A few months ago WestBow Press sent out an email listing conferences, conventions and book fairs being held throughout the country. It was a gentle reminder that books don’t sell themselves. Rather, people sell books. Writing and publishing is the initial process. Then we must develop a platform and build our fan base. And this can’t be accomplished from home! I looked at the list and investigated each opportunity but soon realized there were other expos and conferences more specifically targeted towards my fan base. Spending hours on the Internet, I compiled another list and narrowed it down to four regional and one national event. Frankly, because I’d started the process so late, there were opportunities I missed because deadlines had come and gone. Also, my personal travel schedule conflicted with some dates. With money in the bank from book sales, I paid registration fees, booked hotel rooms and made transportation arrangements, as quickly as possible!

I will attend my first regional book fair on Saturday, May 3, 2014. Traveling to Dayton, Ohio for the Dayton Book Expo being held at Sinclair Community College from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Contact www.daytonbookexpo.com for additional information. I am truly excited about this networking opportunity. Please let friends and family know I’ll be in the area!

James 2:14 states that faith without works is dead. Faithfully, I completed my manuscript and faithfully, I submitted the book for publication and faithfully, my books are selling. But I must also do the “work” and aggressively market or the project will die. The apostle’s words ring true in every area of our lives. “Faith” and “work” are a natural pairing.

If you’re able, join me in Dayton on May 3, 2014. If not, I’ll see you in Maryland at the African American Author’s Book Expo and Multi-Cultural Book Fair being held on August 15 &16, 2014 in Timonium, Maryland. Contact www.aaaexpo.net for additional information.

Good-Bye for now,
M. Lyn Walker