Worldcon: Recap and What I've Learned

I won't make this recap an events recap, since if you've read my other posts you know full well what happened.  Instead I'll just summarize what I've learned from this experience.  Hopefully other people will find this short list useful.

Keep your physical health in mind:

You'll be doing a lot of walking, so proper footwear is essential.  Also consider doing some stretches, or light exercise each evening after you get back to your hotel room.

Keep your mental health in mind:

If you try to do too much you'll exhaust yourself mentally.  Know your limits, take some time to sit back and relax before you break down from exhaustion.  You're there to make a good impression, don't make a bad one because you can't think straight.

You're there to work:

If you're the kind of con attender me and my friends are, you're there to make contacts that will help you sell your book.  Who you know is most important, so get to know as many people as possible, and make a good first impression.  Find out what they're working on, what kind of books they're interested in.  Don't try selling your book to every agent or editor you meet.  They have an entire con full of people trying to do that.  Be the person they remember as a pleasant conversation, they'll be much more sympathetic towards your work if you send it to them.

Make friends with everyone, not just editors and agents, but other authors as well.  These people talk to each other, and if they all have something good to say about you the word will eventually spread.  Also, if you don't act like an ass you won't suddenly find someone warning the editor or agent you're trying to work with that you're an unpleasant person.

The most important rule: Don't be an asshole.

While you're there, dress appropriately.  If you're trying to break into the field, dress in nice, conservative clothing.  If you're there to have a good time and dress up in costumes you can't wear in public other times, then have a blast and enjoy yourself.  Just don't try to do both at the same time.

As a part of that, and everyone says that in their con advice articles, but be sure to be well groomed.  This means showering every day and using sufficient amounts of deodorant.

Finally:

The Corolla is a damn fine car.  We only spent a hundred dollars there and back.  Go out and buy yourself one today, your gas spending will be phenomenally low.