Ordering Books...Part Of The Process

As a writer, it's bad to attend a writing convention without books to sell. I should know--I seem to find myself doing it all the time.

The latest--this past weekend at Fyrecon.

But, I should say, I wasn't completely without product. I had one copy of my novel Chaser. One.

My last one.

This past weekend I attended Fyrecon 3 for two of the three days. I sat at our publisher's table for a majority of the time I was there. I talked to several people about the company and the books we sell. The company has grown so much recently that not all our titles we've published were there, including mine. 

For years I attended these events with another publisher, Xchyler Publishing. I had short stories in three of their anthologies. I usually didn't bring any books to those events, either, because other authors brought large amounts of the same books I would sell if I brought my own. Needless to say, I haven't made a killing selling my own books.

Maybe things will change now. I've got a couple of cons coming up so tonight, I logged on to my publisher's site and placed an order...not as many as I would have liked to order, but more than I had this past weekend. 

Yes, it's bad to attend a writing convention without books to sell. Hopefully, that won't happen again.

Day 3 Of Fyrecon 3...Is Tomorrow--You Should Stop In And Check It Out!

Fyrecon 3 is alive and well and tomorrow is its final day. 

It's located in Layton, Utah, on the Weber State University Davis Campus--click: HERE for a map. The website for Fyrecon can be found: HERE.

For me, attending this conference is like attending a family reunion. I don't know everyone involved in the event, of course, but I do know many of the presenters and organizers. We see each other at events throughout the year and over the years we've become good friends. 

You can see tomorrow's schedule by clicking: HERE. There's classes by great writers like Kevin L. Nielsen, James Wymore, Julie Frost, Ryan Decaria, Candice Thomas, and So many more. Plus, there's the vendor room where I'll most likely be hanging out answering questions about Immortal Works. If you've got a book to pitch, come on over and let us know. We're all ears.

For those of us who have chosen to dedicate their free time, their full time, or both, to the pursuit of telling a story through literature or art, we use these events to re-charge, to re-focus, to re-connect with others who share our passion. Please, if you're in the area, stop in and check out the final day of Fyrecon 3. I know there'll be something to interest you, and who knows, it could be the beginning of a whole new passion. Fyrecon 3--Burn Through Barriers.

Almost A Month To Go...Until Fyrecon 3!

I heard a couple of radio ads for next month's Fyrecon 3 today. They're great and they got me excited for the event. The third incarnation happens June 20 - 22 at the Weber State University Davis Campus in Layton. It's such a perfect place to hold a conference.

Of course, I'm biased to the location. It's where most of the classes for my master's degree were held. Back then (and it was only ten years ago...) there was only one building. Now there's two. Another reason I like the location is because it's only 10 - 15 minutes from my home. After attending a slug of conferences in Utah County, I'm all for holding more up north.

I know I hype this particular conference each year. As a writer with some success, I like attending events where ego doesn't drive everything. Truth be told, most of the conferences I attend there's not a lot of ego involved, and if there is, I usually don't feel it. With Fyrecon, there's a real sense that you can hang out with successful writers and artists. You can also spend time with people just like you who have normal questions about writing, publishing, editing, and marketing. There's not a lot of opportunities for your average person to have access to this much information. It's unique and wonderful.

Schedules are being finalized now. You can, by accessing their website (click: HERE for the Fyrecon website), to see the Master Guests who will be teaching at the conference. I've attended panels with many of them--they're knowledge and experience is amazing! Definitely worth the cost of admission.

I plan on writing more blog posts as the conference gets closer. But, if you're looking for a good conference to attend--even for your children who are interested in writing and art to attend--please check out Fyrecon. We're almost a month away!

Who Offers Scholarships To Learn From Some Of The Best? Fryecon...That's Who

For me, part of what made the first Salt Lake Comic Con special was bringing celebrities to the event. Sure, there's a plethora (yes...a plethora...) of celebrities roaming the streets of Park City at the Sundance Film Festival each winter, but for the average Utahn (like me...), unless I have connections, there's no way I can actually shake their hands and get a picture with them. I should admit that I've never attended the Salt Lake Film Festival so maybe the average Utahn can shake hands and get a photo with actual celebrities. If that's possible, I apologize. It just seems an impossible things to do.

Salt Lake Comic Con comes to town and wish some cash (and a little bit of luck...), I can meet actors, artists, comedians, musicians. That first comic con changed things--I believe--forever in our state.

And if they can do it, why not others?

Writing cons are a little different. They've been able to draw world-famous authors and artists to Utah for decades. That traditions continues. Three years ago a group of like-minded individuals started Fyrecon, a Science Fiction and Fantasy conference on Art, Writing, and Game Development. Their goal and mission statement is all wrapped up in the title.

They set out to create a first-rate event and invite heavy hitters in the fields of writing, art and other creative mediums. 

And they have.

And they do!

The tradition continues this June in Layton, Utah. One of the cornerstones that makes Fyrecon unique is the ability to take Master Classes with professionals in various disciplines. For a price--prices and other information about the classes can be found: HERE--you can have an amazing experience. The following is from the website:

When you are learning, sometimes a more intense class is what you need to go to the next level. Fyrecon works each year to bring in expert authors and artists to teach master classes to help you reach your goals.  With 4 or more hours of instruction from a master,  that includes access to the general tracks over 200 hours of classes, you can’t go wrong

These Master Classes have been been amazing! And, Fyrecon offers one scholarship to each Master Class. If you're interested (and you should be...), please click: HERE now! There's instructions and the registration information on the site. But hurry--applications are due by Saturday, April 20, 2019.

When I think about these incredible opportunities, it reminds me of that first Salt Lake Comic Con where we were able to meet and interact with celebrities in a manner never before seen in Utah. At Fyrecon, these Master Classes you can meet, interact, and learn in a way rarely seen in this state. If you want to go, check out the scholarship site--you may get to go for free!