Book Update 3/22/2010

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Wow. The book has been out one week – though as I've been busy with many things I haven't done as much as I'd like with it.

Updates:

  • I've submitted it for worldwide distribution via Lulu.com.  I just have to approve it and was frankly waiting for a few people to look at their copies.
  • I actually had some people buy copies already.  That felt pretty good.
  • I gave a few away to people who have been supportive, and one as a prize at Chibi-con.

Findings:

  • Lulu.com's printing works good in multiples, though in a bulk order I placed, one had some odd detritus on the back cover.  I'm checking into a return.  It doesn't harm the book, but it's annoying.  However it is probably a case of "stuff happens."
  • Lulu.com's bulk printing is also shockingly FAST.  It came as fast as single printing.
  • The global distribution option at Lulu.com is pretty easy – but it does cost $70.00 so it's not free.  However, you do get a lot of opportunities – you end up on Amazon.com, other sites, etc.  It will take me a few more weeks to end up there.
  • People take you incredibly seriously when you have a book out, even self-published.
  • There is something very heady about finishing a book.  I want to rest, but I have some others I want to start . . .

So it's done.  Now to move on and do some promotion.

Oh, and feel free to buy the book.

– Steven Savage

Kou Kou ChibiCon Review

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I got invited to Kou Kou Chibi Con this year, and was glad to attend.

ChibiCon is held at Branham High School in San Jose, California.  It's a convention thrown for one day by the school's anime club, essentially an extension of the club's events.  The convention was held in a gym and an adjacent room.

The con put in a LOT of content:

  • Gaming an gaming tournaments (when people weren't playing Pokemon – HeartGold and SoulSilver came out after all).
  • An art area for an art show.
  • A cafe area selling snacks.
  • A presentation area with video projector.
  • A dealer's area for independent businesses/fan businesses.
  • Several events throughout the convention as well.

I did two presentations, my "why you don't have a dream job" panel and an experimental one on brainstorming (that I hope to develop into a full panel).  They were received pretty well, and I had a chance to talk with some remarkable people who show a lot of career potential and were quite talented.

It was quite well done, and I enjoyed talking and meeting some of the club members.  The club members did most of the work – two teachers there to help out and supervise praised how the students had organized it themselves.  Me, I hope to speak there again next year.

I think it's also a good example of how anime events don't have to be gigantic or independent.  Taking a club and extending it to a one-day con was obviously a lot of fun for the attendees.

– Steven Savage

Convention Idea: Have Some Fun

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The roundup of convention ideas is here.

So I've been talking for quite a lot the last few months on different ways to do career oriented events at conventions.  Let me note that, you can also have fun with this.  In fact, I advise you consider some "career-fun" mix events to stimulate your imagination and avoid the risk of making things overly serious.

So among your career events, why not try a few fun things that, though career-oriented and indeed educational, can add some levity to the event – as well as making people think and giving them a chance to network.

GAMESHOWS:
Gameshows are a mainstay of conventions – so why not try some with a career orientation?

  • Do a gameshow quizzing people on their knowledge of game history?
  • Do a gameshow for programmers about obscure and humorous technology.
  • Do a gameshow on failed technoligies (Apple Lisa?  Microsoft Bob?)

COMPETITIONS:
Competitions always add a bit of spice to events and can let people use and show off pro skills:

  • Have an art competition (always a classic).
  • Do a competition in Cosplay to use limited materials (also a classic).  See if you can get actual people involved in clothing or fashion as judges.

GENERAL FUN:
Why not just have fun with your usual events.

  • As per my previous column, have some of your pro guests discuss their own great failures.
  • Have "stump-the guest" events where aspiring progeeks get to try and stump the more senior progeeks out there.
  • Have a party with some of the pro guests.  Make it a networking event if you want, but be sure it's fun.

Go on and add a bit of fun to the professional proceedings.  I'm sure you'll be glad you did.

– Steven Savages