Below you'll find a question from one of our booth participants that turned into my annual report of book fair booth do's, don't's, pro's, con's and marketing secrets:
Question: It would appear, from my short stop at the tent [at the LA Times Festival of Books], that no one made enough sales to break even. If that is true, an analysis would determine if it is worthwhile.
Answer: Thank you. This is a perfect way for me to focus that fair report that I promised those who participated in our booth. Questions and answers are always better than a plain old report. (-:
I can't remember exactly when you came onto the scene in our little book fair process. I say over and over again (in my newsletter, on my website, even in my book and on this blog that fairs are NOT about book sales but about exposure. The chance to send out invitations, releases, etc. and align oneself with the name of a fair as prestigious as the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books. It is prestigious not only because of its size and its own association with names like the Times and UCLA but also because the general reader assumes that if you're signing at the fair in any capacity, that's a big deal.
I. E. book fairs are about opportunity, not sales. That is why all our AC booth participants receive e-mails from me over and over again. They include templates for releases, for fliers, for invitations and tons of stuff on the basics of marketing in general and marketing book fair appearances in particular.
Having said that, I can't think of one book promotion in the ten years I've been doing it that "pays for itself." For one thing, except for a book fair, it's rare if we know exactly how many book sales to assign to a particular effort. Even a fair can't really be measured this way. Did people go home and buy a book online, as an example? Did they do it Monday? Will they do it Wednesday after the fair? Will they do it when they see you or your title again in the newspapers or on the WEB next week?
Marketing is cumulative. Marketing is about "Persistency over time" and "frequency." Those words are my marketing mantras.
A fair is also about networking. As are many speaking engagements (where one also may sell quite a few books and sometimes, may not).
So, I think the question to be asking ourselves here is not if anyone sold enough to cover their expenses (if you count my time billed out at minimum wage, I certainly didn't and haven't for the last six years!) But instead each person who signs at a fair should ask themselves:
1. How much did you learn?
2. What would you do differently next time?
3. Did you participate in any of the value-added promotions offered by your booth planners or produce any of your own? Did you do your basic marketing? Those releases and invitations?
4. Are you using what I'm sending you after the fair for follow-up publicity. And are you assigning a value to that (not in book sales--again, that's too hard to trace -- but in what you would pay for advertising space equivalent to what you got either on the Web or in your hometown newspaper?)
5. Did you make an important contact for your future career at the fair. A publisher? Editor? Bookstore buyer? A writing club? Editor? etc.
6. Did you collect names for your contact list? That's important so that the next time you will have more people to invite.
7. Did you use your participation as a featured author in your other promotion? Your website? Your blog? Your newsletter? (It is not too late!)
In other words, did you play this fair (or any other fair or book signing or event) for all it can do for you?
For those of you who participated in the catalog only, the principles I've mentioned apply to that kind of promotion, too. Did you supply book buyers' names as asked? Are you following up with that list to talk to booksellers about the catalog? Are you sending them another catalog or media kit or sell sheet now that the catalog has been delivered? Perhaps with a handwritten note attached pointing your book out as one written by a local author.
By the way, did you know that big marketers think any campaign is HUGE if they get 7% of results. That means if they send out 100 postcards, they feel very fortunate to get responses (even nonbuying responses) on seven of them.)
So, to answer this question. Those of you who prefer to evaluate your book fair may certainly find that it didn't pay for itself. Of course, much depends on your royalty/profit margin on your books. Much will also depend on the kind of book you have. Generally, as an example, nonfiction books sell better than fiction. It's the nature of the game. That is true across the board in the world of publishing.
I saw people in our booth sell from two books to about 12 in an hour (the higher number is a guess because I obviously can't count everyone's sales when I'm busy.) And I would welcome figures from you all. I also saw many visitors ask authors for their signatures on posters, ask to pose for photos, etc., and I believe that those with signs that made passers-by immediately aware they were authors, saw more of this kind of action than others. That may not seem like a calculable benefit to some, but I sure think it adds to the fun. And those pictures can end up on Facebook, blogs and more. Especially if you had good signs and/or remembered to grab a copy of your book and hold it face out for the camera!
If enough of you volunteer to give out your sales, I will be happy to post that. I'd also like you to briefly enumerate what you did to promote your appearance before the fair.
Here are just a couple of additional items to report. We had three volunteers who handed out fliers and bookmarks and many authors brought their own volunteers who were generous about handing out materials for authors other than the author they came with. Yes, I often asked them to do that. Ha! Our books were on display individually (something few booths do) and well lighted, also a book fair booth rarity.
If any of you have anything to add to this, suggestions for next year or things I missed, please use the comment butt on this blog.
What have you found effective in the book fairs you've participated in? Please share here by using the comment link below!
----
Blogging by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). Learn more at both the AC site and Carolyn's website, www.howtodoitfrugally.com and her blogs:
www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com
www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label book fairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book fairs. Show all posts
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Question on Book Fair Book Sales Answered
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks again for all of your helpful emails about the festival. My book, Running From Coyote: A White Family among the Navajo, is receiving some great reviews. You can see Tony Hillerman's comment, as well as the Discovery Kirkus Review on my web site: danaleebuhlerwriter.com
I have a couple of questions.
QUESTION: First, I plan to bring 40 books with me for the signing. In your experience, is that too many, too few? If I need more, I need to order them now from the publisher.
