Convention Season
Grab a badge and go visit some authors and artists!
Ah, spring is in the air. I can feel it and smell it. Here in the Midwest, it means days of dreamlike warmth while winter keeps rearing its head. I’m not really complaining. It’s been this way as long as I can remember, though climate change is making those swings of weather more dramatic.
It also means that convention season is upon us. I have a strange relationship with conventions. Yes, I’m a nerd who loves Star Wars and Star Trek and comic books and all that jazz. I’ve also never particularly loved conventions as just a fan. I don’t cosplay, though I appreciate it and like seeing it. I don’t care about meeting celebrities. I’ve always been drawn more to artist’s alleys and writers.
But I do love working conventions. Whether it was my journalism days with Wizard Magazine and VGChartz or now as an author with my own table, I love being there with something to do. In fact, I’m making a more concerted effort to attend events like these in my capacity as an author. Not only do I love connecting with fans and potential fans, I find that it helps me build awareness for my work.
A Guide to Conventions
If you’re old hat at convention-going, you can probably skip this part. Then again, you may be committing some convention faux pas and not know it, so read on, friends!
Be prepared. Wear comfortable shoes. Review the convention’s rules before you go so that you’re not bringing in anything prohibited.
Don’t forget the alley. Yes, that convention you’re attending may have some big-name guest, but don’t forget about all the independent creators in the Artist’s Alley. The big stars don’t need you, we small ones do. Remember that when spending your money, too.
Cosplay is not consent. See someone cosplaying one of your favorite characters? Is a cosplay particularly sexy or revealing? None of that gives you license to touch them without consent. But by all means, talk to them. Cosplayers are usually happy to talk and get a selfie…with their consent.
Panels, parties, and more. Conventions are always more than just the show floor. There are panels (informative and a way to sit for a while), parties during and after the show hours, games, and so much more. Really dig into those websites and handbooks to see everything that’s happening.
Be nice. Nothing drives me batty like someone who’s being rude at a convention. My pet peeve as an author? When I say hello to someone walking by and they just ignore me. I can tell they heard me, but would rather pretend I don’t exist rather than say, “Hello. No thank you.”
Have fun. I put this last, but it’s really the cardinal rule. Everyone is there to have a good time, so embrace the happiness of the event.
My Convention Season
Of course, convention season means that I’ll be making some appearances.
Planet Comicon
First on the schedule for my convention season is Planet Comicon, the pop culture convention right in my home of Kansas City. It starts tomorrow, March 21, and runs through the weekend.
I’ll be there with Metamorphosis Literary Agency, the agency that represents me. We’ll be at tables 516 and 517 toward the north end of the convention center.
C2E2
Next on my schedule is C2E2, the enormous pop culture convention in Chicago. It runs April 11-13 at McCormick Place Convention Center. There, I’ll be in the Writer’s Block, a new feature that includes all prose writers and a booth from a local book store.
And more…
That’s all I can confirm right now. I’ve got applications out for more conventions in May and July. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events section of my website, which I update as I book events.
August 19
And don’t forget that the next book in The Jayu City Chronicles is coming on August 19, 2025. It will be called The Cordelia Solution. I’m working on some small launch events in and around Kansas City at that time. Watch this space!