Before I ever attended a comic con as a fan, I signed up for an artist table.
It was 2017. The venue was so close to home that I didn’t even have to cross a highway to get there. I packed books into a suitcase, put on an adorable pair of heels, styled my hair using a wig worthy of a drag show, and showed up not entirely sure what to expect.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted, slightly overheated, and completely hooked.
That first convention taught me more than I expected—about selling books, about presentation, about networking, and about myself as both a writer and a business owner. I met fellow artists who had been doing cons for years. I saw how a strong book cover could stop someone in their tracks. I realized very quickly that comfortable shoes matter more than aesthetic ambition.
But more than anything, I discovered that I had found my people.
Tell-All Post About My First Comic Con
Comic cons aren’t required to build a writing career, and plenty of successful authors never table at a single event. But for me, conventions have become one of the most rewarding and energizing parts of being an author. They’ve helped me grow my audience, build friendships, learn the business side of publishing, and stay connected to the creative community.
And after many events (and much better footwear choices), I’ve learned a thing or two.
Benefits of Comic Cons
I encourage other writers I meet to try conventions and vendor markets at least once. There are many reasons to attend beyond simply selling books. And even if you don’t make your table fee back at a particular event, you’ll still get a lot out of the experience.
Meet Friends and Network
As a social person, I enjoy meeting new people and making friends—but as a writer, networking is also an important part of my work. Writing is a solitary activity, and it’s easy to become isolated while pursuing it. Not only can other writers keep you company, but they can also become wonderful critique partners, help market each other's work, and recommend high-quality professionals (including editors, illustrators, book formatters, and web designers).
Many writers I’ve met at comic cons have become close friends. Every time I meet new authors at an event, I make a point to say hello and sign up for their newsletters. I love feeling connected to the writer community, and fandom conventions have played a huge role in facilitating that.
Promote Your Work
Naturally, a big part of purchasing a table at a convention is getting the word out about your work. Everyone who attends the event and walks by your space has the opportunity to learn about your books. I ask people who stop by—even if they’re not interested in purchasing right then—to sign up for my newsletter and stay connected.
Beyond being physically present at the convention, there are often media professionals in attendance, looking for creatives to feature on their websites, artists to interview for their podcasts, or individuals wearing cool cosplay to photograph for their portfolios. Some events also showcase their vendors and artists in brochures or on their websites.
Share Your Knowledge
Most comic cons also host panels and workshops where artists and guests can appear. I haven’t hosted too many myself, though I love participating in panels. Hosting workshops can be a lot of fun, and they’re also an opportunity to share your writing knowledge with others. Plus, many people who attend your workshop may be interested in supporting your work and will stop by your table to purchase something or sign up for your newsletter.
Things I’ve Learned After Many Events
After attending countless events, I’ve learned quite a few tricks that make them easier and more enjoyable. Here are some highlights:
Only Bring a Few Titles
This first tip isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve written quite a few books, consider limiting the number of titles you feature at a single event. There’s something called the [Paradox of Choice](https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/economics/the-paradox-of-choice), which suggests that people are happier with their decisions when they have fewer options to choose from.
For most people at an event, my table is their first introduction to my work. It’s easier for me to highlight a few of my strongest and favorite titles. If readers enjoy the book they purchase from me, they can always explore my full catalog later on my website.
Wear a Conversation Piece
My conversation piece is my (currently) magenta hair. Before I took the plunge and dyed it, I wore colorful wigs. I try to be warm and approachable, and many people will come up to talk about my hair as an icebreaker before asking about my books or the event.
I find the “conversation piece” strategy more effective than focusing heavily on free swag. When you lead with swag, you’re constantly asking people, “Want a free item?” With a conversation piece, the other person initiates the interaction. Of course, I still offer bookmarks—but only after someone has shown interest in my books.
Your conversation piece doesn’t have to be bold hair color. It could be a cool hat, a statement necklace, a patterned blazer, or something else that ties into your work. Just make sure it’s comfortable enough to wear for several hours and easy for people to spot across a busy room.
Take Credit Card and Tap Payments
I can’t tell you how many sales I’ve seen neighboring vendors miss out on because they don’t have a credit card processor or can’t accept tap payments like Apple Pay. Something like Venmo can help in a pinch, but most consumers are used to quick, convenient payment methods. You really do need one set up. I use Square with a tap-and-chip reader, which I highly recommend.
