Author Appearances
Recently, I came to a very important conclusion: author appearances are of supreme importance for new and unknown authors like myself.
I've been dedicating this year (2014) to the promotion of my fantasy/adventure novel, DRAGONS, in fiction/pop culture/comic book/multimedia conventions, but in none was I as successful as in the very last one I went to, SuperCon, in Miami, FL. Granted, this convention was bigger and longer than the previous ones I had visited, but the key to my surprising success at this one in particular was, in one word, panels.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet other fellow authors in those conventions, and they, already experienced in the offering of panels at these conventions, invited me to join them. Of course, I did, and what a great decision that was. In those panels, first, I was introduced as an author and my work was displayed, then, when the Q&A session began, I had the honor to talk directly to an interested audience who wanted to learn as much as possible about the writing process from me (and the other authors as well, of course).
This was my chance, that one very important opportunity that every author should take without any doubt or second thoughts. The answers I gave to the questions made, and the way I expressed myself gained me a following. Many of the audience members visited my table later during the convention, and purchased copies of my books without reservation.
Author appearances are extremely important. Readers who have the chance to talk to the authors feel more confident about the quality they can expect from their books. Plus, you get direct feedback from your readers, a much better, clearer and more constructive kind than the one you read about in reviews.
So, what am I suggesting? Authors, you need to get out there and do book signing events, appear in conventions, book expos, and pretty much any kind of activity that allows you to have direct contact with your readers and fans. Talk to them, listen, and have a great time; after all, they are the ones who turn your stories into books. A story, no matter if its printed and published, if it's never read, it never was.
I've been dedicating this year (2014) to the promotion of my fantasy/adventure novel, DRAGONS, in fiction/pop culture/comic book/multimedia conventions, but in none was I as successful as in the very last one I went to, SuperCon, in Miami, FL. Granted, this convention was bigger and longer than the previous ones I had visited, but the key to my surprising success at this one in particular was, in one word, panels.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet other fellow authors in those conventions, and they, already experienced in the offering of panels at these conventions, invited me to join them. Of course, I did, and what a great decision that was. In those panels, first, I was introduced as an author and my work was displayed, then, when the Q&A session began, I had the honor to talk directly to an interested audience who wanted to learn as much as possible about the writing process from me (and the other authors as well, of course).
This was my chance, that one very important opportunity that every author should take without any doubt or second thoughts. The answers I gave to the questions made, and the way I expressed myself gained me a following. Many of the audience members visited my table later during the convention, and purchased copies of my books without reservation.
Author appearances are extremely important. Readers who have the chance to talk to the authors feel more confident about the quality they can expect from their books. Plus, you get direct feedback from your readers, a much better, clearer and more constructive kind than the one you read about in reviews.
So, what am I suggesting? Authors, you need to get out there and do book signing events, appear in conventions, book expos, and pretty much any kind of activity that allows you to have direct contact with your readers and fans. Talk to them, listen, and have a great time; after all, they are the ones who turn your stories into books. A story, no matter if its printed and published, if it's never read, it never was.
No comments have been added yet.
