Saturday, April 06, 2013

A to Z Challenge - Festivals

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers, along with a daily photo.(All photos taken by me.)


Writers will think book festivals first. (There are also writer’s conferences.) Both are excellent places to network and learn about the industry and craft of writing.

Authors need to think beyond book festivals, though. If you want to sell books, where will you be in front of your target audience? Art fairs? Regional festivals? Trade shows? Celebrations? Expos? Business conventions? Farmer’s markets? (Really!) Check local listing and online for events you can attend.

Go prepared. Take business cards and a notebook. Attend as many of the sessions, talks, and panels as possible. Network at every opportunity. Talk to successful authors and industry experts. This is your chance to learn and make connections.

Where are you going next?

Visit other participants in the A to Z Challenge HERE

And your daily photo - "Fiery Concert Lights"



$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0

Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindle UK, and Powell’s.

41 comments:

Annalisa Crawford said...

Farmers markets! That's thinking outside the box!! I'll remember this post for the day I have a physical book to sell :-)

Rhonda Albom said...

Great advice and I love the photo.

Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
AtoZ #42

Donna Shields said...

We have a bunch of little festivals during the summer all over down here. Including Music on Main where they close down all of Main Street in Greenville every Thursday and Friday night, bringing out the local bands. I think this might be my hot spot this year.

Jo said...

Festivals are always good. Love the photo.

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Nick Wilford said...

Never been to a festival like that but I hope to one day.

randi lee said...

Absolutely. It's amazing how far a business card to go--and they're such little money to produce, why wouldn't someone pick some up?

Unknown said...

LOVE this tip, LD. But it's sadly one I haven't done much with. I'm going to start this year, however. I'm moving to an area of the country where they have tons of exhibitions, etc. this summer, and I'm scheduled to go to my first big book festival in December.

Really looking forward to all of it, especially after reading this. :)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, L. Diane,


Great ADVICE.... WE need to meet and greet... Stay in FRONT of the public eye. So many writer HIDE in their cocoons and never come out. NOT GOOD.

LONG GONE are the days when a writer could just WRITE. Networking is a HUGE part of being a writer these days.

Thanks for all you supportive comments at my blog this week!

H is coming ...... I hope you like what I created!

DL Hammons said...

I had never thought of that...until I read your book! :)

Unknown said...

Wow, the thought of going to festivals scares me to death. I am not a crowds person and so I'm not sure I could do this. But, I guess for the sake of publicity...

Bish Denham said...

Hmmmmm. I'll be thinking about this when I finally get something published!

HistorySleuth said...

Our indie book store has a local authors day which is cool. Authors get to meet other authors and the public. It's a fun day. Hoping to have something new finished by this May.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Great photo! I've been thinking about going to a local Farmer's Market - and finding out more about semi-local book fair - thanks for the kick in the pants post!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Wish we had festivals like that in SA.

I'm lovin this Blog Challenge! Its fuckin' rockin my face off.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Wish we had festivals like that in SA.

I'm lovin this Blog Challenge! Its fuckin' rockin my face off.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Great way to promote your work.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Annalisa, I know an author that only did farmer's markets and would sell 50 books a weekend that way.

Randi Lee, I get mine from Got Print - with shipping, just $26 for 1000 glossy, high quality business cards.

EJ, I wish we had more in the area I live.

DL, glad you know now!

Tyrean, do it.

Mark Means said...

Some great ideas for getting your book out there. Thanks for the tips :)

Misha Gerrick said...

I haven't been to a single festival in my whole life.

Not sure if I want to go to the ones in my country. :-/

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I've still never been to a book festival.
Awesome photo!

Chancelet said...

Nice advice. I had been thinking along those lines, and had made a few calls before. But it seemed that I was either too late or the tables were too expensive. I hadn't given up on the idea, but am looking to hook up with a friend who is a local artist to go in on a table with her for some events.

Unknown said...

I'll have to remember this post for when I'm actually a published author...someday! :) Great ideas. :)

Jaimie
Living in the Light
A to Z Ambassador

Gwen Gardner said...

Oh, good ideas! When I get brave enough....

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I join a bunch of other authors every summer at a local farmers' market in a park. Don't usually sell many books but it's fun to network with the others.

Al Diaz said...

I love those lights. Would look cool in the cave. :D
There are many book festivals here in Mexico, but I guess I would have to write in Spanish to start with my closest market.

Carol Kilgore said...

I like that you always think outside the box :)

Kristen said...

My favorites usually involve technology. And I love sci-fi, so that works! :)

From A to Z, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

Tara Tyler said...

yes! all these tips are so valuable! must make connections and calls an d learn and ah! success takes lots of work and guts!

Mel Chesley said...

Hmm... if I were closer to one, I'd be at a Renn Faire. ;) Fantasy abounds!

klahanie said...

Over in England they have books for sale at what is called "a car boot sale" although I've never actually seen anybody actually sell a car boot. Car boot is the equivalent to flea market.

Thanks for the ideas, Diane.

Gary

Heather M. Gardner said...

The hard work never ends!
Heather

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Promoting at farmers markets is a great idea. County fairs would be a good place, too. Hmmm.

I'm AtoZing at
Take 25 to Hollister
Don't be a Hippie

Lady's Knight said...

Really works if the genre and festival (activity) have have a common interest

great points here

happy A to Z

Jason "J-Ryze" Fonceca said...

Definitely good advice, and I've found that it applies to everything, in a way.

It boils down to Quantity & Quality of Exposure.

Many people have a great idea or great creation but put so little effort on exposing it to the right people or the right amounts of people.

Food for thought on a great 'F' post :)

Thanks, Diane!

Lyre said...

That is interesting but helpful advice. I would have never thought to try a farmer's market!

Thanks for all the great ideas.

Lyre at Lyre's Musings

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. excellent advice here - there's always lots going on at festivals: large and small .. and we never know ... Great thoughts - cheers Hilary

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Nancy, always use caution when paying for a table - most aren't worth the cost now.

Susan, networking is just as important.

Gary, that's good to know.

Ella said...

Yes, I love these ideas! I love the no stone unturned feel!

Gorgeous photo :D

Unknown said...

This is the first year I'm doing some festivals. Hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Unknown said...

I've been to the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Loved it.

Unknown said...

Great advice, would this just be those who have a published work to be pushed, or for those who are seeking to do it? what about those who have e-books?

Loving your posts.