THE WEEKLY BREW: A dReadFul Time

So…dReadCon has come and gone – and it was amazing!

I’m not sure why I was so nervous. Everything went well (even if we left home a little later than we expected). It only took us about 45 minutes to drive to the convention centre, and check-in was quick and easy. I handed off my swag (mini zines, stickers, business cards and a coupon to download the Secrets of The Bone Key brochure), and then was escorted to my table.

I split an 8-foot table with Stephanie Anne, an author from Ottawa and she was a delight to hang with all day! We didn’t know one another prior to the convention, so it was great to meet a local(ish) author and chat about books.

Myself and Stephanie Anne

She has a bunch of collections – but the hot ticket at her table was Skull Daddy! And you can see why! That cover caught everyone’s attention!

I also got to meet online writing friends Mallory McCartney and Hannah Birss, who were both so amazing.

Mallory McCartney and Myself!

I forgot! I also met Tim McGregor (he wasn’t tabling, but I need to get a copy of Hearts Strange and Dreadful!), Marcus Hawke (every time I looked down the aisle, his table was busy!), and Lydia Peever (such a delight! I wish we lived closer to one another!).

And the readers! People were excited about my book! One reader said she’d seen my book in the dReadcon Facebook group and it sounded like exactly her type of book. Then…another reader said she’d researched my book while on the train in – and HAD to have it…because her name is Valeria and she’s from Mexico! Yup! My MC in The Bone Key is named Valeria, and is part Mexican American! How cool is that?!

The convention was so well put-together. A bunch of volunteers, tons of authors, readings, panels (Kelley Armstrong! Nick Cutter!), plus coffee and pastries when we arrived. And so many enthusiastic readers! I sold a bunch of books and handed out tons of free mini zines and The Bone Key brochures, so hopefully I’ll get even more interest in my book once people get home.

I’ll definitely be tabling at dReadCon 2026! The goal…have at least one or two more books to sell!

My partner (and helper!) Chris at my table

Which means one of my goals for this week is to make a real dent in finishing up the last stories for the collection I want to self-publish.

I get it now! This was my first convention. I see now why the hype is real! If going to conventions in the US weren’t so costly (plus…the state of things in the US), I’d love to do more. But I’m also happy that there are local events I can attend. Time to book another market!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!