For Authors Interested in Events
According to ISBN database (citing UNESCO), there are about 2.2 million books published every year. And, although it’s nearly impossible to measure, ISBN database further estimates there are nearly 130 million unique books in the world.
A number for comparison: Our bookstore has two full-time staff members.
We have worked very hard to make author events possible in our store. Many of them have been impressive and memorable. That said, the return on energy and time has been inconsistent and we’re currently receiving dozens of author inquiries a month (and rising).
We will continue to do author events – we might even have some news about bigger, better options soon! But we will be increasingly particular about what works for our customers and our store.
Here are some main takeaways for authors looking to do an event at Fireside:
- Authors are responsible for bringing an audience. A wonderful portion of our community loves author events, but they are a small group and can’t attend every talk. If the author doesn’t have their own network, these events do not turn out well. (Think of it more like a party than a show. You should invite friends and family.)
- Our promotional abilities are minimal. Whatever this means to you, the reality is even less. The person who handles our website, newsletter, flyers, and social media has a full-time job elsewhere. (Don’t worry too much, she is co-owner of the store.) When booked for an event, Fireside provides free space, staff, and equipment. Authors should expect to do the majority of the promotion.
- As a general rule, we find that “readings”, “signings” and “book talks” do not draw much of an audience. We prefer conversations and interviews with an author about topics related to their book, which ideally make the audience excited to then read the book. We highly encourage potential speakers to have a friend or colleague who can play the part of interviewer and drive a lively and interesting discussion with the author.
- We are not able to do events for self-published, hybrid published, and (most) indie published authors. As a general rule, you should have a publicist assigned to you by your publisher. We do put on an Indie Author Week, where local authors can (free of charge) use our space to sell their books directly to customers.
- We don’t do weekend author events, except in very special circumstances. Weekends are our busiest time in the store and space is tight, when we have an event going on. We need our weekend income and so we cannot forgo that for an author event.
- If we do not answer your email(s) about an author event in a week, please send us an email nudge. Please do not call or come into the store to pitch us an event. Again, we are a small crew and must give preference for our attention to our customers. Please do not bring us unsolicited copies of your book.
- Our calendar is starting to fill up quickly. If you can’t give us 2-3 months of advance notice for an event, it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate it.
