[Writer Blog] When it’s Okay to Say No to Conventions

This week’s writing blog – when it’s okay to say “no” to a convention. I know, it seems counter-intuitive to say when a lot of writers – like me – tell new writers to go, get out there, and meet people. However, there are times when you can – and should – say (very, very politely) “Thanks, but no thanks”.

There’s been some changes in even regional conventions that have caused some questions and discussion on what’s now ‘expected’ among small press authors attending conventions. But it’s not only small press authors who are talking about conventions. Robert Sawyer did an interview about what he looks at/expects when it comes to conventions. Go check it out – I’ll wait – because he makes excellent points about organizational red flags.

EDIT: The Robert Sawyer link if Friends Only. I’ve shared it here – on my FB page – so you can, hopefully – check it out now!
I happen to agree with Robert Sawyer on a lot of what he says. You do have to look at the focus of the convention to make sure you have an audience. There’s something to be said about building a new audience, but you do have to weight outcome vs. outlay. Yes, a lot of this will come down to money. You do have to look at the convention’s track record and what they seem like online – do they have dates? Do they have hotel information? Do they have a guest of honor?

Most writers plan their conventions eight months to a year out. We like to know where we’re going when by the beginning of the calendar year. If a convention in June doesn’t have a guest of honor announced or hasn’t sent out invitations to regional guests before January prior, it’s a good chance those authors and artists are already booked.

Why do we do this? We have to budget. Regional writers are working on just a tight a shoestring as many regional conventions. We understand tough economic times, but conventions must also understand that unless they’re a Giant Comic Con, or Dragon*Con, or WorldCon/World Fantasy (or something else with “World” in it) requiring your guests jump through hoops to be “accepted” and then REQUIRED to PAY to come WORK your convention is going to cause some blowback.

Now I understand requiring a certain amount of programming to qualify for a comped membership. I do. I’m there to work. I like seeing my friends and fans as much as the next person, but you know how I got to know most of them? By being on panels and, you know, doing my job. I also understand having to have requirements to be on programming – if conventions let everyone who want to be on programming do so, there’d be no one in the audience and no income. But if you decide to make your new income stream be the people who draw people (and have probably helped advertise your convention for free) realize that a lot of us are going to have to decline that “honor”.

YOU have to know what’s good for you – your schedule, your time, and your budget. It’s okay to take a risk now and then, but if you get the heebies about a convention – run away. You don’t have to go to them all (no one can – when would you write or be with family). Pick your conventions like you pick your publishers. Both are partnership relationships and should act like it.

Tags: Conventions, Robert Sawyer, sf community, SF conventions, writers