I mean bloody quickly. You may need your publishers help to get in as part of the secret early registrations.

DragonCon - Atlanta, Georgia
This is the absolute, ultimate, nothing's bigger event for sci-fi, fantasy, games, literature, art, music, film, media and more! This is to media what CES is to tech and E3 is to games. You don't get any bigger than this. You also have to get in the door super early. You may need publisher help to get into this one, but if you go, you're guaranteed to clear 1500-2000 books, plus get some major marketing and media out there in the wild about yourself. If you're lucky, you might even get a place on their celebrity table. (I'm actually on the celebrity table at this year's show! That's how I know. hehe)

Anime Central - Chicago, IL
Huge anime convention, and likely the largest in the region. Good for sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, action, gaming, roll playing, comics, super powers, etc. Over 20-40,000 people show up every year. You had better bring a small van full of books, because you'll easily clear anywhere from 1000-2000 copies of each title, plus get some major press out there about yourself.

Youmacon - Detroit, MI
Big anime con. Similar to Anime Central, but about 1/3rd the size. Same kind of crowd though. If you go, you should easily sell about 750-1000 of each title.

Barnes and Nobles/Borders - Anywhere
This is a good place to do signings of nearly any genre. Just note that you'll need to have your book accepted by Ingram first (they own B&N and Borders) before you can do signings here. See your publisher for help with this. Expect to clear about 40 books while you're there. And even if you don't do many books, you'll get some great press about yourself and more people will hear about you, and the more that do, the more popular you'll become. And B&N and Borders customers talk...a lot.

---------------------------------------------
Well, that's all I can think of right now. If any of you have others you know of or have been to, feel free to list them.

I'll add more to my list as I get out to more shows. For those who don't like doing signings and shows, this isn't for you. For those who do, this is an awesome list.

Darqref · 03-13-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lake

Ok, I don't see anything in here that lists this topic, so I'll start it and if it's already been done, feel free to merge my post into the thread.

You, you, you.... Midwest centered person! (hows the snow?)

Try adding a few cons from elsewhere too.

NorWesCon (Seattle, held each year over Easter weekend)

WesterCon (varying location by bid, always on the West Coast, usually 4th of July)

Bunches of smaller cons, OryCon, V-Con (not the series, its in Vancouver), Baycon (SF, CA), and similar sites all over.

One of my big gripes is that a bunch of good authors are centered around DragonCon, and never come out to rain country.

Steven Lake · 03-13-2010, 04:55 PM

Darqref: I would have posted a more ranging list, but I can't speak for any of the other shows. I only posted the ones I knew about. That's why I wanted others to jump in and post the ones they knew about. I can't know everything our about everything, so the more eyes and ears, especially regional ones, the better.

As for those west coast shows, it sounds like something worth investigating. I've been wanting to go back out to the west coast at some point in the future (spent 18 months out there one time and loved it!), so this might be a good excuse.

J. Dean · 03-15-2010, 09:00 AM

Being a Michigan native, I'm very happy to see this! Thank you, Steven!!!

Steven Lake · 03-15-2010, 11:14 AM

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.

Darqref · 03-16-2010, 01:27 AM

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.

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.

Joebill · 03-17-2010, 07:25 PM

The local convention, called CoastCon, takes place in Biloxi, MS at the MS Coast Convention Center.

http://www.coastcon.org/

Author signings in the merchant room. If that area isn't large enough, they have had signings in one of the panel rooms.

Size is about 500 people. We have had 2,000 attending, but the area is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. There is enough hotel and motel rooms, its just local fandom still has money worries.

Sometimes guests are asked to judge the costume contest. We have had a variety of authors over the years. Art show and art guest.

The convention doesn't move. So next year it is at the same place, weekend of March 11th, 2011.

LeeGoldberg · 03-17-2010, 10:34 PM

I just attended Left Coast Crime 2010 in Los Angeles last week and it was paradise for people who want signed books. There were so many authors there...including Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Meg Gardiner, Rhys Bowen, Jan Burke, Stephen J. cannell, etc. etc. and dozens more. Another good opportunity to get signed books is Bouchercon, which is being held in San Francisco in October -- it's the largest mystery convention on earth.

But you don't have to wait for cons to get signed books. There's a M is For Mystery in San Mateo, CA has signings every weekend...as does Mysteries to Die For in Thousand Oaks, CA...the Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles, and Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, to name a few great stores. And they all accept email and phone orders, so it doesnt matter whether you live nearby or not.

Lee

Steven Lyle Jordan · 03-18-2010, 04:40 PM

For those of us who don't get out much

... I'd love to find out about conventions with programs that accept advertisements (and get deadline dates), to see if I can drum up business that way.