ANSWER: You'll be getting a notice on this soon. But yes, 40 would probably do it. It is a hard thing to know, however, because the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books attracts 135,000 visitors (among them directors, producers, etc) so anything can happen. So much depends on:
1. the title
2. the author (if he/she is recognized by some and if he/she has learned/knows how to relate to people walking by)
3. the amount of promotion the author has done both in general and for the signing
4. the price of the book.
Also, keep in mind that, though we would all like to sell lots of books at this fair, fairs in general are about, yep! exposure and credibility among readers. So, think sales, certainly. But keep in mind that what you are really after is to be associated with this fair (LA Times and UCLA and Authors' Coalition!) and to use it has a vehicle to contact bookstores, contact media, contact libraries, contact readers.
Let the world know that you will be featured author at the AC booth at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books!
QUESTION: Secondly, I have two laminated 11x17 inch "Meet the Author" posters which I plan to add an 8x11 inch author photo. I will hang these on the booth. Can I use these instead of the requested 14x16 inch poster? I will pick them up by closing on Sunday.
ANSWER: Yes, but you would need to get some grommets in them so we can string wire through them. That's how they get hung. And we do the hanging, around the top of the booth. If you want to keep one to use when you're signing (stand it on the table near your book display, as an example) that would work. One for the permanent display in the booth (hung by wire) and one for your display as you sign. )
QUESTION: I was planning on bringing my own cash box and handle my own sales. Is that how it's done? That's not a problem for me. I have some old fashion candy give-a-ways for my 1950's memoir. I will also bring my 3x4 foot Navajo rug for display on the signing table.
ANSWER: Yes, that's it exactly. Each author is in charge of his/her own little table area, his/her own book sales.
COMMENT: Finally, I will provide ten books for your give-a-way program.
RESPONSE: That the booth offers a f r e e book to people who buy books from any of the authors (while supplies last) obviously makes it possible for people to see your book even when it isn't your turn at signing. Thank you. That's a nice incentive for our readers to buy others' books and so appreciated by all. Thank you, Dana.
I will have the items listed in your last email ready to mail to you around the first of April. I look forward to meeting you.
Danalee Buhler
SUGGESTION: This blog is made available to all authors so they can learn more about planning for fairs. Go back and see what we've done in the past, how they might be applied to any fair or booth you might be planning.
-----
Blogging by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). Learn more at both the AC site and Carolyn's website, www.howtodoitfrugally.com and her blogs:
www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com
www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Thanks again for all of your helpful emails about the festival. My book, Running From Coyote: A White Family among the Navajo, is receiving some great reviews. You can see Tony Hillerman's comment, as well as the Discovery Kirkus Review on my web site: danaleebuhlerwriter.com
I have a couple of questions.
QUESTION: First, I plan to bring 40 books with me for the signing. In your experience, is that too many, too few? If I need more, I need to order them now from the publisher.
ANSWER: You'll be getting a notice on this soon. But yes, 40 would probably do it. It is a hard thing to know, however, because the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books attracts 135,000 visitors (among them directors, producers, etc) so anything can happen. So much depends on:
1. the title
2. the author (if he/she is recognized by some and if he/she has learned/knows how to relate to people walking by)
3. the amount of promotion the author has done both in general and for the signing
4. the price of the book.
Also, keep in mind that, though we would all like to sell lots of books at this fair, fairs in general are about, yep! exposure and credibility among readers. So, think sales, certainly. But keep in mind that what you are really after is to be associated with this fair (LA Times and UCLA and Authors' Coalition!) and to use it has a vehicle to contact bookstores, contact media, contact libraries, contact readers.
Let the world know that you will be featured author at the AC booth at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books!
QUESTION: Secondly, I have two laminated 11x17 inch "Meet the Author" posters which I plan to add an 8x11 inch author photo. I will hang these on the booth. Can I use these instead of the requested 14x16 inch poster? I will pick them up by closing on Sunday.
ANSWER: Yes, but you would need to get some grommets in them so we can string wire through them. That's how they get hung. And we do the hanging, around the top of the booth. If you want to keep one to use when you're signing (stand it on the table near your book display, as an example) that would work. One for the permanent display in the booth (hung by wire) and one for your display as you sign. )
QUESTION: I was planning on bringing my own cash box and handle my own sales. Is that how it's done? That's not a problem for me. I have some old fashion candy give-a-ways for my 1950's memoir. I will also bring my 3x4 foot Navajo rug for display on the signing table.
ANSWER: Yes, that's it exactly. Each author is in charge of his/her own little table area, his/her own book sales.
COMMENT: Finally, I will provide ten books for your give-a-way program.
RESPONSE: That the booth offers a f r e e book to people who buy books from any of the authors (while supplies last) obviously makes it possible for people to see your book even when it isn't your turn at signing. Thank you. That's a nice incentive for our readers to buy others' books and so appreciated by all. Thank you, Dana.
I will have the items listed in your last email ready to mail to you around the first of April. I look forward to meeting you.
Danalee Buhler
SUGGESTION: This blog is made available to all authors so they can learn more about planning for fairs. Go back and see what we've done in the past, how they might be applied to any fair or booth you might be planning.
-----
Blogging by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). Learn more at both the AC site and Carolyn's website, www.howtodoitfrugally.com and her blogs:
www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com
www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Award-Winning Podcast Covers Book Fairs, Book Tours
Irene Watson, pocast host and editor of AuthorSuccess says of the new podcast interviews in her series:
"... I have no doubt this episode [of AuthorSuccess.com podcasts] will go on to be
forever in our Top 10 list. Congratulations on a great show!
