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
Websites For Sale Authors, especially self published, small press and Print on Demand... Read More You wrote a tips booklet. Maybe more than one. Oh... Read More How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More Your print or ebook is nearly finished. You wonder if... Read More For you writers aspiring to greatness, you might need a... Read More A client wrote me recently and asked what I thought... Read More Even if your book or service is excellent, they won't... Read More There's just something so gratifying about owning your own books... Read More To have your work accepted for hard copy publication is... Read More Authors, especially self published, small press and Print on Demand... Read More Why Should Your Book Be on Amazon.com? Credibility. If your... Read More Hi Noel,I absolutely love your website, As an MS sufferer... Read More To create a saleable book you need to know your... Read More If you're like me, you have a book and the... Read More Congratulations, you've written a book and even gotten it published!... Read More What is a book club sale? It is actually a... Read More Are you an avid reader? Are you trying to instill... Read More If I was asked to describe the perfect book, one... Read More The topic of your book or eBook counts-big time. Which... Read More While traditional marketing can work for the book author or... Read More When my first book was published way back ten years... Read More No matter what any publisher or marketing company tells you... Read More Editors will buy a book for one or more of... Read More Authors, publishers and business owners are great at getting their... Read More Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having... Read More
Cheap Domain Names
You , Your Book and the Internet!
Plays Well With Others to Become an Instant Author
Why Would I Buy Your Book? Six Steps to Your Tell and Sell - Part 2
Publishing Your Book?What Way is Best For You? - Part 2
Marketing Virus ? Every Writer Needs to Catch It
Authors Should Be Optimistic
Why Testimonials are Number One in Selling your Book or Service
Spend a Little Time, Get Free Books Online
Do You Long To See Your Books Published And Selling From The Major Chains?
You, Your Book and the Internet!
Sell More Books on Amazon.com
FSBO Author believes in Bookswaps
Know These Five Audiences to Write a Top Selling Book
Top Six Lies About Book Marketing: (And the Truths to Set Your Book Free!)
Publicity for Buzz Marketing for Authors
Book Club Sales -- Increasing the Odds
Never Pay Full Price for a Book!
The Perfect Book and Where to Find It!
Three Powerful Tips on Selecting a Book Topic that Sells
Online Book Promotion Beats Traditional Seven to One - Part 1
How to Grab the No.2 Spot on Amazon for Advance Book Sales
Book Marketing 101 for the Self-Published Author -- Getting Started
28 Reasons Why Publishers Will Buy Your Book
Extend Your Books Life With a Sales Letter
Marketing for Writers When Writing Just Isnt Enough
TIP # 1Online reviews are paramount in importance when it... Read More
This is intended for informational purposes only. Selling books by... Read More
How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More
1991 was a pivotal year in my life. My professional... Read More
Recently, someone rated my "Online Book Marketing" article a 2... Read More
So you've written a book, had it published by a... Read More
These marketing tips aren't for the weak at heart. Use... Read More
Whether you are just starting or almost finished with your... Read More
What is a book club sale? It is actually a... Read More
Choosing a publisher probably seems like a complicated task, however,... Read More
Without a website, an author is unknown. Without a website,... Read More
There are over ten thousand daily, weekly and monthly newspapers... Read More
To know what to do at the right time in... Read More
Remember that the miracle of cloning sheep has its drawbacks.... Read More
Play a bigger game with your book sales by expanding... Read More
With the large increase of books being published by self-publishers,... Read More
Your book cover is the first impression a potential client... Read More
There are several ways of publishing your chapbook. You can... Read More
Authors, especially self published, small press and Print on Demand... Read More
You've just been notified a review of your book has... Read More
When authors think of their audience buying books they think... Read More
Color is tricky at the best of times. If you... Read More
Surprisingly, book stores are not always your greatest source of... Read More
Are you an author who is looking for new ways... Read More
The topic of your book or eBook counts-big time. Which... Read More
Book Marketing |