As many people know I am an author, self published and an award winning author. But there have been several things going on in the literary world that have been bothering me and I need to get them off of my chest.
One of the main things that I take issue with are all of these so-called literary conferences that pop up all over the nation and are put on my loddy, dottie and everybody! I don't want to knock anyone's hustle, I just have to question the motives and/or sincerity behind their "business".
With all of the mail that floods my inbox regarding various conferences across the US, has anyone stopped to ask the advisors and/or conference sponsors how many attendees they expect and/or have had in the past? What are the average sales secured from participants?
I ask this question because several factors come into play for myself regarding any/all conferences or events...travel expense- i.e. air/ground transportation, hotel, meals, shipping costo to ship display, product and othe promotional materials. I am not sure about others, but before I drop down (all prices hypothetical) $200 for a table, then another $295 in conference fess, then add those expenses to my travel, I have to weigh how many books I must sell to make a profit. Are there 100 ppl attending this event or 5k or more people? How is the event being advertiesed...is it word of mouth through the literary circle jerks, or is there a marketing plan to reach the READERS ---THE MASSES???
I have participated in some very lucrative, reputable, and viable literary conferences:
Romantic Times Magazine Conference
Capitol Book Fest
Baltimore Book Festival
ArtScape (Baltimore)
Black Heritage Art Show
United Black Writers Black History Events
Black Writers Guild Events
I'm sorry if this sounds like a vent, and maybe it is, but I had to get this off of my chest...(((woooo saaaaa)))
Saundra aka SassyScribe
One of the main things that I take issue with are all of these so-called literary conferences that pop up all over the nation and are put on my loddy, dottie and everybody! I don't want to knock anyone's hustle, I just have to question the motives and/or sincerity behind their "business".
With all of the mail that floods my inbox regarding various conferences across the US, has anyone stopped to ask the advisors and/or conference sponsors how many attendees they expect and/or have had in the past? What are the average sales secured from participants?
I ask this question because several factors come into play for myself regarding any/all conferences or events...travel expense- i.e. air/ground transportation, hotel, meals, shipping costo to ship display, product and othe promotional materials. I am not sure about others, but before I drop down (all prices hypothetical) $200 for a table, then another $295 in conference fess, then add those expenses to my travel, I have to weigh how many books I must sell to make a profit. Are there 100 ppl attending this event or 5k or more people? How is the event being advertiesed...is it word of mouth through the literary circle jerks, or is there a marketing plan to reach the READERS ---THE MASSES???
I have participated in some very lucrative, reputable, and viable literary conferences:
Romantic Times Magazine Conference
Capitol Book Fest
Baltimore Book Festival
ArtScape (Baltimore)
Black Heritage Art Show
United Black Writers Black History Events
Black Writers Guild Events
***All but the Romantic Times conference were/are local, however, at the Romantic Times event, I won an award for my novel THE PARTY. ***
Its not enough for me to break even...because that can be done with minimal travel within my hometown, and I'm not opposed to anyone getting their hustle on by creating these events, but if the only one making money is the person that is sponsoring the event, where is the benefit for myself and other authors?
I'm sorry if this sounds like a vent, and maybe it is, but I had to get this off of my chest...(((woooo saaaaa)))
Saundra aka SassyScribe
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