The essential newsletter for indie publishers, authors, and editors. Get writing tips and advice, helpful resources, and publishing updates in your inbox.
Share
Making the most of in-person events
Published 12 days ago • 4 min read
Events, Updates, and More
The Hop On Newsletter
Reader,
First, happy Mother's Day to all who care for children, pets, plants, strangers, and/or our planet!
Last weekend I attended the Washington Writers Conference, where I mingled with fellow writers and editors and presented a panel on self-publishing and independent presses. My presentation was followed by a book signing.
With my fellow panelists, Kim Alexander (left) and Ellen Prentiss Campbell
One of the best ways to sell your book, whether you write fiction or nonfiction, is through in-person events. But that's not the only benefit of getting together live and in the flesh.
These events range from niche industry conferences to writers conferences, from library talks to book fairs. You may be speaking at the event, attending as a vendor, or simply attending. The culture of the different events will play a big part in how you dress, how you act, and how best to sell your book. Spending time on the event website and reviewing photo galleries can go a long way to prepare you for the event.
[Scroll down for Resources]
Often the best events for selling your book are the unexpected ones. While the Gaithersburg Book Festival may seem like the place to be, you will be faced with stiff competition for your book. In that setting, my nonfiction how-tos for writers sell far better than my fiction.
Meanwhile, I still recall attending a craft fair where there were limited booksellers. The woman at the table next to me, selling Baltimore-themed narrative nonfiction, sold out before the end of the fair. That day, she was the unexpected.
While I didn't sell out of books last weekend, I did make valuable connections, and those connections are the lifeblood of POP Editorial Services, LLC.
If you're joining me for the first time -- Welcome!
Selling books with Kim Alexander
New Podcast!
My interview on Running Strong: Mind-Body Connection, hosted by Karen Bonnett-Natraj, is now live!
I so enjoyed speaking with Karen! We have a shared background as lifelong cyclists, and we have both participated in Bike MS events. In the interview we discuss the intersection of cycling, inner strength, and writing books.
Last month Hop On Publishing launched The People United at Wheaton Regional Park. We had a lovely time selling books and reconnecting with old friends. Author Chris Pickett read a passage from the book and reminded the crowd of why our community is so valuable.
Special guests Rep. Jamie Raskin and Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass made remarks as well. Sen. Chris Van Hollen was unable to attend the event but sent his congratulations in a very nice letter.
Excerpt from the letter from US Senator Chris Van Hollen
I have wanted to publish an audiobook for Debra Lee Won’t Break for the past year. Now the wait is almost over. I teamed up with AB Book Services to produce a beautiful audiobook, and the audio files are complete.
Watch this space for how you can get your copy!
Client Kudos
Elaine Koerner published her debut novel, Border Patrol Buddhist, in March of this year. For this project, I supported Elaine as she navigated publishing through KDP for the first time, walking her through the process each step of the way. Congratulations to Elaine for getting her book out into the world!
Coaching client Allison Pauly was awarded a Poets & Writers Fellowship to attend the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing annual conference. Fellowships are awarded based on a writing sample and letter of intent. Congratulations to Allison for securing this competitive award!
Upcoming Events
May 28, 2026, 12:30 p.m. ET. Online. Linda Ruggeri, Tenesha L. Curtis, Christina Frey, and I will be speaking to The Networking Studio about applying AI to your editing workflow. This talk is geared toward editors who want to know more about the pros, cons, and ethical considerations of incorporating AI into their business.
June 6, 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kensington, MD. Find me at the Kensington Farmers Market at the Kensington Row Book Shop table with other local authors! You can get your fresh produce and pick up a new read for the weekend.
June 14, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Takoma Park, MD. Hop On Publishing will have a table at the People’s Book Local Author Bazaar! If you live in the DMV area, come out to Takoma Park, MD, and enjoy a day of fun, books, and community.
Resources
Below are some helpful resources for finding in-person events. If you want to speak at an event, plan to propose your session 9-12 months in advance.
Peruse some pictures and read about our experience launching The People United on April 18, 2026, in my latest blog post.
The People United is Chris’s first book, and the first book that Hop On Publishing has released that was not written by the owner. Getting to this point was several years in the making. Chris and I are both thrilled to see his work out in the world.
Katherine Pickett, Editor, Author, and Writing Coach
The essential newsletter for indie publishers, authors, and editors. Get writing tips and advice, helpful resources, and publishing updates in your inbox.
It's here, it's here! The Hop On Newsletter Reader, The audiobook for Debra Lee Won’t Break is here! Starting today, May 15, you can get the unabridged audiobook for Debra Lee Won't Break, narrated by the singer and voice actor Nina Kasuya, through Audible, B&N, AudiobooksNow (best price), and anywhere else you buy audiobooks. Purchase your copy before May 31 to get the best deal. I'm so thrilled to get to share this with you. Creating audiobooks is labor intensive even when you aren't the...
New memoir released from Hop On Publishing The Hop On Newsletter If you believe that democracy is not a spectator sport, that the renewal of hope in this country lies in its grassroots activists, you couldn’t read a more illuminating text than this one. —Lynn Litterine, author of River Town Girl and Indivisible Montgomery member Reader, I am pleased to announce the publication of The People United: A Memoir of Hope and Resistance During Trump’s First Term by Chris Pickett! This marks the...
The People United now available for preorder! The Hop On Newsletter Reader, I’m happy to announce Hop On Publishing’s latest release, The People United: A Memoir of Hope and Resistance During Trump’s First Term by Chris Pickett, is now available for preorder! Whether you attended your first No Kings rally this year or you’ve been part of the Trump resistance since the waning days of 2016 like Chris, you’ll want to read this book! Order your copy from Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Amazon...
