My wife and I do six to eight cons a year,
(We each had our own panel at NASFIC this year grin) We find them very valuable for networking and sales. My recommendation is to pick events that will help you.
For example, last year.
Life the Universe and everything Provo, Ut BYU, Feb
one of the best writing symposiums in the country, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells and Howard Taylor almost always there, past GoH have included Orson Scot Card and Dave Farland. BTW it is free, Grin.
Superstars writing seminar, Pasadena March, nothing about writing as an art, just the business end. Contracts agents, rights, promotion strategies, and stuff. Not Free, but worth it. (2011 will be in Jan in SLC for about half the cost of 2010)
Conduit, SLC, May Great con many Big name Authors, good writing track.
Nasfic, Raleigh NC Aug, 1632 mini con track editors and publishers, and we were guests... placed two novels for review, made connections etc.
Bubonacon NM Aug, our local con, many local BNA, good writing track.
ABIF, Oct not a con Grin, we play Balloons for a week (crewing for a German team, unlimited free bier) Freshens out look and revitalizes our idea fund.
LosCon LA Ca, Nov, Good writing track, Editor friend attends, and some of the Ed board for our primary market. networking and contacts. Also past cons have generated sales for us.
While it is important to get value for ypou money, it is also important to have fun. And to present yourself well. The industry is small, and your reputation can make ot break you, I know at least two authors whose big break came because they were dependable, some one told some one else, and boom Superstar....
Last but not least, all of the events can be written off as business expenses. (well except for playing balloons Grin)
Regards,
Kevin