Here is her invitation to listen:
Visit with the creative force behind the HowToDoItFrugally Series of Books for writers. Carolyn shared her best tips and strategies for low-cost/zero-cost marketing campaigns and also talked about what NOT to do to market your books. She also talks about the value of editing and how it directly controls how your proposals, books, and marketing are peceived in the marketplace. Listen to the interview on Authors Access(visit link and click on the PODCAST button). Tune in each week as Irene and Victor interview industry luminaries on marketing, writing, editing, and publishing by subscribing to the RSS feed.
"... I have no doubt this episode [of AuthorSuccess.com podcasts] will go on to be
forever in our Top 10 list. Congratulations on a great show!
Here is her invitation to listen:
Visit with the creative force behind the HowToDoItFrugally Series of Books for writers. Carolyn shared her best tips and strategies for low-cost/zero-cost marketing campaigns and also talked about what NOT to do to market your books. She also talks about the value of editing and how it directly controls how your proposals, books, and marketing are peceived in the marketplace. Listen to the interview on Authors Access(visit link and click on the PODCAST button). Tune in each week as Irene and Victor interview industry luminaries on marketing, writing, editing, and publishing by subscribing to the RSS feed.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Come Join Us as a Participating Author! LA Times Festival of Books
The following is the 2008 program:
You are invited to participate in our next LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books booth--the one April 26 and 27 of 2008--or any of the value-added programs aligned with the fair. The book-signing portion of the fair required that you attend, the others do not.
(For pictures of the 2007 booth taken by Janet Goliger, one of our 2007 participating authors, go to
http://www.classeducation.org/pix/)
Authors' Coalition will again be sponsoring a double booth at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books booth on April 26 and 27 of 2008. As many of you know from this blog that focuses on making a hum-drum fair into a sizzling success and from past experience, we make changes every year based on what we learned the year before and the year before that (see other entries).
Last year we opened the fair booth to authors who live outside the LA area. That worked very well. Such participation includes the catalog, the slide show, and the CD offering. Those of you without travel budgets may like to know that we will have booths at other venues throughout the USA and throughout the year including Veteran's Week in Branson, MO.
Other advantages Authors' Coalition booths offer:
1. ongoing education in the operation and promotion of the booth
2. value-added promotions designed to draw readers to our booth including
the slide show, CDs, catalog for booksellers and media, and the free
gifts with purchase program designed to entice people to buy (Kind of
like the Estee Lauder gift with purchase at your local Macy's (-: )
3. cross promotion of many authors rather than of only a few
4. excellent location at the fair
5. association with a recognized name and with other authors with recognized
names
6. a stable booth position/location with an established history among
return visitors to the fair
7. a booth with double the usual frontage of most
8. assorted ways to participate, some available to authors who don't live in
the area
9. a limited number of books accepted to increase visibility (see below for
details)
10. display of your book (those who are signing) for the full two days
11. display of your poster for the full two days
12. exposure on Authors' Coalition blogs (see details below)
13. your book listed on an Amazon Listmania
14. the credibility being associated with a well-planned booth
DISPLAY:
Books on display will be shown on a bookstand, not tossed into a bin with hundreds of others. There is room near each participant's book to have a flier 4 x 5 3/4 and, to give away bookmarks or business cards--any two of the three. Each author may also supply laminated signs with grommets to be hung around the perimeter of the booth. Note: We are not offering display to anyone not signing this year. All books on display will be those of signing authors.
Other Perks and guidelines:
You may have your book featured FREE in our CD with the participation in our value-added catalog and slide show. (see details below).
You participation in signing and display, includes an ad on the Authors' Coalition website at no additional charge. For those participating in the catalog, slideshow and CD, your ad will be placed on other pages of the site as space allows.
No books will be sold out of the booth except by signing authors.
This fair-focused blog is open to all. That further exposes our participants' books. We use the blog as a kind of journal of our experiences and the blog comments as a way to share promotion ideas and ask questions. It is an ideal way to keep a record but also to share with other writers who might be planning a fair booth elsewhere.
We also offer a free review blog (www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com) where I post authors' favorite reviews (with permission from the reviewer).
SIGNING SEGMENTS AT THE FAIR:
Local authors or authors willing to travel may purchase one hour segments of signing time. Signings will be posted in the booth (Sorry, but the LA Times Festival of Books administration does not provide a way to list multiple authors in the brochures, etc. that the LA Times sends out. Thus signing authors will be responsible for their own promotions including media releases and invitations to drive traffic to their signing. In fact, for everyone to benefit we will ask for a pledge that each of them will do so.)
One hour signing segments cost $140 for the first and $100 for a second hour. The fee includes display in the booth for the full two days. If you choose to sign, we strongly recommend that participants consider the stands and banners we tested last year to make their signing times a standout. (Information on these amazingly-effective stands to come and at www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com ) All signing positions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We have had authors with books traditionally published as well as subsidy- and self-published. We only ask that no one with pornographic material apply because we are located near the children's section and sometimes have children's authors as signers. Those who are not members of Authors' Coalition will be asked to join at the Silver Membership level, $20. Participants whose memberships come due in April will be given a 50% discount for their next year's dues. ($10 in addition to the signing fee.)