Unfortunately, I've been so busy finishing my latest book that I haven't had a chance to look lately...

Joebill · 03-18-2010, 06:50 PM

You can buy space in CoastCon's program book.

You might check the contact page there. Note they are slow sometimes in responding to email.

Darqref · 03-18-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

For those of us who don't get out much

... I'd love to find out about conventions with programs that accept advertisements (and get deadline dates), to see if I can drum up business that way.

Unfortunately, I've been so busy finishing my latest book that I haven't had a chance to look lately...

Well, for my fav, try here

http://www.norwescon.org/publications.htm

for sample rates. As the page currently says, the book has gone to print already (the con is only 2 weeks away....). For next year, I think a small add in one of the progress report newsletters would be good, but I don't see rates for those.

The program book typically has some massive ads for books by the spotlight publisher, and also big ads for books short-listed for the Philip K. Dick award. If you can find time to attend as a pro, you could probably list your website in your bio (one paragraph and a small picture), but you'd need to confirm early enough to get in the program book.

Steven Lake · 04-16-2010, 07:18 PM

Well, since this thread has kinda dried up a little, I think I'll bump it to get some more motion on it.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-17-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lake

Well, since this thread has kinda dried up a little, I think I'll bump it to get some more motion on it.

I did fire off an ad for Balticon, coming up in a month or so. We'll see if I get any action off of it. Results will dictate whether or not I do more.

Steven Lake · 04-17-2010, 11:59 AM

Well, I appreciate what you did. I'm simply hoping others hop in here and share their known good shows as well.

MargaretLake · 04-17-2010, 01:08 PM

That's interesting about Barnes & Noble/Borders. How does that work for indies?

03-12-2010, 08:34 PM	#1
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Good cons, shows and signing locations Ok, I don't see anything in here that lists this topic, so I'll start it and if it's already been done, feel free to merge my post into the thread. But I really didn't see anything on this topic. Anyhow, not long back I did a list of shows, conventions and meetings for Linux users to help centralize the list and bring a hodgepodge of shows together into one location for easy access and reference. I'm sorta hoping to do that with writing here for those of you who like to go and do conventions, shows, signings and the like. Now I only know of these few so far, but as I get more I'll update my list and add more. If someone wants to compile this into a nice neat little wiki page, by all means feel free. Anywho, here's what I've learned. Best Books - Jackson Crossing Mall, Jackson MI Good for all genres. Very friendly. Very open to local authors. Just be careful about when you setup a signing. If there's a big event in town the mall is nearly empty. If not, it's best to do signings on Saturdays from 1-3pm as that's the highest traffic time. Evolution Games - Lansing, MI Good for sci-fi, fantasy, and gaming genres, as it's a gaming store. (Ie, board games) Best dates vary, so check with the store owner ahead of time. Very friendly and open to local authors. Penguicon - Detroit, MI Good for sci-fi and fantasy. It's a Linux con, so tech books based on FOSS or Linux also go good. The show isn't managed all that well, and they have some real organization issues, and you need to reserve a spot and get confirmed by the 31st of Dec to be guaranteed a spot as a featured author. If you do get in, be prepared to sell books like mad and sign till your hands bleed. Detroit Motor City Comic Con - Detroit, MI Good for Sci-fi, Fantasy, action, adventure, super powers, etc. It's a comic con, but there's lots of geeks and nerds there, plus celebrities, and they're all loaded with cash. And I mean loaded. Expect to sell no less than 500-700 copies of any book you bring. JaFax - Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI It's a small Anime fan convention, two days long, held on the GVSU campus. This is an excellent show for sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, and action. Not a big place to sell books, as you'll clear 150-200 books, but you'll get a lot of attention, as the few people you sell to, if they like your book, will tell no less than 20 others. So while you won't make as many sales as some of the other big cons, it's a great location for getting your name out there, and also to meet your readers. So be ready to market yourself HUGE while you're there. Gencon - Indianapolis, IN Big, big gaming convention. Scifi, fantasy, action, adventure, super powers, etc will sell well there. But be ready with a lot of books. You'll clear anywhere from 700-1500 books in one weekend. No joke. Some rare individuals have cleared over 2500 of just one title. Just be sure you get in really super early, because space goes quickly. And I mean bloody quickly. You may need your publishers help to get in as part of the secret early registrations. DragonCon - Atlanta, Georgia This is the absolute, ultimate, nothing's bigger event for sci-fi, fantasy, games, literature, art, music, film, media and more! This is to media what CES is to tech and E3 is to games. You don't get any bigger than this. You also have to get in the door super early. You may need publisher help to get into this one, but if you go, you're guaranteed to clear 1500-2000 books, plus get some major marketing and media out there in the wild about yourself. If you're lucky, you might even get a place on their celebrity table. (I'm actually on the celebrity table at this year's show! That's how I know. hehe) Anime Central - Chicago, IL Huge anime convention, and likely the largest in the region. Good for sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, action, gaming, roll playing, comics, super powers, etc. Over 20-40,000 people show up every year. You had better bring a small van full of books, because you'll easily clear anywhere from 1000-2000 copies of each title, plus get some major press out there about yourself. Youmacon - Detroit, MI Big anime con. Similar to Anime Central, but about 1/3rd the size. Same kind of crowd though. If you go, you should easily sell about 750-1000 of each title. Barnes and Nobles/Borders - Anywhere This is a good place to do signings of nearly any genre. Just note that you'll need to have your book accepted by Ingram first (they own B&N and Borders) before you can do signings here. See your publisher for help with this. Expect to clear about 40 books while you're there. And even if you don't do many books, you'll get some great press about yourself and more people will hear about you, and the more that do, the more popular you'll become. And B&N and Borders customers talk...a lot. --------------------------------------------- Well, that's all I can think of right now. If any of you have others you know of or have been to, feel free to list them. I'll add more to my list as I get out to more shows. For those who don't like doing signings and shows, this isn't for you. For those who do, this is an awesome list. Last edited by Steven Lake; 05-28-2010 at 12:13 PM.

