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GenCon Author's Avenue - Worth it?

Started by crkrueger, January 18, 2016, 04:24:28 PM

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crkrueger

January 18, 2016, 04:24:28 PM
Do you guys go to this?
Do you buy anything?
Even the the "cutting edge" storygamers for all their talk of narrative, plot, and drama are fucking obsessed with the god damned rules they use. - Estar

Yes, Sean Connery\'s thumb does indeed do megadamage. - Spinachcat

Isuldur is a badass because he stopped Sauron with a broken sword, but Iluvatar is the badass because he stopped Sauron with a hobbit. -Malleus Arianorum

"Tangency Edition" D&D would have no classes or races, but 17 genders to choose from. -TristramEvans

Spinachcat

#1
January 18, 2016, 04:31:11 PM
I've browsed, usually because I know somebody I've read would be there. I imagine that some gamers spend time on Author's Avenue because some authors are also online blog or vlog personalities.

Much like Comic Con.

VectorSigma

#2
January 18, 2016, 04:43:05 PM
I didn't even walk through when I was at GenCon this year.
Wampus Country - Whimsical tales on the fantasy frontier

"Describing Erik Jensen\'s Wampus Country setting is difficult"  -- Grognardia

"Well worth reading."  -- Steve Winter

"...seriously nifty stuff..." -- Bruce Baugh

"[Erik is] the Carrot-Top of role-playing games." -- Jared Sorensen, who probably meant it as an insult, but screw that guy.

"Next con I\'m playing in Wampus."  -- Harley Stroh

Connallmac

#3
January 18, 2016, 06:43:01 PM
I actively avoid  that section of the dealer's hall.

Justin Alexander

#4
January 19, 2016, 01:32:59 PM
It's weird that the poll doesn't have a "I know what Author's Avenue is, but I don't bother to go there" option.

I've occasionally walked through on my way to somewhere else.
Note: this sig cut for personal slander and harassment by a lying tool who has been engaging in stalking me all over social media with filthy lies - RPGPundit

mAcular Chaotic

#5
January 19, 2016, 04:05:12 PM
Quote from: Connallmac;874178I actively avoid  that section of the dealer's hall.

Why?
Battle doesn\'t need a purpose; the battle is its own purpose. You don\'t ask why a plague spreads or a field burns. Don\'t ask why I fight.

Connallmac

#6
January 19, 2016, 09:10:47 PM
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;874346Why?

Because I have no intention of purchasing anything from them and I don't want to waste their time or mine.

mAcular Chaotic

#7
January 19, 2016, 11:58:35 PM
Yeah, but is there a particular reason for that?
Battle doesn\'t need a purpose; the battle is its own purpose. You don\'t ask why a plague spreads or a field burns. Don\'t ask why I fight.

Connallmac

#8
January 22, 2016, 05:55:25 AM
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;874451Yeah, but is there a particular reason for that?

I already have too many books in my To Be Read pile and the likelihood of self-published novels turning out to be something I care to read are rather low. I was recently handed a copy of just such a novel written by a pair of authors, one of whom was the friend of a friend. It was execrable. After about 60 pages of hackneyed and trite cliches I put it down. I used to finish reading every book I started, but I just don't have the time, energy, or mental bandwidth for it anymore.

Omega

#9
January 22, 2016, 06:47:05 AM
Back in the 90s I did because I knew several of the TSR writers. Sometimes I allready had the books and just wander over to say hi and let them know I did get the book and what I thought of it.

Much the same as hitting up the art area.

Though back then the authors were more mixed in with the dealers half the time. Paul or Brian were down in the dealers area for example. Same for some of the artists. Some were in the artist rooms and some were down in the dealers rooms. Steve, Jim, Susan and NeNe for example were down in the dealers area.

Majus

#10
January 22, 2016, 10:22:56 AM
Quote from: Justin Alexander;874301It's weird that the poll doesn't have a "I know what Author's Avenue is, but I don't bother to go there" option.

The poll doesn't have an "I don't know what the author's avenue is, but it sounds interesting, tell me about it" option, either. Which is my position (never having visited a gaming convention).

Omega

#11
January 22, 2016, 07:24:03 PM
Quote from: Majus;874818The poll doesn't have an "I don't know what the author's avenue is, but it sounds interesting, tell me about it" option, either. Which is my position (never having visited a gaming convention).

Its like the "Artists avenue" at some comic cons. An area dedicated to one particular venue. Like artists. Or in this case authors. Theres also been ones for actors. (I got to sit next to Nova's voice actress from Starblazers at one con and Morn from DS9 at another due to table mixups.)

Sometimes they are there at the publishers behest. Sometimes they are there hawking wares. Sometimes they are just there for book signings. Or for the heck if it even, they just like that particular convention.

Alzrius

#12
January 22, 2016, 09:48:01 PM
I've enjoy going down the author's avenue. I like checking out indie novels, and I've bought a few books there. Some of them were good, others not so much, but that's not really any different than checking out the big-name novels, in my experience.
"...player narration and DM fiat fall apart whenever there's anything less than an incredibly high level of trust for the DM. The general trend of D&D's design up through the end of 4e is to erase dependence on player-DM trust as much as possible, not to create antagonism, but to insulate both sides from it when it appears." - Brandes Stoddard

Majus

#13
January 23, 2016, 11:30:42 AM
Quote from: Omega;874874Its like the "Artists avenue" at some comic cons. (SNIP INFORMATIVE POST)

Thanks Omega, that was really helpful! It sounds like something that could be really interesting, depending on who was there (or how many authors are typically in attendance, I guess). Also, loved your brush with the actors -- that must have been cool! :)

(I also notice that the poll does have a 'what the hell is' option. Is that new or am I just a dumbass?)

Omega

#14
January 24, 2016, 06:24:33 AM
Quote from: Majus;874994Thanks Omega, that was really helpful! It sounds like something that could be really interesting, depending on who was there (or how many authors are typically in attendance, I guess). Also, loved your brush with the actors -- that must have been cool! :)

(I also notice that the poll does have a 'what the hell is' option. Is that new or am I just a dumbass?)

Though it can dramatically lower your opinion of an author to meet them. I got to see things from the other side of the table so didnt get alot of issues. But still it can be disconcerting even then. Most though are pretty friendly. A few though arent. Or just come across as... off...

Kinda like meeting some game designers.
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