What happens in an M&G…
Stays in an M&G.
Those are the rules. In every convention.
But why?
-> Because you’re paying for a private meeting with a guest, in a room with 10/20 people (depending on the con), and they share 80% of the time stuff they don’t share in public (panels, etc.).
And the truth is, keeping these things a secret…it’s fun. After all, it’s your experience, that you will cherish. Some things are better to keep a secret. Ssshhh.
I won’t talk about what Mark said in the M&G’s I frequented (I just did him so far), and things are different from con to con. But I will tell you my experiences in each one of them! And also the difference between all of them.
My first M&G - DLC4
The first M&G and the first con! You know…it’s a cliché, but the first is always special. I had to wait 3 years, due to the COVID pandemic, and I didn’t know this one was gonna be my first con.
In Paris, you pay 120€ for a 30m M&G (Mark), you sit in a circle and the guest is on top. It was one of the best I ever had! We had amazing conversations, and I got to engage a lot with Mark.
My second M&G - Purgatory 6
This edition was different, also the most expensive M&G I paid! Almost 300€. Because it was two guests. It was lovely to meet Samantha Smith! It was 30m like in DLC. Mark and Sam sit with us at a table, they discussed and talked about several different things, and we would talk with them. There were no much of questions, it was a casual conversation.
DLC5 Last year
Third M&G, and third convention last year - Also the last one. So…I had the pleasure to be with a lot for friends, and also talking a lot with Mark once again - that brought company this time - lovely Frankie.
In Basingstoke
In Basingstoke, I had 2 M&G with Mark (one each day), and was the cheapest I paid! Yes I know, no M&G photo, so I uploaded my favourite photo op. They didn’t take the usual photo with the group, I was somehow sad, but it was their first event, and they said no photos. Remember that in every event things differ. I had an amazing time at the first one, Mark hugged me at the end, we hadn’t seen each other since October (It was May). Both were lovely times, it always passes so fast damn it!
And the last M&G I did - At SF Creation
It was a surprise…Mark didn’t know I was in America! And I must say…from all the meetings I’ve done…this was my least favorite. Of course, it is always great to see Mark, but I need to be honest: In every meeting I did people DIDN’T talk at the same as other people…and didn’t interrupt. It was rude, and I didn’t like that. I barely had the chance to talk or engage. The girls were super kind and were simply enthusiastic, but you need also to respect the other people in the room, that are shy and want to have the chance to talk.
In Creation, you always take a one-one pic with the guest :)
Now, there is no difference in the time - They were all 30 minutes.
In DLC, Purgatory, and Basingstoke CC you could buy online or in the venue if it wasn’t sold out, but Creation does things differently!
They use AUCTIONS, so you need to BIG for your M&G! Sometimes the prices get crazy…
How does it work?
-> You go to their website and pick the event you will attend (make sure to subscribe and you’ll receive all updates in your email) They post in their social media, but if you could get those updates on your email, it would be very helpful. Then register on the auction site.
-> They always announce 2 weeks before these auctions will start and THEY LAST 7 DAYS.
-> The SMART thing to do is simple: Wait until the last day, check how many people have bid, and place your bid. In SF I waited until the last 20 minutes. If you win, they will send you an email and you need to pay right away!
-> Every guest has the MINIMUM $ value, so you will know the minimum to bid.
It’s a vast world in Creation, in quarantine I was so interested that I found this piece on Tumblr:
It was very very interesting, and it explains pretty well how these things work. I was confused myself, so you never know.
But now I think they are changing things a bit, so they’re starting to have some M&G on the immediate purchase. So you wouldn’t need to bid anymore. Let’s see what happens…
M&G is definitely my favorite part of a convention. It’s a place where you can get to know more people, and you can bring gifts to your guests, engage, and have great conversations or debates.
If you wanna know about my adventures, don’t forget to scroll on my BLOG section for every con, tip, opinion, etc. about the SPN convention world!
