I know it’s only April… but the convention “powers that be” have declared I’ve spent enough time lollygagging around after the funness that was the 2015 Coastal Magic, and get started on the 2016 edition. And, so we have
We’ve got a little bit of a site redesign going on, and there will likely be more to come before summertime. I love the new “swish” graphic under the name. It kinda looks like pages open on a book, and it kinda looks like waves on water… and BOTH apply! ❤
So… down to the nitty gritty… I’m at the start of the 2016 prep, but I’ve already invited some pretty amazing authors to join us. (Many have already agreed… aren’t you dying to know who?) This is the part of the process that is the most fun for me, because (as I’ve said many times) Coastal Magic started out PURELY as a way to bring authors I loved closer to me, lol. It was totally selfish, and yet somehow it’s become this incredible thing that I’m so proud to share with my fellow readers.
This is a good time to post my disclaimer, as I do each year, to clarify the Featured Author selection process. There isn’t an “open signup” for authors. I’ve been told I’m too picky, and/or that I restrict the process too much because I invite authors that *I* would want to read. I’m sorry people feel that way, and I’m happy to consider anyone’s suggestion of an author they’d like to see at the convention. I’ve often included debut authors, or authors I’ve only discovered due to an email from them or one of their readers. Having said that, I DO have to monitor the balance, in order to make the event successful. I have to hope that some established authors will want come to hang with us, as well as the “new to me” authors. Whether it’s a pretty truth or not, the established authors draw the crowds for the newer authors, it’s just a fact. I want to give EVERYONE a chance to have a fantastic time, meet their favorite storytellers, and discover their NEXT favorites. I try to incorporate as much variety as I can… YA/adult, traditional/hybrid/indie publishing, UF/PNR/Romance genres, straight/LGBT… I want there to be something for every reader who joins us. In order to do that, I have to make choices. PLEASE, let me know if there’s someone you think I should invite, but please remember that there are a limited number of Featured Author spaces available. There are a multitude of ways that non-featured authors can share about their book during the weekend, and I’m happy to work through those details with anyone who asks. I do my best to create the most inclusive, dynamic, and FUN event I can for all of us.
Speaking of fun… I’ve updated many of the “events” pages. This is handy, because you can share it easily with others you think might like to come. So if you’ll be joining us next February, and this is your kind of thing, you can click the “going” on:
Facebook Event Page G+ Event Page
There’s also a Coastal Magic Authors & Attendees group on Facebook, if you want to come chat with us about things relating to the con. (Right now, we’re having a t-shirt options discussion.)
Our basic timeline right now is:
- April/May – author emails going out
- May – Featured Bloggers announced
- June – Featured Authors announcements begin
- July – General Registration begins
- November – Schedule posted
- December – General Registration ends
- January – ALL OF THE CRAZY
- February – see you by the beach!
The attendance goals for this year are 50 Featured Authors and 200-250 readers. Every year (as I imagine other event directors do) I spend a part of the process freaking out about attendance. I share, post, and tweet… but I can only reach so many people. Here’s where YOU ALL can help!!! If Coastal Magic sounds like fun to you… tell your friends about it! Share it with your writer/reader/blogger group. Repost and retweet when you see it mentioned online. Tag friends and invite them to the event via social media. I do this event with my book club, and I’d love to see lots of other groups of friends who’ve come to the event together. THAT’S the kind of vibe I’m looking for, and what keeps people coming back year after year.
If you’re not familiar with Coastal Magic (maybe a friend sent you a link to this post)… there are some wrap-up posts from previous events HERE, that you can check out. (I didn’t add the FB album links for this year yet, but that will be coming soon.)
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