I am looking forward with great anticipation to Radcon this year in Pasco, WA February 18th-20th. I’ll be attending as a “pro”, participating as a panelist on several panels, doing a book reading and beta testing the game, “Cubes of Infinity” with enthusiastic gamers.
The last con we attended in 2020 was so much fun. We met so many amazing fans and future fans and the cos-play was phenomenal. It was three days of pure bliss for a geek like myself.
So, why attend a scifi/fantasy fan convention as an author? The reasons are potentially obvious: Exposing my books to potential fans, networking with people within my industry, creating credibility for me as an author…and the list goes on.
However, one of the biggest reasons for me is that I find it inspiring to hang out with people who are excited about the elements of my genre: imagination, creativity, science, fantasy, fun, adventure and exploration of new ideas and concepts.
My first con was a real eye opener. I had pictured people running around in crazy costumes and being silly, but was delighted to hear the intense and interesting conversations all around me, people thinking as well as playing. People combining different ideas into potential theories and encouraging literacy and education right along with the fun and silliness.
This year I will go with completely different expectations. I am anticipating fresh thoughts and ideas for future books in my series. I am anticipating honest and revealing conversations with the people who are most likely to want to read my books. I am anticipating making a lot of amazing new geek friends who love the same things I do.