I'm beginning to wonder which is worse.....

[Michael Hopcroft]

Origins nerves or GenCon nevres.

Even though I'll be at a rival booth, I have hopes that we can help each other out however we can. I hope that there will be people willing to watch things, spread the word about cool products from other companies, and prevent Burly Bob from smashing up booths he doesn't like.

By the way, I'd like to mention that I won;t be arriving in Milwaukee until late Wednesday afternoon. I hope that's in time to set up my booth. It won;t be until Thursday morning that I actually will have product there assuming everything goes as I expect.

[Jürgen Mayer]

Even though I'll be at a rival booth, I have hopes that we can help each other out however we can. I hope that there will be people willing to watch things, spread the word about cool products from other companies, and prevent Burly Bob from smashing up booths he doesn't like.

Sure we'll help each other out. We're all friends here.
You shouldn't even use a term like "rival booth." I'd like to think more of "complementary" booths.

[Michael Hopcroft]

I know this is going to sound like a strange request, but has GenCon posted a list of everyone who's gotten themselves a dealers booth and, if so, where do I find it?

I'd like to know if there are any businesses who will be at GenCon whose activities suitably complement my own (anime dealers, people publishing anime or FUDGE games, small presses, etc.). I'd also like to know if there are people I need to make contact with (distributors, retail organizations, GAMA, etc.)

[Ron Edwards]

Michael,

All exhibitors have received a folder that describes the layout of the booths. I haven't checked yet, but usually there's a download at the GenCon website of the "big booth hall" prior to the con.

If you're not listed as an exhibitor through the GPA booth, then you need to act on that immediately. At the very least, make sure your badge is secured. If that status is official, then call the contact number listed at the GenCon website and ask them to mail you your own copy of the con materials. Make sure to be friendly and professional during this phone call - do not paint yourself as a victim in any fashion.

(I recognize that the GPA isssue is problematic for you at the moment. Please discuss it in another thread, OK?)

When you get to the con, there will be a big booklet listing every possible resource available, such as the anime activities and vendors you mention. Have a sit-down with it, make a list, and steadily make your way through them throughout the con.

Finally, you referred to "rival booths." Here is an important concept for you: there are no rival games or companies in our hobby. Think about it - the concept makes no sense. People buy all the games they're interested in, and cross-promotion serves everyone equally. As I have told you before, we will be directing people to other booths, including yours, throughout the con.

Best,
Ron

[Michael Hopcroft]

Will I be able to pay a visit to the Forge booth during Wednesday setup and work out things like flyers, referral plans, etc.? If I could get a few people coming to my booth from the Forge reccomends 9assuming I get any), that would help me in my goal of selling 100 copies (which nobody in the GPA believes I will even come close to achieving).

Cooperative booths are going to be quite an interesting experience. I can't get a gauge on whether my boothmates will be helpful, supportive, or hostile to my game.

Finally, will various publishers at the Forge booth be expecting freebies in exchange for their services?

[Jared A. Sorensen]

Will I be able to pay a visit to the Forge booth during Wednesday setup and work out things like flyers, referral plans, etc.? If I could get a few people coming to my booth from the Forge reccomends 9assuming I get any), that would help me in my goal of selling 100 copies (which nobody in the GPA believes I will even come close to achieving).

Dude, I'll so kick the GPA's ass for you. Besides, I've been wanting to kick the GPA since I was (asked to leave) the University of Southern Maine. HAH! .017, suckers!*

And hey, Mike! What's up with the interview over at SequentialTart.com? Haha! Nice...

- J

*Not really, but scarily close.

[Michael Hopcroft]

Will I be able to pay a visit to the Forge booth during Wednesday setup and work out things like flyers, referral plans, etc.? If I could get a few people coming to my booth from the Forge reccomends 9assuming I get any), that would help me in my goal of selling 100 copies (which nobody in the GPA believes I will even come close to achieving).

Dude, I'll so kick the GPA's ass for you. Besides, I've been wanting to kick the GPA since I was (asked to leave) the University of Southern Maine. HAH! .017, suckers!*

And hey, Mike! What's up with the interview over at SequentialTart.com? Haha! Nice...

- J

*Not really, but scarily close.

Don't go to the GPA booth and kick anybody's ***. Show some decorum. These people believe they are trying to help by lowering my expectations from what I consider desirable to what they consider realistic.

My goal is to sell 100 copies. I have the interview in Sequential Tart (which I should really make more play from), ads in the last two KODT, and a full-page ad in Games Quarterly Catalog. I have had a preview of my game appear in Games Unplugged's July issue. I have the best publicity blitz I can manage short of buying a ton of ads. I think 100 copies is quite reasonable.

Sadly, I'll only have a quarter booth -- 2'x2'x2'. That means I have to store a lot of copies of my book elsewhere. And many people are telling me I'm an idiot to send 200 copies to GenCon. They say it;'s best to sell outnof 50 copies on Saturday and build up demand for the retail chain.

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Michael,

Will I be able to pay a visit to the Forge booth during Wednesday setup and work out things like flyers, referral plans, etc.?

Yes. All these negotiations will be reasonable and easy.

will various publishers at the Forge booth be expecting freebies in exchange for their services?

This question horrifies me. The answer is No. Those books are your inventory, and you have paid for their production. Expecting you to pass them out like candy or money would be absolutely wrong. All of the services I have offered you (which are the same that I'd offer to any indie-publisher) are offered without expectation of recompense of any kind.

Best,
Ron

[Michael Hopcroft]

Hi Michael,

Will I be able to pay a visit to the Forge booth during Wednesday setup and work out things like flyers, referral plans, etc.?

Yes. All these negotiations will be reasonable and easy.

will various publishers at the Forge booth be expecting freebies in exchange for their services?

This question horrifies me. The answer is No. Those books are your inventory, and you have paid for their production. Expecting you to pass them out like candy or money would be absolutely wrong. All of the services I have offered you (which are the same that I'd offer to any indie-publisher) are offered without expectation of recompense of any kind.

Best,
Ron

Didn't mean to horrify you, Ron!

I thought it was a natural question. I've already had to trade book consignments for services at least twice, and while I get some of the money back on those it's still copies I can't sell for full price.

[Eugene Zee]

Hey All,

It looks like I might be short a hand or two at GEN CON.  Would it be possible for anyone to float over to my booth every now and then to keep an eye on our booth?  

Any takers?

Thanks,