For my first author fair since January of 2020, I’m putting together a new table arrangement and reviewing tips and techniques. If you also have an event coming up, maybe my prep will help you, too!
Just a few weeks after my last author event the whole world shut down. In-person meetings have taken a long time to come back since then and that includes author fairs. I attended only a couple in the last year and did not exhibit at any.
But now I have several lined up in succession to promote my new book. I unearthed the display stuff from previous fairs and once the boxes were unpacked, it became obvious that I’m going to need a new look.
My first books were about Illinois history in the mid-1800s, so my display table had a pioneer theme. I brought a patchwork quilt as a tablecloth and used baskets to hold business cards and bookmarks. The books were written for younger readers, so I handed out freebies like pioneer paper dolls and a DIY paper schooner.
I also made and sold wooden “buzz saw yo-yos,” a kind of toy that a child in the 1800s might have. Working the yo-yo behind my table would draw the attention of people from across the room and even when book sales were slow, I still made a bit on yo-yo sales.
The new book, however, is about Agatha Christie’s 1920s mysteries, which is a very different genre. While I can easily switch out the patchwork tablecloth for something more Art Deco, I’m still considering what else I should do to dress up the table.
After my first book was published, I took part in a number of author fairs. The writing world was new to me, but not the exhibition world because our business had participated in several expos. We even attended a “booth school,” learning all the basics as well as insider tips, and won the “Best Booth” award at one expo!
For those who haven’t had the opportunity to go to “booth school,” here are some highlights to use at your next author fair:
Bring your own tablecloth.
If they are providing a table, most fairs also provide covers of some kind, but bringing your own means you can set yourself apart from your neighbors, match your chosen color scheme, and be sure your stuff under the table is hidden behind a long-enough drape. If a full-length tablecloth isn’t an option, try a table runner to set the tone.
Organize by going vertical.
A bunch of stuff spread out all over can look messy and overwhelming to passers-by. Also, they’ll need a spot to put down their other purchases while looking at your books. Keep the front of the table clear and present your books standing up with the cover facing forward.
You can buy wire tabletop easels for a few bucks at stores that sell craft items. Arrange a stack of books flat on the back of the table and display one book in the easel on top. Once you have published more than a couple books, however, you may run out of room. I eventually purchased a tiered display shelf made from thin plywood. It packs away flat, and I assemble it at the fair. I have no relationship with the company and there may be others who make them, but I got mine from ClearDisplays.com.
Be seen across the room.
To continue the “Going Vertical” theme, attract readers to your table as soon as they walk in the door. Color, lights, tall signs, balloons – there are many ways to grab attention across a room crowded with similar tables. Coordination with your books’ genre will draw the right readers, starting the sales process even before they arrive.
Stand up and be just friendly enough.
If you’re going to just sit down behind your table and scroll on your phone, why did you come? Stand up so you’re on the same level as your prospective readers and be ready with a one-sentence pitch about your latest book. But don’t be too pushy as people walk by because they’ll avoid even meeting your eye, which makes it that much more difficult to strike up a conversation.
Think through your swag and signage.
How long until that big banner is obsolete? Are people just collecting freebies and candy and never buying? Was there an uptick in online sales after handing out a bunch of QR-coded bookmarks? Before investing too much in your marketing, calculate your return. Some authors like to have a lot of stuff on the table while others find the expense unnecessary. Try a few things before deciding for yourself.
You can find lots of book table display inspiration in author chatrooms or Facebook groups and at other fairs, of course. Keep in mind that you’ll be dragging around your own stuff and probably storing empty boxes and wagons or whatever under your table, so plan carefully. For a list of basic items you don’t want to forget, here’s an old post on What to Bring to an Author Fair.
Now I’ve got to finish working on my display. I’ll post a photo from the event later so you can see how it finally looked.
Photo by Kate