Attending Cons as an Author
I've got back to back cons in the coming weeks. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go…
…and I'm sure there's a lot of us ready to have fun, meet new people and learn new things. Since a lot of people have asked me about attending cons, I figured it couldn't hurt to gather a few of my tips in a post.
PJs Tips for Attending Cons as an Author:
Find out what the hash tag is for the con. Start tweeting to let people know you'll be there and tweet using the hash tag while you're there. This is especially useful if you're doing giveaways or panels.
Post your con schedule on your blog, your FB page, everywhere. You never know which readers will want to meet you. Make it easy for them to find you.
Check in from the con, with pics if possible. While a con wrap up can be interesting, a quick and fun check in during the excitement is great!
Always have swag/promo on you, everywhere and even in the public restroom. I'm not kidding. You never know when you'll meet someone new, chat and are asked for a little something to help them remember your name and your books.
The bar and dinners are great places to socialize. While you're meeting up with friends and colleagues, have fun bonding but keep your eyes open for shy readers who might be hesitating to interrupt you. Smile, make yourself open and approachable so they can say Hi.
Check the Twitter feed for the con hashtag and maybe join in on some of the interactions. You'll meet people right at the con that way.
Speaking of which, here's my con schedule for MarCon in one week and Romantic Times Booklover's Convention the following.
MarCon Apr 6-8
RT Apr 11-15
FRI 10:00pm Paranormal Romance
FRI 11:30pm Ladies' Choice: A Girl's Guide to Hentai
SAT 08:30pm Steampunk Lives in Literature
THU 4:00pm eBook EXPO
FRI 10:00am Plotters, Pantsers, Plotsers
FRI 02:45pm Reader Event: Books, Bods and Brews
SAT 11:00am Giant BOOK FAIR
SAT 08:00pm Cocktails with Carina Press
I also want to give a special shout out to Mallory Braus, freelance editor for Carina Pres. She'll be running a special game at RT this year for aspiring and published authors called Editor Hide and Seek.
On Thursday and Friday, Apr 12-13, look for her all around the RT convention area. She'll be wearing a bright blue feather in her hair. If you find her, you have the chance to pitch to her and also win fun Carina Press swag!
To help you all find her, she'll be tweeting using the #editorhideandseek hash tag with hints as to her location at various times throughout the two days. How fun is that?
Mallory will also be posting info about Editor Hide and Seek here on the game's FB page here:
