Book Fairs and Signings 101
and other news from Duskbound Books
Book Fairs and Signings 101: Authors, prepare to sell!
When I did my first signing in 2021 at a bookstore, I had no idea what to expect. I brought only a stack of books and a piece of paper to collect addresses for my mailing list. At the time, my book looked pretty dinky and most definitely self-published. Now that I’m a part of Duskbound, my product is attractive—and I have the connections to be invited to events (sometimes too many)! A lot has changed.
While I won’t be able to cover everything here, I wanted to share a few tips. You can learn more in my book The Author’s Guide to Libraries, since that’s where many book fairs and signings happen.
How do I find events to attend?
Join writers’ groups in your area! I suggest formal organizations such as Sisters in Crime or the Horror Writers of America. These are more focused on big-picture education rather than small-scale critique groups. You can network with people in specific local chapters to share information about upcoming events. I am also part of two Facebook author groups. One is made of authors from Sisters in Crime and a few others we’ve sucked in over the years. (Come to the dark side! We have cookies!) The other grew organically from a local reader group. I suggest you join readers’ groups anyway—it’s always good to know what people are reading and what’s trending. You can also check at local libraries to see if they are hosting any author fairs. I do not recommend asking your local library to set up a specific signing, though, as these are usually not well-attended.
How do I know which events are good?
This also takes some networking and discussion. Some events are better for different types of authors. For example, my friend Jane Ann Turzillo writes historical true crime. She will often be asked to talk about her work at universities and events focusing on the past. My books, which are speculative contemporary works, would not do well in those venues. You can also check out similar events at the place you’re considering.
Think critically about your costs versus benefits. Will the event be worth your time, especially if you are paying a booth fee? How far away is it? How long is the event? What size table do you get? What’s the audience?
All of us have disappointing events—but you can learn something from those, too. You don’t have to sign up for the same events every year. But you can sign up again for the events you liked! Eventually, you will have an idea of what works best.
What should I bring?
This could have its own post! I go into detail about this topic in The Author’s Guide to Libraries. There are also plenty of people online who know way more than I do. I’m still trying to nail down my booth setup. Sometimes you will have a six-foot table; sometimes you’ll have four or even three. So your booth can’t even be the same every time.
Here’s a short list of my must-haves:
Money Stuff - I suggest taking every form of payment you can. I have a Square reader, Venmo, PayPal, and a cash box. Make sure you get change. Keep track of your sales. Paypal also has a card reader through them called Zettle, which allows for taking cards, Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Make sure to have cash on hand in smaller bills to make change for those who pay with cash.
Tablecloth
Book Stands
Bookmarks and something to display them in
Books (people have forgotten before!)
Pens
Newsletter signup form
Clearly marked pricing
Chair or table - Find out from the venue whether these will be provided or not.
Want more info? Check out The Author’s Guide to Libraries!
Passageways: Nefarious—a crime fiction-focused anthology—is open for submissions.
Submission Window: January 31 - March 31 2025
Genre: Crime Fiction. We are seeking literary partners in fictional crime for our next anthology, Passageways: Nefarious. From action packed heists to suspenseful whodunits, we want stories that explore the criminal element. Not your usual genre? No worries. As long as crime provides the bones of your story, we don't care if its wrapped in a noir, horror, mystery, fantasy, or sci-fi skin.
Title: Passageways: Nefarious
Wordcount: 7,000 MAX
Firmly enforced.
Formatting: Word or Google Doc. Double-spaced. Include your story title, pen name, story elevator pitch, word count, and email at the beginning of the document.
Available Story Slots: 25 stories will be included in the anthology.
Submission Cap: 50 entrants
Once 50 entries have been received, the submission window will close.
Number of submissions per person: 1 story
Story must not have been previously published.
Submission Fee: Free
Royalties/Compensation: All profits generated will be donated to The Little Free Library charity. Upon request, we provide quarterly sales statements to show how many books we've sold and how much will be donated.
Rights: Participants keep the rights to their work. After a period of 1-year from the publication date, entrants may publish their short stories with other outlets.
FALLEN Arrives This May!
The newest book in Aly Welch’s Masquerade Series arrives this May.
Pop star Tiffany Sharp has it all—fame, fortune, a passionate fan base—until a vicious tabloid rumor regarding her link to the otherworldly Lafayette Corporation threatens to end her career. Caught in a web of lies, Tiffany no longer knows who to trust as she seeks her true identity.
Friends have their own problems. A new menace lurks in the Hollywood Hills while other threats across the country grow in strength and numbers. Worlds collide as the mystery surrounding Tiffany Sharp unfolds.