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Rules for a Convention
Apr. 23rd, 2010 10:29 amMost of today’s entry revolves around the old chestnut of you only get one chance to make a good first impression. You’re always meeting potential future consumers or co-workers at a convention. This leads me to the big rule:
Don’t be a dick.
It sounds obvious, and yet I’ve seen plenty of bad behavior at cons. All of the following stem from things I’ve actually seen at SF conventions:
1- Don’t sexually harass people.
2- Don’t jump up during a panel and yell, “YOU’RE WRONG!”
3- Don’t get sloppy drunk.
4- Don’t invite yourself to a group dinner and then sneak off without paying your share.
5- Don’t drink other people’s unattended drinks at the bar.
I would like to think that anybody reading this blog isn’t guilty of any of those things.
There are lots of other unwritten rules that aren’t necessarily about being dickish, but can create awkward situations. Many of us are guilty of the following:
1- Don’t ask a pro to read your manuscript. Pros are busy people. There are times and places for pros to see your work such as the workshops I mentioned in my last post. Don’t put them on the spot. Also, don’t tell a pro the plot of your novel unless they ask.
2- Don’t monopolize the pros. They’re there to interact with people like you, but they also have full schedules. Be considerate when it’s time for them to get to a panel or reading.
3- Don’t wear your awesome Power Girl costume or your profane gaming t-shirt. If you want to be treated like a professional, you have to dress like one. When dressing for a con, think Casual Friday at an office. If you're already an established pro, you can break this rule. It also gets relaxed at parties.
4- Don’t talk shit about authors, agents, editors, or other pros. One of their friends might be sitting next to you.
That last one can be tough. You’re going to hear pros at BarCon venting and joking around about other pros. I’ve personally heard enough colorful Harlan Ellison ™ stories to fill a few doorstop books. You will want to be liked. You will want to entertain. Making fun of an author’s work might get you a few laughs, but it might also create an awful impression on one of his or her peeps. Not to mention, it might get back to them. The bottom line is you’re too new to this industry to really know where the landmines are buried.
All of these rules are about one thing: Professionalism. As an aspiring author, your goal is to become a professional author. This isn’t a hobby. You must treat a convention like a really fun job interview. If you behave like a jackass, nobody will want to work with you. People will remember.
Don’t be a dick.
It sounds obvious, and yet I’ve seen plenty of bad behavior at cons. All of the following stem from things I’ve actually seen at SF conventions:
1- Don’t sexually harass people.
2- Don’t jump up during a panel and yell, “YOU’RE WRONG!”
3- Don’t get sloppy drunk.
4- Don’t invite yourself to a group dinner and then sneak off without paying your share.
5- Don’t drink other people’s unattended drinks at the bar.
I would like to think that anybody reading this blog isn’t guilty of any of those things.
There are lots of other unwritten rules that aren’t necessarily about being dickish, but can create awkward situations. Many of us are guilty of the following:
1- Don’t ask a pro to read your manuscript. Pros are busy people. There are times and places for pros to see your work such as the workshops I mentioned in my last post. Don’t put them on the spot. Also, don’t tell a pro the plot of your novel unless they ask.
2- Don’t monopolize the pros. They’re there to interact with people like you, but they also have full schedules. Be considerate when it’s time for them to get to a panel or reading.
3- Don’t wear your awesome Power Girl costume or your profane gaming t-shirt. If you want to be treated like a professional, you have to dress like one. When dressing for a con, think Casual Friday at an office. If you're already an established pro, you can break this rule. It also gets relaxed at parties.
4- Don’t talk shit about authors, agents, editors, or other pros. One of their friends might be sitting next to you.
That last one can be tough. You’re going to hear pros at BarCon venting and joking around about other pros. I’ve personally heard enough colorful Harlan Ellison ™ stories to fill a few doorstop books. You will want to be liked. You will want to entertain. Making fun of an author’s work might get you a few laughs, but it might also create an awful impression on one of his or her peeps. Not to mention, it might get back to them. The bottom line is you’re too new to this industry to really know where the landmines are buried.
All of these rules are about one thing: Professionalism. As an aspiring author, your goal is to become a professional author. This isn’t a hobby. You must treat a convention like a really fun job interview. If you behave like a jackass, nobody will want to work with you. People will remember.
