Having a “hook” for your event has become increasingly necessary, and I LOVE all these ideas. I love suggesting an author demo a recipe, drink, or hobby featured in the book. I’ve had artists live paint at a festival booth to promote their book of graffiti art, and absolutely co-sign on having a “conversation partner” for the event who is perhaps a local personality or author who brings their own crowd. Get “sponsorships” from a local restaurant, distillery, bakery and feature their products in return for promo to THEIR audience. I could go on for days and honestly wish book events were more profitable for lesser known authors so I could genuinely recommend and work on them more.
Workshops are my go-to, but moderators are such a good idea (and so much simpler!) I love that takeovers are a thing. (I’ve considered it before but been afraid that it was too weird to pitch.) What is a bake club and why have I never heard of them?!? Sounds fun! Thanks for another great list!
Love these ideas! Any suggestions for book events related to education? I’ve published 3 books related to Montessori education.
Have come to learn that books published through a university press are looked upon differently by traditional bookstores (less profit margin). But our most recent book would be a perfect fit for parents who are curious about different approaches to learning / homeschooling.
Community parent and caregiving centers are always looking for programming! This is a great way to get in front of your intended audience and help programming!
Love all these ideas! In Savannah we have this thing called Seersucker Live and the organizers turn author events into comedy shows with audience participation. So much fun! People pay for the tickets and they generally sell out.
I hosted my launch party at my local bar on a Saturday afternoon and ran a "Buy the book, get a free beer" promo. The book sales covered the bar tab. Guaranteed fun times for all, and a good way to get friends and family involved.
Thank you for these ideas 💡 One of the best author events I went to was Mary Robinette Kowal talking about her latest Lady Astronaut book. She dressed like her character and played Mad Libs with the audience ❤️
At my book launch event at NYC Barnes & Noble last week I had a moth-style line up of storytellers, each sharing a short personal narrative around the theme: “what have you been called because of your ambition?”
Followed that up with a moderated q&a with me, the author of a book about how women’s ambitions are weaponized against them in modern workplaces, relationships, etc.
It was honestly even better than I imagined, and not a huge lift (in large part, because of the amazing moderator, storytellers and emcee who participated). Going to see how the format holds up for my first out of town book event next month!
I mentioned this in the chat, and it isn’t a book specific event, but it isby far the best author specific/ generally bookish event I’ve ever been to - and I’ve been to at least parts of… 3? 4? of them now. (Will be at this year’s event in November as well.)
That event?
Robinsonfest, a gathering of fans of Jeremy Robinson’s books that generally has at least a few other authors/ others in publishing - usually but not always connected to Robinson in some way, such as editor and co-author Kane Gilmour and co-author Kent Holloway, but also other authors Xander Weaver and J.M. LeDuc, voice talents Heather Beth and Dan Delgado, and… book blogger… me! :D
If you’re interested in a weekend trip to St. Augustine, FL this year, this year’s event is the weekend after Halloween and registration is open to all. :) http://www.bewareofmonsters.com/robinsonfest
Note: I am just a long time fan of Robinson - one of the originals/ earliest. I make zero money or any other benefit from hyping this event other than the potential to gain new converts to my long time fandom. :)
Really good ideas here. I like “in discussion” with one or two people besides the author. I don’t have any ideas though for my YA book about a heartbroken teen who concocts a love potion that backfires.
There are so many real life "witches" on instagram who'd probably love to collaborate with you! I could imagine a book event where they demonstrate how to make a genuine love potion and teach the audience how to do it at home.
All of these ideas are great for the specific genre. But I write memoirs having to do with trauma and recovery, and it’s hard to imagine a fun event centered around that. I tried approaching my local women’s center one time and they weren’t receptive. I’d love to hear if you have any ideas for events good for memoirs.
Having a “hook” for your event has become increasingly necessary, and I LOVE all these ideas. I love suggesting an author demo a recipe, drink, or hobby featured in the book. I’ve had artists live paint at a festival booth to promote their book of graffiti art, and absolutely co-sign on having a “conversation partner” for the event who is perhaps a local personality or author who brings their own crowd. Get “sponsorships” from a local restaurant, distillery, bakery and feature their products in return for promo to THEIR audience. I could go on for days and honestly wish book events were more profitable for lesser known authors so I could genuinely recommend and work on them more.
