Well, when last I wrote about this I was asking people to
let me know how much interest there was in a 3-day Expo for independent
authors. I was thrilled to find there was a lot of interest – both on this blog and on Twitter. So, I
decided to go forward and have been making some plans. First, let me thank
Lorna Suzuki for her support and encouragement! I have a feeling Lorna’s going
to be a big reason why this event will happen.
Anyway, as we move toward the event, there will be frequent
updates and like this post, requests for input. The idea here is to create
something that benefits and enriches independent authors in a variety of ways.
The tradeshow on Day One would enable authors to visit booths of vendors who
directly service our industry – hopefully we’ll get representatives from Amazon
KDP, Twitter, Goodreads and many more companies to participate. Day Two is
planned as a conference day with a welcome breakfast, keynote speaker, and a
cafeteria plan of workshops or speakers writers can choose from. Day Three will be a book fair, to which the
public and media will be invited and authors can present their books to readers
in whatever creative way they can come up with.
This post speaks to Day Two. I would love your input on what
kind of workshops you would like to attend or subjects you would like to hear
speakers cover. Please put a little thought into this and let me know what YOU
would like to see there, because ultimately this event is about you – the author.
What would make your job as an author easier, improve your sales, and so on?
I am planning on having a full plan put together and to
begin raising money on IndieGoGo or Kickstarter sometime in late July or early
August.
So, I look forward to your input!
I'm in! Tell me how I can help. Not only am I was writer, but I have a strong business background. Contact me at @Jesilea on twitter.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see you excited about this! We're Triberr buddies too. I'll send you a DM - but thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteWow, exciting! My Triberrmate is an organizer!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see more on creating a loyal fan base that's rabid for your books!
I wrote a minibook on this, Building an Author Platform that can launch Anything...but it's getting the books out there and sold that is a challenge for indies. I'd also love to see something on how to get bookstores and libraries to carry indie books.
Excellent, Toby! Thanks. I MUST check out the mini-book. I think a panel on the subject of building an author platform would be good. Maybe you'd be interested in being on the panel. Many of us are confused on the bookstore/library issue. Good one too.
DeleteGo for it Kathy. The Indies need a guru at the top put a touch of professionalism on our publishing efforts, and there's no one better than you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support Caleb! I'm hoping if we can come together and help each other out, we'll improve our own efforts and build our reputations a bit.
DeleteThis sounds like a great idea. I don't know how much I'll be able to participate with the actual event, but I would love to at least help out with the planning. Who knows? Maybe you'll see me there as well.
ReplyDeleteOne suggestion: all of the posts about this topic need to be linked together somehow so that whenever people hear word of it, they can read about it from the beginning. I think I would do this with a linky in case multiple blogs get involved.
Which reminds me, my blog is open to help advertise and inform. In fact, I'd be happy to syndicate whatever material you wish to offer. I would even be willing to manage the Linky if you wish.
You can email me details. msl_007 {AT} live {DOT} com
You can also find me on Twitter: @MasqCrew
See! This is why I love throwing this out to the Universe! I hadn't thought of that and would love the help. To date, I've only done the two posts, but multiple posts on multiple blogs would be great. You'll hear from me soon! Thanks.
DeleteA few ideas for panels I'd like to see;
ReplyDelete1. How to properly self-promote via social media.
2. A panel revolving around YA fiction and what the market will look like in the future.
3. A panel on creating children's books in the digital age.
I'm so looking forward to this!
Wonderful subjects! Thanks so much. Glad to hear you're excited - it's going to be wonderful for all of us I think.
DeleteKeep on my friend, your heart is in the right place and you can tell by the breadth of enthusiasm appearing here. I do have a request. Do you think you could move California a tad closer to Alabama? xo
ReplyDeleteSure! We'll just put a tuck in the US - no biggie. We'll let it out again after the Expo! :-)
DeleteLove this idea! It would be great if you could do some events for book bloggers/reviewers. They play a big role in getting word about indie books out to readers. Not sure if the indie authors attending would be interested in pitching to agents and editors, but you might be able to find some funding from agencies or publishers...
ReplyDeleteElaine Levine
We LOVE the book bloggers and reviewers - that's an excellent idea! I'll put the question of pitching to agents and editors to the troops on the next round. Good question. Thanks so much for your input.
DeleteI was just looking online this morning to find an expo for indie authors, when luck should have it that you're looking to get one going! Needless to say I'd love to see this happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a post above, that a speaker who touches on how to get our books in stores/libraries would be fantastic. I think that's one of, if not, the toughest thing for indie authors right now.
Thanks, Marshall, for stopping by and your input.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really exciting. I'm a newly minted indie and I'd love to attend. Where are you planning this event?
ReplyDeleteI'm shooting for Mar 2013! I think that's totally doable. Hope you'll be able to attend.
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