Expectations
“A strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.” Oxford Languages
I have been thinking more about expectations these past couple weeks. Things I expect from myself, others, and what it mean when expectations are not realized. So, why all this expectation talk? Guess we have to journey into the past using my faulty time-machine, also know as my memory. Let me finish my coffee and fire this thing up — here we are, a couple weeks ago at a Con in Davenport, IA.
On a sunny afternoon, day before the Con, Max and I load up the car and head to Davenport, IA, to see family who recently moved there, but also attend a weekend Con. With Max leaving to start college in July, this was going to be an exciting road trip—AirBnB all lined up, family, and an exciting Con to be a part of, but— Like a portent, after arriving in Davenport, the AirBnB host canceled our reservation a few hours before check in, and this was the first blow to my expectations that this would be a smooth trip. But, I managed to hustle and find a hotel a few block away from the convention center (twice the price), and make it to dinner with my brother and sister-in-law to end the day on a positive note. The Con Set-up/Day 1: Since we were so close to the convention center, Max and I grabbed some breakfast and walked the books, prints, etc to the River Center and set up. Everyone was buzzing with that pre-con energy and at noon the con doors opened and folks started to trickle in—I actually made a sale in the first 5 minutes, but sadly that was the only sale I made that day. Day 1 was from noon-9pm, but besides the initial burst of 50-60 people and a second burst of the same number around 4pm, there was only the nervous shuffling of products on the vendor tables and the smattering of conversations between the vendors. Several vendors put a blanket over their table and booked out a couple hours early. Day 1 ended with me walking the Con with my vendor-neighbor and fellow writer, John, drinking an IPA and chatting with other creators. Day 2 started with Georgia (atomicnumber14) and I trying to get her prints into the River Center and avoid the torrential downpour. We made it in, relatively dry, and set up another table with more of her prints, a surge of excitement and dare I say expectation of a promised busy day. I’m sure you can see where this tale is going—Day 2 was as slow as the first, except for a brust in the afternoon where I sold a few books and zines. Some vendors once again packed up early and started to vocalize their frustrations. Day 3, most of us were counting the seconds until we could pack up. There was talk of everyone packing up and walking out at 2pm (Con ended at 4pm) as a show of protest and poorly advertised event (yes, marketing is always overlooked, and no matter how well the Con is planned or the book is written, if you don’t market it, it will fail—“build it and they will come,” only works in the movies). We did stay until 4pm and see the Con to a close— Okay, Okay, I’ll save you from suffering more of this sad tale of failed expectations and end on a couple positives that I took away. I got to meet and have long chats with fellow writers, about their careers, marketing, and other cons (I’m applying to a few and hopefully will be on a panel!). I got to spend time with the family. With Max, off to college, these moments of all for of us together doing something will take a lot more planning. And lastly, the voice actor for Jubilee in the 90’s animated X-men, Alyson Court, stopped by my table on Day 2 and chatted with Georgia and I about my book, the Rabbit Hole of Research zines, and Georgia’s print work. And, on the last Day, she came back and purchased a book, a copy of all the zines and one of Georgia’s prints. Even though the weekend fell way short of expectations, and didn't come close to covering costs (did sell enough to cover table cost and a meal). All-in-all, I think we did a good job making something out of those lemons. And remember MARKETING!! In my opinion, with a little marketing, this would have been an outstanding Con.
I still think having expectations are a good thing. Expectations help you plan, motivate you to keep working toward a goal, and give a bar (realistic or unrealistic—this is another Rabbit Hole) to measure successes and help put failures into prospective. Speaking of expectations: PodCast coming soon. Georgia and I recorded the first episode!
Okay, that’s it for now, but you can always email or follow me online for real time tracking and to see what craft beers I’m drinking (find me on Untappd @jomega22). As always thank you for your continued support and email or follow me online if you want to say hi! Keep reading to see what I’ve been keeping myself entertained with!
What am I reading and Listening to:
Comics: The Fist
I first saw The Fist on Kickstarter from Blackstone comics and creator Brandon Bitros. I had to support this comic and excited to read, becasue it is set in my birth city and home for many years, Philadelphia! Also, the premise was interesting and the artwork and writing was awesome. Go check it out! Set in 1919 Philadelphia, The Fist is the tale of Riley Reece, a working stiff with a broken marriage and an affection for drunken vigilante justice.
Back Copy excerpt: “Riley Reece may not look like much, just another working-class boozer with a broken family from the slums of Philadelphia. But Riley Reece isn’t just a drunk — he’s a drunk with a scret. After late night benders of agonizing self-destruction, Riley’s guilty conscience prompts him to sport a black hood and become Philly’s most feared vigilante.”
******** Fiction:
Everfair by Nisi Shawl
Nisi's debut novel Everfair, was a finalist for the 2016 Nebula Award. This book has been on my TBR list for some time and I’m finally getting to it. Back copy except: “Everfair is a wonderful Neo-Victorian alternate history novel that explores the question of what might have come of Belgium’s disastrous colonization of the Congo if the native populations had learned about steam technology a bit earlier. Fabian Socialists from Great Britain join forces with African-American missionaries to purchase land from the Belgian Congo’s “owner,” King Leopold II. This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary Utopia for native populations of the Congo as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated.” Go check out all the rave reviews and an excerpt here then add it to your TBR-list!
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Indie-Fiction:
Sour Roots by
Shawn Burgess
My fellow writer/friend Shawn Burgess has a new prequel novella coming out. You don’t need to have read his debut novel, “The Tear Collector”, to enjoy this story (but you’ll probably pick it up to enjoy more of his writing and the horror). I had the pleasure of reading a beta-copy, and I think fans of Jonathan Maberry’s ‘Ghost Road Blues, will enjoy Shawn’s fast paced horror prequel to ‘The Tear Collector’. Look for this one on Shawn’s website, or sign up for his newsletter so you don’t miss this release. Back copy excerpt: “Roger and Gertrude Davis enjoy an idyllic existence in the small Appalachian town of Harper Pass. With vast land holdings, a successful business, and love for the family they've built, they've avoided the suffering The Great Depression has wrought on the area until it all comes crashing down on a sweltering summer day in 1932. With the twin daughters they dote on gone missing and ominous signs of foul play evident, a suspect quickly emerges. But not everything is always what it seems. Amidst the murder, madness, and mayhem, they soon learn there's blood to pay when the past comes calling.”
******* Music/Podcasts: No new Music to report, but I have been listening some new Podcasts: Story Nerd Melanie Hill and Valerie Francis
As my writing career progresses I have continued to study the craft of writing (the scientist in me like to break things down and figure out why they work), and in doing so hopefully write/tell better stories. Listening to the first few episodes have been enlightening. Podcast Description:
“The Story Nerd Podcast demystifies story theory so writers spend less time studying and more time writing. Literary editors and writers, Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill, analyze a film a week as an example of a storytelling principle. The show focuses on concepts common to all stories across film, television, novels and screenplays.”
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Okay, that’s where I’m at. I’ll try to update y’all every month on books, comics, and music (podcasts) that I’ve been digging! I’ll try to add some indie author reads! Email me and let me know what you’ve been into and what I should check out! Or follow me online for more realtime updates: Jotham’s Social Links
C.L. Cannon’s Diverse Fantasy & Sci-fi Fan Giveaway! There is still time to Enter this Giveaway Bundle (Ends July 18th) Click Here to learn more and read about all the Swag you could win!!
