February 2012
Greetings
from bleak midwinter Michigan!
I shouldn't complain, because this is often the time of year when I get the most writing done. It's cold and dank and dreary outside, which makes it the perfect time to hole up in my office and be productive. At the moment, I'm working on the second volume of my forthcoming Agent of Hel urban fantasy series, tentatively titled Autumn Bones. The first book, Dark Currents, is scheduled for release this October.
Speaking of things dark, I did escape the Michigan winter-in fact, I dodged a blizzard coming and going-to attend DarkCon in Arizona as their author guest of honor last month. Thanks to everyone, hosts and guests alike, who made it a fun and rewarding experience!
It really was one of the most pleasant conventions I've attended, which inspired me to write about conventions in general this month, at least from my own limited perspective; eg. how and why I appear at them, what makes for a successful convention. The how is easy. If I'm invited to be a sponsored guest at a convention, and it works with my schedule, I'll generally say yes. Why? Because it gives me an opportunity to connect with my existing readers-especially if it's in a region I seldom have the chance to visit-and hopefully, to convert new readers.
So what makes a good one? On a professional level, it's hard to gauge. There's no way to determine a direct correlation between appearing at a con and an overall increase in readership. On a personal level, my best experiences have been at small-moderately sized conventions. I've attended a few of the huge mega-cons, and often felt a bit lost in the shuffle. At a more modest con, there's a better chance of leaving feeling I've made some genuine connections.
One nice thing a con can do for its headliner guests, as DarkCon did, is assign them a dedicated liaison - or in con-speak, a "minion." Many F/SF authors were immersed in the world of fandom before becoming professionals in the industry and view a con as a working holiday of sorts, an opportunity to reforge ties with friends and family. But there are also many of us, me included, who grew up reading and loving genre fiction without knowing that this world of fandom existed. We've simply been out of that particular loop.
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As a result, I don't have a preexisting social network on the con circuit, and I'm usually traveling solo. So it's a definite plus to have a knowledgeable contact who makes sure everything runs smoothly, that I arrive at designated locations for scheduled events in a timely manner rather than wandering the halls in search of Venue H, to facilitate introductions, recommend restaurants, provide company and conversation during a lull in a long signing session. In turn, as a guest of honor, I'm happy to put myself at the disposal of the convention. DarkCon did a nice job of establishing opportunities for attendees to interact with the guests of honor in a social setting. It gives tongue-tied fans a chance to relax and get to know authors and other media types as ordinary human beings; hopefully perfectly pleasant ones! Sure, there are a few divas out there, but most of us realize how much we owe our fans, and welcome the chance to mingle with them. So there's my take on cons! Be sure to check out the Tattoo Gallery for some lovely new entries. On the homepage is a photo from the "Kushiel's Dart: The Longest Night" performance piece that took place at the convention, courtesy of Miss Chris and Jenni. Very nice, no? It was a beautiful, intimate performance, and one that reminds me that it's an honor to have written books that have touched lives.
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Read the first chapter of Saints Astray
Read the first chapter of Naamah's Blessing
Read the first chapter of Naamah's Curse
Read the first chapter of Naamah's Kiss
Read the first chapter of Santa Olivia
Read the first chapter of Kushiel's Mercy
Read the second chapter of Kushiel's Justice
Read the first chapter of Kushiel's Justice
