This E-Mail Showed Me...How Much I've Changed

I've been fortunate enough to be part of several local writing conventions and symposiums since 2013 when my first short story was published. I admit, it was a rush sitting on panels with internationally known best-selling authors. I even thought--several times--that I didn't belong on those panels. I hadn't "earned" it. 

I soon realized that this attitude didn't help anyone. It didn't help the fellow panelists, and it did a great disservice to those in attendance that paid good money to listen to the panel. So, I changed my attitude and tried to do the best job I could to bring interesting and helpful advise to everyone in the room.

I think I've done a good job since then. Of course, others may disagree, but I've tried.

One of my favorite conventions is the Life, the Universe, and Everything, (LTUE) Writing Symposium held each February in Provo, Utah. It's a quality convention with a light, fun, and engaging feeling from the guests and panelists. The first time I was asked to participate, I was over the moon--and I had a great time.

I was asked back each year, and then...

I wasn't.

This was a couple of years ago, and to be honest, it stung, even though my writing resume--though it had improved--was not stellar. It was nowhere near others who get asked back year after year. But, I decided to make the best of it. I didn't bad-mouth the convention or their decision. And, life went on.

Last year, I was asked to participate and had fun. I always have fun hanging out with my writer friends and getting to know the readers. I applied for the 2020 convention and I got the e-mail last week.

This time, my reaction to not being invited was different. It didn't sting; I didn't feel slighted. In fact, I was okay with it. Years ago, I gaged my writing success on whether or not I was asked to be on panels. Now, I know that has little to do with it. Sure, I'll miss hanging out in the panelist room with the other authors and meeting new people. I want to be a writer that they want to ask, a writer who has numerous fans who will attend when they find out I'm coming. That will take a lot of work on my part, but after all, being a successful writer can't come without the hard work. And who knows--maybe I'll be asked to come back in 2021. We'll have to see what happens.

Being Asked To Attend This Year's FanX Convention...It's An Honor And A Lot Of Fun!

Twelve days ago, a little tweet hit the world wide web. It listed four authors who have been asked to attend a gathering. I was one of those authors.

It was years ago, but I remember the first time I saw my name and picture posted for this event. That was very cool. Being an author can be a tough at times, but there are some things that make participating in this endeavor extremely awesome, like seeing your name, picture, and examples of things you've created alongside world-famous authors and other guests.

It's a definite rush.

If you go to Salt Lake FanX's author page (you can access it by clicking: HERE), you'll see almost fifty people invited to participate as featured authors with even more to come. I'm honored to be included in such an amazing group. But what I find most fascinating when I access the page, is how many of these incredibly talented writers I've gotten to know. Five years ago, I knew personally only one person on the list--Michael Jensen--and that's because he and I were in a production of Evita a decade earlier. Now, after having spent time with these people, doing panels with many of them, and even signing publishing contracts with them, I count several as good good friends.

In a matter of weeks we'll gather to do it all again. Hopefully, I'll meet new people and strengthen the relationships with those I already know. 

Yes, there are many cool things about being an author. The first time you hear someone's going to publish your story, seeing that box at your door knowing those are your books inside, holding the finished product in your hands, smelling the pages, almost not believing it's actually your name on the cover, getting that first five-star review--all are awesome. So is being asked to attend an event where thousands and thousands of people will attend. If you plan on going, please come find me--I'd love to either meet you for the first time or catch up. It's going to be a blast!!

Salt Lake Comic Cons And FanX...Amazing Experiences, Lives Changed!

There's no other way to look at this--I'm one incredibly lucky fella! Last week I did a little cleaning in my room. I have a spot on a bookshelf where I put my convention lanyards and passes. I've kept every Salt Lake Comic Con and FanX pass I've been given since 2013. Tonight I spread them out and just looked at them.

There's a lot of amazing experiences packed into those plastic passes.

Back in the summer of 2013 I was asked by a friend if I'd like to help out with the first Comic Con in Salt Lake. I was beyond honored. But even I had no idea just what that simple question would mean to my future, to the future of my family, and my career. Had I known, I might have been even more excited (if that were possible...). 

Because of these conventions, I have meet people who I may not have met otherwise, people who have helped me with my writing, helped me get stories published, helped me secure my first novel contract. The book comes out a week from today. I've been on panels with world-famous authors, filmmakers, artists. I've met some of the most beautiful people at these events. 

I know some who diss comic cons. They make fun of the people who go, the people who spend hours of time creating costumes--be they good or not so good--all in the name of fun. They can't understand how people would spend their hard-earned cash for the opportunity to wait in long lines to spend five minutes with their favorite celebrities, leaving only with a signed photo. They can't understand it--it doesn't compute in their minds, and it probably never will.

I feel a little sad for those who think this way. But the great thing about these conventions are those who go couldn't give a flying flip about what others think. Personally, these shows have changed lives--mine included. In years past, the next convention would be a few weeks away, but not this year. We'll have to wait until September. I've been fortunate enough to help out and be a special guest at each one so far. I hope that streak continues, but if it doesn't, I'll always be grateful to Blake, Ryan, Dan, Bryan, and the literally thousands of others who have helped me become a better writer, a better salesman, a better communicator, a better person. 

I can't wait for the next one!