A Successful Book Fair!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry

Please know there is no bragging in this post. I’m simply sharing my first-time experience and excitement participating in a book fair...

It turned out that I had a fabulous time at the Ukiah Children’s Book Fair on Saturday held at The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas! Cora’s Quest was in the spotlight! I did my first children’s book reading which went smoothly. I’m also thrilled that I sold 12 books! So exciting, I have to admit! 🎉

The event was well organized, so I offer a huge Thank You to all involved in making this fair a success. If I had to choose a word for this day, it would be ‘Kindness.’ Everyone was so nice! The authors received a goodie bag upon arrival and were asked to sign a poster board. Such a kind and welcoming gesture!

This book fair was a great opportunity to meet new authors and exchange business cards. It was also fun to carpool with Teri Drobnick and catch up. She and I met at the SF Writers Conference. Her charming book is Moving Day which I highly recommend. Inspired by the real-life story of moving a 139-year-old, 133-ton Victorian house six blocks, this picture book from a house’s perspective is a charming twist on a common childhood experience.

Click on the image to purchase from
Amazon.

Some photos are courtesy of The Ukiah Book Fair and some are mine.

Jin Jang – Event Coordinator

From Ukiah’s Facebook post:

The Earth Store Hall came to life as the community came out to meet authors, celebrate books, reading, community and culture! Not only did the event feature dragon & lion dances but also taiko drumming, fan dances and a performance from Ballet Folklorico! There were exclusive food and drink options from Jyun Kang Restaurant and so much more.

For my first book fair, this was an awesome experience! Calm nerves, a relaxing and fun environment, and an opportunity to network, along with promoting Cora’s Quest. I’ve been nudged by Teri and a few other authors to join SCBWI, Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, and I finally took that leap yesterday. Ironically, I have about 4 children’s book ideas brewing! Not sure if they’re good, but I can’t wait to move forward once my Copper book has been released. And I can’t wait for the next book fair!

On a sidenote, I made a To-do list (all about writing projects) and it’s about 20 items long. So, at 2:30 am I woke up thinking about everything on that list! But I dozed off and on until the alarm went off, and during that dozing, a poem swirled around and around like clothes in a washer! Can you relate?

Dear Brain,

I know you want to think
Because much needs to be done
But now isn’t the time
For you, me, or anyone.

The sky is sleepy dark
Not a sound stirs outside
Humans are slumbering
And so must I!

I beg you to flip your switch
To the preferred off from on
I promise you’ll get your chance
At the break of dawn

When the sun rises over hills
Wearing tangerine and pink
Then you can flip the switch again
And think, think, think!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this update, and as always, I appreciate you stopping by!
Have a wonderful day! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon. And a friendly nudge
to share a review online if you loved Cora’s Quest.
Thanks so much! 💜



103 thoughts on “A Successful Book Fair!”

  6. Nice and funny poem Lauren, I can relate of course ! Night can come with loads of new ideas when the mind need only one thing: good rest!

    Glad all went well and you had a chance to talk with fellow writers and lovely readers – I am sure.

    Have a sweet week to come ❤️

    Reply

  9. I really like the poem Lauren. The book fair looks like a blast was had, great pics!!! I am ecstatic for you making those sales!! Even thinking of reading in front of people scares the bejesus out of me lol I am eagerly awaiting your book on Copper also. Have a wonderful day my friend.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your awesome comment, Ernie! It was a blast and I had no expectations. So it turned out to be more than I ever would’ve hoped for. Oh, believe me, anticipation is the killer of confidence! I was nervous and excited. But once I arrived and felt the relaxed and welcoming vibe, I was fine. Cora’s journey is all about finding her courage, so at times, I thought, What would Cora do? LOL Anyway, thanks so much also for your support for my Copper book. Hope you’ve had a good day too. And by the way, I finished reading Ink Stained Love and loved it! I’ll share a review next week sometime. 🤗

      Reply

      1. They have a great market survey released each year with publishers and agents. Also, I made such great connections and friends through the SoCal meet ups. When they have guest speakers who are agents or work at publishers, they allow you to submit to them exclusively.

  12. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar D.L. Finn, Author

    That looks amazing, Lauren! Such beautiful pictures. Glad it was successful for you. I need to start getting out there, too. One of these days we will meet up at one! Xo

    Reply

  15. What a wonderful book event, Lauren. For your first. I am so glad it was a great experience! And the book sales just topped it off! I love the poem. I call it the Monkey Mind. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the photos!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Marina! I was so happy with how my table turned out. 🙂 Those are supposed to be puppets with Cora on one side and the book info on the other. A good marketing tool with kids walking around. But some kids used them for fans which was brilliant. 🥰 Love and hugs to you too, dear friend! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

      Reply

  18. I’m so glad that it all went so well. It sounds like a warm and welcoming event and not only did you sell books, but you made some nice connections in the world of children’s books. I love the poem that you wrote to try to get your mind and body to be thoughtful about your rest time )

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your wonderful words, Beth! When I got home that night, I was on a ‘high’ just from having such a great experience. The book sales were a bonus. And I’m glad you love the poem. It came to mind when I couldn’t sleep. 🙂 💕

      Reply

  19. Oh wow, what a joyful day it looked to be Lauren, Love the photos, 🙂
    And oh yes, I know those feeling of words swirling, especially in the middle of the night for me…
    Lovely poem….
    Sending you much love dear Lauren as those book sales increase 🙂 HUGS to you xx ❤

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Sue, and I’m glad you loved the pics and poem. Those nights happen too often. 🙂 And the book sales were exciting and also a bonus because the event itself was so much fun. Big hugs to you too, my friend! xoxoxoxo 🥰🌷

      Reply

  20. Congratulations on your first book fair, Lauren! I’m glad it was such a good experience for you! Ukiah really went all out to make it a great day for everyone in attendance.

