I just went to FanX Salt Lake last week and sold 244 books!! Biggest success I've ever had at a convention! Here are some tips that will help toward event success. - Have something that draws people's attention. Ideally, something big and tall and curiosity-inciting. My big banner for my book "The Legend of Uh" is bright and colorful and weird enough to bring people in and make them ask questions. - Consider bundles. If you've got books in a series, consider giving people a discount if they buy the whole thing. I've been shocked at how quick people are to buy an entire series or trilogy at a convention (make sure to have bags on hand so they can carry them!). Having something you can point to and say "I'm only offering this discount at this event" is really motivating for customers. - Try to create a sense of "wow" with your booth! I'm still struggling with this, but I've seen other people create beautiful booths with lights, faux ivy, wooden frames, raised platforms, and more. Make it pretty! - When it comes to selling books, sometimes the best decorations are just big stacks of books. Seriously. Pack your booth with books. Put them on stands so the covers are tipped toward the customers. It gives them plenty to look at. - Have a folding wagon or folding dolly cart!! Seriously, these things will save your life. You can't be carrying books and book supplies by hand into a convention center. You'll wear yourself out before the event even begins. - Have calorie-dense rations on hand. Dried mangos, nuts, granola bars, protein bars—preferably things that don't get messy so you don't get anything on your merchandise. Convention food is EXPENSIVE so bringing your own snacks to nom on throughout the day will cut down on costs.

Hoping to successfully complete a 30k in 30 days challenge this time. Life was hectic this last two tries and writing got away from me. Life is still hectic but I have a plan and set time aside everyday to write. I'll keep you updated.

Is there a record out there for the longest time it took to write a book? Because I've written many things in my time, short stories, comics scripts, articles, reviews, narrative verse... But the novel-length thing I've been poking at has been a wip for SO LONG I'm beginning to despair. Many things have gotten in the way over the years, not the least of which have been depression and a certain toxic family member, but still. Anyone know? Someone please tell me something out there took like, 40 years to write.

I’m Kai from the Salt Lake City, Utah area! I have always enjoyed creative writing and have only taken it up as a hobby over the last two years. I write mostly in the genre fiction space: mainly horror, weird, and speculative (which, granted, makes me sound much more heady than I think I am). I’ve been in a loop of starting stories and not finishing first drafts, due to a heap of factors, I'm afraid. I look forward to connecting with this community and learning from you all!

Should we keep track of each other? Like report on Mondays in a post? I need this level of check up. 😅