Just a week to go before I head west to Yaoicon! I’m so excited about the fall and my upcoming trips to California for Yaoicon (San Francisco) and GRL (San Diego). For a writer like me, who spends most of her days in front of her computer (same goes for my day job), getting a chance to venture out from my writing cave and mingle with other writers and readers is a breath of fresh air.

Writers wonder all the time whether conventions are worth the money. It’s an interesting question, and one I’d answer with, “it depends.” If you’re talking about making money when you go to a con? Forget it. Cons are expensive. With airfare for two cons on the west coast this year, the cost of swag for 600+ people, food and hotel, I can tell you that I’ll spend exponentially more money than I’ll make back. That’s even if you consider that new readers may discover my books and loyal readers may pick up paperback versions of their favorites.

But “worth the money” does not equate with “making money.” If you’re only looking at that equation, you’re missing the point. Cons are worth the money for more intangible reasons. I think of cons as a recharging station for my mental batteries and a reminder of why I write books.

Why do I write books? Because I want readers to read them. Spending so much time in a vacuum, tethered to my computer, I sometimes forget that there are real people out there reading my books. There’s nothing that beats getting a PM or email from a reader gushing about how they loved a book I wrote. Nothing better, that is, except meeting those readers in person. And that’s where the recharge comes in.

I’m always a little uncomfortable/embarrassed when I receive a compliment. I think most of us are. But let’s face it: we all need praise from time to time. And for a writer, “praise” translates into

energy and focus, two things writers need to be successful. We all know people who want to write a book. “Working at writing the great American novel” has become a cliché. What’s the difference between a writer and someone who wants to write? Inspiration. Focus. Determination. Energy.

The first month or so after publishing a book is a bit like living at the center of a whirlwind. Writers write posts for blog tours, talk to people about their book, advertise—anything to get the word out. That insanity (it really is insane!) helps get you motivated to start on the next project, but then it’s back to that office, the computer, and… crickets.

Most writers (myself included) work day jobs and write when we’re not working (evenings and weekends). That makes for some very long days. Bit by bit, the determination and energy we started with wanes, and we’re left struggling to keep our focus and finish the book. But mix together a group of friendly writers and readers for a few days, add in a dash of good food and a few drinks to top it off? I return to that writing cave ready to take on the world.

So here I come, world, ready to recharge and ready to have some fun! And if you’re coming to Yaoicon or GRL, please stop by the Dreamspinner table or just grab me to say hello, and pick up some fun swag (mermen or vampire pens, anyone?). My vampires bite. I don’t. -Shira

Bio: Shira Anthony loves a great happily-ever-after and never writes a story without one. She’s happy to write what her muse tells her, whether it’s fantasy, sci fi, paranormal, or contemporary romance. She particularly loves writing series, because she thinks of her characters as old friends and she wants to visit them even after their stories are told.

In real life, Shira sang professionally for 14 years, and she currently works as a public sector attorney advocating for children. She’s happy to have made writing her second full-time job, even if it means she rarely has time to watch TV or go to the movies.

Shira writes about the things she knows and loves, whether it’s music and musicians, the ocean, or the places she’s lived or traveled to. She spent her middle school years living in France, and tries to visit as often as she can.

Shira and her husband spend as many weekends as they can aboard their 36′ catamaran sailboat, “Lands Zen,” at the Carolina Coast. Not only has sailing inspired her to write about pirates and mermen, her sailboat is her favorite place to write. And although the only mermen she’s found to date are in her own imagination, she keeps a sharp lookout for them when she’s on the water.