Sell Your Book At Book Fairs, Festivals & Trade Shows
Catherine Franz explains how to play a bigger game with your book sales by expanding your audiences at local or nonlocal book fairs, festivals or trade shows.
Play
a bigger game with your book sales by expanding your audiences at
local or nonlocal book fairs, festivals or trade shows. Can't
afford a booth or table, rent a space on someone else's table and
volunteer to be back for their book. In fact, rent a corner at
various different tables in the same fair or show and triple your
exposure.
The place on the net to go to find out what's
upcoming in your area, or an area you want to travel to, is at the
Library of Congress' web site
(www.loc.gov.loc/cfbook/bookfair.html).
When you visit, the listings are in alphabetical order or by state.
You will find shows for other countries, including Canada, Australia,
and the United Kingdom. International events, including Canada,
listings available. Travel for a month, write it off for your
taxes, and include several different fairs and shows while you
there.
Since I live in Virginia and travel frequently to
Washington State, I planned my travel and schedule around these two
areas to start.
Virginia
Fall for the Book|Fairfax|Sept
www.fallforthebook.org/
Hollins
University Annual Literary
Festival|Roanoke|March
www.hollins.edu/news-events/litfest/litfest.htm
LAUGHS:
Loudon's Annual Unforgettable Gigantic Hilarious
Storyfest
www.laughsfestival.org/
|Sterling|June
Newport News Celebrates the Book|Newport
News|Oct
www.newport-news.va.us/library/
Virginia
Book Festival www.vabook.org/|Charlottsville|Mar
Virginia
Storytelling Alliance Gathering|Glen
Allen|Mar
vasa.communitypoint.org/
Washington
Bellingham
Storytelling
Festival|Bellingham|Nov
www.ac.wwu.edu/~rvohs/storyfestival2001.html
Bumbershoot
www.bumbershoot.org/
|Seattle|Sept
Forest Storytelling Festival | Port Angeles |
Sept
http://www.dancingleaves.com/
Northwest
Bookfest | Seattle | Oct/Nov www.nwbookfest.org/
If
you prefer to view the list by date,
visit:
www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/bkevents.html.
The
National Book Festival, Washington DC, an extremely large event, held
every October on The Mall. For more information:
www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/natl.bk.fest.html.
Take
a few minutes, visit the Library of Congress' web site, and find the
ones that fit into your schedule and location. Get bold and stand
out, do book signings at Wine Festivals too (no matter what your
topic).
You can even contact table renters in other locations
and offer a commission for selling the books and you don't even need
to be there. Look for people with integrity and give them a
complimentary copy of your book. Write a "dedication"
to them in the front.
For other possibilities to expand your
book sales, visit your local and state government web sites for
events, libraries, school district events, business organizations,
civic or private clubs, bookstores at museums (private or public).
Also, consider the arts and craft festivals and fun
fairs.
Nonfiction Author Natalie Goldberg used to write
instant poetry at booths at New Mexico area carnivals –
including the school carnivals.
If you are a technical writer
look for Technology fairs and exhibits. Business Expos are the
place to be if you are business writer. Are you a children's
author, ask to sell your books at Parent Day events at the local
schools. Christmas shows are great for children books too. Did
you write a historical book? Include all the history events on
your tour for 2004.
Well, we shared some new places to find
events to sell your books at in 2004. Don't stop here, be
creative, and try anything at least once, if it is financially
conducive. Stretch your imagination and your opportunities and watch
your book sales soar. Most important, have fun. In
addition, don't forget to write a book about it!
Catherine
Franz is a marketing veteran, a Certified
Business Coach,
Certified Teleclass Leader and Trainer,
speaker, attraction master
and author. For a free marketing
analysis or complimentary
coaching session send e-mail:
mailto:catherine@AbundanceCenter.com.
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