Welcome to this week's edition of Write what Inspires You Marketing Tips & Inspiration. Today, I am chatting about how to locate children's book festivals and the importance of participation.
Book Festival Research Resource:
The Library of Congress has a wonderful resource to search book fairs by state. I refer to this database frequently to plan out my yearly calendar. Many of the listings include links to the book festival website so you may research what their application deadline process is. If a particular festival does not have a link to their website, a quick Google search should provide you with the website URL.
The Importance of Participating in Book Festivals:
Networking opportunities abound at book festivals. Meeting your readers, rubbing elbows with fellow authors, chatting it up with the festival organizers before, during and after the event the opportunities are immense in getting your name out their and your books that you hold so dear to your heart.
On several occasions my participation resulted in author visits and book selection reads at PARP events when a superintendent or town supervisor selected one of my children's books to be read at elementary schools. My most recent read aloud by the Clarkstown Town Supervisor was Angel's Forever Home.
Your networking efforts far exceed the day of the festival and you may find yourself being invited back as a featured author.
FREE OFFER: If you are interested, I have a FREE tracking log you may utilize instead of reinventing the wheel as you begin researching and applying to the book festivals you are interested in.
Feel free to email at donna@donnamcdine.com and I'll be happy to email you my FREE Book Festival tracking log. Be sure to mention "FREE Book Festival Tracking Log" in the subject line.
Good luck in your search and have fun participating in book festivals.
If you have any questions pertaining to my experience, please don't hesitate to email me.
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#childrensbookfestivals
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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!
Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older
Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
Start planning now because book festivals will return again even though none are occurring now.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Alex...I agree 100%! Continue to be safe and well.
DeleteBook festivals are for readers which is why they are so important for authors.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. I've been invited as a featured author at the Collingswood Book Festival in NJ scheduled for October 3. Really looking forward to it!
DeleteI couldn't agree more, Donna. Looking forward to this part of life returning.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. Please continue to be safe and well!
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