The Top 25 Book Fairs and Book Festivals Authors Should Attend

By Scott Lorenz
President
Westwind Communications

Are book fairs an effective way to promote books? As a book publicist and book marketing specialist, I am the first to impress on authors the new and powerful marketing avenues open to all authors on the Internet - from book websites to book trailers to social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. While these are fantastic tools when used properly, authors should never overlook opportunities to meet the reading public face-to-face where they can easily be found - at book fairs, book festivals, trade shows, book conferences and conventions.

Any book event, regardless of size and name recognition, is worth attending by an author who is serious about promoting their book. This requires personal effort and time by the author in person. People don't want to meet the author's assistant or friend; no they want to talk to the author.

Book fairs provide an excellent chance to learn more about the publishing industry, about booksellers, publishers, distributors and marketers. The attending author will also learn a great deal about what readers want and how to reach readers. And while acquiring a vast amount of knowledge about the book industry, the author can also take advantage of the chance to expose their book and name to a new audience - leaders in the book industry who are interested in meeting new authors. While you may not walk away with a book deal you'll make yourself known to the movers and shakers and that has long-lasting benefits. Remember, word of mouth is one of the strongest promotional tools available and authors need to be where the mouths are - the mouths of book publishers, distributors, promoters, agents and readers - at book fairs, conventions and conferences.

Book fairs provide an excellent opportunity to encounter media reps in search of a story. Producers of TV and radio programs, editors of newspapers, magazines, book reviewers and online media outlets attend these events in search of stories that otherwise would be under their radar. Never, never pass up on the opportunity to meet the media. Keep an eye out for small I-phone sized video cameras too as they shoot broadcast quality footage in natural light. If you see somebody using one, invite them over and give them a pitch. They could be shooting for C-SPAN, CNN, a book review blog or the local cable show; you won't know unless you ask.

The major book conferences and conventions involve travel expenses such as airlines and hotel lodging, and a week's investment of your time. But book fairs can be found close to home, easily accessed by car and often are only one or two days. A typical regional book fair will have 1,000 or more attendees and 100 or more exhibitors, providing a realistic exposure of 300 visitors a day. Why would an author not want to spend a Saturday and a Sunday within 100 miles of home to meet 600 readers or a reporter, editor or book reviewer?

At a book fair, just as at a book signing event, the author will want to bring promotional literature to pass out. Passing out promotional bookmarks or book covers is a great way to generate future sales for months and months after the book fair ends. The give-away should contain the author's contact information, the book's name, the front cover artwork, author's website address, and where the book can be purchased online.

I also remind my author clients that book fairs often need speakers. By volunteering to speak, the author not only gains great exposure but can also add that appearance to their resume and press releases. But plan ahead; dates for panel participants, speakers and autograph sessions are arranged months in advance.

Book fairs are often attended by best-selling authors who will be willing to spend time with you sharing tips on writing, on how to be successful, and advice on where to find the help you need.

In summary, book fairs are wonderful places to interact with fellow authors, publishers, network with book industry leaders, locate the help you need such as a publicist or book editor, and learn what's new in the marketplace. For more information about book marketing visit http://www.westwindcos.com/book and for upcoming book events on C-SPAN2 visit: http://www.BookTV.org

Here is a list of 25 book fairs and events that are worthy of your attendance (courtesy of Noel Griese, Editor of Southern Review of Books, http://www.anvilpub.net/southern_review_of_books.htm):

1. CAMEX/National Association of College Stores, Feb. 25-26, 2011, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX, attracts more than 7,000 people, including booksellers from more than 1,000 stores www.nacs.org
2. Spring Book Show, March 25-27, Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, GA, more than 50,000 book titles offered by vendors www.springbookshow.com/
3. London Book Fair, April 11-13, 201, Earls Court, London, global marketplace for sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels www.londonbookfair.co.uk
4. Philadelphia Book Festival, April 16, 2011, Parkway Central, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, attended by 35,000 and more than 50 authors, performers http://libwww.freelibrary.org/bookfestival/
5. 2011 Dayton Book Expo, Christian Writers Marketplace, April 30, 2011, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio A great opportunity for authors of books on Christian topics. www.Daytonbookexpo.com
6. Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 30-May 5, 201. The festival attracts more than 150,000 readers. www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/
7. South Carolina Book Festival, May 14-15, 2011, Colombia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC, more than 6,000 book lovers attend www.scbookfestival.org/
8. BookExpo America, May 23-26, 2011, Jacob Javits Center, NYC, the premier North American publishing event of the year www.bookexpoamerica.com
9. Printers Row Lit Fest, June 4-5, 2011 Chicago, Illinois at Dearborn and Polk street. A large book fair attended by more than 100,000 book lovers http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/printersrowlitfest/
10. American Library Association Annual Conference June 23-28, 2011, New Orleans, LA, some 2,000 seminars and events plus a huge trade show. http://www.alaannual.org/
11. International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) July 10-13, 2011, Atlanta, GA http://www.christianretailshow.com/ Considered the best show for Christian authors according to Sara Bolme author of Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace http://www.marketingchristianbooks.com
12. Harlem Book Festival, July 23, 2011, West 135th Street, NYC www.qbr.com/
13. The Atlanta Black Book Expo, August 6, 2011 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, GA. http://www.abbexpo.com
14. Decatur Book Festival, Sept. 2-5, 2011, Decatur, GA, largest independent book festival in the country. Since its launch, more than 600 authors and 190,000 attendees have attended this event in downtown Decatur. http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/Community/index.php
15. Fall For the Book Festival, Sept. 18-23, 2011, George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus, Fairfax, VA., sponsored by George Mason University, Fairfax County Public Library and Barnes & Noble. Attended by more than 150 authors. http://www.fallforthebook.org
16. Baltimore Book Festival, Sept. 23-25, 2011, attracts more than 100 authors. www.baltimorebookfestival.com/
17. Sonoma County Book Festival, September 24, 2011, Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA. attended by thousands of book lovers. http://www.socobookfest.org
18. West Hollywood Book Fair, October 1, 2011, at West Hollywood Park, more than 180 exhibitors expected. http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org
19. Frankfurt Book Fair, October 12-16, 2011 in Frankfort, Germany. Considered the biggest book show in the world. www.book-fair.com
20. Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word October 14-16, 2011, War Memorial Plaza, Nashville, TN, attracts more than 200 authors from throughout the U.S. http://www.humanitiestennessee.org/festival/current.php
21. Texas Book Fair, October 22-23, 2011, State Capitol Building, Austin, TX, established in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian, more than 45,000 attend. www.texasbookfestival.org/
22. Kentucky Book Fair, Saturday, November 12, 2011, Frankfort Convention Center, attended by up to 5,000 people including 150 authors http://kybookfair.org/

The bottom line:
Make it a priority to visit a book fair in the coming weeks and months. You'll be glad you did!

Photo cutline:
Book publicist Scott Lorenz suggests authors visit book fairs and events to promote their books and meet book industry contacts.

About Scott Lorenz
Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with doctors, lawyers, inventors and authors. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC Nightly News, The New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Family Circle, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few. To discuss how Westwind Communications helps its clients get all the publicity they deserve and more, call 734-667-2090 or email: scottlorenz@westwindcos.com . Visit: http://www.westwindcos.com