I started the day feeling optimistic. That optimism was upheld. From the moment the dealer’s room opened, we had a steady stream of traffic. I never got to sit still for longer than 15 minutes all day long. It was exhilarating and exhausting. Many people had never heard of us, I gave them a quick pitch and a card with our URL on it. Some people had come straight to us to make sure they got the merchandise they wanted. This was wise because if sales continue as brisk as they were today, then we’re going to start running out of some of the merchandise before the weekend is over. Several friends stopped by to say hello and to chat for awhile. I was glad to see them all, but we were often too busy to chat for very long. Most satisfactory to me personally were the few people who stopped by particularly to see me, either to talk about my book or my blog. It was wonderful evidence that I’m adding something to the world. This is wonderful to offset the thousands of people who looked right past me both on the dealer floor and at parties later. Our sales were very good. This convention appearance is now half paid for. I suspect that the most enthusiastic fans have already stopped by and done their purchasing. Sales for the rest of the con will probably be much slower, but If we can only bring in a quarter of today’s sales for the next four days, we’ll still break even. But breaking even is not the point of this convention. Mostly we’re here to meet people and talk to them. We’ve done some of that already. Howard and I both got a chance to speak briefly with Lois Bujold. Howard also got to shake hands with Larry Niven and Elizabeth Moon. Then we had a marvelous dinner with Phil and Kaja Foglio, and Mark and Alice who help out with the Girl Genius booth. So now I am tired, happy, and my feet are killing me (no heels tomorrow.) Four days to go.
8 thoughts on “Denvention Day 1”
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I am very jealous and fan-girly over you getting to meet Bujold. So cool!
You know what, though? Today is only Wednesday. I bet you get a big boost on Saturday when most people are actually off work. 🙂
The Taylers and the Foglios at dinner together? Like, OMG! I’m totally going all fan-boy! My two favorite web comic authors, combined with a fantastic children’s author, together! I would SO like to have been there. Not that I could have contributed anything to the conversation. Other than, OMG ur 2 kool!!1!
Seriously, I don’t generally get star-struck, but that must have been tremendous. You’re a fantastic writer and extremely fortunate to be hanging out in such circles.
My favorite Webcomic author (whom I’ve met, and even roomied with) meets my most favorite living author (I fanboy’ed her at a convention(must hide the shame)).
Wow.
At the book-release parties, I come for the Howard, but stay for the Sandra. 🙂
Glad thinsg are going well, and I too suspect that was the week progresses sales actually pick up.
Best come up with a plan to get more stuff to sell…
I got to shake her hand and give her a copy of Hold on to Your Horses. She was very kind and gracious. She probably won’t remember me, but I’m glad I was brave enough to talk to her. I almost didn’t and would have regretted it because that was my only chance for the entire weekend.
Now we just need to figure out how to get Elizabeth hooked on Schlock so that she’ll be willing to write and introduction. *rubs hands together*
We can try, but she may be even more busy than the Tayler household., BTW.
She’s