How Authors Benefit From Participating in Book Festivals

Festivals connect authors with readers in an accessible, fun atmosphere. Savvy and creative authors know their niche and can find their tribe at well-chosen events.

(List of Book Fairs and Book Festivals by State.)

These events come in all sizes and genres. Some are regional, themed, or genre-specific, such as Christian writers, children’s literature, or mystery and crime writers. Artist and craft festivals offer authors opportunities to participate at a booth or table and meet readers and fellow artists. Industry-specific events are also great opportunities for niche books, such as a wedding-themed romance, or sci-fi and fantasy authors selling books at gaming and pop culture conventions.

Organizers often run concurrent events, such as author panels, story times for children, or performances. The more swag or freebies, the better. Larger events may have music, food trucks, and other entertainment. The larger the offerings, the bigger the draw for attendees.

A Calculated Business Decision

There are costs involved when participating in a book festival, including the cost in time away from writing or a full-time job. One must also factor in the financial overhead of booth fees, swag, and any travel costs. Authors need to be selective and find those events that fit their comfort level, budget, and marketing plan. 

If an author has a new book coming out, it is a great time to scale up events. It’s also important to see if the event will be marketed in advance and well-attended. A smaller investment in a well-attended, focused event could pay off handsomely.

Connections and Karma

The benefits to authors extend beyond the metrics of book sales and adding names to your email list. Connecting with readers in person, and with fellow writers, can lead to new readers, more events or appearances, and other opportunities.

Kristina Makansi, who writes as Marie K. Savage, has been in the publishing world since 2010. She summed up the power of connections. “Even if you don’t sell a lot of books, you may meet that one person who is the right connection in your career or your personal life. It’s that one person at a time, who tells someone else about you and your books, who tells someone else, and so on.”

Authors can also hone their pitch at such events.

“Book festivals are a great chance to practice my 30-second pitch on what the books are about,” said author Patricia L. Brooks. “I can answer a lot of other questions about publishing or writing memoirs, too.”

Brooks has published four books, three of which are memoirs: Gifts of Sisterhood, Three Husbands and a Thousand Boyfriends, and Sick as My Secrets. She also teaches a class on writing memoirs. She is the founder and director of a women’s writing group, the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers. “I also attend events to support fellow members and writers,” she added.

For contemporary novelist Sheila Grinell, festivals serve a different purpose than other author events like writers’ conferences. She is the author of two novels, Appetite and The Contract, and participates in three to four events a year.

“Writers’ conferences are about meeting other writers and improving your craft,” Grinell said. “Author festivals and book festivals are about connecting with readers. I go to festivals to talk to readers, make friends, and have fun.”

Festivals Give Back to the Community

As writers, we are part of a community and need to support and promote each other. Camaraderie rocks far more than competition. It’s also important to support those organizations that we believe in and that bring meaning and value to our communities.

Author Jessica McCann of Phoenix recently added the title “festival organizer” to her long list of literary accomplishments. She is the author of four books, including three historical novels, and has participated in many festivals. But after one grueling experience, she dreamed of an event that treated authors like royalty. They could show up and hang out with fellow readers and authors and sell their books.

McCann is also the parent of an adult child with autism who has thrived with the organization SEEDs for Autism, which stands for success through education, exploration and development.

“He has been a participant at SEEDs for several years. It’s a nonprofit organization in Phoenix that provides education, social skills, and vocational training for young adults on the spectrum,” she said. “The program has improved my son’s self-esteem and quality of life on so many levels.”

Thus, the 2025 inaugural Arizona Author Book Festival was born. The free community event takes place on April 27, 2025, and will include author talks, book signings, children’s story time, food trucks, live music, giveaways, and more. It takes place at the SEEDs for Autism campus and 100 percent of sponsorships and vendor fees support their programs.

“My personal mission for this event is to champion literacy, lift up local authors, build community, and raise awareness about autism,” said McCann.

In keeping with the “treat them like royalty” mantra, there will be story time and photos with the King, Queen, and Knights of the Medieval Times dinner and tournament.

Count me in, Jessica. Everyone wins at this event.