On Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8, I’ll have my own author table at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago.
I mean, WHAT?
When I asked my former editor and mentor how best to prepare for the event, he wrote back, “Typically, if history is any measure, you’ll be getting sunstroke. Or rained on. It could go either way.”
After I got done chuckling, I was like, BRING IT ALL, BABY!
After all, I’ll be a first-time published author at a storied literary festival, selling my book, talking about my workshops and writing workspace, giving away prizes, and, well, you know…LIVING THE AUTHOR DREAM.
So, I started making THE LISTS. And you know what? Sunstroke and torrential rains sound a hell of a lot easier than all the shit on those lists.
The Lists
What to do before the literary festival
Review festival manual
Update website
Design and order pull-up displays and signage
Secure SpotHero parking spots for Saturday/Sunday ($50+/day)
Secure copies of books
Test out payment processing systems
Load car with all the stuff on my What To Bring list…
What to bring to the literary festival
Wagon (to transport books, signage, chair, tablecloths, tarps, etc., from car to author table)
Tarp to cover books in case of tsunami
Books (how hilarious if I forget these?)
Signup sheet for my self-guided memoir course
Signup sheet for my upcoming Silent, Virtual Write-Ins
Signup sheet for my upcoming Write to Heal workshops
Signage for books
Payment processing equipment
Tablecloths
Tape
Portable charger
Sharpies for book signing
“Be right back” sign
Freebies/giveaways (pens, tote bags)
Press release sheet for book
Snacks/beverages
Extra chair
Phone charger
Exhibitor pass for load-in access
Business cards
Backpack (so I don’t put my purse down and leave it somewhere…)
Authors pay a lot to sell their books at lit festivals
How much is a lot?
I paid $300+ to secure my author table at the event
I’ll pay $100+ to park
Though this isn’t always the case, I personally purchase all the books in advance that I’ll turn around and sell at a festival
Printing costs for handouts and collateral
Design, production, and shipping costs for signage (I’ve spent $1000+, but these items can be used at future events)
There are easily hundreds of dollars of things I’m forgetting to include here…but the point of sharing is to show that IT TAKES MONEY TO SELL BOOKS.
And…to me…it’s WORTH IT!
I’m so looking forward to running a table at my first literary festival. I absolutely feel like an imposter, though. lol
Like most things in life, I’m figuring things out as I go along and hoping for the best.
I’ll report back after the festival’s over (or maybe, even FROM the festival).
Wish me luck (and please send some big, brave-girl vibes). THANK YOU!
Christine Wolf *could* tell you all the cool, amazing things she’s done in her life, but let’s be real. She’s a first-time author who’s figuring out how to promote her new book every damn day. This is her first literary festival, and she’s completely freaking out. If you want to buy her book, click here. If you want to sign up for her self guided memoir course, click here. If you want to learn more about her writers’ workspaces, click here. And if you want to just watch a YouTube video about what an idiot Donald Trump is, click here. Please help to save America and make a plan to vote on November 5th. Thank you.
Getting My Ducks In A Row for My First Printers Row Festival in Chicago