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Writer's pictureAJ McMullen

My First Time Selling Books at a Convention


AJ McMullen selling The Gem State Siege at GalaxyCon Raleigh 2021
GalaxyCon Raleigh August 2021

In summer 2021, after 10 years of waiting, I finally decided to get serious about my goals. It was suggested that I put the book in front of a crowd who would appreciate it. Who better to show a sci-fi/thriller to than comic book fans? I made the decision to treat my series as a business. And it was WORTH IT!


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Now, you may be thinking:

Presenting at a Convention is hard; It's too expensive; I'm not a salesman!

I promise you, it is hard. It is expensive and I am not a salesman. I work a boring and stressful 9 to 5. Nothing could ever be harder than selling my time instead of doing what I want to do, write.


It is not as expensive as selling my dreams to corporate America and not living the life I want. Last but not least, potential fans showed interest in the one thing I am passionate about. I ran out of books, they gave me a commission, but I didn't have to sell a single one.


People will even attempt to tell you it is not worth it. But nothing was worth more than signing my name on the books of over 50 new friends. Hearing thier stories and their experiences meant the world to me.


If you are planning to sell your book at a Convention, I'd say go for it. There is a level of uncertainty around it and a lack of information. I went through forums, all kind of Reddit threads, and Google'd until my face was numb, but never found a perfect guide to doing it. What I found, as I realize with all situations, information cannot substitute what experience lack.


I always thought, maybe I have to know someone to get in. Maybe it'll cost me a few thousand dollars. Some actually might, but we haven't gotten to that level yet. Most of the applications are online and doesn't cost nearlyas much as you would think.


You can buy your table and they give you a badge and you get to attend the whole event. If you're into that kinda thing, it's a win-win! You can spend time selling at your table, or browse around. Can you imagine that being your job? Well, it can be.


It'll be expensive, but say this with me out loud.

It will be expensive, but I'll pay more if I don't do it!

For my first event, I paid $350 for a table and a total of $1,542 to be a part of it. I made the table cost and the books. But check this out, it was my very first show. I bought promotional material that I only had to buy once and that convention paid for me to meet more people at four more events this year.


It will take audacity to get you and your book into a convention near you. You have to believe in yourself and remember that it is imperative you put your book in front of your potential readers. Conventions are a surefire way to do that.


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And get your copy of The Gem State Siege: Book I of the World's End Series! Click Here!

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