Gearing Up for a Crazy Year
I quote my favorite doctor in this one...
The reality that time isn’t a straight line, but more of a ball of “wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey …stuff” kind of hit me today. I made my coffee and sat down at the computer like I always do, and decided today’s search for the morning was going to be preparing for the conventions I’m attending this year as an author. First off, yes, that’s still super weird to say. But boy, two blogs in and the panic set in hard.
What should I bring? Can I do a special edition? What if I don’t make any pre-order sales? Can I get the time off of work?
That last one is an odd question on it’s own, I just interviewed for a position and while I’m sad it’s not in my field, I’ll be happy to see a paycheck and insurance again. Weee.
I’ve done signings, and even did a fun little launch for my first book, and I’ve learned I don’t suck at them as hard as I thought I would. I still have my quirks and some people have stumped me with questions, but everyone has also been so nice and just happy to be around people who get them. And my table? Yeah, not worried about that at all. Here’s my minimal table at the Barnes & Nobel event I did earlier this month:
I’ve got lights, I’ve got swag, and I’ve got a brand, so while other people stress over their table, I’ve been able to use my marketing and design skills to create something fun, exciting, and most importantly, inviting. I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it, especially from the people running the signings, so at least I’m doing that part right. It’s also true, a good, fun table is like a beacon, drawing readers in for potential sales. Mine also has lights (a light up cherry blossom tree that blinks and a rainbow), which people love.
(Note to self, do a better job steaming that table runner next time!!")
So with swag and table covered, you might be wondering what else I’m freaking out over. Really, just that I have two book signings in June that lead me right into 4 months of conventions. I’m in Tampa in July, Orlando in August and September, and Pensacola Beach in October. Only one of those events is a single-day deal, the rest are 2-4 days long and that, my friends, is a lot. I’ve also got a wedding in California to attend in the middle of all that fun.
I’ve found some cool things in my search though, like trope cards and ways to do my business cards that might work better for conventions and signings. I’m also hoping to show off my steampunk book at some of these, and possibly have it available for sale, too. Fingers are crossed for that one.
I also have a confession, I’ve never been to a book convention. Not as a reader or a writer. They’ve popped up so fast that I either didn’t know about them, didn’t want to fork over that much money, or didn’t have a job so couldn’t exactly spend my time and money on something fun but expensive. I’m excited, my poor mother is likely stressed about it as much as I am (she’ll be my attending emotional support human for all of these events, which is fun, her drama nerd comes out), and I know that even though it’s the end of January right now, it will all fly by so quickly that I’ll wake up in November with vague memories and hopefully a phone full of photos to remind me of how much fun it was. If you see me, or my mom (she’ll be in the Jordyn’s Mom shirt, because duh), come by and say hello!
July: Feel The Heat, Tampa
August: Romantically Yours, Orlando
September: Smutt Lovers, Orlando
October: TropiCon, Pensacola Beach
For more info on my upcoming signings and events, check it out on my website here.