In order to ensure we make the most ticket sales possible it's vital you post about the event and tell friends, family - even those who don't read your genre, about the event and ask them to consider supporting the event. Many genres will be present and there is likely to be something there for them, or somebody they want to buy a gift for.
Below are some images you can save and share. Some have a blank space for you to drop your own image into the graphic.
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If you've been a past participant of TWWBF then you know we love swag. It's little prezzies to remind people who you are and what you've got to offer. We are doing a little re-vamp of how we handle swag this year. In the past we collected all of it via mail, took it took the facility, and pre-stuffed the bags the weeks before the event. For our first few years it was perfect and not too hard, but with the way we've grown it's become a very heavy lift, so we're gonna switch up to having authors and vendors keep their swag at the table, and do a game of getting people to go to your table and get your swag from you. This isn't a new technique or unique - many festivals do this. We just were smaller and the other way worked pretty well at first. As always, we try to evolve and change as we grow to keep things scalable and sustainable. Even though we've grown we are still a very small team of three and this way I think will work better. This is going to work better for us because we don't have to find volunteers, coordinate a weekend to do it, as well as store and sort everything, confirm swag as it comes, coordinate pickups etc.
It's going to work better for you because you won't have to pay shipping or otherwise find a way to get swag to us. Previously we needed a promised amount of swag, but this way you can provide less swag than 50 to 100 pieces. Plus, doing it this way with so many genres present, your swag will likely be collected by somebody who is into your genre. When planning what swag to bring, keep table space in your mind, and how you're going to display it. DO I HAVE TO BRING SWAG? Absolutely not, but we think it's a good idea and make sure your info is on the swag. We have gotten beautiful bookmarks and other swag with no name on it for the attendees to look back on and find the author! WHAT KIND OF SWAG SHOULD I BRING? Popular Swag Bookmarks (flat printed, or mini magnetic), fridge magnets, candy, pens, stickers, pencils Popular & Fun Buttons with graphics or words, keychains, can koozies, free story downloads, little booklets with mini stories or the first chapter of one of your books - this is great for pushing a specific book! Other Unique Swag We've Seen Cellphone stands, fancy bookmarks (gem encrusted, ribbons with charms, etc.), cute coin purses, hot cocoa kits, tea kits, charms, favor sized soap with custom stickers, travel candles, lip gloss, chokers, necklaces, small character posters, character cards, mini-tools It's great to go to Etsy and check out all the unique wedding favors - many could translate into book swag. You can get your official TWWBF 2023 Merch at our merch store!
There are tees available designating Author, Editor, and Publisher. Even one with just the event name and graphic. The tees come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles - including a dress for authors, crop tops, slouchy comfy tees, and a sweatshirt version too! We'll have other fun merch roll out too, stuff that's bookish and writerly and fun. But for book fest participation, please look into one of the tees for the day of the event. Please note it takes them a few weeks to get merch out since it's print-on-demand. Best to order sooner rather than later! If you are a tabling author on Saturday October 14th you might have some questions about your setup. We've answered all your burning questions below.
HOW MANY BOOKS SHOULD I BRING? We get this question a lot. We can't tell you how many books you will sell, so we can't tell you how many to bring, other than there being a practical physical limit. We also can't predict know how many attendees we will have and how many tickets we will sell. We wish we knew because it would make us more relaxed! If you're asking this question likely you're fairly new to conventions and fests as a tabler. What we can tell you is this: If you do not already have a fanbase, don't bring a lot of books with you because you probably won't sell a lot. THIS is your chance to start BUILDING a fanbase! Bring a small amount of books and bring postcards or business cards and swag. Be ready to talk about your books. Be ready to give out your cards. If you sell a book ask if they want it signed. Talk about your next book. Tell people where they can find you in person and online. Folks with a fanbase and who are new to conventions - please consider what your best known work is, what you are newly releasing - bring swag and cards and plenty of info for continuing to build up your fanbase. DO I NEED TO BRING A TABLE OR CHAIRS? No - please do not bring a table or chairs. DO bring tablecloths and other display items. AM I SELLING BOOKS I PROVIDE OR IS A VENDOR PROVIDING THEM? You provide your own books, swag, etc. We don't have a third-party vendor or bookstore doing that. WIFI Yes, there will be wifi, but it's always good to have a backup plan. PLEASE NOTE - the tables at the hotel are not as deep as some standard 6 foot tables - even though they are 6 feet long. Please keep in mind the table size, especially If you are sharing a table. We know that you want to see your books on a library shelf. Some libraries are more accommodating than others, especially when it comes to self and indie published authors. We've got you! We've been partnering with the Prince George's Community Library System to help make it easier for you to see your work on the library shelf and therefore be available for more potential eyes to see them! See the information below this image of last year's display for details about how to participate for 2023. If you would like to have one of your books in circulation at the Prince George's Community Library System please read below.
Prince George's County Memorial Library System Materials Management Department Attention: Monica McAbee 9601 Capital Lane Largo, MD 20774 IT'S TIME TO BOOK YOUR ROOM Comfort Inn Conference Center
Make reservations no later than September 13, 2023 in order to receive the discounted rates $143.10 for a nonsmoking king bed room and $152.10 for a nonsmoking room with 2 double beds per room per night plus tax and a full hot breakfast is provided complimentary daily from 6:30am to 9:30am in the dining room. https://bowiemdhotel.com/
SEE YOUR BOOK IN A BOOKSTORE! We know that nothing beats the feeling of seeing your book in a bookstore! For the past three years we have partnered with Barnes & Noble to carry at least one copy of each author's books in their store in Bowie. They've been great at supporting the local authors that participate with our festival. This year Curmudgeon Books, an indie book store, has partnered with us as well.
How can you participate in this portion of the book fest? 1 - Go to the form below and put in ONE BOOK you have published that you hope to see in one of the book stores. We don't get to choose which store - the stores will be dividing up the list themselves and ordering at least one copy for the week before the fest for a display. FILL OUT THIS FORM:56 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_TvnOwHukwD2cm4J2d0IxYUWMl3mUwoYEi9dP9Ava-lqgGA/viewform?usp=sf_link 2 - DEADLINE IS AUGUST 15th. IF YOU DON'T FILL IT IN BY THEN YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE We cannot guarantee your book will be able to be a part of this - it will all depend on how it is published and if it is published wide and returnable or not. We put forth a sincere effort to help you see your book in a brick and mortar bookstore. That's important to us! But we and the bookstores have no control over the way your book is published. Any eligible book will be in one of the stores. This is the Vendor Resources Blog for The Write Women Book Fest. This blog will begin use for the 2023 book fest!
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