This past weekend (Nov. 19, 2022), I participated in my first ever book fair. This also happened to be the first (possibly annual) Holiday Book Fair put on in the Waterloo Region and held at theMUSEUM in Kitchener. So, a lot of new things for various parties.
With 35 vendors from across Southwestern Ontario (local talent being a definite highlight for many attendees) bringing their books, bookmarks, candles, crafts, jewelry, artwork, games, and educational materials to the affair, people were in for a treat to tempt the imagination. Children's books, YA, and adult fiction all made an appearance, from fantasy and adventure to romance and horror, and even some poetry. You could find independent authors and small publishing houses side-by-side, myself among them (though, of course, I also took a stroll through the venue prior to opening to express my support and enjoy the fantastic array of talent available).
It took place on the same day as the Santa Claus Parade, presumably with the intention that this might help attract greater crowds, and entrance to most of the museum exhibits was free. I don't know how much attention such affairs usually generate, but I'd have to call the attendance 'moderate' (and definitely a family-friendly affair). A friend of mine, with her table next to me, intimated that the crowd did not meet some of her experiences at other such events. But people did show up, many expressing enthusiasm for the written word, and I sold some books. So I'd call it a success, even if only a minor one. After all, more than 20 copies of my books now rest in hands that they didn't before. A good step in finding greater exposure for my work.
And now that I've participated in one, the next will hold less anxiety for me. I am not, by nature, a very sociable person, and throngs of strangers terrify me (nor do I know how to promote myself well, as that involves actually speaking with others). So honestly, I rather appreciated not being thrust among throngs of people jostling for space. A good first-time experience for me. I just hope my fellow vendors enjoyed some success also.
With 35 vendors from across Southwestern Ontario (local talent being a definite highlight for many attendees) bringing their books, bookmarks, candles, crafts, jewelry, artwork, games, and educational materials to the affair, people were in for a treat to tempt the imagination. Children's books, YA, and adult fiction all made an appearance, from fantasy and adventure to romance and horror, and even some poetry. You could find independent authors and small publishing houses side-by-side, myself among them (though, of course, I also took a stroll through the venue prior to opening to express my support and enjoy the fantastic array of talent available).
It took place on the same day as the Santa Claus Parade, presumably with the intention that this might help attract greater crowds, and entrance to most of the museum exhibits was free. I don't know how much attention such affairs usually generate, but I'd have to call the attendance 'moderate' (and definitely a family-friendly affair). A friend of mine, with her table next to me, intimated that the crowd did not meet some of her experiences at other such events. But people did show up, many expressing enthusiasm for the written word, and I sold some books. So I'd call it a success, even if only a minor one. After all, more than 20 copies of my books now rest in hands that they didn't before. A good step in finding greater exposure for my work.
And now that I've participated in one, the next will hold less anxiety for me. I am not, by nature, a very sociable person, and throngs of strangers terrify me (nor do I know how to promote myself well, as that involves actually speaking with others). So honestly, I rather appreciated not being thrust among throngs of people jostling for space. A good first-time experience for me. I just hope my fellow vendors enjoyed some success also.
RSS Feed