As a book publicist and book marketing specialist, I am the first to impress on authors the new and powerful marketing avenues open to all authors on the Internet – from book websites to book trailers to social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. While these are fantastic tools when used properly, authors should never overlook opportunities to meet the reading public face-to-face where they can easily be found – at book fairs, book festivals, trade shows, book conferences and conventions.

Any book event, regardless of size and name recognition, is worth attending by an author who is serious about promoting their book. This requires personal effort and time by the author in person. People don’t want to meet the author’s assistant or friend; no they want to talk to the author.

Book fairs provide an excellent chance to learn more about the publishing industry, about booksellers, publishers, distributors and marketers. The attending author will also learn a great deal about what readers want and how to reach readers. And while acquiring a vast amount of knowledge about the book industry, the author can also take advantage of the chance to expose their book and name to a new audience – leaders in the book industry who are interested in meeting new authors. While you may not walk away with a book deal you’ll make yourself known to the movers and shakers and that has long-lasting benefits. Remember, word of mouth is one of the strongest promotional tools available and authors need to be where the mouths are – the mouths of book publishers, distributors, promoters, agents and readers – at book fairs, conventions and conferences.

Book fairs provide an excellent opportunity to encounter media reps in search of a story. Producers of TV and radio programs, editors of newspapers, magazines, book reviewers and online media outlets attend these events in search of stories that otherwise would be under their radar. Never, never pass up on the opportunity to meet the media. Keep an eye out for small I-phone sized video cameras too as they shoot broadcast quality footage in natural light. If you see somebody using one, invite them over and give them a pitch. They could be shooting for C-SPAN, CNN, a book review blog or the local cable show; you won’t know unless you ask.

The major book conferences and conventions involve travel expenses such as airlines and hotel lodging, and a week’s investment of your time. But book fairs can be found close to home, easily accessed by car and often are only one or two days. A typical regional book fair will have 1,000 or more attendees and 100 or more exhibitors, providing a realistic exposure of 300 visitors a day. Why would an author not want to spend a Saturday and a Sunday within 100 miles of home to meet 600 readers or a reporter, editor or book reviewer?

At a book fair, just as at a book signing event, the author will want to bring promotional literature to pass out. Passing out promotional bookmarks or book covers is a great way to generate future sales for months and months after the book fair ends. The give-away should contain the author’s contact information, the book’s name, the front cover artwork, author’s website address, and where the book can be purchased online.

I also remind my author clients that book fairs often need speakers. By volunteering to speak, the author not only gains great exposure but can also add that appearance to their resume and press releases. But plan ahead; dates for panel participants, speakers and autograph sessions are arranged months in advance.

Book fairs are often attended by best-selling authors who will be willing to spend time with you sharing tips on writing, on how to be successful, and advice on where to find the help you need.

In summary, book fairs are wonderful places to interact with fellow authors, publishers, network with book industry leaders, locate the help you need such as a publicist or book editor, and learn what’s new in the marketplace.

Here is a list of 25 book fairs and events that are worthy of your attendance (courtesy of Noel Griese, Editor of Southern Review of Books,

1. Litquake, San Francisco’s Literary Festival

2. Frankfurt Book Fair, biggest book show in the world, October 6-10, 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany

3. Louisiana Book Festival, Baton Rouge,

4. Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, a big festival attracting 150,000 readers, April 24-25, 2010

5. BookExpo America, May 25-27, 2010, Jacob Javits Center, NYC, the premier North American publishing event of the year

6. Ann Arbor Book Festival, Ann Arbor MI

7. National Book Festival, sponsored by the Library of Congress on the Mall in Washington, DC,

8. Self-Publishing Book Expo,

9. Miami Book Fair International, draws hundreds of thousands of people, conducted by the Congress of Writers

10. Vegas Valley Book Festival, Las Vegas

11. London Book Fair, April 19-21, 2010, global marketplace for sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels

12. American Library Association Annual Conference, June 24-29, 2010, Washington, DC, some 2,000 seminars and events plus a huge trade show

13. International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) Considered the best show for Christian authors according to Sara Bolme author of Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace

14. CAMEX/National Association of College Stores, attracts more than 7,000 people, including booksellers from more than 1,000 stores

15. Philadelphia Book Festival, attended by 35,000 and more than 50 authors, performers. Third weekend in April 2010

16. Printers Row Book Fair, a large book fair attended by more than 100,000 book lovers in 2009

17. Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word, Nashville, TN, attracts more than 200

I am a traditionally published author with Simon and Schuster. I’ve been in the business for almost twelve years and have taken most of that time to learn the ins and outs of the business. I’ve made mistakes and learned from them. During my quest to know as much about the industry as possible, I became published. Now that I am at a point in my career where things are taking off, I have become more aware of the prejudices in the industry. You may think I am speaking of the prejudices against self-published authors vs. mainstream authors but I am not. I am speaking of the prejudices that self-published authors have against the mainstream industry in general.