Training: It is our policy to supply ideas for book fair promotion as well as to lead our participants through the process. We begin early. Many find this an educational experience equivalent to taking an expensive class in promotion.
Gift with Purchase: We supply books to give away free with purchase of books (while supplies last) from those signing. This does not cost anything additional. We will be pleased to accept books in quantity as giveaways for this purpose--from participants and other authors as well. We know donating books is a wonderful way to utilize damaged books, overstock, etc. Books in the hands of readers bear more fruit than books stowed in a closet. (-:.
Disposal of Fair Materials: Books and promotion materials will not be returned. Display books will be donated to a library after the fair.
Other terms: Because of the training process and because we must pay our expenses early, fees must be paid upon signing and cannot be refunded. There are also no refunds for natural or unnatural disasters and, yes, that includes rain.
An author must participate in the signing segment to actually sell books. They sell their own books in our booth only during their signing time and handle their own sales (or bring an assistant to do that for them.)
THE CATALOG:
Based on last year's success, we are offering a catalog again this year. This is a cross-promotional effort . Those who participate are expected to contribute names of bookstores in their area and to follow up with phone calls to the book buyers after the catalog goes out. That's what makes this super-successful, the personal contact with the buyers who then pay special attention to the catalog so that all participants -- regardless of the area they live in -- benefit. Participants also benefit from their name being associated with a prestigious fair. Prices are:
1/8 page: $125
1/4 page: $250
1/2 page: $500
Full page: $1000.
Nonmembers of Authors' Coalition or those not participating in the full program, please add $20 to cover your membership.
These prices include:
ad set up (layout),
ad space
printing
postage to book buyers and press contacts.
pdf copy of the booklet that each participant may produce (print) on their own to use at their own events throughout the year. the right to print and send copies of this catalog for other purposes as long as you do not make changes in the catalog
You can see how this cross promotion could snowball. We only ask that no changes be made to the catalog and that it be given away, not sold. If there is a demand for printing, we may also offer that service.
Catalog Details
A electronic sample catalog from last year is available on request.
Authors may participate only in this catalog or in combination with some of the others programs offered.
Those who participate in the catalog and the slide program will be included on the CD that we give out to 1,000 fair-goers at no extra charge.
The costs listed are for paid members of Authors' Coalition members. To support our sponsor, Authors¡¦ Coalition, all participants who are not members will be asked to pay $20 for a basic membership fee (or $10 renewal if they participated in last year's fair).
Participation in this catalog is limited.
This catalog will be sent out to at least 500 bookstore buyers and Los Angeles press contacts by mail.
This catalog will be circulated by e-mail to bookstores for which we have e-addresses. Participating authors will be encouraged to supply e-address as well as postal addresses.
This catalog will be circulated to bookstores personally selected by the participants as well as others.
Those who wish to list more than one book in this catalog will receive a 10% discount on the 2nd ad, 20% on the third.
THE SLIDE SHOW:
Last year Joyce Faulkner, director of Authors' Coalition, produced a test slide show for LA Times Festival of Books participants. Because it was a trial is was a free perk for those who participating in some other programs. It has turned out to be an excellent opportunity for exposure wherever crowds of readers gather and especially effective on the huge Veteran's Week (www.bransontourismcenter.com) screens in Branson, MO, (attendance some 100,000) and at speaking engagement where television screens are available. Here is an opportunity to join in its future. We will be using it at every feasible venue that we will be at and participating members may choose to utilize it at their events as well. Thus, it will be seen in places you can't possibly be yourself. When you use it at your own events it will be great cross-promotion that benefits others on the slide show and well as YOU.
So, if you want to be part of the slideshow/video you may. It travels with Authors' Coalition wherever it goes and with participating members wherever they go. It shows on computer screens and big silver screens. And your investment in this promotion lasts the entire year and only gets stronger with each participant. It is available to any author, whether he or she participates as a signer at the fair.
The cost for the slide show is $100.
Included in the fee are:
the technical aspect of setup
exposure wherever the slideshow/video travels through the year
a copy for your own use at your signings, seminars, workshops, etc.
the right to use it at your own events
It's a true cross-promotion. Your book, your blurb, your URL will be featured at these events. If you choose to participate, see below.
A 50% discount applies for those who participated in 2007. Those who are not members of Authors' Coalition will be asked to join at the low Silver level ($20). Learn more about the perks that come with that membership at AC.
THE CD:
We are offering a promotional CD with professionally designed artwork burned into each again this year. Authors' Coalition will burn 1,000 (or more, depending on participation) to be given to visitors and the press corps at the fair. Last year's participants will be given a price break because their sections will need only minor updates. (See below under "Costs.")
Authors will be able to purchase additional CDs to send to their own press contacts or readers or to use throughout the year. I use them as give-aways where I need an entree to talk to people and as easily mailable thank you gifts to editors, reviewers, etc.. Participants will also have the right to make copies on their own at not extra charge to distribute at events as give-aways. We ask only that no changes be made to content. Therefore, each author who participates must see that this kind of cross-promotion will benefit them and be willing to let their CD partners distribute the CDs at will. In other words, participants who actively promote with the CD will continue to benefit themselves and others.
The CD ROM includes your:
book title
book cover
author biography
review of books
a story, poem or excerpt.
These CDs will include professional design on each disc.
There will be a small additional fee to cover webmaster's time for any authors who wish to include multiple books.
