Children's Book Festivals ~ tips from Christy Mihaly

Meeting a young festival-goer

It's fall book festival season! Are you a regular at these events? Do you have a favorite? Or are you new to the concept? Whether you're an author, illustrator, reader, parent, or educator -- there's something for you at your local book festival. If you haven't thought of participating, think again!

Books and Book Creators

Book Festivals come in many flavors. I've attended mostly children's book festivals. Other festivals focus on science fiction or nonfiction or mysteries ... while some welcome all books and authors. Some are a single day; others are multi-day affairs.  

I got to participate in the
Children's Literature Festival, Truman State Univ. (MO) 2023

Some festivals, like the Children's Literature Festival at Truman State, Missouri, bring in students from local schools as part of the program. All participating authors present to them. 

The main festival ingredient is always -- of course -- books. And authors and illustrators. And book lovers.

Below I'm sharing a few things to know about children's book festivals. 

A common book festival format involves row upon row of authors sitting at long tables with piles of their books in a gym or outdoors under tents. Visitors swarm past and pause to scan books and meet authors. Authors and illustrators may sell books and sign them. 

If this sounds grim for a book creator, it isn't! I've found festivals are a great opportunity to engage with the people that we write for -- kids and their adults. I've enjoyed many interactions and learned a lot about what works and doesn't work in books, and what kinds of books kids are looking for.

Warwick Children's Book Festival (NY) on a chilly fall day, 2022

And Other Stuff

Most festivals feature readings, author interviews, and/or special events and activities for kids. Many have great music. There are often story times or workshops. 

I recently participated in the Bath Book Bash, in Maine, a children's book festival that featured a children's costume parade and contest -- so cool! There was also a speed-drawing contest in which three illustrators made a series of quick sketches in response to prompts. You wouldn't want to miss that!  There were also a variety of workshops: I offered a poetry workshop, other authors shared crafts, and illustrators taught drawing tips. And, as a bonus -- I was seated next to fellow GROGger Fran Hodgkins, whom I know online but had not yet met in real life!

The multi-day Fall for the Book Festival, held on the campus of George Mason University in Virginia, draws big-name authors of adult books. There are kids' books too as part of a children's program. The children's authors provide presentations and offer craft activities on Saturday.

Bath Book Bash parade!  Maine ~2024

Tips for Attending (as a Book Fan)

1. Go early! Festivals can get crowded. If there's a particular author you want to see, you'll probably have a nicer visit with them earlier in the day (well, after their first cup of coffee) before they're exhausted -- and before they sell out of the book you want.

2. Check out the schedule for special events. Which authors are reading? What are the illustrators offering? Organize your plan of attack!

Author Maria Gianferrari entertaining kids at
Fall for the Book 2018 (she showed me the festival ropes!)

3. The Cost? Usually, there's no fee to enter. But do feel free to buy books and fill your bags full of autographed books!

Tips for Participating Authors 

1. Take the initiative. You may think you can attend a festival only if you are specially invited with an engraved card carried by a snowy owl. Not so. 

If you have published and you're interested in a festival, particularly in your local area, contact the organizers and tell them about yourself and your books. Usually, festivals prefer to feature recently released books. It's best if you have a book that will be published within a year before the festival date. Some festivals publish the publication dates that they are seeking. 

Organizers plan for months in advance, so think ahead and email early. Even if you aren't invited the first time you try, ask to be placed on the festival mailing list and try again. Festivals need authors every year! They often seek new ones and local people, rather than repeating the same ones year after year.

Catching up with author friend
Laurie Wallmark at the
Rye (NY) Children's Book Festival

2. If you are invited to participate: Say yes! And keep a positive attitude. Before asking a lot of questions, read the materials provided. Remember that many festivals are organized by (overworked and harried) volunteers, often librarians who are doing this on top of all their other important work. They love books and they love authors. Be helpful, kind, and patient.

3. Do your homework. Make sure you understand how books will be sold at the festival. Will you need to handle your own sales through Square? What about sales taxes? Or does the festival provide a bookseller, leaving you blissfully free of that headache?

Also -- After the list of authors/illustrators is announced, check out which other book creators are coming, and plan who you want to talk with during the day. Review the events to see if you want to stop in on those. And think about (and maybe practice) how you want to book-talk your books to the hordes of fans!

4. Things to bring: Water! In a reusable bottle! Festivals usually provide some plastic water bottles, but I have regretfully run out, and prefer to use my own container. If you'll be sitting at a table for signing, bring post-its to write down people's names so you don't misspell them in the books you're  signing. Maybe add some goodies to attract people to your table: individually wrapped candies, stickers, bookmarks and the like. Don't forget your favorite pens for signing! Bookstands can be helpful, though some festivals provide them and you might want to check. Many folks bring other decorative, book-related items for their table. 

5: What to wear: First, comfortable shoes! And layers for changes in the weather. I've been both too hot and too cold, sometimes the same day. Most people dress casually, though some book creators wear costumes or funny hats. I love Diana Murray's unicorn headband. 

Modeling my "author shirt" at Bookstock, 
in Woodstock VT ("Pay no attention to 
my browsing history ... I'm a writer ...)

Above all, join the spirit of festival fun. It's inspiring to spend a day hanging out with KidLit people.

Some of the many book festivals around the country are collected in this listing -- but there are plenty more. 

Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite book festival -- and add any tips or pointers you may have. And thanks for reading!