The Michigan Renaissance Festival is over, at least for me. It goes on for several more weekends, but I've done my stint, and it was fun. It's my second foray into the past in 2008, and here's what I've learned so far.
Don't go expecting to sell dozens of books. People are in costume and they have no pockets. They have credit cards and very little cash. They don't want to haul a book around the grounds. And they're having too good a time to think about how much they'll want to read in a quiet corner at some point in the future.
I did sell some books, and here are some things I did that may or may not have helped.
I had a "kiddie trap" that brought children over to see what I was up to. Moms and dads follow, and conversations ensue. My trap was fortune-telling, a simple board with different predictions. Kids dropped those pretty stones you can get for aquariums from aloft to learn their future, then I told them to keep the stone so the prediction would come true. Even some parents wanted to try it. It brought people to my table, which happens less frequently if you only offer books.
I offered to mail books for a small additional charge. That way they didn't have to carry them around and could send a remembrance of the fair to themselves or to someone else. I also had nifty little bags with easy-carry handles.
I always give away jewelry with a purchase of my book. It's amazing how wanting a pretty necklace can make someone buy a book. Not that they couldn't buy a necklace for less, but the draw of two things for one price is strong. I make the jewelry, but other authors I know buy stuff for giveaways.
Finally, I discounted the advertised price. Many people say, "I'll look for your book on Amazon." That's a nice thought (and of course they get a bookmark to help them remember) but follow-up isn't assured. If you can say, "That's good, but here you get a __% discount and I'll personalize it," that's a plus.
Other things learned from the RenFest?
Well, there are a lot of (harmlessly) crazy people who will walk around in velvet and leather on a ninety-degree day just for funzies.
There are a lot of women who are willing to bare body parts who shouldn't. There are a lot of men who fantasize about being the man on the cover of a romance novel.
There are a lot of dogs who wish there were no Renaissance festivals.
And there is a lot of fun to be had in make-believe. Which is one reason I love being a writer.
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