CD Cost
A: $200 fee includes:
1.webmaster fees
2.CDs and sleeves
3. right to produce additional CDs on your own
or to purchase additional CDs at a minimal cost of $50 for 50 CDs plus
shipping costs. (Graduated discounts available)
4.1000 CDs given to readers and media at the LA Times Fair
Those who are purchasing the slide show may be included in the CD for only an additional $30.
Those who were included on the CD in 2007 may participate in the 2008 program for only $20.
Possible venues in addition to the LA Times/UCLA Fair (attendance 135,000P your CD will be shown at are:
1. West Hollywood Book Fair
2. Southern Book Fair
3. Arkansas Book Fair
4.Branson Veteran's Week
5.The classes, seminars, workshops and other events (where facilities allow
for its effectiveness) will be presented by other participants and Carolyn
Howard-Johnson, Authors' Coalition founder, and Pat McGrath Avery and
Joyce Faulkner, Authors' Coalition directors.
PAYMENT FOR ANY OR ALL PROGRAMS
To participate send an e-mail to Pat Avery at riverroadpress@yahoo.com. She can invoice you for PayPal or give you an address to send a check. Please put "LA Times Fair" in the subject line and please let her know the programs you would like to participate in so she will know how to bill you. She will then send you details for participation and answer other questions regarding this show.
Questions come to Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Put "LA Times Fair" in the subject line and them send to me at HoJoNews@aol.com.
You are invited to participate in our next LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books booth--the one April 26 and 27 of 2008--or any of the value-added programs aligned with the fair. The book-signing portion of the fair required that you attend, the others do not.
(For pictures of the 2007 booth taken by Janet Goliger, one of our 2007 participating authors, go to
http://www.classeducation.org/pix/)
Authors' Coalition will again be sponsoring a double booth at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books booth on April 26 and 27 of 2008. As many of you know from this blog that focuses on making a hum-drum fair into a sizzling success and from past experience, we make changes every year based on what we learned the year before and the year before that (see other entries).
Last year we opened the fair booth to authors who live outside the LA area. That worked very well. Such participation includes the catalog, the slide show, and the CD offering. Those of you without travel budgets may like to know that we will have booths at other venues throughout the USA and throughout the year including Veteran's Week in Branson, MO.
Other advantages Authors' Coalition booths offer:
1. ongoing education in the operation and promotion of the booth
2. value-added promotions designed to draw readers to our booth including
the slide show, CDs, catalog for booksellers and media, and the free
gifts with purchase program designed to entice people to buy (Kind of
like the Estee Lauder gift with purchase at your local Macy's (-: )
3. cross promotion of many authors rather than of only a few
4. excellent location at the fair
5. association with a recognized name and with other authors with recognized
names
6. a stable booth position/location with an established history among
return visitors to the fair
7. a booth with double the usual frontage of most
8. assorted ways to participate, some available to authors who don't live in
the area
9. a limited number of books accepted to increase visibility (see below for
details)
10. display of your book (those who are signing) for the full two days
11. display of your poster for the full two days
12. exposure on Authors' Coalition blogs (see details below)
13. your book listed on an Amazon Listmania
14. the credibility being associated with a well-planned booth
DISPLAY:
Books on display will be shown on a bookstand, not tossed into a bin with hundreds of others. There is room near each participant's book to have a flier 4 x 5 3/4 and, to give away bookmarks or business cards--any two of the three. Each author may also supply laminated signs with grommets to be hung around the perimeter of the booth. Note: We are not offering display to anyone not signing this year. All books on display will be those of signing authors.
Other Perks and guidelines:
You may have your book featured FREE in our CD with the participation in our value-added catalog and slide show. (see details below).
You participation in signing and display, includes an ad on the Authors' Coalition website at no additional charge. For those participating in the catalog, slideshow and CD, your ad will be placed on other pages of the site as space allows.
No books will be sold out of the booth except by signing authors.
This fair-focused blog is open to all. That further exposes our participants' books. We use the blog as a kind of journal of our experiences and the blog comments as a way to share promotion ideas and ask questions. It is an ideal way to keep a record but also to share with other writers who might be planning a fair booth elsewhere.
We also offer a free review blog (www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com) where I post authors' favorite reviews (with permission from the reviewer).
SIGNING SEGMENTS AT THE FAIR:
Local authors or authors willing to travel may purchase one hour segments of signing time. Signings will be posted in the booth (Sorry, but the LA Times Festival of Books administration does not provide a way to list multiple authors in the brochures, etc. that the LA Times sends out. Thus signing authors will be responsible for their own promotions including media releases and invitations to drive traffic to their signing. In fact, for everyone to benefit we will ask for a pledge that each of them will do so.)
One hour signing segments cost $140 for the first and $100 for a second hour. The fee includes display in the booth for the full two days. If you choose to sign, we strongly recommend that participants consider the stands and banners we tested last year to make their signing times a standout. (Information on these amazingly-effective stands to come and at www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com ) All signing positions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We have had authors with books traditionally published as well as subsidy- and self-published. We only ask that no one with pornographic material apply because we are located near the children's section and sometimes have children's authors as signers. Those who are not members of Authors' Coalition will be asked to join at the Silver Membership level, $20. Participants whose memberships come due in April will be given a 50% discount for their next year's dues. ($10 in addition to the signing fee.)
