It can't be left out that everything, and particularly fuel, costs more these days. Some of this could be attributed to people who usually would attend simply being unable to afford either the conference or the travel.
Calling LibertyCon "Baen Books' Premier Event" is misleading, implying that LC is somehow dependent on Baen. LC features Raconteur Press as much, if not more, than Baen even if LC may be the what Baen might consider its biggest showcase. In fact, I would argue that Raconteur Press is more the cradle of upcoming new authors like Sam Robb. Also, if LC doesn't continue to sell out its capped membership within hours, that only leaves room for new fans to discover it. Despite story consumption trends, I think there's still the longing for in person interaction at a level no longer possible with the big Cons like Comic-Con and DragonCon.
It can't be left out that everything, and particularly fuel, costs more these days. Some of this could be attributed to people who usually would attend simply being unable to afford either the conference or the travel.
A factor that is quickly hobbling all those activities we used to enjoy, like trips to the ocean.
Or becoming parents.
Or getting married, at all.
I did notice at LC38 this year, that fewer of the older regular attendees were in evidence. Mortality & morbidity come for us all.
More new, younger folks this year - especially families - is a good trend to see.
You know who can't show up at conventions? The AI "authors" you and Vox Day are so fond of promoting. No one shows up to see a laptop.
Behind every AI is a real person, editing and publishing it (or, heaven forbid, letting an agent they pay for do it.)
All the young boys who would have read the new batch are now playing video games.
LitRPG seems to be coming up. Are there cons for that?
There was one in Colorado
They had Suneater and let it go. I can't believe that
Calling LibertyCon "Baen Books' Premier Event" is misleading, implying that LC is somehow dependent on Baen. LC features Raconteur Press as much, if not more, than Baen even if LC may be the what Baen might consider its biggest showcase. In fact, I would argue that Raconteur Press is more the cradle of upcoming new authors like Sam Robb. Also, if LC doesn't continue to sell out its capped membership within hours, that only leaves room for new fans to discover it. Despite story consumption trends, I think there's still the longing for in person interaction at a level no longer possible with the big Cons like Comic-Con and DragonCon.