Author Signings...It's Been A Long Time

 Amidst the chaos of FanX, the comic convention held in Salt Lake, I had the opportunity to participate in a book signing. Me and several others were at the Immortal Works Publishing booth on Saturday, the last day of the con. Those running the booth allowed me to participate.

Boy--it brought back memories.

Back when FanX began in 2013 (it was known as Salt Lake Comic Con at that time...), my number one goal was to get books in which I was an author into the hands of as many people as possible. I participated on panels and at the end of those panels, I would tell people where they could find me at whatever booth allowed me to try and sell my books.

Times have changed.

Since 2013 I've taken more of an administrative roll in the convention. Trying to sell my books has taken a back seat, or no seat at all. I brought my my box of books to the convention, but I didn't even get them out of the car.

But, last Saturday, I had the opportunity to try and talk to people and to see if they wanted to read my book. I forgot how difficult it can be at times. I kept looking for families with younger kids who might want to be more interested in books than video games or trying to look like their favorite superhero. Needless to say, I didn't spot a lot of potential buyers.

Even tough hawking books is tough, I enjoyed it. I've missed it, to be honest. 

Of course, some things haven't changed. I didn't sell or sign a single book.

Maybe next time...

FanX, 2021 Edition...Day 3...The Final Day

To be fair, I did not spend all day at FanX's finale. I actually had to go a few hours in. Still, from what I experienced, it was another wonderful day.

Closing a con is bittersweet. 

On the one hand, your body is literally spent. From all the walking, standing, speaking loudly to be heard over all the constant background noise found in the vendor hall, the panel rooms, and every corner of the convention. When I leave a con on the final day, I'm exhausted, tired--but, it's a good tired.

But, on the other hand, for people like me enjoying being with friends, meeting new friends, and experiencing pure unabashed creativity makes it worth it. So when the final call booms over the convention hall speakers, it's a sad time--mostly because we know we won't get another opportunity to meet up and experience the same feeling for another year.

If we're lucky, that is. Before last year, I would be hard pressed to believe anything could stop such a successful franchise. 

I was wrong.

Day 3 came and went. I saw friends on our stage. I saw friends at their booths. I saw people loving the opportunity to be among those with like interests. I even saw a kid who made his homemade armor out of cardboard. Some might think it was lame, but I loved it...he put a lot of work into it. No, it didn't look like the armor worn by the professional cosplayers, but I think I liked his costume more.

Day 3, and this year's FanX has come and gone. I hope it happens again next year. Time will tell.

FanX, 2021 Edition...Day 2

 I think I took more pictures of Day 2 at FanX than I did Day 1, which isn't saying much. Yes, we had artists, both visual and musical entertain on our stage, along with trivia shows and comedy acts. Once again, the stage was full of successful performances and productions.

For me, one of the best parts of attending a comics convention is the new people you meet. For example, before all the VIP or Gold FanX fans entered, I ran into an artist finding a way to the vendor floor. We entered the building the same time so we struck up a conversation. I made it a point to try and find his booth before my day began.

That's what I did.

I found out that Steve Garcia had worked on several amazing films. I found out it was his first time at our con--I love when we get new talent to our show. After finding his booth we chatted some more. I found out more about him and his work.

Day 2 was a success for me all the way around. Had I more time I could have met more artists with similar stories. I know many people go for the high-profile names, the celebrities, the cosplayers. Me...I'd love to spend the entire time talking to those on Artists Alley. 

FanX, 2021 Edition...Day 1

 This week has been, in a word, insane. I knew it would be. Last week Frightmares opened for the season and I spent a couple of days at the park getting ready for our show. This week FanX returned to existence, and I spent a couple of days at the Salt Palace getting ready for that show. And today, both events merged, at least, they did for me.

But, yesterday, it was all FanX.

I am part of the programming team so I usually don't take a ton of pictures. Truth be told, there's so many picture-worthy things at the convention that I could spend all day just taking pictures of people. My assignment at the convention is the convention floor stage. Liz and I make sure the acts go off without a hitch. Yesterday was wonderful. Good crowds, mega-talented performers, and our tech guy Ryan (who looks a lot like a young Freddie Prince, Jr...) who could not have been better. What I love about the stage is the different acts we can get. What you can't see in the picture with the harpist is, just beyond the back row of on-lookers, there's a pro wrestling ring set up. We had harp music accompanying big beefy men slamming each other on the mat.

Surreal.

I know there are people who make their living at these type of conventions. They travel from city to city (or, they did before covid...) and do a show every week. That's a tough life. I was burned out an hour after the doors opened. Thankfully, I could sit during the performances and put out fires when needed. We had no fires on Day 1.

One thing I heard over and over again was how much everyone had missed the experience of being at a con. I know how they feel. 

As I'm typing this, FanX is still entertaining, surprising, and hopefully enriching thousands upon thousands of people about 15 miles to the south of where I am right now. In a few hours, I'll be entertaining, surprising, and hopefully scaring the stuffing out of dozens of people at our venue.

What a way to spend a weekend.