by sarah clark
I’ve been to several books fairs over the past few years. Ever since I started building a personal network for travel and writing projects, the time and frequency of my book fairs increased significantly. I’ve been fortunate to have some great event partners throughout the years, and I’ve been hooked ever since, thanks to events like the Washington Post book fairs.
I always find it satisfying to get feedback from people who are interested in what I’m working on. It makes me feel like I’m influencing my friends more than they realize. So every year I try my best to come up with some additional ways to make the Washington Post book fair “part of my life” even after we have moved.
You don’t have to do so much or visit as much. You may even be able to reach me at my new address outside of Washington D.C. I can assure you, our book fairs are still a blast and we’re even growing our footprint in the Washington, D.C. area.
There are so many great events that I can add to my calendar that are in the D.C. area that feel like they couldn’t fit in in my hometown of Virginia. I particularly like my partners, the Washington Post Book Fair and the University of Maryland Press, because they’re both great books fairs with terrific events.
For the past three years, I’ve included small mentions in my book tour announcement for my friends at University of Maryland Press, who work incredibly hard to support great writers and great content. I told my friends there that I’d be meeting at the Washington Post book fair, which this year happens to take place right in D.C. on August 24, and that they should definitely come on by. The buzz about my friend at University of Maryland Press inspired me to create a small disclosure window in my book tour announcement that reveals where and when I’m meeting my dear friends at the Book Fair. Here’s what it says:
“Since joining the Washington Post Book Fair team three years ago, I’ve encountered so many people and companies whose books are all the best. It makes me want to tell you about some of those folks, some of whom are in the upcoming schedule and some who aren’t. Also, a tip! Buy all the books the book club is reading, or the book club is about to read, and the majority of your favoriting of posts on Mashable. You’ll be surprised to know that most people don’t really know who you are or what you do on a day-to-day basis—so come do all that schmoozing! I’ll meet you at the Book Fair this year on the 24th to do it.”
