Sunday Deets & Signups

Happy Mother's Day to anybody who celebrates! I'm trying to get this whole post and the new Sunday schedule and sign-ups up before my daughter comes over this evening for a movie and mother-daughter time. She doesn't get off work until 8pm though, so I may actually be able to hit "post" before she gets here. I hope ALL of you are having a nice day because man that weather is lovely!

First, thank you SO MUCH to those of you who sent lovely, thoughtful, kind, validating notes to us. It means the world to us. Yes, it was a hard decision, but YES we are so glad we get to spend the last WWBF with you!

Cardyn and I are a bit salty that the bad event got so much attention from the press while we keep waving our arms for a little bit of that time! I digress!
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As you have heard by now, we have moved to the Bowie Library for day two. This means a lot of changes to the in-person schedule, and it means going hybrid. We are sorry to have to adjust your expectations for the change, but it has a lot of advantages. If you want to learn more about the expenses and costs and such scroll down. I know there are a lot of folks who just don't understand how it works, so we will do our best to explain it to those who want the information. Otherwise just hop over to this doc and fill it out as soon as you can so we can get the info sorted and the schedule up. The options have changed, and because we've added virtual it means more panel opportunities, so please have a look as soon as you can.

Day two was always planned as a panel and workshop day, all day. We designed the event this way because authors and vendors are tired and keep having to leave their tables to do panels during signings. Our concept was to have the second day as relaxing and talking publishing and connecting.

We had planned on coffee & pastries, and a boxed lunch. Due to the shortened in-person schedule because of library hours, and the fact that we eliminated the higher tiered tickets that were meant to pay for day two, we won't be having those things. Our priority was to lower the prices to attract as many readers as possible to your tabling day, feeling that was what was best all the way around.

GO SIGN UP AND LOOK OVER THE 7/20 SCHEDULE
Please note I wrote this blog, and that schedule in about five hours without anybody to be able to proof it, so if you see a mistake, lemme know. I just want to get it up and out there!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XT33yc6StQg9j7xmdUjiT_6h7L3DUsKehjfPutYxEkE/edit?usp=sharing

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For those who want a bit more info on how planning an event like this works for us, here you go.

We have not, until our last blog, talked so publicly about how much work and money it takes to run these events because we don't want anybody to feel bad or like we're trying to curry sympathy or seek out a bunch of accolades. We're both not super comfortable with that, but we absolutely 100% appreciate all of the kind and supportive words that have come in since our last post. We just want to put on a good event and everybody to have a nice time and make you feel like a star. I think maybe it would be helpful moving forward for authors to have an idea how planning these book events work. And it maybe helps resolve any hard feelings you have ever had towards an event that didn't refund you. 

There is no one way to do this. There are MANY ways to do this, but this is how we do it.

We don't charge authors what it costs to run the event in hopes of being more accessible than some other events. We split the cost between authors and ticket-holders while taking on a huge financial risk if the tickets don't sell. Some events mitigate costs by requiring you get a hotel room, that means they can get the venue space for free (again, this varies). We don't do it that way, we know not everybody can afford or needs to stay in a hotel room. Again, accessibility is always on our minds. It's also why we chose a hotel with ample free parking! 

We have thrived on the faith that if we build it, the readers will come. It's hard every single year to get people to notice us, and it's scary and stressful on a normal year, but this year it's extra hard for obvious reasons. People are afraid to leave their houses, they're afraid to spend money. We have a very inclusive event and because of that it probably has more of an impact on us than some others.

The outstanding amount for 2025, if we don't sell the tickets, falls to Cardyn and me to pay. At this point it's a pretty significant amount to us. If we sell all of the 450 tickets at $29, we will gross enough to cover our expenses and pay taxes. We would love to sell as many of those as possible. 

Please tell your readers, friends, family and co-workers about this beautiful buy small, buy local, DEI event. Some of you did reach out already!  Thank you! We are moving ahead with a hard marketing push starting tomorrow. And we will be getting back to those of you who have come up with some marketing ideas. Also, I noticed an uptick in posts about us, including a lovely post from Kait Disney-Leugers, and Calla Claire! Thanks all!

THANK YOU FOR FIVE WONDERFUL EVENTS - can't wait to do year six with you!