Convention Questions

I get asked these a lot, and I recently went around a convention trying to look at it from the POV of someone who had not had a lot of experience with them and I realized, wow, there is a LOT to take in. And there are not always clear indicators of what is okay and what isn’t when meeting pros and exhibitors.

So here are my answers to the con etiquette questions I get asked the most. They apply only to me, I can’t speak for anyone else.

1) I do not charge for signatures, ever. Sometimes I have a jar on my table for donations. That does not go to me, it goes to HERO INITIATIVE, who raise money for comics creators who need help. You do not have to donate.  I am always, always delighted to sign your books and there is never a charge. 

2) I will happily sign as many books as you choose to bring. There’s no limit at cons where I have a table. I have had people bring a couple hundred books at a time and I will sign them. If it’s a long line, I may sign a bunch of your books and then do a bunch of signings for the rest of the line and keep alternating until your books are done, but I will do them. The exception might be at a publisher’s booth if they have to cut the line short. That limit won’t be from me, but the booth. If by chance, you brought a lot more than the booth allows, let me know and I will try to sign them after, if I can.

3) It’s absolutely okay to take a photo, just please give me a warning so that I don’t have a spare rib on my forehead or something. A photo together is also absolutely fine, I just may not be able to leave my chair if there is a long line (it slows things down a lot) so you may have to lean over. 

4) If I am somewhere away from my table, it is absolutely fine to say hello or ask for a book to be signed or a photo or whatever. I write comical books, I am not Elvis’s ghost, I am happy to do it. If I’m doing an interview or headed to the bathroom or some similar thing, please be understanding, but I WILL get to you, unless I have a panel or something.

5) If this is one of the rare cons where I have items for sale, I will try to have the price displayed…if I don’t, that’s my bad. PLEASE don’t feel obligated to buy anything, I swear, I am delighted just to meet you. If there’s something you want badly and I have it, my hubby will be happy to take care of it for you, he’s the tall guy who stands next to me who loves me. You don’t have to wait in line if there is something you want to purchase, just come up and talk to the hubby dude.

6) About gifts…people are incredibly kind at conventions and appearances and often bring thoughtful gifts. This is a tricky area because it means a lot to me when people have spent the time to do this, it’s very meaningful and I am most grateful. But seriously, it is NOT EVER EVEN REMOTELY NECESSARY. I can’t even explain how happy I am just to meet you. It’s a big deal to me to get to meet readers, it’s the only reason I go to conventions. The best gift is that I get to meet you. I am sure that sounds corny, but it’s true. Your smiling face is what I came to see.

7) Bring your cosplay by so I can see it, dang it! Seriously, I very, very rarely get to see a con anymore. I am generally either at a panel, a meeting, or in my line. It’s always been busy but it’s just multiplied hugely lately, to the point where I really can’t leave my table to go see what’s up. So it makes me very happy to see the cosplayers come to my signing table. 

8) Because things are busier, please understand if I have to be a little mindful of the line. My hubby tries to keep the line going but I often get a little lost and start talking to people, or I’m still talking to them when the next person comes through. If it’s SUPER jammed, I always, always am happy for you to be sure to stop back by when it might be a little less busy so we can actually have a little chat. Even at the biggest cons, it usually slows down a little on Sunday afternoon. 

9) I am happy to do interviews and podcasts when I can, but lately I have had some people come through the line and just stick a microphone in my face and start asking questions, or even a camera. I can’t help but think this is rude. PLEASE ask first, let me know who it’s for, and give me the option of declining at the moment if there is a big line. I really do like to try to help podcasts and websites, especially indie ones, when I can but not at the expense of the people waiting patiently, or my own composure. So please, happy to do it, but please remember to ask and let me say yes or no.

10) I am DELIGHTED to take your book, if you have a book or comic you have worked on that you would like me to see. I do try to read them, but I can’t guarantee anything, okay? Sometimes, I hate to say it, but they do get misplaced or put in a stack if I can’t get to them for a while. Be SURE your contact info is inside the book.

11) If you are an artist, I am happy to look briefly at your portfolio. If there’s a line, it will be a very short review of just my first impressions. But I am happy to do it. Just please understand that I am not an artist or editor, all I know to look for is storytelling and acting ability. And please understand that while I try to be encouraging, I am also pretty honest and be prepared for that. My criticism will be constructive, if you need it.

I think that’s about it!

Come say hello!