Convention Recap: Two Small Local Events 2025

Two weekends back to back I have taken part of a couple of local one day events. Let's dish!

Event 1: Montgomery Book Fest and Writing Expo

The smaller of the two events, this was the...fourth? year this event has taken place. I only found out about it last year though, having attended it to check it out. I liked what I saw and applied to take part for this year. Not only did I get in, I was accepted as a presenter. So I got to teach my 'How to Diversify Your Revenue Streams as an Author' workshop to a great crowd of folks. Dr. Nettles runs a great event, with a fantastic group of volunteers. And while it was a little light on sales, that is more a reflection on the fact I write weird meth wizard books, as this event drew a higher percentage of more normal people than I am used to.

Event 2: The Backyard Book Fest in Montevallo

This event was held outdoors in a park in Montevallo, which is a small college town between Montgomery and Birmingham. I've done a couple of events there in the past, one of which was became one of the first Recap posts I ever did. This event was sublime: perfect weather, a good crowd of book buying people, and lots of my favorite local authors to hang out with.

An extra special moment for me was when a man who used to be in the writing group I organized years ago sold his very first book to a customer. The moment he sold, he walked over to my booth to share that fact. What a wild moment.

The Numbers

Daily Sales Numbers:

• Montgomery: 92.00

• Montevallo: 485.00

Total Sales Numbers By Item:

• 7 Bringing Home The Rain

• 6 Omnibus 1

• 2 Omnibus 2

• 0 Omnibus Bundles

• 3 Southern Saudade

• 1 Create Your Way To Freedom

• 3 Zines

• 1 Zine Bundle

• 0 Ultimate Bundle

Total: 577.00

Fixed Expenses:

• Badge: 0.00 (included in booth fee)

• Booth Fee - 25.00 (Montevallo)

• Parking - 0.00

• Hotel - 0.00

• Other - 0.00

Total - 25.00

Grand Total Profit - 552.00