Convention Recap: Two Non-Monetary Type Events 2024

In the past month or so I have done two in person events where I was not set up to sell. They were events that I just came out to be some sort of 'expert' about the business side of being an author. I don't usually recap these sorts of events, because there usually isn't all that much to say about them. But with two so close together, I reckon I can whip up a little something. Especially since I had someone ask me specifically about them, so author Tina Riffey this one's for you haha.

Event 1: Teen Creative Night at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

To be clear, that isn't the correct name. I just can't remember what the name was exactly. Youth night? Fuck me if I can remember. This is my second year doing it. In short, the Museum has a group of quasi-intern teens that each year...learn stuff? I'll be honest I'm not really sure what they do, and that's on me. Because I was told (twice now), I've just forgotten.

Anyway, once a year this group organizes an event where different sorts of creatives from around the community come and talk to them about what it takes to get a job in that field, or just generally answer questions about what we do. The first year I did it, I ended up talking to a young photographer for about 45 minutes, walking him through selling at in person events, giving him ideas. This year there were more kids, and more mentors. There was less interest in what I had going on this year, but I did talk at length with one trio about my games, and told them where they could get free digital copies of them.

Event Two: Much Ado About Publishing at the Juliette Hampton Memorial Library in Montgomery (the big downtown library)

This event was a new one. The library brought together two groups: one group of around 5 authors, then a group of 4 publishers. I was in the publisher category. It was never really clear to me if I was there to represent self publishing? Or if I was there to represent Bearded Bard Inkworks, my micropress. Either way, I know a good bit about it, so I was fine with it.

The highlight for me was getting to hang out with some author friends, like Jackie Nix and Dr. Vernet Nettles (who is now the third Nettles author I know). There were lots of great questions for the panel as well, so that was fun. Essentially it was a 3 hour panel, with the last 30 minutes of it set aside for questions from the audience. I also told folks that the first two folks to come talk to me after would get a free gift, and I gave away a copy of my guide for creatives (Create your Way to Freedom) and one of my rpg zines.

The only downside was about the hour one mark I started to have to pee. By hour two it was getting bad. By the end I was sprinting down the hall to the bathroom.

You can see my 'setup' here. I remembered book stands...but had no space to use them haha.

All in all, both events were lots of fun. Really the highlight ends up being getting to hang with friends in a more low stakes environment. Add in getting to help folks out...*chef's kiss*