Sometimes I’m asked why I go to science fiction conventions. Usually that question comes from a friend or a fellow author who doesn’t go to them. They don’t quite get the appeal, but as followers of this blog know, I’m an enthusiastic “regular” at regional science fiction conventions.

On that note, I know I still owe you a DemiCon 30 report. But this week it’s time to get ready for ConQuesT 50. In a couple more weeks, it’ll be time for SoonerCon 28. Maybe I’ll eventually catch up with myself, but one never knows.

Many Indie authors don’t understand why anyone would go to that many science fiction conventions, much less three additional ones (SpikeCon, FenCon, and Archon) over the course of the next few months. “I always lose money,” they say, or words to that effect.

It isn’t Only About the Sales of Books

I have a working hypothesis that, in the parlance of marketing, the authors who ask this question, “why go to science fiction conventions?” are seriously discounting the value of brand-building. They’re focusing too much on lead-generation and retail sales.

But never mind. I guess this summer will be a “living laboratory” to test my own hypotheses about book-marketing. It seems to me that if you consider the reader’s journey, not to mention the value of personal interactions and repeated exposures, you’re likely to find interested readers.

If you met an author in person and they made a good impression, wouldn’t you be interested in maybe seeing what they wrote? Also, not for nothing, it might be worth noting that the professional networking can be amazing. I met all three of the literary agents who’ve represented me, at sf conventions, for example.

Okay, so What is The Point?

Thing is, long before I had this book to sell, I went to sf conventions. While I was there, I sold art. I even ran an art show (at ConQuesT) for three years. I have yet to sell enough artwork to break even on expenses, but selling art isn’t why I go to science fiction conventions, either.

From very early in my career, my artwork put me in the “pro” category at conventions. That got me an entrée into programming on panels and made it possible for me to become better known. I met and had good conversations with artists, writers, editors, and more.

That includes people whose names you’d know, if you are interested in my genres. Not to mention finding nearly all of my closest friends there. I also meet fascinating individuals in science-fiction-adjacent fields, such as astronomy and rocketry.

Those Fascinating, Brilliant SF Fans

Wanna meet an astronaut? I’ve met several at sf conventions – also other NASA employees, professors, and professionals with specialties in such areas as astronomy, rocketry, engineering, and even space station design. Golly, how might an author writing about uplifted K9s who live on a space station and solve murder mysteries learn helpful things from such people?

Science fiction fans also are marvelously creative, whatever their “day jobs.” See my pictures above, from Edward Dane’s “T.A.R.D.I.S. Room at DemiCon 30. He started this project with his uncle, J. P. Butz. Together they designed it and began to build it, with help from other T.A.R.D.I.S. builders. (These are fans. Of course there are other T.A.R.D.I.S. builders!) Unfortunately. Mr. Butz passed away. Edward finished the project, and now travels with it as a sort of memorial.

I love that stuff. It’s one of the major reasons why I go to science fiction conventions.

I remain an active member of both KaCSFFS, the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc., and ASFA, the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists, Inc. Eventually, I’ll probably join SFWA, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Why? Because I value their input, their wisdom-of-the-group, and their network. Most of all, my friendships within them.

Science Fiction Fans Have Fun

Still wondering why I go to science fiction conventions? It’s largely because they’re fun. SF fans are always up to something. Maybe it’s the mysterious “DemiCon Googly-Eyes” (you never know where they’ll pop up).

Maybe it’s the joy of hall costumes. In the photos above, you might especially enjoy David Winterton’s “Deadpool as Wonder Woman” hall costume (he owned that role! Great fun). And one must not overlook Sara Neu’s “Mother of Chihuahuas” persona. Her mobility device may fill a practical need in everyday life, but it was transformed at the convention. She traversed the hotel on her rolling Iron Throne, of Game of Thrones fame.

Yes, every once in a while we go “sercon” (serious at the convention) at panels. Of course, there’s a certain joy in that, too. Take for example the presentation Lucy A. Synk did at DemiCon 30. In the upper right part the four-photo montage above, she’s showing pieces of one of her projects. Meanwhile, the video monitor behind her shows her “Cretaceous Mural,” complete with a T-Rex.

I just have to admit it. They’re my peeps, and I love them. They’re lovely human beings (even when they’re kinda “out there”), and over the years they’ve taught me amazing things. They’ve introduced me to wonderful new people, books, media, and ideas. My life would be much less rich without them.

My question to the doubters is, “Why on earth wouldn’t I go to science fiction conventions?“

IMAGE CREDITS

I’d like to thank all the conventions whose headers I used: Capricon 39, DemiCon, ConQuesT, SoonerCon, SpikeCon, FenCon, and Archon. I appreciate you! The picture of my book, What’s Bred in the Bone, is courtesy of Weird Sisters Publishing. Nearly all of the rest of these photos were taken by me at DemiCon 30, with the express permission of their subjects. I deeply appreciate them! The sole exception is the photo of me, standing by my DemiCon 30 Art Show display. That one was taken by Lucy A. Synk, and is used with her permission. Thanks, Lucy!