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03-13-2010, 04:55 PM	#3
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Darqref: I would have posted a more ranging list, but I can't speak for any of the other shows. I only posted the ones I knew about. That's why I wanted others to jump in and post the ones they knew about. I can't know everything our about everything, so the more eyes and ears, especially regional ones, the better. As for those west coast shows, it sounds like something worth investigating. I've been wanting to go back out to the west coast at some point in the future (spent 18 months out there one time and loved it!), so this might be a good excuse.

03-15-2010, 09:00 AM	#4
J. Dean Author: Clade Josso Posts: 80 Karma: 500474 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Michigan Device: none	Being a Michigan native, I'm very happy to see this! Thank you, Steven!!!

03-15-2010, 11:14 AM	#5
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	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.

03-17-2010, 07:25 PM	#7
Joebill Fanatic Posts: 517 Karma: 459442 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Alpha Centauri's Library of Alexandria Device: Pandigital Novel	The local convention, called CoastCon, takes place in Biloxi, MS at the MS Coast Convention Center. http://www.coastcon.org/ Author signings in the merchant room. If that area isn't large enough, they have had signings in one of the panel rooms. Size is about 500 people. We have had 2,000 attending, but the area is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. There is enough hotel and motel rooms, its just local fandom still has money worries. Sometimes guests are asked to judge the costume contest. We have had a variety of authors over the years. Art show and art guest. The convention doesn't move. So next year it is at the same place, weekend of March 11th, 2011.

03-17-2010, 10:34 PM	#8
LeeGoldberg Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	I just attended Left Coast Crime 2010 in Los Angeles last week and it was paradise for people who want signed books. There were so many authors there...including Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Meg Gardiner, Rhys Bowen, Jan Burke, Stephen J. cannell, etc. etc. and dozens more. Another good opportunity to get signed books is Bouchercon, which is being held in San Francisco in October -- it's the largest mystery convention on earth. But you don't have to wait for cons to get signed books. There's a M is For Mystery in San Mateo, CA has signings every weekend...as does Mysteries to Die For in Thousand Oaks, CA...the Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles, and Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, to name a few great stores. And they all accept email and phone orders, so it doesnt matter whether you live nearby or not. Lee

03-18-2010, 04:40 PM	#9
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	For those of us who don't get out much ... I'd love to find out about conventions with programs that accept advertisements (and get deadline dates), to see if I can drum up business that way. Unfortunately, I've been so busy finishing my latest book that I haven't had a chance to look lately...

03-18-2010, 06:50 PM	#10
Joebill Fanatic Posts: 517 Karma: 459442 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Alpha Centauri's Library of Alexandria Device: Pandigital Novel	You can buy space in CoastCon's program book. You might check the contact page there. Note they are slow sometimes in responding to email.

04-16-2010, 07:18 PM	#12
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Well, since this thread has kinda dried up a little, I think I'll bump it to get some more motion on it.

04-17-2010, 11:59 AM	#14
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Well, I appreciate what you did. I'm simply hoping others hop in here and share their known good shows as well.

04-17-2010, 01:08 PM	#15
MargaretLake Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 40000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Device: Kindle	That's interesting about Barnes & Noble/Borders. How does that work for indies?

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