I often wonder what makes someone self-publish a novel. I can understand a technical book, poetry book or a diary but why self-publish a novel? Self-publishing can be the death and is the death of many wannabe novelists. While studying self-publishing, I came to the conclusion that many new writers were bamboozled into thinking that this was the way to go for their books. Yep, they are being tricked. You can’t even blame this type of trickery on sharks such as shady POD presses, vanity or subsidy presses. No I blame this on one group of people…bitter self-published authors. They spread bad advice and untruths like a disease and it’s damaging the careers of new writers.

It’s true. New writers are being duped into self-publishing by self-published authors. These types of self-published authors are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They lie and spread myths in order to feel good about their own poor publishing choices. Not only does this bother me because it gives inexperienced writers a false sense of reality, these same authors who glorify self-publishing have taken it upon themselves to talk down upon mainstream publishers and spew dishonest myths about the mainstream publishing industry. How can a self-published author who hasn’t had experience with the mainstream publishing industry, say what does or does not go on with such a company? Point blank, they cannot. It burns me when I see self-published authors speaking as if their books are the equivalent of heaven sent, while labeling mainstream authors sellouts. How are we sellouts? Mainstream authors paid their dues, not their money. I think these high and mighty self-published authors need to take a good look at the bigger picture. Who really sold out?

The method of publishing should be up to the author. If you want to self-publish, make sure you know the business and that it’s your choice. Do not be duped by doing it just because Pam, Dick and Jane said they did. Pam, Dick and Jane say that a publisher won’t want your work but that’s not true just because someone didn’t want theirs. Some self-published authors act as if they are a part of a cult or group of bloodthirsty vampires that are trying to gather as many unsuspecting writers into their cartel as possible. It’s maddening when you look at it. It’s like they dare a new writer to go the traditional route. And don’t dare be self-published then get a traditional contract! These cutthroat self-published authors will ban you from the island faster than you can speak! It’s scary to see how some of these cliques behave sometimes. I’ve found some self-published authors to be downright hateful towards anyone who disapproves of self-publishing yet have the nerve to turn around and say the industry is prejudice against them. Say what?

Now that I’ve gone into that, I will clear up a few myths about mainstream publishing that some misguided and vengeful self-published authors push upon unsuspecting aspiring writers.

Myth 1: Traditional Publishers Take Full Control of Everything

I get so sick of self-published authors telling new writers this because it’s not true at all. First of all authors have different types of contracts and they vary. Also, traditional publishers do not steal your rights away like vanity presses do. For example, I hold the complete rights to my books which means I can do just about anything I want with them including acquiring film deals and other options. A publisher does hold control over some things more than the author but it’s mainly the business aspect (the reason why most authors choose to have an agent), not the creative side. Most publishers require an author’s approval before any changes can be made to a book. This means that the house editor can make some suggestions, but they cannot make you take them. It may be in your best interest if you do, but still, you have a choice. It’s publishing, not prison. Also you can always get out of your contract with a big house if you want to. It’s not like being stuck for years in some shady deal with a vanity press that takes your rights for twenty years.

Myth 2: New Authors Can’t Get Published By Big or Traditional Houses Without Agents

(Clearing throat), been there and done it twice. I do not have an agent. I sold my books on my own and so did many other traditionally published authors. Of course this is rare and has gotten more difficult during the years for new authors to do but it is not impossible. This is one of the biggest myths about traditional publishers. While most require agents, there are ways to slip through the cracks. This is where research comes in. Look at it this way, if a book is good and your writing is what a publisher is looking for, they won’t care how it got to them. A publisher is not gonna turn down an author they’re interested in just because they don’t have an agent. There are many authors who have been successful for years and have yet to get an agent. Do your own research and do not let self-published authors who do not know what they are talking about break your spirits.

Myth 3: You Will Make More Money