After Action Report #SCBL2017

June 19, 2017 | Commentary, Personal | Leave A Comment

Hello writers and readers. I spent the first few days of June at the Space Coast Book Lovers Convention/Signing at Cocoa Beach Florida. Huge Kudos to the organizer Teri Dees Edney and all the authors, writers, bloggers, industry professionals and volunteers who came together to pull off such a fun time for everyone. Sun, sand, purpose.

Why do people go to conferences/book signings? There are several reasons and the most obvious first one is to sell books. But that really isn’t the main reason, especially when in four days you only have four hours to sell books. What most authors crave is meeting the “competition,” connecting with online friends, making new ones, mixing with bloggers and industry professionals like models and photographers, cover designers, podcasters, and marketers. Conferences and conventions are the best opportunity to network and mix and mingle. The contacts and social interactions at these events are what make them invaluable, for readers and writers. Here’s what the sponsorship banner looked like for this event (please note that my logo is there too)

In my case, I was delighted to meet so many folks that I interact with on Facebook, as well as to grab a hug from folks I’ve “known” online for years and craved sharing something more personal. Such moments are so precious. You’ll hear people all over, all day, every day saying, “HI! Oh so good to meet you!” Or “Whee, I missed you.” It will make you smile.

Yvonne Mason and me

Our lodgings were right on the beach at the International Palms Resort and Hotel. The view from my room was perfect. We were there in time to watch the latest launch of a Space X Rocket from Kennedy Space Center, too! (I’m such a space baby geek that this was extra special for me).

I couldn’t have done my job as an author without the wonderful, invaluable assistance of my PA Terri Wilson and my hubby (set-up roadie and part time manager), Ron. The two of them made it easy for me to concentrate on author stuff and not on the other minutia. They helped to make my author table look just right and both of them have a keen eye for marketing. I just love them.

My right arm, Terri Wilson PA

If you get an opportunity to go to a conference, to mix and mingle with authors and readers, I will be the first to tell you to go. The contacts you made and the friendships you begin will be a treasure. There is no way I can show you all the photos I took, but these photos are just some of the wonderful authors you can meet at events like this.

(From top down, Violet Howe, Julie Morgan, Elle Klass, HD Smith, and Tara Briggs)

And thank you to an online friend who came over especially to see some familiar faces and to meet me. I was so honored to meet my Facebook and Twitter friend Pam. She was even more beautiful in person and her arrival made my day!

A Fan!

There’s already been oodles of articles about the event and I only want to add what a well-done, event-packed weekend it was. I hated the Florida heat (I was uncomfortable all the time) but the company and the experience was tremendous. They are already planning next year’s event so if you get a chance to attend, I tell you this is one to put on your bucket list!

As we prepared to head home, Florida gifted us with a wonderful sunrise, one of the State’s special talents.