    Reply
  22. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor

    Excellent job, Lauren. The more you do these readings, the more comfortable you’ll get. I’m glad it was such a success.

    Reply

  27. What a joyful update, Lauren. Congratulations on those sales. And I really love how you described the whole vibe, kindness really is the perfect word. Excited to see what comes next from you.

    Reply

      1. Ah, that’s a good way to go into things, as it can shield us from disappointment!

        It’s so great that it was so positive for you. You deserve a break after enduring some challenges this year.

  30. What a lovely update, Lauren! Congrats on your first book reading and selling 12 copies—such a wonderful milestone! Cora’s Quest truly deserves the spotlight. The fair sounds warm and welcoming, and your poem beautifully captures the writer’s restless mind. Excited to see what you create next!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your beautiful comment, Diya. I appreciate you taking the time. I had no expectations, so it was wonderful how it all unfolded. There are many projects I’m working on. Now I just need more time. 🙂

      Reply

  31. Dearest Lauren, what a wonderful day and the photos are lovely. A real community event and ‘hats off’ to you for showing up and selling twelve books. I bet you met some lovely like-minded souls too, as well as having a fun lift share. A lovely post, and your poem is relatable! Marvellous post and thanks for sharing. Much love to you and M. xXx 🩷😘🩷

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your beautiful words of support, Jane. I got home Saturday early evening and I was on a ‘high’ from just how wonderful the entire day and fair was. The book sales were unexpected, but super exciting. I met other amazing authors and exchanged business cards too. So hopefully, we’ll connect in the future. Thanks again, dear friend, and much love to you and Tim! xoxoxoxo ❤️😍🌺

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Vicki! I’m glad you loved the photos, and I hope it isn’t! I don’t think it will be either. Right now, I’m working on contacting libraries and schools about reading for storytime. We shall see, but the wheels are turning. Hope all is well! With my son visiting, I’m not online as much, but I hope to catch up with your posts soon. 💕

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Cindy! Glad you understand. I just don’t want to sound like I’m bragging. It was just so exciting and a wonderful day! I’m happy you love the poem too and can relate. Although it’s not good that you relate, but hope the poem brings a smile. LOL Hope we both sleep well tonight! 🤗🥰😁❤️

      Reply

  37. Looks like a fantastic event! I’m glad the day was a wonderful experience for you! And I can relate to your poem, the frustration of wanting to sleep, but your brain keeps churning 🙃

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Dave, and it’s great to know that others can relate to the poem. 🙂 Not that it’s a good thing. Who knows? Maybe around 2:30 am on many nights, all of our brains are churning in sync. 😂

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Dawn! Poetry will still be in my heart, but I have several children’s book ideas that will be fun to explore. And I look forward to diving into the resources that SCBWI offers. Have a good weekend! ❤️

      Reply

  39. Yahoo!

    What a wonderful event. It’s so great that you are now inspired to more children’s stories and have joined the SCBWI.

    This will surely lead to more book fairs, and who knows what else?

    Congratulations, Lauren! I am so proud of you.

    🤗👍🌟🌸xoxo

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Resa! I got home that night on a high from simply having the best first-time experience at a book fair. I’m excited about joining SCBWI and have about 4 books on the back burner. Who knows?

      And I’m in the process of lining up two readings, one at our local library and one at the elementary school that our kids went to 25 years ago. 🙂

      Thanks again, my friend! ❤️🌸🥰🥳📚

      Reply

      1. Wow, the library reading sounds exceptional. We have a lot of them here. They’re popular.

        The elementary school experience will be beneficial to your writing children’s books. The fact your kids went there will be a bonus insight.

        Hope you’re having a great weekend!
        xo🌟👍🌹xo

      2. I know, I’m excited, Resa, but they’re still in the works, not solidified yet, so keep your fingers crossed. 🙂 Weekend has been great so far, hope you are too! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

  40. what a wonderful post: pics and text, Children’s book are such a pleasure. Even now I read them. I have just finished Oliver Jeffers ‘Lost And Found’ ; you’ve inspired me to fulfil a long forgotten dream: to write my own children;\’s book 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your wonderful words, John. Cora’s Quest is my first children’s book, but I have 3 others on the sidelines waiting for their time to shine. 🙂 All I can say is ‘Do it!’ Time is short! Make your dream a reality! 😁

      Reply
  42. Willie Torres Jr.'s avatar Willie Torres Jr.

    What a beautiful update, Lauren 🥰… The pictures truly show what a wonderful event it turned out to be, full of joy, creativity, and community. I hope you had a productive and inspiring time! So proud of you for your first book reading and all the exciting steps ahead. 📚🌟👏

    Reply

  43. Brag away Lauren, a book fare sounds fantastic, and I’m glad you had the opportunity to go and that you sold 12 books, what a wonderful achievement! I loved your little poem too, boy can I relate! It is 4:30 in the morning here now, and i can’t sleep, my brain won’t shut off!

    Reply

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