Reader Events – Who’s going and what do you do?

We’re chatting this week about author/reader events and who attends them.  I’ve asked this question in the past and received various answers on the topic.  

I attend them because I like meeting readers. It’s difficult in this current publishing environment to meet readers who just might like my books.  We are so flooded with new authors and established authors putting out more books per year just to keep up, that it’s like swimming with a plastic ring around my waist in the ocean.  

While some authors seem to have the luck of the Irish with them when they first publish, many of us flounder along looking for our readers one at a time.  That’s been my experience.  I write books I love and would love to read. I get good reviews on the vendor sites, but finding batches of rabid readers alludes me.  It’s always a puzzle.

White hat

So, back to reader events.  These events are expensive, so I find that I must limit how many I can attend.  As authors we pay for our tables, we have travel, hotel, food expenses as well as stocking up on our books and swag, so I feel strongly that I select carefully which events to attend.

I attended three events last year, the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend in Milwaukee, WI, Wild Deadwood Reads in Deadwood, SD and Glass City Author/Reader Event in Toledo, OH.  Each event was very well run, some more intense than others and at each event, I met readers who I’ve enjoyed spending time with and getting to know.  On top of that, there are fun and games that happen and activities that we all partake in to get to know each other a bit better and have a good time while doing it.

Meeting fellow authors is a huge bonus to that because, let’s face it, that’s where the great networking happens.

I set up my table with an array of my books, mini candy bars with my book covers on them, bookmarks and of course my business cards.  I’d love to “spice” my table up a bit.  I’ve seen some authors who do a fabulous job of “decorating” their tables and I don’t seem to have that “flair” though not because I haven’t thought about it. I guess I’ll need to think a bit harder on it. I’d love any suggestions anyone has on this matter.  If you’re good at this, please comment below or message me, I’d LOVE to hear from you.

This year I’ll be attending three events and would love to step up my game. 

Untitled Town – Green Bay, WI

Salute with Love Military Romance Author/Reader – Pheonixville, PA

Mayhem in the Midwest – Madison, WI

Will you be at any of these events?  If so, let me know, I’d love to meet you.

Let’s hop on over and see where my fellow authors will be.


5 thoughts on “Reader Events – Who’s going and what do you do?”

  1. I’ve added some small battery powered lights to my table recently, in hopes that they will catch people’s eyes. But I don’t really have room for decorations!

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