The Readers are OUT THERE... you just need to realize where they go.

So much is going on in the publishing industry these days, it’s a wonder we still exist. With Shitty deals with publishers, cliques that are bullying other authors, authors that don’t know how to act, and events that are fraudulent and or extorting exorbitant prices out of the authors and readers… Is it any wonder things are going down the toilet?

I have been talking a lot recently with readers, authors and industry, especially after the recent event bru haha. They don’t feel they can trust events and their promoters. They are scared about the amount of money going out for them, especially when they aren’t guaranteed a return, or the “application” which really only boils down to “who is the most popular” and worse, they are getting really frustrated with event planners that are playing favorites with individual authors, ensuring that those authors get top billing and the best options. Then recently I had authors tell me how fucking pissed they were that promoters have been taking a % of their sales through the bookseller--- and I gotta agree there how shittastic that is. And this all happens without a reader attendance guarantee. Its not wonder Authors are pulling out of events left and right.

Well I had a weekend away from the internet, and the industry, (mostly) and after talking with a few choice people, people that respect and support events, and try to make this industry both lucrative and fair for all, and I have decided on a few things.

Everyone knows Romance Ink, my company, is non profit. All monies collected from the events we put on go right to the hotel, in order to pay for the F/B the hotel agrees upon to get the event put on. This allows for cheaper rooms and larger event space. For tnee 2015, Our F/B is 80k. Which is why registration is 200 a person for the authors. It seems like a lot… but it’s not. Actually For what TNEE gives you (Food, a FULL table, your ASSISSTANT to eat as well and attend, full promotional and next year acceptance) the price is amazing. Most other events are 150-200 a table, PLUS your assistant, PLUS their ticket for the “after” parties, AND any extras…. And that isn’t even a guarantee for readers attending. That’s CRAZY to me.

So with that background out there, let’s proceed. TNEE in Vegas can hold between 350-500 authors EACH YEAR. TNEE ATL can hold the same. At 200$ an author registration (which includes all that above that other charge you extra for) is more than fair. Actually it’s the best deal in the industry today---- especially when we guarantee career readers, the ones that are constantly looking for authors --- no, not online, but in person, ones they can connect with personally, to become part of the authors career, to becoming a fan and a friend.  And we guarantee you can sign, and NOT have to pay any % of your book income to the bookseller OR a % of your book sales to the promoter THROUGH book sales.

This year TNEE is boasting 450 readers already signed on, and more signing on every day, because it’s FREE for the readers to attend... With the promotional aspect, we are expecting 1200-2000 for the event this year, even though its Easter weekend. What’s crazy is 450 readers are signed on, yet we don’t even have 150 authors signed on yet.

So… Because of all of this, and TNEE being the most affordable game in town for the next 5 years that will boast actual READERS… to fill in this year, we have decided that all authors that sign on for the 2015 year, that wish to go forward to 2016 and beyond, will be paying HALF PRICE for their tickets… that’s 100$, as a thank you for filling the event and giving the readers a reason to keep attending the event. Those authors will have first choice of panels, event parties and opportunities going forward as well. With so many readers coming for 2015, we are seriously hoping for more authors.

So heres where I get real.

If you have issue with ME, Stella Price, and THAT is what’s holding you back from attending--- Please don’t let it. At this event you deal with STAFF, not me. Several people think I’m a bitch, and a snot. While they can believe that, most just don’t like that I’m direct, I pull no punches and I believe in a FAIR industry where (just like in all other careers) people follow rules of courtesy, morality and business.

Missing an event you are all but guaranteed to sell books at, something that the majority of the events cannot even fathom because you don’t like the promoter is insane. A 200$ ticket including everything above means that selling 20 books at 10$ each (which is more than doable as at TNEE 2014 the average amount sold was 35 per author) you make back your registration price AND you reach readers that you probably won’t ONLINE.  With the amount of authors getting hit hard from the KU and KDP bullshit, sales plummeting, doesn’t it make sense to hit the readers LOOKING to find new authors, ones that are buying books ALL THE TIME? The more of a connection you make with them, the more books you sell… because a writing career isn’t about YOU, it’s about THEM.

TNEE is going to be around till 2019. TNEE is the only large event that treats both indie and traditionally published authors the same, is the cheapest, and provides opportunities most others do not. As we grow, the event grows, and we would love for you to grow with us. Help us make a level playing field, one that you don’t have to worry about your money getting stolen at, and one that you don’t have to worry about the amount of readers attending. The readers are OUT THERE… but its up to you to attend the events where the readers are flocking to.

To sign up for TNEE 2015… guaranteeing a cheaper price…  go HERE.