Last year, after becoming thoroughly disillusioned with the pay-to-play world of social media, I decided to get back to basics and try a couple of live events. No ads, no algorithms—just me, a table, and (hopefully) some interested readers.
Despite having started my career in event management, I quickly realised that selling my own books is an entirely different kettle of fish. Back then, I wielded my organiser’s clipboard like a shield. Now, as the one in the spotlight, there’s no hiding. It turns out, playing stage manager is a lot easier than treading the metaphorical boards.
What's your book about? 🥸
I kicked off with Vegfest in Bristol last September. The event was fantastic, though I’ll admit we spent more on the amazing food than I made in book sales! Then in December, I attended the Rhondda Book Fair back in the homeland (Wales). Both were fantastic fun, if slightly terrifying. There’s nothing quite like the experience of talking about your own book to make you question if you actually know what it’s about!
After that initial buzz, I was hooked. I scoured the area for more events, but nothing quite fit, so I decided to host my own. Thus, the Bracknell Book Fair was born, which ended up being a rollicking success in July of this year. Being able to hold space for other authors to connect with new readers felt fabulous and it was without doubt, a highlight of my year.
I’ve attended other events too, like ComicCon in Oxford and the BristolCon sci-fi and fantasy convention, plus countless local markets and craft fairs (I’ve genuinely lost count at this point). Lugging boxes of books around the country isn’t without its downsides (hello, back pain), but each event has its own spark that keeps me going.
Practice makes....better
Even though my “elevator pitch” is still embarrassingly clunky, I’m building confidence with each event. There’s a thrill to live interactions that no online platform can replicate. I’m always meeting incredible people, and as most of the events I attend are dog-friendly, I get bonus cuddles too!
In the end, I’ve found that confidence really does come through doing. Every time I pack up after an event, no matter how successful it was, I feel a little more assured—and maybe a tiny bit more like a ‘real’ author.
So, here’s to the next fair, the next round of nervous chats, and, fingers crossed, an elevator pitch that edges towards the polished!
Next up, is Henley-on-Thames tomorrow. See the events page for details.