Sat & Sun Check-In, Parking, Assistant Confirm, Lunch Allergies & More

UPDATED 10/10

REGARDING BOOKSTORE & LIBRARY DISPLAYS
I'm sorry it's not easy to be brief with the bookstore info. 

The library display is at the Hyattsville branch. Some people who have been with us for the past few years might recall that they had been at multiple branches previously and have an expectation of that. PGCMLS has changed it to the Hyattsville branch only, which is where they have their collection of local authors.

The bookstore displays at Barnes & Noble and Curmudgeon are in the works. First I want to just say that we appreciate that such big bookstores are willing to partner with us - they don't give us any money, and we don't give them any. This is just something I arranged because I know it feels really great to see your book in a book store. They are doing it to support our efforts and likewise for us.

​The amount of authors this year has meant a lot more time spent on sorting and ordering. They expectation set from years past was that the display would be up and complete by the week of the fest, then come down right after. That was the days of 60 or fewer authors in participation. We now have - including virtual and legacy - about 130 authors. Naturally, it's taking longer for us, and for them to coordinate this larger effort. Also, apparently some of the printers for some of the publishers take longer than others by weeks.

Since the displays are somewhat delayed what they're going to do is leave them up after the festival for a bit. I don't have the exact amount of time yet, and I still don't have a list of who or what books they were able to acquire yet. As soon as they get me that info I will update all of you, but it may be after the book fest. THE UPSIDE is this is a perfect opportunity to push folks to the bookstores for buying yours and other author's books for the holiday season. If your book does not make it into the display due to it being print on demand indie or self pubbed with limited distribution, then we recommend following advice on platforms for publishing wide - like Wide for the Win on Facebook and Johanna Penn's podcast has a lot of advice. Draft2Digital is also helpful and has lots of videos and a blog, and when we do this again you should be all set.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14
Bowie Comfort Inn

• Parking is on the property and free.
• Check-in will be at 10:30 am - you will check for your space number at the info table and then find your table. We haven't decided yet if badges will be at the info table or at your space - you'll know when you get there! Please be patient as we are only allowed in half hour beforehand and will be rushing to get things into place. So long as everybody is ready to roll at noon it will be fine.

++You do not need to bring a table or chairs. Each table will have a white tablecloth but you are welcome to place yours over top of it.
++You DO need to bring your own books and products and way to sell them - we don't do any of the sales. WIFI IS AVAILABLE AND COMPLIMENTARY THROUGH THE HOTEL - THERE IS NO PASSWORD
++Lunch will be served at 1:30pm. We won't be breaking for lunch, it's an eat at your table sort of situation. Apparently the hotel has a place they set out the boxed lunches and you collect them - the ones for special dietary needs will have their names on them - so please pay attention and don't take one of the special lunches.

The digital program for Saturday is here:
https://www.thewritewomenbookfest.org/2023-program.html

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SUNDAY 10/15
Marietta House Museum
Program: https://www.thewritewomenbookfest.org/2023-sunday-events.html​

​Sunday is broken up into two parts:
The luncheon and Workshops
***THERE IS NO TABLING/SELLING ON SUNDAY***
it's networking and lunch and workshops only.

The first part of the event presenters and participants who registered for the luncheon should arrive around 10:45am (no earlier than 10:30am) and check in at the info table.

Parking is on the premises and free.

Please fill out the form as to which workshops you'd like to take:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl_vwNm5PV7K6y-WMaJSZ4trKGVVT9czpJg-TPFTQGmRHu9g/viewform?usp=sf_link

You'll collect your badge, learn where things are located and if you're teaching a workshop, you'll want to locate your room for when lunch is over because the schedule is tight. We plan to make the days a little longer in the future so we have more time between classes.

After the luncheon then you'll head straight to classrooms - and that's when other members of the public will also arrive who will be attending workshops, but did not sign up for the luncheon. 

It is OK if we run a bit past 5pm. Don't get too stressed about that.