How to Properly Pack for a Convention
As you read this, I’m finishing packing for a AuthorCon in Williamsburg, Virginia this weekend. I’m a little rusty on packing. I have lists, but it’s been a while since I’ve attended a convention as a fan or a vendor. Maybe as I refresh myself on key packing principles, it can help you plan as well.
1) How many books?
As an author, this is a key question. The temptation is to bring all of them. What if you sell out? You should have brought more. Others think, it’s cool to say you sold out of all your books. Just bring a few. Generally, 5 to 10 copies is plenty. If you only have one title, bring more. If it is a series, bring a few more copies of books one, two, and maybe three. But that will probably be more than you need. At the last minute, panic and bring all of them.
2) Underwear
There are a few schools of thought here. One pair for each day and maybe a couple extra is how well-adjusted people pack. The other school of thought is double that amount in case you shit your pants every day of the convention. I’ve never shit my pants one day of a convention, but I still pack as if I might. I’m not going to have this be the first time I’m not prepared.
3) Pants
I bring one pair for each day. People treat me like I am crazy. A lot of people bring two pairs of jeans for the whole trip, sometimes counting the pair they are wearing. Some of these are the same people who pack underwear like daily pants shitters. Pick a side! You’re a bunch of walking contradictions.
4) T shirts
This depends on your goals. One for each day makes sense, but what message are you trying to send? Do you need tough guy black concert shirts? Do you need quirky ironic shirts? This is an important question that goes to who you are as a person. Best to pack all of them and decide later.
5) All the weird and cool drinks you’ve collected over the year but were afraid to drink yourself. Someone there will drink it with you. Then, you are best friends.
6) It is a well-known fact that every male author must decide whether he is a hat author, a leather jacket author, or a beard author. This is where that choice matters. Decide now and pack your accessories accordingly.
7) Meds
I assume these are mostly prescribed, but I’m not telling you how to live. Bring your stuff for headaches and everything else that ails you.
8) Your Emotional Support Whatever
I don’t care what it is. It will not be the weirdest thing brought to a convention. Take care of yourself.
9) Your person
Bring a friend, loved one, or whoever. It helps the convention and it is safer not to go alone.
10) Money
You need enough to cover your basic expenses, your bad choices, and all the cool stuff you didn’t know you wanted to buy until you saw it. All of it! It’s safe just to bring all the money.
I hope this helps. I also hope to see you at AuthorCon, if you can make it.
Here are some things you might be interested in:
Ghoul #BrianKeeneRevisited
by Jay Wilburn
We are entrenched in Brian Keene’s 1984 for the outset of the story. Not the classic dystopian novel, but the actual year. Every song and comic book reference are flawlessly accurate …
“Some Demons Only Come Out Through Prayer and Fasting”
by Jay Wilburn
“You’re the only Southern Baptist exorcist I could find,” Amanda Little said as she led Reverend Ira Nazer into her home …
Waldo Bloodfist has to fight his way out of a zombie-infested city in this 50,000 word action scene. Maybe this is the novel you’ve been waiting for your whole life. If so, I apologize for not writing it sooner. I’ve had a lot going on. Check it out.
Thanks, Everybody
Find past newsletters here.