It’s been a week since Balticon. I think I’ve recovered, although I was pretty exhausted going in due to a hectic week leading up to it. I had a lot of fun. Being my first con and my biggest author appearance to date, I had no idea what to expect. I’m very much an introvert. The idea of speaking in front of a group of people I don’t know makes me break out in a cold sweat. I think that’s why the panels I picked were primarily games, like a Cthulhu out of the hat and fantasy title chain. I figured if it was a fun thing, I’d be less nervous.

Proof that I really was at Balticon! At my reading, the Sat. 9 am panel.

Based on feedback from some friends who attended my panels, I did very well, despite needed to project a little more. The game-like panels were a lot of fun and I got over my nervousness pretty quickly. I didn’t have a choice, actually. These were think on your feet, audience participation type panels, with lots of, shall we say, unusual topics and laughs. That helped put me at ease also. Plus everyone I met was incredibly nice. I met some experienced authors who were helpful and willing to share their knowledge and some authors just starting out who were interested in sharing ideas. There was definitely a “we’re in this together” vibe.  And there were lots of amazing and strange costumes. One friend who is a costumer won the hall costume contest with her Japanese demon/dragon costume. (Go Amy!) I even went back on my free day and brought my four-year-old, who also enjoyed it and got to make a neat Mad Hatter hat at a children’s panel. Next year I might get a t-shirt with my book cover on it for her so she can be my adorable walking advertisement.

This is NOT me. It’s Amy Kaplan in her amazing costume, which won the hall costume contest.

Two things I learned: 9 am panels and panels Friday afternoon (when people are arriving or trying to fight traffic to get there) are
not a good idea. I hope next year I can get some better times, but it’s hard being a mostly unknown author. With any luck that may change by 2013. Second, don’t expect to sell many books. Again, timing and being an unknown probably play a factor in this. I think next time I’ll go with the mindset of having fun, meeting new people, and networking. Maybe there will even be a costume involved.

I’ll post my A Cthulhu out of the Hat story later this week for your reading pleasure. I have to type it up. I’m not sure how it will read post-Balticon, but it sounded pretty good at the time. And I only had twenty minutes to write it. As far as I know, no Cthulhus were summoned.