I’m relatively new to these, but let’s try #TenThingsAboutConventions. Follow the hashtag to collect them all!
1. Conventions are different to literary festivals in a number of important ways. Firstly, conventions are highly focused on a particular genre, whereas festivals often feature a variety of genres. #TenThingsAboutConventions.
2. Literary festivals enable authors to showcase or present their new book. Conventions are mostly about group discussions of all kinds of themes and works linked to a particular genre, rather than focusing on one author. #TenThingsAboutConventions
3. Literary festivals are largely expected to pay a fee and expenses to their contributors. This is not the case for a convention, which usually expects contributors to pay their own way. This is because conventions are gatherings of like-minded people, rather than performances.
4. There is generally a lot less separation between “the audience” and “the authors” at a convention; partly because there’s a lot of overlap between the two. #TenThingsAboutConventions
5. Panels at conventions often consist, not just of authors, but also bloggers, illustrators, publishers, agents, podcasters and fans. #TenThingsAboutConventions
6. There’s a far greater sense of community at a convention, with a greater diversity of events, which means that people are far more likely to stay for the duration, rather than just coming in for a couple of events. #TenThingsAboutConventions
7. There’s a greater sense of inclusivity and an awareness of the need for diverse voices at conventions than at literary festivals. It’s far from perfect, but it’s still better. #TenThingsAboutConventions
8. Conventions are driven by a shared passion for a genre, spanning all media and multiple forms of expression. Authors tend to attend them because they share in this enthusiasm and like to engage with the genre community. #TenThingsAboutConventions
8b) They are also bloody exhausting. #TenThingsAboutConventions
9. Conventions are not always an especially good place to sell books. For this reason they are sometimes overlooked by publishers wanting to promote their authors. But they are well worth attending for lots of other reasons. #TenThingsAboutConventions
10. Most importantly for me, I think, is the opportunity to engage with all members and all aspects of the genre community in an informal, inclusive setting. No barriers. No snobbery.#TenThingsAboutConventions
