In case you somehow missed it despite my huge volume of tweets, I attended Realm Makers this past weekend. It's a conference for Christian science fiction and fantasy; or rather, at the moment, for writing in these genres. I had a great time, and saw plenty to suggest this event is growing into a true spec con for all.
This year's conference was in St. Louis on a commuter campus, requiring us to use a shuttle to get back and forth between the dorms and classes. That meant a little less mingling in general, but the more intimate cafeteria seating invited more space for getting to know people. The more self-contained classroom/session space, with the bookstore smack in the middle, also meant people bumped into each other between times more often.
Friday morning breakfast
The conference was much bigger this year: I believe it doubled in attendance from last year, with approximately 150 people present. There was a greater diversity of story ideas present: I was delighted to receive an alternative history story as a door prize, and to learn about books set in non-traditional spec environments like theatre and Africa.
People seemed far more relaxed about publishing this year: most of those present already had something on Amazon or POD (print on demand), and were looking to expand rather than get started. The book store really showed the fruit Realm Makers has brought forward: there were as many publishers as titles represented, many of which owe their founding to the inspiration people found at this conference.
From the start, it was clear that more than just writers were here: marketers shared information I found useful as an entertainment professional, and there was a major film component including several sessions and an entire panel of people in the industry. A CPA offered tax advice. While I didn't take part, the Zombie Nerf gun fight looks like the perfect way for Realm Makers to become a must-attend event.
At the costume ball I was heartened to see some people dressing as characters from their own or others' WIPs (works in progress), and many more people recognized my own homemade cosplay of Una from Heartless. Fans even asked to take pictures with me. Many were surprised to discover I was there as a fan myself rather than an author (my running joke became that I was the only one there not trying to get a book contract) but were receptive to the idea of Realm Makers giving over time to fans as well as creators.
I had a great time personally; most of my "fangirl" moments of desired meetings happened last year, so that I was more familiar with and confident approaching people. Also, my copious live tweeting prompted the conference organizers to immediately put me in charge of the main @RealmMakers Twitter feed. Balancing two Twitter feeds while still attending sessions and making time for conversation was challenging, but I was aided by a far greater number of fellow tweeps online: many more people engaged socially last year, both in attendance and those at home. I even got a request for questions to ask, though too late for me to actually work it into a session.
The one piece of advice I'd offer Realm Makers now, after three years of great success, it to really think about the transition it's making. Only three years ago his conference was a very small affair for only the most diehard would-be writers of Christian spec fic. Everyone could know everyone, which makes things a bit more relaxed. There was basically only one publisher to pitch to.
If nothing else, 2015 proved that the Realm Maker community is one the move. There were more people, more presses, more options. Bigger names like Bethany House attended. With that massive quick growth necessarily come a few growing pains. For the most part Becky Minor and the rest of the team handled the greater numbers with flying colors (one critique: with more people attending, keeping things moving on schedule is going to become a greater challenge).
But the greatest challenges lie ahead: how will an even bigger event change the tone, once it's no longer feasible for everyone to meet/know everyone else? Will people feel overwhelmed or welcomed? How will some of the con's biggest draws (goofy, quirky moments that involve personal interaction) keep working once there's an even bigger room to play to?
Perhaps most importantly: as the conference becomes more and more diverse, how will it remain true to its faith-friendly mission? The most moving testimony I heard over the weekend was from keynote speaker Robert Liparulo, who spoke of how he prayed constantly over his manuscripts to ensure he remained true to what God wanted of him. That admission, more than anything else, encouraged me to read one of his books.
In my mind, it's the very thing that gives Realm Makers a potential edge over the louder spec fan events of the world. No where else do people overtly embrace the idea that these works are a means of serving Christ and His Kingdom. It's why I really committed this year to my mission as a fan: spreading the news about books I love, offering advice, encouraging. Often there's a lot of angst around the very idea of publishing these works, which was expressed early in the conference: are the readers there?
Like the Whos down in Whoville, I say: "We are here." If the marketplace is to be sustained beyond this initial fit of growth, than to my mind we need to keep up the outreach and general fun geeking out all year round. Already I've wondered how much more fandom I can inspire in the months to come, and what more social outreach we can muster next year whether I'm physically present or not. Maybe make the AMA (Ask Me Anything) open to people online as well?
For now, it's enough to know that speculative faith is alive and well, and growing.
If you're a lover or creator of space adventure, fantastic journeys, or merely spiritual explorations with a supernatural theme, Realm Makers is and should be a prime way to express your passion. Of course, as LaVar Burton on Reading Rainbow used to say, you don't have to take my word for it. Here's a run down on what others said who attended.
