Reminder: I’ll be giving away two autographed books in the next day or so, for anyone who hasn’t yet entered.
#
I spent Saturday at the Durand Fantasy Expo. From ten to four, I spent most of my time in a hard plastic chair behind a table, with a one-hour break to head to the library and do a small writing workshop/chat. Add in almost two more hours of driving time. Counting up the books I sold, I earned somewhere around forty-eight cents an hour … before expenses.
After including the cost of gas, lunch, and the book I donated to the organizer? Well, that’s just too depressing to calculate.
I know a number of authors who don’t do many signings and events, because you almost never sell enough books to make it worth the time and expense. And I admit I don’t push myself to do as many booksignings as I used to five years back.
But looking beyond the immediate financial numbers, on Saturday I also got to:
- Talk about writing with a small group at the local library, which I always enjoy. (The library had also purchased all four of my princess books, which is a nice bonus.)
- Meet a Star Wars comic artist and chat about the realities of an artistic career.
- Meet and talk to a fan who had been trying to get to one of my events for several years. This was his sixth attempt, and he finally made it. (::Waves to Bobotar::)
- Pick up an $80 Pirates of the Carribean LEGO set for $15 at the library sale. Score!
- Hang out with my tribe — with people who wore Doctor Who T-shirts and joked about Star Trek vs. Star Wars and played Dungeons & Dragons and thought the costumed Jawa was the coolest thing ever.
- Chat with a few people from the 501st, including a Stormtrooper whose wife was a fan of my books.
- And of course, this happened:
This was of course a totally natural and spontaneous moment, and not in any way staged by me. (Side note: I love the 501st.)
So was it worth it? That depends. If you’re worried about the money in hand, then absolutely not. But I enjoyed getting to chat and hang out with folks. I had fun. That’s the important part to me, the part that so often gets forgotten in debates over whether or not these events are worth it.
And from a purely mercenary perspective, fans who’ve met you in person are more likely to become long-term readers, and to spread the word about you and your books. (Unless you’re an asshole, I mean.)
I can’t say whether this sort of event is worth it for everyone … but I can tell you it was worth it to me.
Mirrored from Jim C. Hines.
My Books
(August 2013)
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Comments
Specific to your point and mine: I had no idea that Mr. Martin was such a nice guy until I got into the autograph line. I got a chance to talk to him, and get my picture taken with him. And so now that I've had that experience of meeting Mr. Martin in person, I will now go out and tell everyone that he's a great guy, and he was really nice to me about my photo request, and we should all support such a great guy.
Edited at 2011-09-07 01:55 pm (UTC)
...it would mean more work for me, and I also worry a little that if someone shows up with only $X, I want them to spend that on my books, because those are the sales that are most important to me, if that makes sense.
That said, T-shirts would also have the advantage of being walking advertisements, like you said. Hm...
I've seen firsthand how using the profit/loss mechanism as your sole indicator of whether something was good or not can majorly screw with your (or a company's) head, so don't rely upon that.
Sure, it can be a factor, but it's more important to enjoy the company of your tribe.
For me though, the fun has become the priority.
On the other hand, I met with a whole bunch of great fans, had some lovely photos taken, got to hang for a bit with JoCo and Paul & Storm (who cannibalized my no-longer-needed foam cooler into Ghostbuster backpacks for instant cosplay), got a gift from a fan named April who wasn't able to attend (and got the audience to give her a shout out on video), and saw some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in some superb costumes (although my favorite for the weekend was a guy dressed as the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).
Yeah, fun may not pay the bills. But it keeps you going for doing the stuff that does pay the bills. And if the balance is close enough, it's way, way worth it.
And there's also the immediate vs. the long-term. We know how much we sold at the event, but we have no idea how many additional sales our presence might lead to in the long run as fans buy more of our stuff or tell their friends or whatever...
Sorry to hear about the Crudde, but glad you had a good time!
Meeting other authors I admire and mingling with "my people," whether they are Pagans, writers, or geeks, is a huge treat. I'm going to be at Albacon (in Albany) at the end of October, and while I don't expect to make any money, I still think it is going to be a blast. (I'm traveling with author pal Nancy Holzner, which will make it even more fun.)
And that picture ROCKS.
I will say that the hotel it is in is kind of pokey, and unimpressive, but overall, I think it looks like a fun event, or i wouldn't be going. If you make it, be sure to come say hi! (I'll be doing some panels and workshops, so I'll be easy to find.)
That said, I'm glad authors take the option. SF, more than any other genre, is a community.
Dr. Phil
PS- I've seen some pictures of GRRM -- I may have to get a button that says "I Am Not George R.R. Martin". (grin)
Sounds like a terrific experience. Life needs those. :)