I’m Kelly Morgan. Around here we don’t follow the algorithm—we break it and put something better in its place.

What we’re talking about

Book festivals, book fairs, and author expos are everywhere. Crowds, panels, press—great optics. The question: Do they work for indie authors?

What they are

Book festivals: Big public events run by cities, libraries, or media. Panels, signings, workshops. Headliners are usually traditionally published.

Book fairs/expos: Vendor-style markets. Pay for a table, sell direct. Commerce-first.

Local/regional festivals: Smaller, community-driven, more approachable and affordable.

Online festivals: Virtual showcases you can join from home.

Can indies participate?

Yes—with the right entry point:

Exhibitor sections

Small-press tents

Local-author showcases

These offer visibility, but access usually comes with a fee.

Real cost snapshot

Before a single sale, here’s what you’re likely to spend:

Item Typical Range

Table fee $150–$600

Travel $200–$700

Hotel $150–$250 / night

Books + marketing A few hundred

Meals/extras $50–$100

Local events with your setup already dialed in: $200–$400. Add travel/hotel/inventory and you can hit $800–$1,500 quickly. Festivals deliver exposure, not guaranteed profit.

How to win as an indie

Start local. Libraries, community days, state fairs, farmers markets.

Share a table. Split the fee, double the reach.

Create content. Capture setup, reader moments, signings—use later across platforms.

Set an intention. Visibility > validation. Treat it like a business move.

Online & niche options

If travel isn’t in the budget, look at virtual or genre-targeted events:

TheBookFest.com

Independent Author Virtual Conference

ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors) online events

ThrillerFest (mystery/thriller)

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival

Black Ink Book Festival (Charleston, SC)

Bronzeville Literary Festival (Chicago, IL)

Quick self-check before you say yes

Can I afford this without expecting immediate return?

Does this event draw my audience or genre?

Is the scope (local/regional/national) aligned with my stage?

Can I share a table to cut costs?

Will this build visibility—or drain my budget?

If you can check 2–3 boxes, go. If not, consider podcasts, book clubs, online promos, and building your digital presence first.

Bottom line

Big festivals look great online. Smaller, targeted events often produce better results. Start local, play it smart, and make sure every event serves a purpose—not just a post.

Visibility is value. Strategy sustains you.

Next steps

Be a Guest on The Author’s Mic™: https://brightheadedpublishing.com/be-a-guest 

Free 44-page guide — So You Wanna Write a Book: https://brightheadedpublishing.com 

Join or pitch the Indie Reader Society (IRS): https://brightheadedpublishing.com 

Let’s build real and break the algorithm together.