Training: It is our policy to supply ideas for book fair promotion as well as to lead our participants through the process. We begin early. Many find this an educational experience equivalent to taking an expensive class in promotion.
Gift with Purchase: We supply books to give away free with purchase of books (while supplies last) from those signing. This does not cost anything additional. We will be pleased to accept books in quantity as giveaways for this purpose--from participants and other authors as well. We know donating books is a wonderful way to utilize damaged books, overstock, etc. Books in the hands of readers bear more fruit than books stowed in a closet. (-:.
Disposal of Fair Materials: Books and promotion materials will not be returned. Display books will be donated to a library after the fair.
Other terms: Because of the training process and because we must pay our expenses early, fees must be paid upon signing and cannot be refunded. There are also no refunds for natural or unnatural disasters and, yes, that includes rain.
An author must participate in the signing segment to actually sell books. They sell their own books in our booth only during their signing time and handle their own sales (or bring an assistant to do that for them.)
THE CATALOG:
Based on last year's success, we are offering a catalog again this year. This is a cross-promotional effort . Those who participate are expected to contribute names of bookstores in their area and to follow up with phone calls to the book buyers after the catalog goes out. That's what makes this super-successful, the personal contact with the buyers who then pay special attention to the catalog so that all participants -- regardless of the area they live in -- benefit. Participants also benefit from their name being associated with a prestigious fair. Prices are:
1/8 page: $125
1/4 page: $250
1/2 page: $500
Full page: $1000.
Nonmembers of Authors' Coalition or those not participating in the full program, please add $20 to cover your membership.
These prices include:
ad set up (layout),
ad space
printing
postage to book buyers and press contacts.
pdf copy of the booklet that each participant may produce (print) on their own to use at their own events throughout the year. the right to print and send copies of this catalog for other purposes as long as you do not make changes in the catalog
You can see how this cross promotion could snowball. We only ask that no changes be made to the catalog and that it be given away, not sold. If there is a demand for printing, we may also offer that service.
Catalog Details
A electronic sample catalog from last year is available on request.
Authors may participate only in this catalog or in combination with some of the others programs offered.
Those who participate in the catalog and the slide program will be included on the CD that we give out to 1,000 fair-goers at no extra charge.
The costs listed are for paid members of Authors' Coalition members. To support our sponsor, Authors¡¦ Coalition, all participants who are not members will be asked to pay $20 for a basic membership fee (or $10 renewal if they participated in last year's fair).
Participation in this catalog is limited.
This catalog will be sent out to at least 500 bookstore buyers and Los Angeles press contacts by mail.
This catalog will be circulated by e-mail to bookstores for which we have e-addresses. Participating authors will be encouraged to supply e-address as well as postal addresses.
This catalog will be circulated to bookstores personally selected by the participants as well as others.
Those who wish to list more than one book in this catalog will receive a 10% discount on the 2nd ad, 20% on the third.
THE SLIDE SHOW:
Last year Joyce Faulkner, director of Authors' Coalition, produced a test slide show for LA Times Festival of Books participants. Because it was a trial is was a free perk for those who participating in some other programs. It has turned out to be an excellent opportunity for exposure wherever crowds of readers gather and especially effective on the huge Veteran's Week (www.bransontourismcenter.com) screens in Branson, MO, (attendance some 100,000) and at speaking engagement where television screens are available. Here is an opportunity to join in its future. We will be using it at every feasible venue that we will be at and participating members may choose to utilize it at their events as well. Thus, it will be seen in places you can't possibly be yourself. When you use it at your own events it will be great cross-promotion that benefits others on the slide show and well as YOU.
So, if you want to be part of the slideshow/video you may. It travels with Authors' Coalition wherever it goes and with participating members wherever they go. It shows on computer screens and big silver screens. And your investment in this promotion lasts the entire year and only gets stronger with each participant. It is available to any author, whether he or she participates as a signer at the fair.
The cost for the slide show is $100.
Included in the fee are:
the technical aspect of setup
exposure wherever the slideshow/video travels through the year
a copy for your own use at your signings, seminars, workshops, etc.
the right to use it at your own events
It's a true cross-promotion. Your book, your blurb, your URL will be featured at these events. If you choose to participate, see below.
A 50% discount applies for those who participated in 2007. Those who are not members of Authors' Coalition will be asked to join at the low Silver level ($20). Learn more about the perks that come with that membership at AC.
THE CD:
We are offering a promotional CD with professionally designed artwork burned into each again this year. Authors' Coalition will burn 1,000 (or more, depending on participation) to be given to visitors and the press corps at the fair. Last year's participants will be given a price break because their sections will need only minor updates. (See below under "Costs.")
Authors will be able to purchase additional CDs to send to their own press contacts or readers or to use throughout the year. I use them as give-aways where I need an entree to talk to people and as easily mailable thank you gifts to editors, reviewers, etc.. Participants will also have the right to make copies on their own at not extra charge to distribute at events as give-aways. We ask only that no changes be made to content. Therefore, each author who participates must see that this kind of cross-promotion will benefit them and be willing to let their CD partners distribute the CDs at will. In other words, participants who actively promote with the CD will continue to benefit themselves and others.
The CD ROM includes your:
book title
book cover
author biography
review of books
a story, poem or excerpt.
These CDs will include professional design on each disc.
There will be a small additional fee to cover webmaster's time for any authors who wish to include multiple books.
