r/frederickmd • u/MarbledCrazy • Jun 08 '26
"BookCon"
If a theoretical "Book Con" were to take place, what are a few points of feedback you would want to see?
* What would you pay for admission for general and VIP tiers?
* Genres of focus or balance?
* Emphasis on local, regional, national authors
* Should there be an opportunity for vendors to set up?
* What venues make the most sense?
* Which activities would make you most likely to attend?
* Would you prefer a one-day event, or weekend event?
* What would make attending easier for you?
* What would prevent you from attending?
13
u/_autumnwhimsy Jun 08 '26
Ban any and all AI creations - books, art vendors, supporting authors, etc.
Multiple panels focusing on queer authors and authors of color. I hate when events like this smush everyone who is diverse into one 1 hour session. Topics need their breathing room.
Theres a big nerd community here some definitely sessions that focus on sci fi and high fantasy.
A kids corner where volunteers are reading various books for kids all day.
Tables for the local library where people can learn more about what services they offer and sign up for a library card on the spot!!
Free water.
VIPs need something like a voucher for one free book, comped drink or food tickets, swag, a shirt, and I second what someone said about discounted prices on tickets for future sessions. Maybe also partnering with local vendors to see if they'll gift a few items for free advertising.
People love a raffle. Genre themed ones for big ticket items like book sets, fandom related merch, Lego sets, etc. Great way to get people in for a lower overhead because buying one big thing is often cheaper than buying 5000 small things.
If there's a committee planning this, please let me know who's planning this so I can reach out. I'm a big reader and event plan in my spare time. I also have a wholesale license lol
12
u/PhoneJazz Jun 08 '26
It would need to compete with Gaithersburg Book Festival, which is arguably the region’s major literary event (besides the LoC National Book Festival). They have vendors, big-name author talks and signings, and an on-site bookstore supplied and staffed by Politics & Prose.
-1
u/MarbledCrazy Jun 08 '26
Bit of a difference between a convention and a fair/festival. Mostly when it comes to expected venue and programming
7
u/PhoneJazz Jun 08 '26
I’m not sure what a convention would offer that this fair does not. The fair has vendor tables, merch, author talks, and signings. What else is there?
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u/socially_awkward Jun 08 '26
What would you pay for admission for general and VIP tiers?
Well, what is the difference between general and VIP?
6
u/orcas- Jun 08 '26
My comparison points. We go to the Kensington Day of the Book festival, the MoComCon at Germantown Library, and this year for the first time the Hagerstown ComicCon (which I liked the least, n my teen and preteen seemed to have liked the most). What i didn’t like at Hagerstown was it felt like 90 of the space was for buying crystals or 3d printed junk. What i love about Kensignton and MoComCon is that so much space was dedicated to creativity/ art/ cultural enrichment. Talks from authors, panels and mini lessons from illustrators, craft areas to make book or character inspired masks/ art; book swap / little free library areas, and local food vendors with food that feels like our community ( just hot dogs n cheese fries at hagerstown). At Kensington i also love the mini plays they put on. I also spend more money at places that dont charge admission
7
u/WhatABeautifulMess Jun 08 '26
Curious Iguana does their adult book fairs at Attaboy Barrel House but they do weekday evenings (usually Thursdays, sometimes Fridays, I believe) so probably doesn't compete with their busiest times.
Open Books Chocolates would be a good local vendor.
Personally a paid Con I'd probably not pursue because I feel like Cons are kind of niche and aimed at people who are way more invested in their hobbies than I am.
2
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u/Stopbeingastereotype Jun 08 '26
-As others have said, what I would pay would depend on what was offered
-It would be nice to have some interesting non-fiction authors, books, activities etc, maybe memoir authors as that’s more general than some of the more specific stuff
-I think a mix of all three would be great
-I think related vendors plus food and drink vendors would make sense
-I’m unsure of venue but urge you to consider accessibility as that’s a huge issue downtown
-Opportunities to interact with authors and others that are into the same authors and genres would draw me the most
-I’d be more likely to make a one day event or one day of a weekend event. If I had to buy tickets for the whole weekend but couldn’t make both days I’d be less likely to purchase
-Having events throughout many hours would make it more likely that I could make it
-It being overly romance focused would turn me off from the event
Best of luck!
14
u/hermitiancat Jun 08 '26
I have a mental block about paying to attend an event where the main activity is spending money. I would love to have a set up where you pay for admission and have an option to get a partial refund or a discount for next year if you make enough purchases.
Related, having a few things that don’t cost money on top of admission is a big help. Something like a craft activity or a panel discussion.
The upstairs space at Tenth Ward would be really nice for something like this on a Sunday afternoon in the winter when they’re less busy.
For vendors, having tea & coffee available in addition to cocktails downstairs would be peak.
Sorry, I obviously also have this as a personal day dream.
