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' website: http://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 plan my travel and schedule around these two areas to start.
Virginia
Fall for the Book | Fairfax | Sept http://www.fallforthebook.org/
Hollins University Annual Literary Festival | Roanoke | Mar http://www.hollins.edu/news-events/lit fest/litfest.htm
LAUGHS: Loudon's Annual Unforgettable Gigantic Hilarious Storyfest http://www.laughsfestival.org/ | Sterling | June
Newport News Celebrates the Book | Newport News | Oct http://www.newport-news.va.us/library/
Virgi nia Book Festival http://www.vabook.org/ | Charlottsville | Mar
Virginia Storytelling Alliance Gathering | Glen Allen | Mar http://vasa.comm unitypoint.org/archives/events/vasa_gathering_2004_call.html
Washington
Bellingham Storytelling Festival | Bellingham | Nov http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~rvohs/storyfestiva l2001.html
Bumbershoot http://www.bumbershoot.org/ | Seattle | Sept
Forest Storytelling Festival | Port Angeles | Sept http://www.dancingleaves.c om/storypeople/forestfestival/index.html
Northwest Bookfest | Seattle | Oct/Nov http://www.nwbookfest.org/
If you prefer to view the list by date, visit: http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/bkevents.html.< /p>
The National Book Festival, Washington DC, an extremely large event, held every October on The Mall. For more information: http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/natl.bk.fest.ht ml.
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 doing it. In addition, don't forget to write a book about it!
(c) Copyright 2003, 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
Catherine Franz, a Business Coach, specialized in writing, marketing and product development. Newsletters and additional articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com
Obtaining agency representation is your first step toward getting profitably... Read More
Some of us write simply because we can't not write.... Read More
If you are discouraged because traditional methods of book or... Read More
A client wrote me recently and asked what I thought... Read More
You've just been notified a review of your book has... Read More
What is a book club sale? It is actually a... Read More
Most authors sigh a sigh of relief when they finish... Read More
Are you an author who is looking for new ways... Read More
Whether you are an ebook author/publisher or a print book... Read More
How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More
Since I self-published my first book, "101 Ways to Improve... Read More
What you do after you have written your book is... Read More
No matter what any publisher or marketing company tells you... Read More
What can be more infuriating to a potential purchaser of... Read More
Most authors who aren't used to speaking before a group... Read More
Play a bigger game with your book sales by expanding... Read More
Why Should Your Book Be on Amazon.com? Credibility. If your... Read More
Marketing your own book can seem like a scary task.... Read More
These marketing tips aren't for the weak at heart. Use... Read More
Many self-publishing authors plan on eventually selling their book to... Read More
How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More
When authors think of their audience buying books they think... Read More
A flyer is an excellent, inexpensive way to promote your... Read More
During the past year or so, I have done nearly... Read More
First, the disclaimers: Since the algorithm Amazon uses to generate... Read More
Editors will buy a book for one or more of... Read More
Why write an introduction? Nobody reads it anyway. Up until... Read More
To create a saleable book you need to know your... Read More
Working in the publishing industry comes with a high expectation,... Read More
If you're a new author that has been requested to... Read More
Want to sell a lot more books? Want clients calling... Read More
How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More
Any book that is in its 14th edition must be... Read More
Color is tricky at the best of times. If you... Read More
NOTE: Because many words in this article are likely to... Read More
When authors think of their audience buying books they think... Read More
Are you an author who is looking for new ways... Read More
"Are you disappointed and tired of time and money down... Read More
If you're like me, you have a book and the... Read More
No matter what any publisher or marketing company tells you... Read More
You wrote a tips booklet. Maybe more than one. Oh... Read More
After months of scouring the internet, I could not put... Read More
While traditional marketing can work for the book author or... Read More
Congratulations, you've written a book and even gotten it published!... Read More
Any book that is in its 14th edition must be... Read More
Think of your book on the bookstore shelf trying to... Read More
Since I self-published my first book, "101 Ways to Improve... Read More
How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More
Even if your book or service is excellent, they won't... Read More
Surprisingly, book stores are not always your greatest source of... Read More
What is your excuse for not being published? "I don't... Read More
How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More
Still marketing your book through press releases, networking groups, and... Read More
Authors, especially self published, small press and Print on Demand... Read More
What you do after you have written your book is... Read More
First, the disclaimers: Since the algorithm Amazon uses to generate... Read More
If you are reading this article then you have already... Read More
What is a book club sale? It is actually a... Read More
There are over ten thousand daily, weekly and monthly newspapers... Read More
As a literary publicist I often am asked about publicity... Read More
Whenever someone suggests you do a book signing and you... Read More
Many of us are trying to do business and don't... Read More
Editors will buy a book for one or more of... Read More
Your print or ebook is nearly finished. You wonder if... Read More
Marketing your book whether you went the POD, e-book, or... Read More
Play a bigger game with your book sales by expanding... Read More
Book Marketing |