My First Author Event

 

My First Author Event: What I Learned & Tips for Indie Authors

Two years ago, I attended my very first author event at Reading Rocks in Rockford—a fantastic book festival in Rockford, Michigan, hosted by the Krause Memorial Library (part of Kent District Library). And let me tell you—it was an awesome experience!

I had no idea what to expect, but I walked away with new readers, valuable lessons, and a fresh excitement for in-person book events. If you’re an indie author thinking about selling your books at vendor events, craft fairs, or book festivals, here’s what I learned (plus a few tips to help you get started!).

Setting Up for Success

Since this was my first event, I didn’t go all out with an elaborate setup, but I did put some thought into making my table inviting. I brought 50 books and sold 12, which I consider a win for my first-ever outing!

Here’s what worked well for my display:
✔ Baskets & Book Holders: I used cute wire book holders (thrifted from Goodwill!) to make my books stand upright and easy to flip through.
✔ Signage: I grabbed dollar-store black picture frames to display my author name, a "Ways to Pay" sign, and a QR code linking to my books online. (The QR code was scanned multiple times!)
✔ Flyer Holder: A simple plastic stand made my book lists easy to grab.

💡 Tip: A bright or patterned tablecloth makes a big difference! I used a floral one that caught people’s eyes—definitely keeping that for next time!

Payment: Be Ready for Digital Buyers

One of the biggest surprises? Half the people wanted to pay with a card! I came prepared with Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal, but I’m so glad I also bought a Square card reader. It was a lifesaver!

However, I thought I had Apple Pay set up, but it didn’t work. Lesson learned: Test all payment options before the event!

💡 Tip: If you're selling books, assume people will want to pay in different ways. A simple “Ways to Pay” sign listing cash, card, and digital options makes checkout smoother.

The Best Part? Meeting Readers!

The absolute highlight of the day was interacting with families, chatting about books, and watching kids get excited about my stories. Even those who didn’t buy a book scanned my QR code, grabbed a bookmark, or took home a book list.

One thing I wasn't expecting? Kids LOVE getting their books signed. They lit up when I wrote their names inside! If you’re doing an event, bring good pens and have a go-to autograph phrase ready.

Notes for Next Time

After wrapping up my first event, I made a quick list of things to tweak for next time:
🔲 Make sure Apple Pay actually works!
🔲 Bring a cooler for snacks & drinks. Events can be long, and you’ll thank yourself later.
🔲 Keep track of which titles sell best. Data = smarter restocks!
🔲 Stock up on fun swag. My animal bookmarks were a hit—need to make more!
🔲 Stick with the flower power tablecloth. Eye-catching = more visitors.
🔲 Have a signature autograph phrase ready. Kids love personalized books!

Final Thoughts for Indie Authors

If you’re a self-published or indie author wondering if vendor events are worth it—YES, 100%! You don’t need a huge setup or tons of experience. Just bring your books, a welcoming attitude, and a way to take payments.

Have you done a book event before? Got any tips? Let’s chat in the comments!