The first annual Penned Con was held last weekend in St. Louis, Missouri
on September 12-13. First and foremost, Penned Con is a
celebration of the Indie book market. 86 Indie authors and hundreds of fans
gathered at the Sheraton City Center to sign books, stalk their favorite
authors, and take part in multi-author panels to discuss where the Indie
market is now and where it is going.
The Indie market is constantly evolving. Even five years ago being self-
published held the stigma of being considered not-good-enough to be
traditionally published. While I don’t think that belief has entirely faded
from some minds, the authors who self-publish couldn’t be happier with their
choice. I consistently heard authors praise the Indie market because of the
control they had over their story. They can write the story they want, with
the ending they want, and the characters they want, without a major
publisher changing it to fit into a genre mold.
What this means for the reader is that we get to read stories that cross
boundaries. Characters are more diverse. Genres are blended in unique and
exciting ways to defy the stock endings we often see in traditional print
publishing, and Indie authors are even experimenting with how a story is
told, utilizing technology to include art, music, and videos to enhance
their story. I’m intrigued with this evolution of story and can’t wait to
see how the Indie market grows in the years to come.
Penned Con
2014 was informative, but above all, it was a fun event filled with
fantastic readers and authors! Here are the top five reasons Penned Con 2014
was a wonderful experience and why you should attend Penned Con 2015!
1. All profits from Penned Con 2014 went to Action for Autism (AFA).
AFA was founded in 2008 to help families within a 250 mile radius of St.
Louis to obtain care, treatment, and educational support for children on the
Autism Spectrum and with other neurodevelopmental delays. The creators of Penned Con, Rick
and Amy Miles, not only donated all the profits to AFA, but Rick pledged to
get a pie in the face if Amy and their son Landon could raise an extra
$1,000 for AFA before the event. Amy and Landon rocked the challenge, and
Rick got a pie in the face at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday night!
2. Talented, hilarious, smart authors.
I met some amazingly talented, hilarious, smart authors at Penned Con. The
panels were always interesting and always lively, and the ones I attended
balanced the discussions to appeal to readers, published authors, and
aspiring authors. These authors know their craft and are constantly looking
to improve by reaching out to their fans. I laughed until I cried at the
Book Boys We Can’t Live Without panel with Moderator CJ Roberts and authors
J Sterling, Ella James, JA Huss, Christine Brae, and Sarah Ashley Jones. I
hope next year will bring back many of the same wonderful authors as this
year and give me a chance to find more.
3. Books, swag, cover models, and more books.
There were fabulous books to buy and lots of free swag including pens,
magnets, bookmarks, signed postcards, bracelets, and a colorful to-go cup
with an instant coffee packet in it from Maggi Myers, who saved the day for
me and I’m sure others with that coffee! Did I mention the cover models
roaming the room? I may be in the minority here, but when a cover model in a
cowboy hat, tight gray t-shirt, and snug jeans winked at me, I half-smiled
but I’d already stopped seeing him because right beside him was a table
stacked high with books. Yes, that’s right I only had eyes for the books. I
have learned that I can’t talk to an author behind a table filled with books
without caressing the book covers like I’m trying to comfort it by saying,
“It’ll be okay. I’m here for you.” Luckily, not a single person at Penned
Con thought this the least bit strange. I was definitely among my own!
4. Community
And speaking of being among my own...the readers and authors at Penned Con are
wildly supportive of each other. The crowd was responsive to all the
speakers on the panels. There was laughter, tears, and lots of applause
because this is a community of readers and writers who are connected through
their love of stories. Every time I introduced myself to an author and told
them I write a YA column for Fresh Fiction, they would immediately give me
recommendations on who I needed to talk to. There is little distinction
between authors and fans at events like Penned Con.
Everyone has a favorite author they stalk during book signing. It was a joy
to be surrounded by so many people who were thrilled to be in that moment
with these people who share a passion for stories.
5. Penned Con 2015 is hosting a Masquerade Ball!
Masquerade Ball. I don’t even need to explain why this is awesome. Maybe I
read too many historical romances growing up (I don’t actually think that’s
possible), but going to a Masquerade has been on my bucket list since I was
15. Attending a Masquerade with such amazing authors and readers like the
ones at this years Penned Con 2014 promises to be absolutely fantastic. Penned Con 2015
is from July 23-25, so that gives you plenty of time to find the perfect
ball gown or suit, invent a perfectly mysterious identity for one evening,
and buy your ticket!
7 comments posted.
It was so great to meet you! I had a blast and so honored to be a part of this
event. Amy & Rick did an amazing job!
(T.K. Rapp 4:44pm September 20, 2014)
I have to agree, Penned Con was amazing. It was my first conference and it was a great one to attend. I learned so much and made some great connections. That atmosphere was amazing, with so many enthusiastic authors and readers. I am looking forward to next year! Amy & Rick have made a very successful conference that supports such a great cause, so glad I got to be a part of it.
(Brandy Nacole 8:10pm September 24, 2014)
It was lovely to meet you, Jennifer! I can't wait to see you at Penned Con 2015
(Hope Collier 11:13am October 9, 2014)