LOCAL EVENTS FOR AUTHORS*
(*Local is defined as DC-Maryland-Virginia. Unless otherwise stated, the event is annual.)
This is a list of events where authors can promote their books to the public.
All About the Indies
When: July
Where: Arlington, VA
What: multi-genre event focusing on indie authors
How much: unknown
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/AAIBOOKEXPO/
Website: https://aaibookexpo.com
Balticon
When: May
Where: Baltimore, MD
What: Science Fiction and Fantasy convention
How much: $185 plus other costs; see dealer room information for more details
Contact: balticoninfo@balticon.org
Website: https://www.balticon.org
Capclave
When: October
Where: Baltimore, MD
What: Science Fiction and Fantasy convention
How much: unknown
Contact: Info@capclave.org
Website: https://www.capclave.org/capclave/capclave20/
Chessie Con
When: November
Where: Bethesda, MD
What: Science Fiction and Fantasy convention
How much: unknown
Contact: info@chessiecon.org
Website: http://chessiecon.org
Eat Local Read Local
When: September/October
Where: Loudon, VA
What: book signing and local food event organized by Loudon County Public Library, multi-genre, family-friendly
How much: no table fee for authors
Contact: belinda.blue@loudoun.gov
Website: https://library.loudoun.gov
Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival
When: June / September
Where: Fredericksburg, VA
What: family-friendly, multi-genre book signing
How much: $100-350, depending on early bird, late, or group sign-ups
Contact: http://fredbookfest.com/contact/
Website: http://fredbookfest.com
Generic Magic Festival
When: October
Where: Roanoke, VA
What: festival celebrating magical fandoms
How much: unknown
Contact: owlery@diagonvalley.org
Website: https://www.facebook.com/GenericMagicFestival/
Hallow Read
When: October
Where: Ellicott City, MD
What: book festival and mini-conference for paranormal, horror, urban fantasy, and steampunk
How much: unknown
Contact: http://hallowread.com/contact-us/
Website: http://hallowread.com
Imaginarium Book Festival
When: May [note: first year will be 2020, no word on future events]
Where: Washington, DC
What: book signing focusing on fantasy
How much: $125
Contact: info@ImaginariumBookFestival.com
Website: https://www.imaginariumbookfestival.com
Manassas Reads
When: April
Where: Manassas, VA
What: family-friendly, multi-genre book signing and book giveaway organized by the PWC Library and Manassas City Public Schools and now part of One Love Manassas
How much: no table fee for authors
Contact: HJames@mcpsva.org (Heather James)
Website: https://www.onelovemanassas.com
Mysticon
When: February/March
Where: Roanoke, VA
What: science fiction, horror, and fantasy convention
How much: dealer room $75 (not including event pass); hallway tables $20 (not including event pass)
Contact: https://mysticon-va.com/contact-us/
Website: https://mysticon-va.com
Northern Virginia Christmas Market
When: November each year
Where: Chantilly, VA (Dulles Expo)
What: arts and crafts show
How much: varies; see their application request: http://www.emgshows.com/apprequest
Contact: http://www.emgshows.com/contact
Website: http://www.emgshows.com/anvcm (Note: This event organizer also has other shows/craft fairs on their website.)
Ravencon
When: April
Where: Williamsburg, VA
What: science fiction and fantasy convention
How much: $85
Contact: http://www.ravencon.com/about-us/staff/
Website: https://www.ravencon.com
Roanoke Author Invasion
When: April
Where: Roanoke, VA
What: multi-genre, family-friendly book signing
How much: $53 for a half table, $103 for a full table
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/RoanokeInvasion/
Website: https://roanokeauthorinvasion.com
Virginia Festival of the Book
When: March
Where: Charlottesville, VA (but also around the area and at UVA)
What: book festival and conference
How much: No submission fee to apply (unclear whether there are other costs once author is accepted)
Contact: https://www.vabook.org/submissions/
Website: https://www.vabook.org