Oregon State Fair Authors Table

This blog is supposed to be about writing, illustrating, and how to market what we do. I was very flattered to be invited and get accepted at the Oregon State Fairs authors table. It is an eleven day event for Oregon writers. We sit at a shared table for long hours, ten in the morning to nine or ten at night.Is it worth it? For me the answer is no. I market to the under five crowd and there are only a few sales in a day. Most days I have sold only one book in a twelve hour shift. Some of this could be blamed on the economy,or my writing ability, but authors who have been here for years set their goals at five books a day.This does not cover expenses. It is fun to talk to the public, and to network with other writers,but this is not an effective way to sell books. While a few authors may get asked to speaking events, there may be better ways to get the word out about your availability. The authors table is a great place for readers! Come by and talk to the writer to get signed copies.Writers who have several books out, for older markets seem to do the best. I do better at the Florence Saturday Market. I am in Salem for two more days, come visit the authors table, or I may not have the gas to get home.