Day 4, the final day of Eastercon 2013. There wasn't much interesting on the final day, so rather than the hastle of dragging my luggage, and all my artwork, around for the sake of seeing one panel discussion, I left for home early.
Those of you who are particular astute ( ;-) ) will notice that I'm writing this from a little in the future, as I found myself unable to properly complete my 1-a- day blogs from Eastercon. The benefit of time and separation, however, is clarity and, in this particular case, the clarity of knowing which part of the 2013 Eastercon experience stayed with me the most.
Overall, the 2013 Eastercon was a much more positive experience than I had anticipated going in to it. On the personal side, I feel I cracked the art show wall by managed to sell four of my desktop acrylics (more sales than my previous total combined sales at the last four Eastercons). My Eastercon showings in the future will, therefore, consist of a few canvases with mainly small 3D artwork like desktop acrylics, magic mugs, laptop skins, etc. I have also begun to feel a little more like I belong. this may sound weird to anyone who's not attended a con, but they do come across as a bit cliche-ey, which is even more off-putting for an introvert like myself. But I think largely due to feeling more a part of the artshow, I came away with a sense that I'm starting to belong to this Eastercon thing. Now, if only there was a way of socializing at these things that didn't involve alcohol.
Overall, however, the most positive single feature of the Eastercon for me was the debut author panel moderated by Bella Pagan (commissioning Editor of Tor UK). Put a group of five authors who have recently had their first novel published, in a room with an audience full of hopefuls and there's got to be a positive vibe. Even moreso since I've known of several of the debut authors for a few years now. To see them finally get their work out there was a very positive experience.
For the record, and because you should read their stuff (I am), the debut authors and their books are:
Francis Knight: Fade to Black (Orbit Books)
Stephanie Saulter: Gemsigns (Jo Fletcher Books)
Emma Newman: Between Two Thorns (Angry Robot)
Adrian Faulkner: The Four Realms (Anarchy Books)
Naomi Foyle: Seoul Survivors (Jo Fletcher Books)
Even now, weeks after Eastercon, I'm still left with the afterglow of that event. Things I've learned or had reconfirmed from listening to the authors are:
1) the notion of the 10 year 'overnight' success. i.e no one is really an overnight success. Everyone has worked hard and paid their dues.
2) There is no secret to cracking the market except writing a good book. Which often means writing a lot of mediocre ones first.
3) There are no shortcuts, but there are many different paths to full authorhood (and self-published fiction still doesn't count. Hint: generally much worse editing/critiquing than traditional published work).
But the best advice I came away with regarding my own career was to (1) have a plan. This includes not only structure for writing, but specifically, a plan of attack, so to speak, for your approach to getting published. I could simply be to shop the story around for 2 years and then self-publish if unsuccessful at getting an agent. Or it could be to start on the next book while shopping the first around. I could be to network like crazy, because word of mouth still works. Whatever it is, you need a plan. Number (2) comes about naturally from the other points mentioned. Namely, work on a project you believe in. Because you're not going to want to put in the kind of time and energy required if you don't believe in what you're writing.
So, largely because of this Eastercon, I've had my interest and focus renewed. Moreover, it's convinced me to approach my writing with a purpose, a structure, and specific goals.
Now to get to it.
Insight and longevity.
No comments:
Post a Comment