Workshops are my go-to, but moderators are such a good idea (and so much simpler!) I love that takeovers are a thing. (I’ve considered it before but been afraid that it was too weird to pitch.) What is a bake club and why have I never heard of them?!? Sounds fun! Thanks for another great list!
Takeovers are totally a thing! I recommend checking Eventbrite for local club listings
But what is a bake club? Just like a book club but with baking?
Usually, one cookbook is chosen, and then everyone bakes one recipe from the book and brings it to share! It’s like a big potluck.
Thank you! Sounds great! (Christina Tosi has a cookbook called “Bake Club” so googling didn’t produce particularly useful answers!)
Love these ideas! Any suggestions for book events related to education? I’ve published 3 books related to Montessori education.
Have come to learn that books published through a university press are looked upon differently by traditional bookstores (less profit margin). But our most recent book would be a perfect fit for parents who are curious about different approaches to learning / homeschooling.
Community parent and caregiving centers are always looking for programming! This is a great way to get in front of your intended audience and help programming!
Great idea! Thanks so much 🙏
Love all these ideas! In Savannah we have this thing called Seersucker Live and the organizers turn author events into comedy shows with audience participation. So much fun! People pay for the tickets and they generally sell out.
That sounds so fun!!
I hosted my launch party at my local bar on a Saturday afternoon and ran a "Buy the book, get a free beer" promo. The book sales covered the bar tab. Guaranteed fun times for all, and a good way to get friends and family involved.
I love it!
As an aspiring bookseller – thank you for sharing these. As it gives booksellers ideas too!
Love all these ideas. And it’s fun to see other genre events too. Gets my wheels turning!
The options really are endless! Thanks for those great additions on the education front as well!
Thank you for these ideas 💡 One of the best author events I went to was Mary Robinette Kowal talking about her latest Lady Astronaut book. She dressed like her character and played Mad Libs with the audience ❤️
At my book launch event at NYC Barnes & Noble last week I had a moth-style line up of storytellers, each sharing a short personal narrative around the theme: “what have you been called because of your ambition?”
Followed that up with a moderated q&a with me, the author of a book about how women’s ambitions are weaponized against them in modern workplaces, relationships, etc.
It was honestly even better than I imagined, and not a huge lift (in large part, because of the amazing moderator, storytellers and emcee who participated). Going to see how the format holds up for my first out of town book event next month!
I mentioned this in the chat, and it isn’t a book specific event, but it isby far the best author specific/ generally bookish event I’ve ever been to - and I’ve been to at least parts of… 3? 4? of them now. (Will be at this year’s event in November as well.)
That event?
Robinsonfest, a gathering of fans of Jeremy Robinson’s books that generally has at least a few other authors/ others in publishing - usually but not always connected to Robinson in some way, such as editor and co-author Kane Gilmour and co-author Kent Holloway, but also other authors Xander Weaver and J.M. LeDuc, voice talents Heather Beth and Dan Delgado, and… book blogger… me! :D
If you’re interested in a weekend trip to St. Augustine, FL this year, this year’s event is the weekend after Halloween and registration is open to all. :) http://www.bewareofmonsters.com/robinsonfest
Note: I am just a long time fan of Robinson - one of the originals/ earliest. I make zero money or any other benefit from hyping this event other than the potential to gain new converts to my long time fandom. :)
… I should probably just write my own damn article about this event…
Doing that now… :D
Really good ideas here. I like “in discussion” with one or two people besides the author. I don’t have any ideas though for my YA book about a heartbroken teen who concocts a love potion that backfires.
There are so many real life "witches" on instagram who'd probably love to collaborate with you! I could imagine a book event where they demonstrate how to make a genuine love potion and teach the audience how to do it at home.
Thank you for the idea!
All of these ideas are great for the specific genre. But I write memoirs having to do with trauma and recovery, and it’s hard to imagine a fun event centered around that. I tried approaching my local women’s center one time and they weren’t receptive. I’d love to hear if you have any ideas for events good for memoirs.