There’a nothing quite as bookish as a as a book fair, with thousands of stalls and walls upon walls of stories to check out. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting to explore the world of books, there’s something magical about attending a book fair. As an author, book fairs are my favorite places to be. Here’s why!

1. Discovering New Books and Authors

You think you know books? Well, visit a fair to discover you don’t know NEARLY enough!Countless stalls are spread before your eyes, offering a fantastic way to expand your reading list and literary horizons. Many book fairs also feature debut authors and independent publishers, giving you a chance to find hidden gems and support emerging talent. Like *EHEM* mine!

During Sharjah Book Fair, I was brought face-to-face once more with Caraval. While popular, this series is outside my usual genre. So I picked it up as a challenge!

By the way, here are some tips on how to pick a book

If you’re going to give the books their due respect, I recommend the below:

1- Go in with an open mind: If you wanted to just grab your favorite author, you could have done that online, or visited a local bookshop. Fairs are about the DISCOVERY! Try to read from 1 new genre at least during each visit. You might be surprised.

2- Give yourself ample space to explore:

Too often, readers come by my stall in a rush, wheezing, and look around for less than a minute before moving to the next thing. When you visit a fair, make a day out of it! Go to a workshop, chat with friends, build a group, and get lost! He who swims at his leisure takes in more from the ocean than he who dips into it then runs back to shore.

3- Give yourself a limit:

I realize the dangers of my advice. If you keep an open mind and stay hours at the fair, won’t you overspend?

I say nay. What you should do is give yourself a limit. Mine is simple: No more than 3 books per fair. If you already have a list of books you’re hunting for at the fair, I recommend keeping 3 slots open, to allow for discovery.

So, these are my tips for successful fair visits, from a book-buying perspective. Let’s move on to other aspects!

2. Engaging with readers
Every time I visit a fair, I remember whuy book lovers are the best. This time, I ran into a kid who used up all his money to buy his sister’s favorite book, and had a fun encounter selling Sarim and Hazim to a lady without telling her who I was. She asked if I’d read the books, and what I thought.

“Err, you can say I’d read them,” I replied, “but it’s not fair of me to give me opinion.”

When she finally confirmed that she would like the books, I asked if she wanted an autograph.

“Huh? Is the author here somewhere?” she asked.

I raised a shaky hand. Guys, you should have seen the look on her face!

So yeah, meeting readers is fun. It also tangibly helps me penetrate the different geographic and demographic markets.

3. Learning something new!
Book fairs often host a range of events, including author talks, panel discussions, and book signings. These events provide a unique opportunity to engage with authors and industry experts. You can hear firsthand about the inspiration behind your favorite books, learn about the writing process, and connect with publishers and distributors. For me, this is pure business, since I make it my goal to sign an agreement with a bookshop/distributor in each country I visit while in a book fair.

In conclusion, book fairs are a celebration of literature and a haven for book enthusiasts.

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