My Paranormal Latest Conference Adventure

Earlier this summer, you may remember reading a blog I wrote about my experience attending a paranormal conference in Connecticut with my good friend and co-author/co-investigator Monique Toosoon. That conference was good and bad. Recently I attended another Paranormal conference, (fortunately closer to home that didn't require 2 nights hotel and rental car)... and it, too, was a financial disaster. Today's blog is about the good and bad.

(Photo above: The Emery Group Reunited (minus Monique) L to R: Santa (Derick), Rob, Thomas, and Mrs. Santa (Candace). Credit: R.G/ 

Photo right: The "Paraclauses" hold up the Emery Estate Book that they are featured in! Credit: R.G.)

THE GOOD STUFF -  First, the good. The conference was in Salem, Massachusetts. You'd think that Salem, Mass. would be the perfect place for ghosts, haunted stuff, horror, and witches (the Salem Witch trials happened here). You'd be right, except that I learned after Halloween, everyone flees the city. The Conference happened on Nov 15th. I found a Dunkin' nearby, so that helped.

(Photo: My friend Thomas D. from the Emery Investigation crew! Credit: R.G.) 

During the 7 hour conference, I would be surprised if 150 or so people came. There were 20 vendors and several speakers. Fortunately, I got to speak and there were about 20 people in my audience. Sadly, none of them bought books. I sold 5 books (mostly to other vendors) and swapped one with my friend and fellow author Alex Matsou (she writes great books, like "Women in the Paranormal").

(Photo right: Me and my friend and fellow author, paranomal investigator and podcast host, Alex Matsou. Credit: R.G.) 

SEEING OLD FRIENDS - In addition to seeing Alex, my friends and fellow paranormal investigators from my Emery Estate book were there. The Paraclauses, Derick and Candace- a tech whiz and a medium who dress as Santa and Mrs. Claus and investigate haunted places known to have ghosts of children, so they won't fear communicating with Santa and Mrs. Claus (and it works). Thomas D. was also there, and he did the basement part of Emery. I also got to see Christopher Brown, an amazing Medium from Augusta, Maine. Seeing all of those friends were the highlight of the paracon.

(Photo right: Me and my friend Christopher Brown, an amazing medium from Augusta, Maine. Credit: R.G.) 

THE SAD PART - Second, the not-so-good. Packing up books, banners, postcards, borrowing a table and chair from the library, driving 3 hours round trip, no food vendors at the conference and really disappointing attendance led to selling just 5 books. That gave me a profit of $25.  The gas was about the same as my profit. 

The conference registration cost $200, and I was gone the entire day from home. So, although a $200 financial loss, at least I got to see some old friends. That's my focus. 

(Left: This half of the convention was empty of attendees when I took this photo at 3pm. Credit: R.G) 

(Right: My set up took some effort to put together, bringing in the table and chair, table cloth, banners, post card, books and signage)

BOTTOM LINE - The bottom line is that there's good and bad experiences. You learn from the bad and don't repeat them. So I won't be returning to the Connecticut or Salem events in the future. Instead, I'll focus on other things that bring people comfort and places that bring in a better reception. It's all good.