CD Cost
A: $200 fee includes:
1.webmaster fees
2.CDs and sleeves
3. right to produce additional CDs on your own
or to purchase additional CDs at a minimal cost of $50 for 50 CDs plus
shipping costs. (Graduated discounts available)
4.1000 CDs given to readers and media at the LA Times Fair
Those who are purchasing the slide show may be included in the CD for only an additional $30.
Those who were included on the CD in 2007 may participate in the 2008 program for only $20.
Possible venues in addition to the LA Times/UCLA Fair (attendance 135,000P your CD will be shown at are:
1. West Hollywood Book Fair
2. Southern Book Fair
3. Arkansas Book Fair
4.Branson Veteran's Week
5.The classes, seminars, workshops and other events (where facilities allow
for its effectiveness) will be presented by other participants and Carolyn
Howard-Johnson, Authors' Coalition founder, and Pat McGrath Avery and
Joyce Faulkner, Authors' Coalition directors.
PAYMENT FOR ANY OR ALL PROGRAMS
To participate send an e-mail to Pat Avery at riverroadpress@yahoo.com. She can invoice you for PayPal or give you an address to send a check. Please put "LA Times Fair" in the subject line and please let her know the programs you would like to participate in so she will know how to bill you. She will then send you details for participation and answer other questions regarding this show.
Questions come to Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Put "LA Times Fair" in the subject line and them send to me at HoJoNews@aol.com.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
West Hollywood Logos/Superbanners/Blurbs Available Plus a Tip!!
Yeah for tips!! But I'm coming to that.
As those of you have participated (signed, displayed or been a part of our catalogue, CD or video/slideshow program) know, Authors' Coalition provides training in book promotion and booth management. Both here on this blog and in person. Sometimes we even pass ideas on from very sharp fair coordinators or program directors as you see below in a letter I sent out to our West Hollywood Book Fair group. And, yes, it seems a small thing, but small things add up. Here it is:
Dear Authors' Coalition Booth Participants:
Below you will find a letter from Roz Helfand, the West Hollywood Book Fair coordinator, along with the attached fair logo, a superbanner and blurb. She encourages you to make anything you use on your website clickable to the fair site. I'm glad she reminded me to remind you.
I also understand that booth numbers will not be assigned. I am not going to worry about this. We have a double booth and it will be lighted as AC Booths always are when electricity is available. This fair committee does a wonderful job with their programs/guides. Visitors will have no trouble finding us if you mention that you will be in the Authors' Coalition/Red Engine Press booth.
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
As those of you have participated (signed, displayed or been a part of our catalogue, CD or video/slideshow program) know, Authors' Coalition provides training in book promotion and booth management. Both here on this blog and in person. Sometimes we even pass ideas on from very sharp fair coordinators or program directors as you see below in a letter I sent out to our West Hollywood Book Fair group. And, yes, it seems a small thing, but small things add up. Here it is:
Dear Authors' Coalition Booth Participants:
Below you will find a letter from Roz Helfand, the West Hollywood Book Fair coordinator, along with the attached fair logo, a superbanner and blurb. She encourages you to make anything you use on your website clickable to the fair site. I'm glad she reminded me to remind you.
I also understand that booth numbers will not be assigned. I am not going to worry about this. We have a double booth and it will be lighted as AC Booths always are when electricity is available. This fair committee does a wonderful job with their programs/guides. Visitors will have no trouble finding us if you mention that you will be in the Authors' Coalition/Red Engine Press booth.
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Friday, August 17, 2007
West Hollywood Fair Administration Offers Promo Materials!
Rarely does a book fair offer its participants promotion materials. The West Hollywood Book Fair does!
Here is a note from Corey Roskin, the author coordinator of the WHBF. Please follow through by giving Roz Helfand your hoped-for number of postcards and bookmarks. Please do not ask for any more than you will use. Here are some tips:
1. Take the bookmarks to your library, your dentist, your corner grocery store etc. But first staple you business card to each one. That way you advertise YOU, your book and the fair. The book marks are little freebies. People will pick them up because they can be used. Don't leave too many. You'd rather they run out than waste them. Maybe 15 to 25, depending on the kind of reading traffic you get.
Use labels to attach to the post cards so they become personal invitations to your signing time and our booth. As yet, we do not have a booth number.
A couple of our participants don't live locally. They can still use the postcards to invite people they know who live in the Southern California area. Walt, are you listening? (-:
Don't forget to give Roz the number you'd like to have (she may or may not be able to honor your request. And give her your address.
If you have other ideas for using these promotion materials please add them under comments on this blog. See below in beigey-orange font.
Note:Those who would like to learn more about the Authors' Coalition-sponsored book fair booths may e-mail to receive my newsletter at hojonews@aol.com. Put "Subscribe" in the subject line. Authors who receive this letter learn first about all our new perks.
Here is a note from Corey Roskin, the author coordinator of the WHBF. Please follow through by giving Roz Helfand your hoped-for number of postcards and bookmarks. Please do not ask for any more than you will use. Here are some tips:
1. Take the bookmarks to your library, your dentist, your corner grocery store etc. But first staple you business card to each one. That way you advertise YOU, your book and the fair. The book marks are little freebies. People will pick them up because they can be used. Don't leave too many. You'd rather they run out than waste them. Maybe 15 to 25, depending on the kind of reading traffic you get.
Use labels to attach to the post cards so they become personal invitations to your signing time and our booth. As yet, we do not have a booth number.
