Attending Frankfurt Book Fair as an Independent Author: Is it Worth It?
Attending Book Fairs as an Indie Author: Yay or Nay?
Ever wondered if hitting up book fairs as an independent author is a smart move or just a money waster? Let's dive in and explore the ins and outs of this burning question.
My First Fair Experience: A Shock and Awe Tale
As a fledgling author, I plunged into the world of book fairs. My initial foray was at the London Book Fair, then the Frankfurt Book Fair - I thought they'd be similar, but I was dead wrong.
Nowadays, most major book fairs have areas dedicated to indie publishing. However, these spaces often seem a bit isolated from the main event: in London, Author HQ was tucked away behind children's books at the far end of the fair. In Frankfurt, author services were marooned at the back of Hall 3.0, with Amazon present on only a paltry stand in a separate building meant solely for German publishing. Needless to say, this was a world away from the action happening mostly in Halls 4 and 6, filled with agents' lounges, business tables, and hordes of young Germans queuing up for signings.
The Authorpreneur Spectacle at Frankfurt Book Fair 2017
Despite the less-than-ideal placement, the organizers of the International Independent Author Program (Porter Anderson and Publishing Perspectives) did their best to make the program interesting and engaging. Highlights included IngramSpark's Andrew Bromley handing out free books, ALLi's Orna Ross doling out inspiring advice on how to give away free samples of writing to attract viewers, and our very own CEO, Kinga, discussing smart tools indie publishers could use to boost their ebook sales. There was even a panel discussion involving all speakers and the audience.
But you don't have to have been in Frankfurt to enjoy all these talks - ALLi organized an Indie Author Fringe to coincide with the Fair, featuring great speakers and the recording of Frankfurt speeches, all at no cost. Topics ranged from "Is Frankfurt Book Fair Indie Author Friendly?" to "How to Become an Author-Entrepreneur" and "Using a Podcast to Engage Your Followers."
Indie Authors: More than Just Lecture Lovers
There's a lot more to a book fair than just attending lectures! Finding an agent, networking, staying informed about industry developments are all reasons to attend an event like this. The Frankfurt Book Fair even provides a guide to help authorpreneurs determine if the Fair is the right choice for them. They pose the following questions:
(Source: buchmesse.de)
Can Book Fairs Be a Game-Changer for Your Indie Author Goals?
Attending a book fair can potentially help you meet some of these goals, but it won't happen without effort.
1. Attracting New Readers
Don't hold your breath waiting for a book fair to bring you hordes of new readers. These events are industry gatherings, and publishing pros have enough material to read already. Even though public days attract locals and nearby residents, if you're targeting German readers or those living further away, a fair like Frankfurt probably won't help much in this regard.
2. Gaining More Attention
A book fair might put a spotlight on you, but only if you make it count! Your stand (as an indie author) needs to stand out, and that takes careful planning.
3. Connecting with Booksellers
You can connect with booksellers, but only if you reach out to them in advance and schedule meetings. Don't expect to stumble upon the perfect contact while wandering the halls.
4. Finding New Partners
Connecting with potential partners is possible, but it requires research and planning. Don't expect to serendipitously run into someone with your next great project.
5. Discovering New Service Providers
Large book fairs are excellent for meeting service providers, but you don't need a stand for that! You can simply visit on public days, ask your questions, and soak up information without spending a dime.
So, Are Book Fairs Worth It?
Book fairs can offer valuable networking and partner opportunities, but their direct impact on book sales is often debated. If you're considering attending a fair, remember these tips:
Surviving Your First Book Fair: A Guide
1. Choose Comfort Over Fashion
Book fairs are vast; be ready to walk a lot! Skip the heels and bring a water bottle and some snacks to keep your energy up.
2. Embrace Technology
Most fairs have user-friendly apps that help you connect with attendees, stay up-to-date with schedules, and more. Use them!
3. Plan in Advance
Pick the talks and panels that interest you, then fill the rest of your time with meetings. Reach out to potential contacts ahead of time and schedule meetings at the same location.
4. Stay Open-Minded
Take some time to wander the fair, chat with people, and learn about the competition. A book fair is a great opportunity to engage with the industry and observe the terrain.
5. Follow Up
Send follow-up messages to everyone you meet, highlighting the main points of your conversation and asking about next steps. Don't hesitate to follow up a couple times, even if you don't think it will lead to anything.
At the end of the day, whether book fairs are worth it for indie authors depends on individual goals, resources, and networking strategies. Small, genre-specific fairs, local events, and community engagement might provide a better return on investment for many authors.
As an indie author, you might find value in diversifying your presence at book fairs beyond just attending lectures. This could include networking with booksellers, finding new partners, and discovering service providers, all of which require planning and proactive outreach. For instance, the Frankfurt Book Fair offers a guide to help authors determine if the Fair is suitable for their goals, posing questions such as whether a fair can help attract new readers, gain more attention, connect with booksellers, find new partners, or discover new service providers.
In addition to these considerations, other aspects of attending a book fair are important to remember, such as choosing comfort over fashion when preparing for the event, embracing technology to help manage your time effectively, planning in advance to schedule meetings and select interesting talks, staying open-minded to engage with the industry and learn about the competition, and following up with contacts after the event to maintain connections and move forward with potential partnerships.
Building a successful career as an indie author may require a combination of strategies, and book fairs can be one tool in your arsenal, but other avenues such as small, genre-specific fairs, local events, and community engagement may also provide a better return on investment for many authors.
