Selling books in person is one of the quickest ways to make cash, move inventory, and—most importantly—build relationships with readers. Ads and emails are great, but they take time and repetition. A five-minute face-to-face conversation builds trust faster than weeks of digital marketing. And trust leads to referrals, reviews, and readers who happily click “buy” when your next book comes out.

There are opportunities to sell books in person year-round, but the months leading up to the holidays—when fall festivals and holiday markets pop up everywhere—are especially fruitful.

So where do you find these events, and what do you do when it feels like there aren’t any? Here are three tried-and-true options:

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1. Festivals & Markets

As I write this in September, a quick check of Facebook events in my area shows opportunities nearly every weekend through the end of the year. And remember: the event doesn’t have to be book-focused for you to fit in. Readers are everywhere! In fact, being the only author tabling can make you a standout.

How to find them:

Facebook events: Use the events tab, filter by date and distance, and dig into the listings. Vendor info isn’t always obvious, so don’t be afraid to message organizers directly.

Event venues: Large facilities (like the Dulles Expo Center near me) often host markets almost every weekend.

Farmers’ markets: Many welcome artisans as well as farmers. If you don’t want to commit weekly, ask about one-off dates or consider sharing a booth with friends.

Networking: Once you attend one event, you’ll start making author friends who invite you to others. Smile, connect, post on social, and you’ll quickly grow your opportunities.

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2. Book Festivals

Want to be surrounded by book lovers who already self-identify as readers? Book festivals are your dream. Picture cheesy bookish shirts, the word bibliophile on mugs, and rows of people eager to browse.

How to find them:

Search Google for “book festival” + your state or genre.

Look for annual city or state events, as well as niche gatherings (romance cons, homeschool conferences, etc.).

Consider geography: my books tie into Kentucky, so I table at events in the Bluegrass State. Your book may have similar regional or audience connections.

While there may only be one or two close by each year, festivals happen worldwide. If you’re up for traveling, they’re a great way to introduce your book to new markets.

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3. Create Your Own Event

Sometimes the best opportunity is the one you make yourself.

Ideas to try:

Bookstore signing: Walk in and ask. If you’re traveling, research ahead and reach out to local stores. A simple phone call and email follow-up often does the trick.

Non-traditional locations: I’ve sold books at a French boutique, a mobile tack shop at a horse show, and in front of a church during a parade. Anywhere with foot traffic is worth considering—just be sure to get permission.

Pop-up events: Partner with other authors or small businesses and host your own market. This November, I’m running a holiday pop-up shop for local authors. It’s a win-win: readers meet authors in their community, and we sell books during prime gift-buying season.

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Final Word

Opportunities to sell your books in person are everywhere—it just takes a little research, creativity, and hustle.

If you feel overwhelmed, or you’d love a virtual hand-hold through the process, check out my course: How to Sell More Books From a Table. It’s just $20 and walks you through everything—what to bring, how to set up, what to wear, and even how to grow your email list while you’re there.

The post Where to Find Readers: 3 In-Person Selling Opportunities for Authors appeared first on LiveRideLearn.