Want To Take Part In Author Book Fairs? Here’s How.

Are you a writer who has published at least one book and are looking to get some exposure to potential readers and make some sales? Then taking part in a local book fair is something you’ll want to look into! I love interacting with other readers and writers, so I jump at every chance I get to take part in author book fair events as one of the authors. Last year I took part in four book fair events, including events that were part of the county fair, the state fair, a holiday market, and a book festival. I expect to do more than that this year.

WHAT IS AN AUTHOR BOOK FAIR?

Author book fairs are events where published authors set up tables to display and sell their books and to interact with potential readers. Count me in!

Typically the venue will have a large room or event hall where tables are set up and each author will get a table (sometimes, two authors per table), at convention centers, community centers, senior centers, or libraries. Sometimes the event is shared with artists. Sometimes the author portion is part of a larger event, such as a fair or holiday festival. I’ve seen these events as small as a couple of authors or as large as fifty.

The events are most often sponsored by local libraries (or library leagues), writer organizations or coalitions, or simply very organized individual authors who have done this a lot. Once in a while they are put on by local businesses that cater to readers, such as bookstores, coffee shops, or wineries. Sometimes they are part of a fundraiser (such as for the local library).

Usually there is a small fee to take part in the event, and sometimes I have to drive a fair way to get to them, but it’s worth it. I make more from book fair events each year than I do from Amazon book sales.

BE PREPARED TO TALK TO PEOPLE

It goes without saying that if you’re engaging the public and trying to sell your books as a writer, you’re going to have to talk to potential readers. They are customers, so you need to be a salesperson. Be your own advocate. And sometimes you’ll meet people who have long wanted to write and publish their own books and want to ask you about the process and how you got to the point you’re at.

If you’re really shy or have anxiety about meeting people, maybe a table event isn’t for you. I’m a bit odd in that I love public speaking. Over the years I’ve become a bit of an extravert, so it delights me when people walk up to my table and ask me about my books. Public speaking is the number one phobia (glossophobia) behind the fear of death, so if you have such a fear, you’re in good company. Somewhere around 75% of the population shares your fear. Sitting at a table isn’t exactly “public speaking” in that you’re not standing on a stage or giving a presentation, but you do need to advocate for yourself and entertain a little bit, too (such as by relating a scene from your book or talking about the process).

And, remember, you’re competing for their attention against a room full of other authors. You want to draw customers in by smiling at them and engaging with them as they step by. Often I’ll meet their eyes and say, “Hi! What do you like to read?” If they like the sort of thing I’ve published, I’ll say, “Oh, then maybe you’d like this book….”

HAVE A QUICK BLURB OF YOUR BOOK(S)

“What’s your book about?” is the most common question you’ll get. It’s also a question that many authors dread. How do you sum up a 100,000 word novel (or longer!) into a blurb that’s only a few sentences long? After all, you’ve got a masterpiece with complex characters and multiple subplots. I’ll admit, it ain’t easy. But you have to conquer that challenge anyhow in order to write a query letter to an agent or publisher, put text on the back of your book cover, or describe the book on the Amazon book page, so you might as well make it happen. This isn’t a synopsis (which describes the entire book and is a spoiler). No, this is a fast ad for your work.

Here's an example I tell people when they ask me about my fantasy novel, Dragon of the Federation:

Have you ever read a fantasy book told from the point of view of the dragon? A young female mage travels to see an ancient gold dragon who rules over a land of humans. She wants to warn him that the gods are angry and seeks to find out why. While she’s at the dragon’s palace, a visiting elvish prince is assassinated by one of the prince’s own guards. Meanwhile, a war is brewing with a neighboring civilization, threatening the security of the land. Sensing a link between these things, the dragon and the mage team up to investigate, uncovering a conspiracy to unleash arcane gods upon the land. If they fail to stop the scheme, control of the world’s magic could be lost forever.

There are lots of online pages and videos that will help you write (or say) a great book blurb, but your overall goal is to impel the reader to pick up your book to read more and hopefully purchase it from you.

They’ll have other questions, too. “Where do you get your ideas?” a customer might ask. Or “How long have you been writing?” Are you ready to answer those?

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU?

