After attending Farpoint Con 2022 – what did I learn?
For the first time since 2016, I attended a con. Farpoint in Hunt Valley, Maryland, is a sci-fi con that’s got a rich history and has been ongoing for years.
I attended as a guest. Thus, I sat on several panels, did a reading from one of my books, and had scheduled times to sign and sell books, too.
I was told by many that this was not a typical Farpoint. And I utterly understand why.
There was a mask requirement. Though they were not as diligent about enforcing it as they had said they would be – I’d say 95% of those in attendance were good about masking. Because of COVID fears – and the reality that we’re not out of the pandemic woods yet – many canceled last minute. That’s how I wound up the moderator for one of my panels.
Though they also restricted attendance, I suspect it wasn’t wholly necessary to do so. Even in the most crowded events at the con, I never felt like people were on top of each other, and social distance was observed. However, the wedding party also at the hotel during the weekend was a wholly different issue.
Though I wasn’t sure what to expect – there were things learned at this con that can and will be useful to my work going forward.
What did I learn?
Sales and exposure
There were two different approaches used by authors at the con.
Some were set up as vendors. They had tables in the sales areas and sat there to sell their books during most of the con. One or two of them were also on panels – so I guess they closed their booths at those times.
Others were like me, attending as guests. We were given times in a different part of the convention space – not with the vendor spaces – and an hour here or there to sit, sign, and sell.
As a vendor, you had a table, set space, and thusly got to sign and sell books. However, as a guest, I appeared in the book and on the website. Further, as an author guest, I got to do a reading.
I don’t know how the various authors selling as vendors did this weekend. I don’t feel I got to know any of them well enough to ask how their sales were to learn that. Also – I don’t know if they are self-published, small press published, and whether they do more sales of physical books vs ebooks.
Not knowing what to expect, I brought a total of 50 books to sell. Ten copies each of my Forgotten Fodder novels, 9 copies of Opening Gambit I’d forgotten I had acquired previously, and 1 copy of Infamy Ascending.
All told, I sold 8 books.
When I did my reading, it was attended by exactly 2 people. However – they both purchased books.
A little disappointing – but some sales are better than no sales.
As to exposure – nearly all the panels I sat on were lightly attended. The largest – of course – was the one I had the least to talk about. In one instance, it was just me and the other panelist.
What did I learn from this?
To be blunt – I’m still working that out.
It was an interesting challenge getting out of my comfort zone in certain situations. The more social activities – which I took some part in – I didn’t fully engage with people. I had no problem doing so on the panels or when chatting with other authors and some of the vendors. But the larger gatherings were uncomfortable. I sat alone on more than one of these occasions.
Because I sat in for a “Book Fair” Friday night – I was tired enough after that I went to bed rather than join the ongoing Karaoke party. Saturday night’s bar and dance mixer I was just not feeling – so I took advantage of the hotel’s HBO on-demand, got comfy, and binged the first half of the second season of a show I’d enjoyed when I had HBO.
I should have set up a pad and paper to collect addresses for my email list. I had my iPad prepped to do that – but never used it.
Books are heavy. And the table-stand sign I made was an awkward size. Next time – I need a wheeled cart or wheeled luggage of some sort. The container I used added an unnecessary level of complication.
Next time, it might be good to have a friend along with me. That will help me keep an even keel when I start to get down on myself, question my worth, and feel lonely if I am struggling. I often fake not being socially awkward well – but I am socially awkward.
Everything costs more than I think it will. The hotel, food, and – because of current world matters, gas – were expenses that meant there was more cost involved than ROI.
Always more to learn
Frankly, that’s probably the biggest lesson here. You truly do have to spend money to make money. But I’d really like to start spending less and making more with what I’ve got.
In part, because the writing of Check and Mate (Void Incursion book 5) is taking longer than planned – and accounting for the overall cost of editing and covers – my 4-book plan for 2022 is down to 2 books (maybe 3, but only if I up the pace of my writing).
One big positive I learned is that my writing habits are almost identical to those of author Timothy Zahn. That was a great revelation – and validation that I’m on the right path.
I made some good contacts at the con. There were some excellent conversations with other authors and creators that provided useful networking. I might have gotten a good leg-up on attending another, super-local con coming up in the fall (super-local, as in 15 minutes from home).
I think as I take a few days to consider the experience, reflect and analyze it, I will gain more insight into what more I learned from this experience.
Will I do it again? Absolutely. I wonder what I will learn next time?
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