Event Recap: Stellar Fest 2026
TRANSPARENCYEVENT RECAP
So I did my first Stellar Fest! This is the convention that CONjuration has started to be it's sister con. Where CONjuration is fantasy, Stellar Fest is Sci-Fi focused.
The best part was I was back to sharing a booth with Ben Meeks, we hadn't done that since January, so it was nice getting back in the saddle again as the dynamic duo.
The event itself was a ton of fun, but unfortunately I ended up losing a bit of money on the event. My books are just not a great fit for the crowd I think, and I was told that attendance was off by a couple hundred from the year before (I don't know how true that is, just vendor rumor mill talk).
It's a super well run event, and while I don't think I will be doing it again (mostly because I already do CONjuration and I'm gonna be cutting back on Atlanta events in 2027), I would recommend it for folks who love sci-fi or have sci-fi related wares.
I have a few small thoughts.
Bobby Nash is my hero. Really. I love that man to death, and I was so stoked to be booth neighbors with him.
I really need to grab a drink with the Burtons by god! We keep saying we're gonna, but like ships in the night we keep not doing it. Next time!
At CONjuration I usually do like 11 panels. But most of my fandoms are not sci-fi, so I was not a good fit for most panels. I ended up suggesting and moderating three panels, then Tyra Burton and Charles McFall put me on some of theirs, then Nancy Knight put me on one of hers. All in all, a light panel schedule, which wasn't a bad thing.
Be Awesome Together: I've guested on this podcast before, and always have a good time. This was a live version of the podcast with Charles and Tyra.
21st Century Cthulhu: James Palmer suggested a panel similar to this, and when he had to bow out, I stepped in and suggested this panel, and moderated it. Just chattin' cthulhu things, ya know, the usual.
Wise_N_Nerdy Live: This was another podcast live episode, with time with Charles and Joe Ard of Wise_N_Nerdy. Always a blast making Charles want to kill me over puns.
Fandom Face-Off: This is a game show that Charles McFall sets up at conventions, and legit, it's a stupid amount of fun. If you ever see it on the bill, come. This was my best attended panel, and there is a reason for that.
How to Develop Believable Non-Human Characters: Nancy asked me to be on this panel, which was a lot of fun. Factor in Berta Platas and Ben Meeks.
Diversifying Your Revenue As An Author: James Palmer suggested a panel similar to this, and when he had to bow out, I stepped in and suggested this panel, and moderated it. I actually teach this as a workshop on occasion, you can find a version over on my Education tab.
Marketing Your Book Online: James Palmer suggested a panel similar to this, and when he had to bow out, I stepped in and suggested this panel, and moderated it. I
Well, I lost money. Been a bit since I had an event where that was the case, so I guess I was due. Why do I think I lost money? A few reasons:
I don't write sci-fi, and this is a sci-fi convention.
It has a lot of overlap with CONjuration in attendance, so I have sold books to many of those folks already.
We forgot to book a room, so we missed on booking at the con rate. What I would have saved by booking at the con rate actually would have caused me to break even I think.
Anywho, here are my numbers:
Event Sales Numbers:
TBB Weekend: $240.00
BBI Weekend: $24.00
Tales by Bob Sales Numbers By Item:
Bringing Home The Rain: 3
The Depth of the Water: 0
Feet in the Fire: 0
Omnibus 1: 3
Omnibus 2: 1
Southern Saudade: 1
Ultimate Bundle: 0
Create: 0
Bearded Bard Inkworks Sales Numbers By Item:
Zines: 3
Total:
$264.00
Fixed Expenses:
Badge: $0.00
Booth Fee - $125.00
Parking - $0.00
Hotel - $178.00
Other - $0.00
Total - $303.00
Grand Total Profit: Loss of $39.00
