Saturday, July 8th, I was in the Author’s Tent at the annual Tinicum Arts Festival from 2-4 p.m. with my picture book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night? One of the purposes of the event, of course, is to promote my book.
However, part of the fun of being there is to chat with customers about the story itself. Visitors are interested to know about how I came up with the idea for Butterflies, and what was my creative process in writing the story. People are often interested in the book journey itself, from concept to print, and what’s involved in an author being at an event talking to them right then!
I think exchanges such as these are truly a part of what makes publishing a book so interesting and worthwhile. We always go to events hoping for sales, and that’s an important motivation, but why this book sprang from our hearts and minds is very important, too. It’s nice to know others want to know that.
Pictured above is a fellow author, an entomologist and engineer, Chris Alice Kratzer, whose book is The Social Wasps of North America. The festival plan was for one adult and one children’s author to share the tent for two hours, and Chris was a delight. To Hannie, the Author’s Tent event organizer, and the Tinicum Civic Association for inviting me to participate – thank you!!
Still A Dreamer 
I agree! It’s fun to meet with readers and share conversations like these. I’m so glad you had such a wonderful day, Jeanne!
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Thanks, Kitty. If it had not been 93 degrees with 90+ humidity, I would have had my wings on and been in the main aisle inviting people in to our little tent. But those 2 hours were still fun, and worked with great people.
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Congrats!! I haven’t gone to a book fair (or any kind of place to ‘sell’ my books) since the pandemic. As an introvert, I always hate the idea until I get there. Then, as you say, the camaraderie with other authors lifts my spirits. Not only do I learn from them, I get SUPPORT from them, and they from me. I have rarely sold many books, and now I don’t go for the sales, but for the friendships. <3
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I did really enjoy talking with my fellow author and the people interested in my book, for sure. But I see, and have been also advised by a well-published good friend, that smaller events especially do not yield many sales. I am limiting my efforts, including school visits, to within my county (which is pretty big) and/or within 40 minutes driving time. I also pursue other avenues of helping my book be known that don’t require my presence. There’s a lot to be done, as you know. School visits were a lot of fun and I would love more of those. :-)
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Sad but true. People like to come and hear authors talk about their books, but they don’t like paying for them that much. 🙃
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Exactly. 🙁
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Sounds like a great day, it must be nice to talk about those origins that led to you writing such a beautiful book.
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It really was. What amazes/ed me is that people look at you – an author – is being someone of such elevated status, like we’re magical or something. It was nice feeling that special. And maybe we are (magical)! 🌒
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