It’s also important to plan for connectivity. Many convention centers and vendor halls have thick walls that block cellular signals. In those cases, the event or venue will usually have Wi-Fi available. Just ask around—there’s often a password you’ll need to access the network.
Weird Rules I Live By to Pick Events
I’ve been reasonably willing to try a variety of events, and after noticing some patterns, there are certain ones I now avoid.
Reasonable Driving Distance
I’ve only flown out for an event once, and I wouldn’t recommend it. First, it’s much easier to pack a car full of books than to ship boxes and hope the event coordinator or venue knows what to do with them. Plus, any unsold stock, table décor, and signage need a way to get back home. It turns out TSA won’t let you through security with a retractable banner.
I also kind of hate driving. If I can carpool to an event (and there’s enough room in the car for two people’s books), I’ll opt for that. Otherwise, I prefer not to drive too far. What counts as “too far” depends on the person. I also factor in hotel costs—some locations are simply too expensive to justify staying overnight, which can make the event not worth it financially.
Mid-Size Events Are Best
Although I LOVE big comic cons, they can be overwhelming. Even though large events draw huge crowds, there are so many competing attractions that some attendees might not even make it to Artist Alley.
I’ve found that I often sell about the same number of books at a mid-size
event as I do at a large one. There are also several factors that make huge
events less appealing as a vendor:
- Bigger events tend to cost significantly more
- They span multiple days, which usually means a multi-night hotel stay
- They often have long hours (10+ each day), and you’re required to be at your table the entire time
Small events can be fun, but they don’t typically draw as many people. They also don’t have the same marketing and networking reach as mid-size, two-day events. In my experience, those mid-size shows tend to be the sweet spot.
No Fairgrounds
Some of the best festivals and fairs I’ve attended have been held outdoors—on public roadways or in parks—and are free to attend. They attract passersby who are already out enjoying the weather. And who doesn’t want to buy a great new book on a beautiful sunny day?
However, free-to-attend festivals are where I draw the line when it comes to outdoor venues for comic cons.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with hosting a fandom event at a fairground—I’ve just learned they’re not for me. Fairgrounds typically offer a variety of structures and outdoor spaces. Often, attendees are unsure which buildings a particular show is using and may miss significant sections, even when clear signage and maps are available.
Also, buildings at fairgrounds tend to get hot and have poor air circulation, even when air conditioning is available. Sometimes organizers skip paying for AC altogether, making conditions inside unbearable. I’ve melted into a puddle while watching crowds leave early due to poor conditions more than once. And grumpy, overheated attendees are rarely in the mood to buy books.
Another drawback is location. Fairgrounds are often in rural areas, which can make it harder to draw large crowds. Events in towns or cities benefit from nearby restaurants, attractions, and hotels, making attendees more willing to stay overnight and spend a full day (or two) enjoying the con.
Pick Established Events
New comic cons can be exciting, but unless the organizers are experienced in running shows, I tend to lean toward established events that have been operating for a few years. Even better are cons that use the same location and vendor hall consistently.
There are many growing pains and logistical quirks to work out when putting on a successful comic con—one that’s both profitable for vendors and enjoyable for attendees. Many venues have specific challenges that organizers won’t discover until they’re physically in the space.
Perhaps someone more flexible and laid-back than I can roll with those hiccups, but I’ve found that I do best at well-oiled conventions where I know what to expect.
Parting Thoughts
If you’re also a writer, I hope I’ve convinced you to at least look into getting a table at a future comic con or fan expo. They’re a lot of fun *and* can do more for your writing career than you might expect.
After all these years, I’ve learned what works for me, what doesn’t, and which events are worth returning to.
One of those is GalaxyCon Richmond, happening March 19–22.
I try to attend most years because it’s a fun, well-run event—and they treat their creators well. This year, I’ll be sharing a table with fellow writer Gary Cohn in the comic book section. He wrote a story in *Starship Blunder 2*, so we’ll have plenty of copies of both Blunder anthologies at our table. I’ll also be bringing my Puzzling Escapes books and a couple of my novels.
If you’re in the Richmond area, I’d love for you to stop by and say hello. Otherwise, you can always keep an eye on my Events page to see what I have planned next—and be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get reminders about upcoming signings and appearances.
See you at the next comic con!
No comments:
Post a Comment