Con Etiquette by Chuck Dixon

On his homepage, Chuck Dixon answers some fan questions. One such question gets called out in it's own section: Is it better to make a submission via mail or in person at a con? Chuck answers:

A convention is the absolutely WORST place to hand over a submission. 

Conventions are for meeting editors and establishing a rapport. Lots of guys hand me folders and such to look at during a convention. They'll hand it over and walk away and hardly speak to me. They'd have done better to have a conversation and make a personal connection and mail me their submission later. 

This is very true. It's almost rude to just get handed something without forming even the simplest rapport with the person giving it to you. What's the incentive in wasting your valuable work time looking at someone else's work (who, apparently, you would have to champion)? Sounds selfish, but it isn't. If you want someone to look at and possibly push your work to editors, at least be NICE.

Also, I cannot tell you how many wannabes I meet who spend the moments they share with me talking about themselves. I'm not a god, I'm not the Alpha and Omega of writing... but I AM a successful writer and if they wanted to get into my game then they should ASK QUESTIONS and listen the answers not tell me their (mostly incorrect) views of the industry.

Now, on first read, this seems somewhat cocky. But I gave it another glance and I have to agree. Don't waste your time telling Joe Quesada about your awesome Slapstick pitch, or Larry Young about this great graphic novel idea you've had for a decade. ASK THEM for advice. What suggestions do they have? They're bound to help. Then, maybe after they realize you have more than two brain cells rubbing together in your head, they might want to see that story idea or read that pitch.

When I was breaking in I LISTENED. I was Fly On The Wall Man. I asked questions and sucked up the responses. I offered an opinion when I was asked and only with the disclaimer that I might be talking out of my hat. I NEVER pretended to admire anyone's work unless it was heartfelt. I tried valiantly not to geek out to those I idolized. I was polite even to those whose work I did not care for.

Hey, maybe I should teach a comic book etiquette course.

Maybe.