I was asked what an author should take to a book fair. Although the answer may seem simple, there are a few decisions to be made so your experience will go smoothly.
1) A bright and wrinkle-free cloth to cover your table.
2) A bowl of wrapped candy, business cards, bookmarks, pens, or other freebies.
3) Change for cash purchases. I wear a fanny-pack instead of using a cash box. There are those who use the crowded circumstances for their own devious purposes. Take a “square,” if you are accepting credit cards. Don’t accept checks, since that can lead to a disappointing outcome… for YOU.
4) A small poster or banner. I make an 8 x 10 that I put in a plastic frame. Print in color, so it will be eye-catching. Put your name, book covers, and/or pricing information. Which leads to #5.
5) I always price my books at a special “fair savings” and in rounded denominations so that I won’t have to use coins to make change.
6) At the last fair I attended, I noticed several authors had packed their books into small rolling suitcases. The bags I had mine in were heavy and unwieldy. Perhaps the Goodwill Store will have one at a nominal cost…
7) Show interest in your “customers” by standing. Also, to make sure they stop at your table (and not pass you by) say something they cannot resist, such as “Oh, what a cute baby!” Or “Would you like a Tootsie Roll?”
8) There are lots of little things to remember to do ahead of time, like using mouthwash/breath mints. I suggest eating breakfast ahead of time. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m turned-off when I (as a shopper) walk up to talk to an author and they are in the midst of downing a donut!
You ask if book fairs are with the trouble? See my previous post in “Archives.”