Monday, May 21, 2012

Indie Authors' Expo?

I have been having conversations with the Sacramento Mayor’s office and the Convention Center about the possibility of having a three-day event here for independent authors. As far as capacity and willingness, Sacramento has the facilities to handle a large group of people from around the world, if – and this is a big if – there is interest in the indie author community.

This is an idea I had about a month ago and have been working up notes on ever since. This involves a large amount of capital, which I’ll need to raise as soon as I have some figures together.

I need your help. I’m not asking for any commitments here, simply opinions. I’d like to know if there is a strong enough interest to pursue this. So here’s a very basic rundown of what it would entail:
  •   Day One – A tradeshow, to which I would expect to be able to attract some of the vendors who make our self-publishing possible – Amazon, Smashwords, Google, Twitter, VistaPrint, etc.
  •  Day Two – A conference breakfast with a keynote speaker from the community – perhaps we could get lucky and attract J.A. Konrath.  This would be followed by a selection of workshops writers could choose from with 5 time slots.
  • Day Three – Book Fair – where authors could showcase their books – either physical or eBooks.
  • The goal would be to keep the cost for authors as low as possible.
  • Hopefully, people would have a chance to finally meet some of their online friends as well as invite readers to visit their booths on Day 3.
  • I’m shooting for early 2013.

These are the very basics. I would really appreciate your feedback and/or questions.

24 comments:

  1. I would love to go to that! Maybe you could use Kickstarter to raise money. You could also contact the Indie Book Collective to see if they might be interested in helping.

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    1. Thanks Jesi! I had already planned on raising the money through either Kickstarter or IndieGoGo. I really needed to make sure there was a market for this. I appreciate your feedback very much.

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  2. Kathy, since I am working on a book I am thinking of self-publishing, I love the idea. Please, keep me updated. :-)

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    1. Oh, good, Melissa - Wouldn't it be fun to meet?

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  3. I'd pay to attend that. What a great idea.

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  4. I think it's a cool idea. We have got to have something or preferably someone live in this Kindle era. So what a great way for authors to meet each other and readers.

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    1. I'm most attracted to the workshops and having a great keynote speaker - the second day - myself, but I feel that the tradeshow portion would be great for connecting with all of the vendors, ask questions in person, etc.

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  5. I think you have a great idea, Kathy! And there is a great need for exposure for indie authors as well as Big 6 authors. I see that many publishing houses are starting to pay attention to the potential of indies.

    It could truly be a worldwide event. I would love to meet some of the great authors of today!

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    1. I would love to meet some of my author friends! Also - our community is new, edgy and I think it would truly br a vibrant event & if done well, it would elevate our status.

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  6. Love the idea but Sacramento would be too long a hall for this East Coast girl--unless, of course, I finally learn how to use frequent flyer miles :)

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    1. I envision the event becoming annual & traveling around the US. It needs to be here this time because I live here and can go interact with people as needed. There has been enough support on here and on Twitter that I've decided I'm going to pursue it! So, Joanna - I hope you figure out the FF miles by then!

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  7. I'm an unpublished author who is very interested in indie publishing and I think this is a great springboard, + I live only an hour or so from Sacramento, so It's completely doable on my end. Definitely Interested.

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    1. So sorry to take so long getting back to you. This is exciting! I'd love to have you there. Any chance you're interested in an Indie Author's group that will meet here in Sac once a month? If so, my email is writinggroove@yahoo.com

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  8. I'm all over this. I actually live in Sacramento, and would be willing to help with some of the Pre-event logistics and details.

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    1. Hi, Todd - I hadn't seen your comment here. Sorry, but now that we are in contact - I'm very thrilled to have heard from you. On Weds of next week, I'll be free to pursue this project further and I'll be contacting you. Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I am a fairly successful indie author and I would be VERY interested in attending such an event.

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    1. Denise - So glad to hear from you. I needed this type of input to be sure I wasn't barking up the wrong tree. I'll be keeping everyone informed.

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  10. great idea - but the wrong side of the continent for me, I fear.

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    1. Just knowing you'd be interested helps. Planning on making it an annual event and moving it around the country. So maybe your side of the continent next time!

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  11. I would be interested in this. Going to writers' conferences in NYC is just not possible for a poor author living on the West Coast. But I have family really close to Sacramento! I'd totally check it out.

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    1. Emily - I'll definitely be announcing things as I firm them up. It's great to have family strategically placed, right?

      Also, if this one works out, I want to make it an annual event and move it around the country.

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  12. Hi Kathy! Wonderful, as always, to "see" you! I'd be interested. Please keep me posted!
    With my best,
    Terri

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    1. Hi, Terri! I will be updating everyone as I go along in this process. I'm very excited now to jump into it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. I'm in. Maybe you should set up a mailing list?

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