What do you need to bring with you for your event? Here is a list of what I bring:

• Books. Obviously you need copies of your books to sell. But how many? Have enough to sell at least a couple copies of each book per hour. Bring more than you think you may need. I keep a box of extra copies in my car, even, in case I sell out. Plan ahead of time how you’ll set up your books. You want them to be neatly organized, and you may not get a lot of room on your table (or even your HALF of the table sometimes).
• Tablecloth. Some events will provide a tablecloth for you. Others won’t. It’s a good idea to bring your own, just in case. Mine is purple, which is eye-catching.
• Folding table. Most events will provide a table for you. Some will make you pay for a table. A few will make you bring your own. Check beforehand with the organizer!
• Money for making change. Not everyone carries coins or dollar bills, or enough of them anyway. I price all my books in increments of $5 so I don’t have to carry around dollar bills or loose change. In any case, be prepared in case someone hands you a large bill to pay for that book of yours.
• Credit card reader. I’ve found that over half of the people I sell to want to pay by credit card. So you’ll want to download a commerce app on your phone and have a card reader that goes with it. I use Square, which has an easy app and will give you a card slider that plugs into your phone for free. You can also use the “tap” function on many phones and readers. I’m always surprised by writers who aren’t prepared to take credit cards. They miss out on sales because of it!
• Cell phone. If you have a card reader, you’ll need an app to go with it. Some customers also might want to pay with Venmo or PayPal, too, so be prepared. There are a surprising number of authors who don’t use cell phone money apps (I’m sorry to stereotype, but it’s usually the elderly authors who have the hardest time understanding how to use those). It’s a good idea to bring a charging cable and plug, or an external battery pack, so your phone doesn’t run out of juice during the event. Also, don’t be tempted to play on your phone during the event or constantly check it for messages. People will just walk by if they think you’re occupied or distracted.
• Promotional signage. You’re marketing your books, and signage is important for that! I have a table banner with my logo and striking pictures of my books that hangs on the table. I also have a couple of signs in holders on the table (one advertising my website, and another announcing my coming books), as well as copies of a special flyer to advertise my “quick read” stories sold on Amazon. There are websites that specialize in making such signage, such as Vistaprint, or office supply stores and sites.
• Price list. Make sure to show how much your books cost. Maybe you could even advertise a deal? For instance, if you have more than one title for sale, maybe you’ll offer them $5 off if they purchase one of each?
• Pens. People love it when authors sign their books! So bring a couple pens so you can do that. And be sure to ask “Would you like me to sign that for you?” when they make a purchase, and ask if they want it made out to them or to someone special. Make sure the pens are working beforehand and have nice, thick lines. Some people sign with fine-tipped Sharpie markers. I use new gel pens.
• Business cards. Be professional and have some business cards in a special holder. Many readers won’t want to buy your book right away. Or maybe they want your website. Or perhaps they don’t want the print version but prefer the Kindle ebook version and need a link. So have a good business card they can take with them that has all of that information. I even stick a business card into every copy of my books that I sell.
• Swag. Have something to give away to people who come by your table. Maybe a dish of free hard candies or chocolates. How about a specially-printed bookmark that has information about your books and webpage? Maybe some pens to hand out (with your logo and website printed on them, perhaps)?
• Bags. Have bags ready to hand to people. Most authors don’t do this, but I’ve found that customers love having a bag to carry your book and the other books they bought. I have bags that have my logo and website printed on them! They aren’t that expensive when you buy them in bulk. (HERE is the one I buy from Amazon). A few events will provide a bag to customers.
• Food and drink. These events often last all day, and you want to minimize how much you leave your table. Some events have food venders, but I bring with me something to drink (a couple sodas or water bottles) and food (usually a sandwich and a couple snacks). Don’t bring anything messy, though. Don’t want to get stains on your books!
• Hand cart. All that stuff, above, fits in about three boxes. That’s a lot to carry! And maybe you can’t park right at the door of the venue. So I bring a folding, wheeled hand cart to carry it all.

HOW DO YOU SIGN UP FOR A TABLE?

Don’t know how to get a table at an author book fair? Here are some suggestions:

• Go to an event. I mean, you’re interested in going anyway, right? Because books! When you go there, ask to talk to the organizer. It might be too late to get a table this year, but how about for next year? Or maybe they run several events a year.
• Inquire at a venue. Contact the event center and ask if they have an author event and, if so, if they can put you in touch with the organizer.
• Ask your local writer’s organization. Chances are the writer’s organization in your area sponsors events or has lists of events, with contact information for the organizers.
• Contact your library or bookstores. Libraries and bookstores are in touch with the local book scene. They advertise events. They might even sponsor one themselves. They can put you in touch with the organizer.
• Ask more experienced authors. Chances are the more experienced authors in your area have taken part in these events. They can tell you who to contact.
• Plan your own. Obviously this is a more daunting option, since organizing events is a skill set that many people don’t have. But it is do-able. And if you partner with a local writer’s organization, venue, and/or sponsors, you might just find others who have more experience and can help you.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Regardless of the size of the event or the venue, I think you’ll find it very rewarding to have a table at an author book fair. Not just because of the revenue you can generate by selling your books, or even the chance to find more readers, but because you get to meet new readers, network with other writers, and get experience in the “writer scene” to build your writing career (or hobby, however you see it). Writing isn’t just about putting words on paper, after all. There’s a LOT more to it when you get to the point of publishing. Enjoy the experience!

Cheers and happy reading!