Book Festivals

Well, I took the plunge and finally applied for a book festival and I was accepted!! I’ve done a lot of local book signings and events, but this was out of town, which I have avoided like the plague. I never know if the promo is for real or a clever scam. I filled out an inquiry a year ago and haven’t stopped receiving phone calls, texts, and emails from solicitors—supposed publishers, marketing companies, and festivals—that will market, promote, show my books for the low, low price of several thousand dollars. And the festivals don’t seem to have anything real about them beyond the invite.

This appeared to be different and I had promised myself that I would at least put my fears aside and try. So, I did…and I was accepted. On April 25th, I will be one of 33 authors at a book festival called the Spring Book Bash held annually in Greer, South Carolina. I’m so glad that I tried and it’s paying off. Maybe I’ll get some more readers and hopefully, it will give me the courage to try more events like this. My author interview for the event has gone live on the organizer’s youtube channel, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much easier it was over the first interview. That one was pretty bad. I mean, I actually cried part way through the interview; so, truly, anything would be better than that one.

I guess it’s true—practice does make perfect. Maybe that’s the key to adage. It’s not about attaining perfection but the idea that practicing helps you become more comfortable. And when you are comfortable, you relax; and when you’re relaxed, you are more likely to perform something stressful better. Interviews, social media, putting myself in front of others is highly stressful for me; but the more I do it, the less anxious I am becoming. In fact, I actually enjoyed this interview—laughed even. So, if you’d like to view my interview, follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx3B8kSTv_4