By Maggie King
I love in-person book events. I love connecting with readers. I love signing my books and adding names to my mailing list. I love the benefits: new readers, learning of future book-related opportunities, networking with other authors (and we’re readers as well.)
“Hawking” my books at the Powhatan Library Authors Roundup
I learn much from the people I meet at these events. An author shared her enthusiasm for an AI tool she used to successfully create sales copy. A reader recommended Le Ventre de Paris by Emile Zola for its vivid descriptive passages of the tastes and smells of a central market in 19th century Paris. The book made it to my TBR list and I hope to get to it this year. I like hearing what readers like to read, and what they don’t.
Even if I don’t sell a lot of books on a given day, I still might make valuable connections. And word of mouth is definitely at work: one person tells someone about me and my books, that someone tells yet another someone, and so on.
Many festivals include author talks and panel discussions (perhaps a topic for another post), readings (can be tiresome for the audience), and, of course, book signings.
Attending an in-person author event lets me meet writers and readers I’ve only met online. I no longer travel, so my options for events are limited to ones that are local or a short drive from my home. Fortunately, bookish gatherings abound in Virginia, home to many authors. In 2025, I participated in five book events. I have four scheduled for this year and expect to add a few. My favorites are the Chesterfield County Local Author Book Fair, the Hanover Book Festival, and the Powhatan Library Authors Roundup.
Tell us about your experiences with book events, whether as an author or reader.
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