This past weekend, I attended XCon down in Myrtle Beach. I’ll admit, going in I was a little worried. This was my third time at a table selling, and my first time at a place where I was 100% unknown. The con’s sign-up process for Vendors was… archaic, requiring that I fill out a paper application then scan-email, along with advance proof of payment before I was even approved. I heard a lot of vendors saying they had to follow up weeks later and ask if they were in, but I was fortunate that I got a positive response the next day.

And then… radio silence. No email packet with instructions on where to go, no booth assignment, nada. As I drove down on Saturday, I was somewhat worried I was going to somehow go to the wrong “Myrtle Beach Convention Center”.

I followed another set of vendors in when I arrived, and my experience soon changed. A volunteer offered to help me, and even carried some of my things as we went to the check-in table. They then guided me to my table. My neighbors were all great, and the convention was busy without being shoulder-to-shoulder packed (a good thing, these days).

And, feather in my cap, I had really good sales. Pretty much without fail when I finished telling them my pitch, there were wide eyes and expressions of interest. I must have spoken to a couple hundred people and handed out nearly as many cards.

So, yeah. I’m all-in-all feeling pretty good. When my book published, I hadn’t felt ready to sell at conventions, that having one book wasn’t justification enough to show up at a con just to sell. This past weekend has given me a different perspective, and I’m going to more actively seek out the comic-con style spaces. So… EXCITING! Keep an eye on my appearances page to see where I might pop up next.

Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter (down at the bottom of the page). Only one a month, and it’ll be the place to find out when and where new Richard Fife stories are coming, when new versions are coming (like audiobooks), get recommendations on other cool SciFi and Fantasy, and see cat pictures.