Hello, Readers! Clevenger, here. As I sit wrapping up a weekend at C2E2 (Chicago Entertainment and Comic Expo) I’m both a tad excited, and a tad bummed. Bummed because we wanted SO badly to have a booth in the Writer’s Block to sit and exchange stories, and put the “War of Night” into the hands of new readers. But excited because… well, we’re so close.

Throughout the weekend, the words of Brandon Sanderson rang out in my mind. Every year there are TONS of people who say the words “I want to write a novel.” Out of those, MANY fail. It is a small percentage of people who overcome the obstacles, frustrations, and disappointments to finally achieve the success of putting that manuscript together. Sanderson also points out, that the percentage of people who have completed that manuscript and get it to a published state is significantly more than the first step. So, it’s a thin line between Stage 1 and Stage 2. And that is what I saw this weekend.

I’ve been to C2E2 about half a dozen times now. Every year, I learn more and more. It’s only the last 3 that I’ve went that I was truly focused on what it would take to become a writer there rather than an attendee. In years past, I focused on “who do I need to talk to?” and “what should I bring?” and “how to set up what we need?” This year, however, I was able to focus on the community and resources that the writers presented and focused THEIR time on. And what I found was surprising, but also very beautiful.

One of the first panels we attended was a group of Chicago based writers explaining how they treat the city and incorporate it into their works. Sitting side by side on that panel were Veronica Roth (Divergent series), Christina Henry (Chronicles of Alice), and Cynthia Pelayo (Children of Chicago). As they talked, we learned that while Veronica Roth is a BIG name (movies made from her works), Cynthia is a relative “new-comer” and has only achieved enough success within the last 2 years to go “full time” as an author. Yet, these two women (with their respective catalogs of success) are sitting together sharing their success and failures for aspiring authors to learn from.

Panel members ranged from artists and authors who were “celebrity” status to those who still wore the “independent” label and were working their stalls. Names like Chris Claremont, and the Pini’s (Richard and Wendy) were sitting in Artist alley next to names I’d never heard of. Yet, everyone was joyful and happy to share their works with the world. It resonated that the line between “success” and “still working on it” is hazy at best.

So, what do we need. Well, more titles. “War of NIght” is great, but we need a bit more under out belt to be able to attract the attention of a con of this size. Social media presence is another big item. Both of these will come with time and exposure. We were excited to see that the bar was pretty close and once we clear it, it’s a smaller degree of work to get to “success!”

With that being said, we are excited to see what the future of Sainan Books at conventions will be.

FandomFest Southwest Michigan was a ROUSING success for us! Lots of new readers, great sales and presence, and fabulous conversations. Next weekend, it’s Who’s Yer Con, Indianapolis! I hope it will be as fun and successful!

Until next time,

Be Kind.

Clevenger