Promoting your work at cons

[sartorias]

Worldcon is coming up, and a lot of new writers, or writers who've been around a while and who've found times bumpy due to the economy, are going to be anxious about using this opportunity because received wisdom says that cons are for:

making deals

meeting editors and agents

and most of all

selling your work.

Steve Miller passed along this

Comments

[mroctober]

Yes, I have never forgotten when Caitlin K. did the umpteen books in front of her--as if the only reason to do panels was to sell her books.

Another problem is when authors are rude to people in panels or con events. I think of Bear treating Peter Dube like crap at a Readercon.

[sartorias]

There are some who are rude, definitely, and other times, people get so tired, and so blinkered from having to crank their social volume to high for so many hours that encounters end up being abrupt, words misunderstood, gazes that are actually blank from exhaustion being perceived as the cut direct.

I'm sorry that Peter Dube (who is an astoundingly good writer) had this experience with Bear, who in my own experience has been inclusive and friendly. But this is the downside of so many people pressed together for a short number of days: the intensity can shortcircuit.

[akirlu]

Just as a point of order, I wonder if both of you mean the same Bear? I can think of two (Elizabeth and Greg) and there may well be others.

[sartorias]

Good question.

[movingfinger]

Friesner used to do the Tower of Books, and also make the panel all about her books. But she was also, as far as I ever saw, very charming and nice to the fans.

The best approach IMO is for panelists to (a) stick to the subject and either (or both) (b) be funny or (c) recommend other interesting books or articles that are not by anyone present including themselves---be generous.

[sartorias]

Funny is a huge hit, though being witty on the run is immensely difficult.