Two Conferences Collide as 20Books Vegas Transitions to Author Nation
During the second week of November, the largest group of independent authors, publishers, and industry professionals gathered at the Horseshoe casino hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was the sixth iteration of the event in seven years, yet it had a much different air than in years past. Following a post on Facebook in July 2023 that had announced the news, event-goers were attending this year’s conference knowing it would be the final show under the 20BooksTo50K® moniker. Craig Martelle, indie powerhouse and co-founder of 20BooksTo50K®, was stepping aside, not stepping down, as the conference director, and with it, the convention—20Books Vegas—was shifting hands to a new consortium of authors and industry leaders.
Throughout the week, the main question that seemed to permeate the atmosphere was what this new conference was going to be like. Would there be tears and hugs farewell? Or would it feel like another page turned in the story of the indie author community? There was a bit of it all, actually. Those questions and fears were addressed in a tear-jerker moment between 20BooksTo50K® co-founder Michael Anderle and Martelle during their closing keynote speech, which was followed by a standing ovation. Martelle clarified that 20BooksTo50K® would live on in spirit and on the Facebook group, though the conference was changing.
20Books Vegas was changing into Author Nation, led by a team of industry professionals and headed by Joe Solari, who could dedicate the time and resources necessary to take the conference to the next level. Martelle explained in further detail what this would look like, including a reveal of the all-star cast that would serve to run Author Nation. This introduction included Chelle Honiker, publisher of Indie Author Magazine, who will serve as the content committee chair. Martelle advised the values of 20BooksTo50K® would be infused in the guiding principles of Author Nation, given who was selected to lead the conference.
The shift reflected what the rest of the conference had been for many. There weren’t any goodbyes, only plans for the next year. There wasn’t a sigh of disappointment at the closure of the 20Books chapter of the Vegas event but a collective energy of “What comes next?” Martelle said publicly at the event he wouldn’t be disappearing completely. He’d still be a part of 20BooksTo50K®. He’d still be speaking at Author Nation’s event, and he’d still be writing books. When he did a live reading of his book during the Readers & Authors Vegas Event (RAVE) Friday, November 10, he did so proudly. As he stood over a cake on Saturday, November 11, to celebrate the Marine Corps’ birthday, he smiled. The changing of the guard from 20Books Vegas to Author Nation wasn’t bittersweet. There was nothing bitter about it.
It was just different. And like many an article about adapting to the changes we face in publishing, so was the air about the conference. Change was coming. It was coming in artificial intelligence, in direct sales, in translations, and in the conference. But few vocalized the feeling of being disrupted by the change of name, leadership, or direction of the conference. Most, it seemed, were just happy to know 20Books Vegas would continue, if only in spirit.
Honiker shared her thoughts about Author Nation 2024 and beyond and outlined a few changes that would be implemented right away. From a bird’s-eye view, she noted a focus on the division of beginning, intermediate, and advanced topics and speakers. She noted a larger focus on the RAVE event, making it both attractive for authors and readers alike, and the introduction of special guests, such as director, screenwriter, and comic book writer Kevin Smith, who will deliver a keynote address ahead of RAVE.
It all represents what 20Books Vegas was about, and what Author Nation will be about: independent writers and entrepreneurs looking to make a living from their work. As the 20Books Vegas event comes to an end and Author Nation’s Vegas conference takes its place, the spirit of 20BooksTo50K® and the indie author community it has fostered remains alive and well, and attendees seem excited for a new chapter.
David Viergutz
