I participated in a lot of events this year, more than I anticipated. That means I worked most weekends from April through November. I do mean “worked” because that’s what these events are: work.
That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them. On the contrary, I often do enjoy them. I like meeting people and introducing them to my stories. It’s wonderful when folks who purchased my my books before come up to my table and let me know that they enjoyed the stories. How gratifying!
I attended my final event for the year last weekend: the Hocking Hills Book Fair at the Logan State Park Lodge & Conference Center. Gina McKnight, owner of Monday Creek Publishing, organizes the Hocking Hills Book Fairs, several per year in various locations throughout southeastern Ohio in the Appalachian foothills: Logan, Nelsonville, Athens. Each event is a learning experience, and Gina has been diligent in soliciting feedback to improve them. Her efforts are paying off. She not only had a waiting list of authors wanting to participate, but the event also had the best attendance and most sales yet. Kudos to Gina for her tireless efforts to promote literacy in southeastern Ohio!
That said, I won’t be registering for any events in December, January, or February … and probably not March or at least not until late March. I’ll focus on the events that have a good track record for being profitable: the Clifton Gorge Arts & Music Festival (August) and the Tipp City Mum Festival (September). I intend to return to the Frankfort Sunflower Festival (August); that one has a lot of potential. I’ve already decided not to return to Art on the Hill, the Northwestern Band Association Craft Show, or the Urbana Second Saturdays in 2025.
I will, however, be on the lookout for new venues to share my books and paintings. When I analyze the data, it’s obvious that I do better at arts and crafts fairs than I do at book or author-oriented events, so I’ll stick to those venues where I have less direct competition. That’s just business … and that’s what publishing is: a business. If I’m going to turn a profit, then I need to focus on what’s profitable.
Anyway, I’ve got to get back to focusing on writing stories and producing them. I need to put some new books on the table. So, send me some good vibes and encouragement. I need the positive energy to buckle down and start writing again.
Riding more often wouldn’t hurt either.