6
u/Early-Sink-5460 Jun 08 '26
Agree with having to pay entry just to pay for things at an event. Otheriwse, I'd love to peruse and buy all the things!
4
u/WhatABeautifulMess Jun 08 '26
I have a mental block about paying to attend an event where the main activity is spending money.
This is why we stopped going to Renn Fest. The jousting is cool but my kids will watch that for about 12 mins and then rest is food or craftspeople often making things way nicer than we have any business buying.
6
u/orcas- Jun 08 '26
I like winter/ fall/ spring more than hot times of year to be outside. The Halloween trick or treating around carrol creek linear park to me gives a nice vision of how this could unfold and help people move along outside, connext with the library plus curious iguana…. And then people can eat with any vendors that set up or head back a block to the many local restaurants
4
u/anosmia1974 Overlook Jun 08 '26
I like these ideas! Maybe it could be aligned with the witchy book fair that Curious Iguana has each October. Currently they hold it on a weekday, but maybe they could be persuaded to hold it on a weekend instead. The venue they always use (Attaboy) is way too small for the crowds this thing attracts; I'd love to see them hold it in a larger space with the book con.
4
u/orcas- Jun 09 '26
Plus Sundays are free parking! We drive up from MoCo but i love spending a Sunday in Fredrick and probably do it every other month!
1
u/MarbledCrazy Jun 08 '26
Completely understand on not wanting to pay twice for things, but unfortunately holding events is expensive so admission tickets are sort of needed. Venue rental alone can cost several thousand dollars depending on location, and that's before you even look at marketing or decorating. That said there would certainly have to be free events inside to balance things as well as not everything should be "pay for play".
Statistically, Sunday afternoons are the worst times for events as they feature the lowest turnout. Typically that's when individuals and families are winding down their weekends and turning towards preparing for the upcoming week.
I appreciate your feedback, and of course coffee would be a must have lol
5
u/hermitiancat Jun 08 '26
Rent is also cheaper on Sundays and downtown is still plenty busy. Are you local to Frederick?
3
u/orcas- Jun 08 '26
Take a look at what Kensington Day of the Book does. It’s excellent, maybe you could even get one of the organizers on the phone? They line up as street stalls off some backstreets. They have areas with mini-plays and food vendors, but are also funneling people into local shops. No admission fee.
0
Jun 08 '26
[deleted]
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u/WhatABeautifulMess Jun 08 '26
I think you're going to need to expand upon what you're imagining for people to better give feedback. If it's significantly different than similarly named events in the area the difference is not obvious from your post.
5
u/xidgafincx Jun 08 '26
Unless you are getting people like R.L. Stine, Colleen Hoover, or, for the younger folks, Rebecca Yarros-level attendees, I'd skip the VIP for me, personally. However, you'd win me over with a fee that I know was going to at some degree go back into the local literature community- public schools, libraries, university scholarships.
Vendors, absolutely. I think this is where you can shine with smaller names, from authors to those who make things at home, like accessories, novelty items and whatnot. Can even try to get smaller publishing companies, editors (try to find at least one of each of the four different types), and cover artists so you can promote it to readers and writers- and also get some of the cost shared around to make things more affordable for participants and attendees.
Food would be a must and there are plenty of catering companies or even food trucks to choose from. Don't go cheap on the food with nachos, burgers, or dogs. People will pay for the better food options and name.
As for the length of it, a four-day weekend-Friday through Monday-so people who work have an opportunity to attend, and probably help attract a bigger crowd from more flexibility. If you can't swing it then the usual Friday thru Sunday always seems to be popular, imo.
Extra tid bits: seating. There is never enough seating or a place to sit. I'd kill for any con to change this. Sitting on the floor sucks- for those trying to sit and for those still trying to get around- please consider this when doing the set up.
25
u/greenteanandhoney Jun 08 '26
I think a book con would be great. Currently, my biggest “gripe” with book conventions is how heavily skewed they are towards Romance and Romantasy. I know these are currently trending and big sellers, but a lot of genres are being left out. It’d be nice if there was a con that had a horror/thriller section.
I don’t mind paying as long as I get something out of it. A VIP ticket should include some books and/or special times for signings. The price I’m willing to pay would greatly depend on what’s included and what authors are attending.
I think a focus on regional authors would be nice but allowing authors from all over would probably appeal to more people.
I personally prefer one day events opposed to a weekend. event.
I guess the only things that would really prevent me from attending is if the con was in a very small venue and over crowded. These types of events become too hard to navigate and are just not enjoyable. Also, parking. If there is no where to park close by I would skip it. Downtown Frederick has plenty of garages though, so I can’t imagine that being an issue.
I think vendors that sell bookish merch should be invited. It’d be cool if they were local and it wasn’t just Amazon/temu resellers.
*apologies for any typos. Im trying to type this out as fast as I can.