r/frederickmd • u/OpenBookChocolates • 1d ago
I’m Thinking About Starting a Book Festival in Frederick. Any Suggestions, Ideas, or Advice?
Hey Everyone,
I’m thinking of starting a book festival in the Frederick area. I already have an idea for the location. As for time of year, I’m tentatively thinking of sometime during the summer.
There would be bookish vendors, including local authors. Maybe some panels and/or Q&As. Book signings are another possibility. Maybe a book swap or some DIY bookish workshops? Any suggestions for more bookish activities?
I do a lot of in-person events around Maryland for my small business, so I already have a list of ideas for potential vendors. I’m not so familiar with local authors, so suggestions are welcome (even if it’s yourself, feel free to comment below).
I’d probably have to charge a vendor fee to cover space rental costs and advertising/marketing. I already have a few ideas on how to advertise, but could always use further suggestions!
I’m not sure if I should charge an attendance fee. If I did, something on the low end ($5 to $10). The location I’m considering has plenty of free parking. Another idea is to have VIP tickets, where we’d give VIPs a special gift bag and entry into the festival an hour earlier than general attendance.
This would be my first time hosting such an event, so I know I should start small and see how it goes. Really, any suggestions, ideas, or advice would be truly appreciated! I want to make something that local bookworms can all enjoy. Thank you for your help!
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u/Impressive_Bottle_44 1d ago
Can you recreate my elementary school experience at the Scholastic Book Fair? If so, please accept my membership at the Premier level.
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u/MisterSmeeee 1d ago
Personally I'm a cheapskate and more likely to go if there's not an entrance fee, but of course I'd wind up spending several times that on books!
I believe there are a fair number of people locally who are into book-related craft activities– bookbinding, printmaking, calligraphy, kind of thing. Could be fun to see if they do demos or host workshops.
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u/gard3nwitch 1d ago
How would this be different from the other book fairs and events we have now?
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u/OpenBookChocolates 1d ago
Firstly, that’s why I’m open to ideas. Secondly, as far as I know, there’s no general “Frederick Book Festival” or event, though there are some themed book fests (like Fright Reads). For the past 8 years, I’ve been a vendor at various Maryland-based book events (in Gaithersburg, Kensington, Annapolis, Berlin, etc.). But nothing based in the Frederick area. And I thought, since I live here, it would be nice to have a comparable event.
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u/DietSnapplePeach 1d ago
Please not during the summer if it’s outdoors. It’s so darn hot and humid.
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u/Styx206 1d ago
While there isn't a festival, there are tons of different Frederick events and local organizations that host local authors, bigger name authors, panels, reading groups and book sales.
There's a couple local arts, music and film festivals in Frederick. That might be a good place to look for inspiration and find local resources. Don't forget the Frederick Book Arts Center!
When I'm looking at events in Frederick, I want to make sure they are by and for our community. I think it's good to keep in mind by workiing with other local orgs and businesses. Good luck!!
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u/OpenBookChocolates 22h ago
Yup, I already have Frederick Book Arts Center on my list. I care about supporting local authors and fellow small businesses. Thank you for your feedback!
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u/SolarPunkWitch2000 1d ago
We have several self-published authors in our local writing critique group - the Frederick Writers Salon - who would probably love to participate if this moves ahead. I'll be checking for updates in the coming months and pass along the news if it happens.
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u/OpenBookChocolates 22h ago
Very cool! Do you think the Frederick Writers Salon itself would be interested in participating with either a vendor table/booth and/or a panel/workshop at the potential book fest?
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u/SolarPunkWitch2000 11h ago
Very high possibility! You've got me on DM now, so let me know if this moves ahead, and I'll share the details with our organizers to see if we'd like to participate as a group.
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u/titihadid 12h ago
The book market is so saturated currently with book-ish vendors I think the only way you can do an event like this would be inviting authors maybe mostly east coast authors and a few bigger names-connecting with Curious Iguana to get those bigger names. Not charging an entrance fee. Modeling it like the Gaithersburg book festival.
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u/emmkid 1d ago
I'd like to see more general fiction/non fiction, stuff that doesn't lean towards romance or witchy/spooky/horror!
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u/PhoneJazz 1d ago
Millennial/Older Gen Z women are funding the book industry right now, and they are eating up romance and witchy/spooky/horror, especially this time of year! That’s where the money is.
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u/FrederickTownie 5m ago
I'm so here for this idea, and would love to be on the planning committee! haha. I've long thought this town would be a great host for a book festival, and I've even sketched out a few of my own ideas on what it could look like.
For research, please go follow bookish_slc on instagram. They're a book and reading instagram account for Salt Lake City, and they're currently hosting their first annual book festival. Their approach is fascinating to watch, and there are so many great ideas to take note of, particularly posters by a book arts press (we have one here, too) and cross promotional branding with local breweries.
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u/socially_awkward 1d ago
Check this thread, it's been discussed recently: https://www.reddit.com/r/frederickmd/comments/1u0binv/bookcon/