So you’ve written a book or two and tried your best to promote it through your own marketing channels. There’s no doubt, however, that being invited to a writers’ festival will place you in the spotlight, all the better to expose your work to a wider network of readers. But we all know how difficult it is to land one of those coveted spots on a program; there are many authors and limited room. But here are some tips that may help improve your chances.
Time and money permitting, make sure you attend writers’ festivals yourself. Be seen on the book circuit; swan around and meet people. This is where the litterati assemble and you may run into people on programming committees or book influencers of various stripes. By supporting other authors you are not only being a good literary citizen, but you are also showing your commitment to being an active participator in this close-knit industry.