InConJunction 2013

MY VERY FIRST EXPERIENCES AS AN AUTHOR AT A CON!

Today’s blog post is a recount and sharing of my experiences as an author attending InConJunction 2013!

I had the opportunity to share a dealers table with my fellow IHW members and Seventh Star Press authors RJ Sullivan and Eric Garrison, two friends whom I greatly respect and admire! (picture provided by Banana Girl) I also got the opportunity to get acquainted with our vendor neighbor, fellow author Bryan O’Neill, who is a very nice guy and terrific talent!

InConJunction was my first convention of the summer and the first time I’ve ever been on the other side of the table, either on the dealer’s floor or in a panel. I won’t lie and say that I was slightly intimidated by this AWESOME opportunity!

I wasn’t really sure how well I would be received considering I am a first time author and my book isn’t due to officially drop until July 20^th.The feeling of sitting before people and speaking doesn’t make me nervous normally; I’m told I’m a natural born speaker.

But this weekend was different.

I was sharing the table with writers like Cherie Priest, James O. Barnes of Loconeal Publishing, Nicole Cushing, Eric Garrison and my mentor RJ Sullivan (to name a few), addressing writing topics face to face with nearly a dozen people at a time, fielding questions and speaking as an expert on writing. Me? I couldn’t believe it! I had to pinch myself because it was only a year ago that I was in the opposite seating arrangement, dreaming of the chance to host a panel.As surreal as being a panelist was, in and of itself, and sharing the table with such other more seasoned and exceptionally talented writers, nothing could compare to the feeling I got when I hosted a panel on Urban Fantasy solo!

I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’d witnessed panels with obnoxious audience members who seemed ready to pounce on the author at a moment’s notice. Being a first time author without an actual book released, I just knew someone was going to question my credibility, I just knew it!

…but they didn’t.

In fact, the audience embraced what I said, asked very good questions and seemed to actually listen to what I had to say. I was pleasantly shocked and privately overjoyed! I have to say that my experiences as a panelist at InConJunction 2013 were VERY positive!

I saw old friends like renown artist Stuart Sayger and met a lot of people who were very interested in reading and learning more about my novel and complimented my promo material (I had beautifully made trading cards to hand out to InConJunction 2013 patrons).

I made plenty of connections with fellow authors, publishers and potential fans alike. I enjoyed myself and look forward to see what next year brings!!!

Published by John F. Allen Media LLC

John F. Allen is an American writer and visual artist born in Indianapolis, IN. He is a founding member of The Speculative Fiction Guild, Media Chair for Speed City (Indiana Chapter of Sisters in Crime), and a member of the Indiana Writers Center. He began producing artwork and writing stories as early as the second grade and has pursued most forms of writing throughout his career. John studied Liberal Arts at IUPUI with a focus in Creative Writing, received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and is a current member of the American Legion. John's debut novel, The God Killers, Book I of the Ivory Blaque series, was published in the summer of 2013 by Seventh Star Press, as well as the Codename: Knight Ranger series, Books I & II. He also has published short stories in several anthologies including: Thunder on the Battlefield, Vol I, also by Seventh Star Press and In The Bloodstream, by Mocha Memoirs Press, The Adventures of Star Blazer, by Hydra Publications and the forthcoming, Bronzeville Blues, by Pro Se Productions. John draws caricatures as gifts and at live events. He also creates fine art using the mediums of graphite, colored pencil, pen & ink, acrylic and watercolor paint, and comic strips. John currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. View more posts