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Conventions: Where Having Fun is Business and Business is Fun!
By Trisha J. Wooldridge
In the writing community, the terms “conference” and “convention”
often get used interchangeably. I’ve been guilty of it myself
since it sounds a lot more official to take time off from work
for a “conference” than a “convention.” For the purposes of this
article, though, let me differentiate between the two before
explaining the more unusual opportunities of a “convention.”
A conference is an industry-focused gathering of authors, editors,
publishers and other similar folk. Most conferences try to cover
a wide spectrum within publishing, including mainstream novels,
memoirs, non-fiction, genre or popular fiction. Panels talk about
trends, promotions, marketing, editing and writing craft. People
usually attend in business or business casual attire and many have
a plan and agenda based on their own books or work in the
publishing industry.
A convention is a fan-focused event attended by the above-mentioned
conference persons, but also other media – such as comics, film,
music and television, and, most importantly, fans of said media.
While the convention covers a wide spectrum of media, it often
focuses more on niche and genre work, such as science-fiction,
fantasy or horror. There are often panels dedicated to publishing
and writing, but those are across the hall from panels on vampirism,
Tolkien Elfish 101 or Babylon 5 inter-galactic politics. People
attend in business attire, fairy costumes or Storm Trooper armor
and many have a plan or agenda to meet, if not party with, some
idol who has changed their life, be it an actor, musician, director
or author.
Conventions offer some unusual boulevards for networking and promoting
one’s work. Shared interests can create a common ground without the
pressure of a sale or pitch. For example, writers might find
themselves sitting next to fellow authors, agents, editors and
publishers at a “filk” concert or a Doctor Who trivia panel. This
sense of camaraderie evens the playing field, so to speak. A
friendly conversation while waiting in line for George A. Romero’s
autograph could make big difference in the cover letter for your
zombie thriller.
Media tie-in or spin-off books present unique opportunities at
conventions, as well. A. C. Crispin, author of the award-winning
StarBridge series and multiple Star Trek, Star Wars and V novels,
attended a panel with Carlton Cuse, executive producer of Lost.
The two chatted about the series and the discussion ended with
Cuse taking Crispin’s business card if there was a chance for
a series of Lost books.
Writers and editors often find the convention atmosphere
beneficial to more creative marketing strategies. Author and
editor Danielle Ackley-McPhail describes how, for the launch of
her anthology, Bad-Ass Faeries, she pinned “simple, but really
cool faerie wings” onto her friends’ backs and “handed them canvas
bags full of Pixie Stix and photocopied invitations… then released
them on the Con[vention]. Over 80 people showed up at the launch.”
Signing up as a volunteer creates even more opportunities.
While conventions tend to cost significantly less than conferences,
saving money is always a plus. However, volunteering also gives
writers the chance to make a good impression by enhancing other
guests’ conference experience.
Conventions offer a different spectrum of opportunities, but
they also come with a few caveats as well. For example, it is
highly inappropriate to give a hard pitch in a casual or “stuck”
setting, such as at a concert, while waiting in line for an event
or autograph… or in an elevator full of Klingons. No one likes
being forced into a situation like this and you can easily destroy
the chances of a sale – especially of the agent or editor loses
his or her chance to get Stan Lee’s autograph!
If you’re a genre or niche writer, take some time to learn more
about conventions. Almost every state hosts conventions if you
want to start small. On the other hand, you can dive right into
the deep end with major, national conventions like Comic-Con,
Worldcon, Dragon*Con, World Horror Con or World Fantasy Con,
which boast industry award ceremonies, big name guests and
attendees in the tens of thousands. Visit convention web-sites,
read guest lists and check out some panel listings. Even if you
attend as a fan, you’d be hard pressed not to have fun and meet
some amazing people.
Trisha J. Wooldridge
Owner of A Novel Friend Writing & Editing
http://novelfriend.livejournal.com
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