A glimpse of Edmond Author Book Fair

by Vivian Zabel  

     January 14, 2012, Edmond Historical Society and Museum held its annual author book festival. Four members of 4RV Publishing and Pen and Keyboard Writers (affiliate of OWFI) participated: Vehoae (Shirl Yancey), author of Conscience: Breaching Social Amnesia; Horton Deakins author of Time Pullers; Jacque Graham, editor and contributor in Walking the Earth: Life's Perspectives in Poetry; and me -- author, editor, publisher, and whatever jobs are left. 

     I took photos of our tables and activities, and some came out.

Vehoae at her table

Jacque at our shared table

Vivian visits with a customer

Horton visits with a customer

Vehoae and Liz Codding

Jacque visits with a writer

Vivian makes change for a customer

Vehoae and Jacque visit

     Sometimes book festivals and fairs result mainly in networking, getting our names and faces better known. Sometimes books are sold. 

     One important point when attending a festival or fair or book signing: Please do not block the author's table/booth and/or monopolize him/her. For example, one person who was not interested in purchasing anything blocked our table wanting to talk about publishing, his writing, his background, his interests. Several times, I had to talk "over" him to reach people who were interested in the books on the table. Yes, I'm the head of a publishing company, but at a book festival or signing, I'm interested in selling books, not recruiting authors. Other authors are also interested in selling their books. Visiting when others are not around is fine. Exchanging a few friendly words is great. However we, even if great fans, need to move out of the way of others. I also had to learn that lesson.

     I recommend writers and readers take advantage of book festivals and fairs, as attendees. Published authors should participate.

4RV Publishing 
4RV Bookstore   Yes, Christmas sale prices are still in effect.