Hocus Pocus and All That
Maureen L. Bonatch
Conference Tips for Authors & Readers
A Little Help From My Friends
I’ve attended a few author events over the years, but I’m by no means an expert. Lucky for me, I have many author friends who are savvy in this arena and were glad to add their tips to mine about conferences.
Whether you’re attending as a guest author, a reader, or a little bit of both, here are a few tips to make your conference a success.
Attending a Conference as an Author
The nice thing is as an author, you usually get a little of both the author and the reader experience. Since most authors are avid readers, so you just might get a chance to fan-girl over your favorite authors as well. (When I went to New York I was overwhelmed with all the star authors, but it was Jeanine Frost who had my heart a-fluttering the most.)
Best Suggestions for Your Author Table:
• Bring a custom table cloth so you stand out from the crowd
• A stand for your books
• Offer a freebie to sign up such as a short story
• Contact authors who have attended before to get an idea of how many readers and how many books to bring
• Talk to people. Whether it’s to network with other authors or with your readers—make contact and thank them for stopping
Best Swag Suggestions:
• Hard candy (remember- chocolate melts)
• Pens
• Bookmarks instead of business cared
• Hand fans
• Reduce clutter and make more room in your luggage by bringing one swag giveaway that represents your brand for all your books—try to make it different & useful.
If your swag represents your brand you can spend a little more and use it for years ex: a bigger giveaway if they buy 3 or more books like a tote bag with your author name on it.
Choose your workshops
• Don’t try to go to everything or you’ll be overwhelmed
• Only take important notes rather than writing down every juicy nugget.
• Have your elevator pitch ready —you never know when you’ll need it
Don’t forget to follow up with the organizer and thank them after the conference.
Attending a Conference as a Reader
Introverts unite! This is your time to shine because you’ve found your people. Pace yourself, because a conference can be exhausting. Check out who is attending and plan the authors you want to meet and be ready to fan-girl all your favorites.
So you don’t get overwhelmed trying to see everyone and everything, check to see if there is a map for events so you don’t miss out.
Travel & Packing Tips
• Don’t over pack—you’ll need room for books. A tip I picked up was to go to the local post office and mail books home. What an awesome surprise after the trip is over!
• Mix and match your outfits with a few colors so you can pack less
• Wear layers in case the room is too cold or warm.
• A bright colored scarf can help you to stand out and identify you to your readers—or if you’re with a group
• Look for travel deals early for the best flight and hotel packages.
You’ve arrived!
• Make sure you pull out those comfortable shoes
• If you have roommates—remember that an eye mask or earplugs might let you enjoy a little more shut-eye at night
• Stock up on healthy snacks to toss in your bag, or if you have a special diet
• Leave time to see the sights
The Best Tip for Attending a Conference:
The most important tip applies to everyone, and it’s the easiest to bring and won’t weigh down your suitcase. That’s to bring your smile.
Blog originally featured on www.maureenbonatch.com
© 2019 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/
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