ON THE ROAD AGAIN! TWO LIBRARY EVENTS!

 

Hi, there. I hope you're having a great weekend.

I had two events this week, one Friday and one Saturday.

On Friday, I was scheduled to present a free "How To Create Comic Books" presentation at the Watkinsville-Oconee Public Library in Watkinsville, Georgia. I've done events here before, but this was my first solo event there. Sadly, no one showed up for it so it didn't happen. Bummer, but it happens. It gave me a chance to chat with the librarian and catch up.

A funny aside. As I was packing up to leave, two college students approached me, asking if I was an author. One of them told me I looked like an author. I'm still not sure how to take that. :) They had a class assignment to learn about writing children's books, do's and don'ts, rules, etc. They came in and asked the lady at the information desk where they could find said information. She pointed them my way. So, if nothing else, I helped those guys with their assignment, which was pretty cool and unexpected. They took a photo with me and took a business card as proof of meeting me for their professor.

Since I was out early, I called some friends who live close by and had dinner with them so it was still a good day.

On Saturday, I traveled to Mabelton, Georgia to visit South Cobb Regional Library's Indie Author Book Fair. My first time at this particular library. It was a good time. I knew a few of the other authors there and met some new people as well. It was a bit slow, but they had maybe twenty people come through during the time we were there. I sold three books and a piece of art. Not a bad start for their first author event.

I love doing events and plan to keep doing them, but one of my goals for 2026 is to do fewer, but make sure I do the ones that work best for me. Of course, I say this every year. Hopefully, I can make it stick this time. I can already hear laughter in the distance. :)

While there, I heard an author say on a panel that she self-published because traditional publishing was too expensive. This has been rattling in my brain since I heard it. I'm sharing it here as I know there are writers who read these.

Just a reminder. If a publisher asks for money to publish your book, they are not a traditional publisher. If you have to pay to publish, that's a vanity or hybrid press. I'm not here to argue the merits of those options. If they're for you and you understand what you're getting into, that's your business. Just don't call it traditional publishing because it's not.

The only time I send money to my traditional publishers is if I want to buy discounted author copies for cons and events.

End of sermon.

I only have two more events this year. November 29th, I'm doing a bookstore signing for Small Business Saturday and December 13th, another library author fair. Should be fun.

I hope you have a great week.

Bobby