A couple of our participants don't live locally. They can still use the postcards to invite people they know who live in the Southern California area. Walt, are you listening? (-:
Don't forget to give Roz the number you'd like to have (she may or may not be able to honor your request. And give her your address.
If you have other ideas for using these promotion materials please add them under comments on this blog. See below in beigey-orange font.
Note:Those who would like to learn more about the Authors' Coalition-sponsored book fair booths may e-mail to receive my newsletter at hojonews@aol.com. Put "Subscribe" in the subject line. Authors who receive this letter learn first about all our new perks.
Friday, August 3, 2007
General Call for West Hollywood Book Fair Participation
Dear LA Area Authors:
Authors' Coalition has a few more opening for one-hour signing times at the West Hollywood Book Fair on Sunday, September 30, 2007.
Here are the benefits:
1. You get a time to sign and sell your book at the West Hollywood Book Fair, one of the fairs trafficked by Hollywood types including directors, producers, etc.
2. When you are not signing your book will be on display with order forms.
3. The booth will be a big showoff for you because it is:
a. a double booth
b. includes lighting
c. includes authors with GREAT cross-promotion instincts
d. the fee is lower than some fairs
4. Your $80 fee includes:
a. signing time
b. book display
c. a silver membership in Authors' Coalition (see www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com for the many perks of that membership)
d. the efforts of other motivated, promotion-minded authors. We all benefit from the efforts of the others.
e. personal (e-mail) guidance from me for your promotion efforts
f. we provide free books to be given with the sale of each signer's books, a nice encouragement for your fans to buy for the holidays early.
g. free promotional CDs are given to fair visitors to attract them to our booth
h. a video/slideshow will be running in the booth to attract visitors
6. If you are already an Authors' Coalition paid member, the cost is only I$60 for an hour. All those who participated in the last AC booth are already members.
So, for those who want to sign in West Hollywood on Sept. 30 (a one day fair only), this is what you need to do.
1. It is late so contact me at HoJoNews@aol.com. I'll give you an address for payment and will schedule you immediately.
2. Participation will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. There are only a few signing spots left, but they are all good times. I don't schedule for the last hour of the day, as an example.
Note: All signing authors and those who display are not encouraged but expected to promote. This is why our booths work better than others and better than going it alone. It is called cross-promotion. We will consider that if you participate in our AC/RedEnginePress booth, you will send out media releases, invite Southern California booksellers and librarians and utilize your personal list of anyone you know who lives anywhere from the Mexican border to San Francisco to the fair.
If you have questions regarding this e-mail, please post here and I will answer. We will all benefit from having all questions public--yes, even when I boo-boo. If you wish to unsubscribe from getting notices of any of my book/oriented events in the future, please just let me know.
Directors of Authors' Coalition are Pat McGrath Avery and Joyce Faulkner.
Very best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Founder Authors Coalition
www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
PS:
Some of you may already be set to display at the fair because you qualified for that when you chose to participate in both the catalog and the CD program at the LA Times Festival of Books in April. If you wish to sign as well, there will be an additional charge.
Authors' Coalition has a few more opening for one-hour signing times at the West Hollywood Book Fair on Sunday, September 30, 2007.
Here are the benefits:
1. You get a time to sign and sell your book at the West Hollywood Book Fair, one of the fairs trafficked by Hollywood types including directors, producers, etc.
2. When you are not signing your book will be on display with order forms.
3. The booth will be a big showoff for you because it is:
a. a double booth
b. includes lighting
c. includes authors with GREAT cross-promotion instincts
d. the fee is lower than some fairs
4. Your $80 fee includes:
a. signing time
b. book display
c. a silver membership in Authors' Coalition (see www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com for the many perks of that membership)
d. the efforts of other motivated, promotion-minded authors. We all benefit from the efforts of the others.
e. personal (e-mail) guidance from me for your promotion efforts
f. we provide free books to be given with the sale of each signer's books, a nice encouragement for your fans to buy for the holidays early.
g. free promotional CDs are given to fair visitors to attract them to our booth
h. a video/slideshow will be running in the booth to attract visitors
6. If you are already an Authors' Coalition paid member, the cost is only I$60 for an hour. All those who participated in the last AC booth are already members.
So, for those who want to sign in West Hollywood on Sept. 30 (a one day fair only), this is what you need to do.
1. It is late so contact me at HoJoNews@aol.com. I'll give you an address for payment and will schedule you immediately.
2. Participation will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. There are only a few signing spots left, but they are all good times. I don't schedule for the last hour of the day, as an example.
Note: All signing authors and those who display are not encouraged but expected to promote. This is why our booths work better than others and better than going it alone. It is called cross-promotion. We will consider that if you participate in our AC/RedEnginePress booth, you will send out media releases, invite Southern California booksellers and librarians and utilize your personal list of anyone you know who lives anywhere from the Mexican border to San Francisco to the fair.
If you have questions regarding this e-mail, please post here and I will answer. We will all benefit from having all questions public--yes, even when I boo-boo. If you wish to unsubscribe from getting notices of any of my book/oriented events in the future, please just let me know.
Directors of Authors' Coalition are Pat McGrath Avery and Joyce Faulkner.
Very best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Founder Authors Coalition
www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
PS:
Some of you may already be set to display at the fair because you qualified for that when you chose to participate in both the catalog and the CD program at the LA Times Festival of Books in April. If you wish to sign as well, there will be an additional charge.
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