I’m doing something completely new for me in about a month … and this comes after doing about a billion OTHER new-for-me things over the past year and a half. You’d think there wouldn’t be any new things left, but it turns out they just keep coming.

My current new thing is: I’m attending a Comic Con to sell my books. It’s both exciting and intimidating. I sell live all the time, but this will be my first convention … and cons have different rules — and require different setup equipment — than the outdoor shows I’m used to.

This first time out, I’m keeping things small. Ish. I’m attending Greater Austin Comic Con, which I hear is It’s moderate-sized and therefore not overwhelming. It’s also like a half hour from my house. This is the part I like best.

I have friends who travel all over the country to sell their books at big conventions. They load up cars and drive for days, or they manage the complicated logistics required to fly to another city. The financial puzzle gets more complicated in those situations, too, because you suddenly have to earn enough selling books to cover travel expenses and still make enough to justify the trip. Sometimes you have to ship books ahead of time. Sometimes you need to make plans in advance to crash with a friend.

Still, even though I’m avoiding that stuff by staying close to home and hence will be able to 1) drive, 2) sleep in my own bed each night, and 3) not take EVERYTHING into the convention center because I know I can always ask my wife to bring anything I might need from home mid-day, it’s still complex.

Like: What books do I bring? Experienced sellers suggested I only take a few so as not to overwhelm shoppers, but I’ve always had the most success when I have all of my books at my disposal.

And: How do I set up?

And more specifically, how the hell do I set THIS up all by myself?

My new “indoor bookselling banner” is huge. It’s 8x8 feet, and the outer covering goes on like an enormous pillowcase. So I ask you: How am I supposed to wrangle it? It takes an army, or one person with four very long arms.

I’m also trying to figure out my table setup. I’ve only got an 8x8 spot, meaning that if the banner in the picture above falls over, it will monopolize every square inch I have. I’m used to setting books out in a 10x10 corner, but now I have a single 8-foot storefront.

I guess I’ll have to get creative. Good thing I’m creative for a living. I’ll figure something out. And like I said … despite the overwhelm, I’m excited. I’ve sold books in public many times, but never in this sort of environment. It promises to be a cool one. And if it is, I’ll definitely do more of these.

Anyway, The Greater Austin Comic Con is happening July 19 and 20 at the HEB Center in Cedar Park, which is just a tad north of Austin. If you live nearby, I hope you’ll come and say hi!

(If not, I’ll report back on my escapades. It should be interesting.)

JT
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