A really wonderful event happened in downtown Austin on April 26 of 2025. Called GAB Fest, short for the Greater Austin Book Festival, it brought together hundreds of Texas authors writing in every genre and on every topic from sci-fi to sexuality. Gathered on the third floor of the beautiful, light-filled Central Library were the children’s book authors, myself included. Representing Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties, we all had two things in common: a love for picture books and children’s literature, and a passion to share our stories with the reading public.
While the festival was free and open to any and all attendees, to participate as a GAB Fest vendor, you had to have already applied for, and been accepted to, the library’s local author consignment program. I had done so with Under My Pillow, my picture book about a kid losing her first tooth and leaving it for the Tooth Fairy, for two years running, and had enjoyed seeing my book on the library gift shop’s shelves during its “consignment window.” The opportunity to vend at the festival, however, was in another league altogether. With as many copies of Under My Pillow in hand as I could carry, I set up my little booth and waited eagerly for the readers to arrive
My little booth at the Greater Austin Book Festival, April 2025.
In the end, I sold plenty of copies (and netted a podcast invitation to the Writing on The Air Podcast with Mindy Reed to boot), but the real takeaways were about how I could be a better book marketer and seller—as evidenced by the more experienced, and therefore more successful, authors around me.
To my left was a male author who had painted his entire body, including his beard, blue. Shawn-Michael Monroe wore a Viking outfit and hat to promote his children’s book Timp and the Blueberry Vikings, and it was such a hit with the kids that all Saturday long, he had young readers and their parents lined up asking for photos—and, of course, buying his book. As they stood in line, they couldn’t help but notice the “prize wheel” on his table… a wheel they could spin to win prizes. More excitement! As a result of this attention, Monroe also netted several school visit offers, something I’ve actively been trying to do more of.
Texas author Shawn-Michael Monroe promoting his Viking-themed children’s book at Gab Fest 2025 as well as his very cool rainbow prize wheel, and Brian Soria promoting his Halloween-themed children’s book, Spook
On my right, meanwhile, author, illustrator, and creative designer Brian Soria was drawing on his tablet using Procreate, just like my kids do. Because young readers were curious about what he was doing, and because his booth was decorated for Halloween in April, his book Spook Troops, too, moved tons of copies, and it got me thinking. What I needed, like these smart gentlemen, was a gimmick. Well, maybe not a gimmick, because that sounds tacky, but something to draw more readers in organically. Why, oh why, had I not worn my Tooth Fairy costume that day? Was a prize wheel something I could incorporate into future vending opportunities? What, like Soria, might I actively “do” at my booth between customers to pique their interest? The wheels were turning.
The panel I moderated later that day, called Writing and Illustrating for Children, further drove home the importance of “standing out” for all the “right” reasons. One woman on that panel, Nessa Dee Roeder, wrote about penguins and made a strong positive impression by wearing (naturally) a penguin costume. Another used the platform to preview her upcoming book projects, afterward capitalizing on the chance to take pre-orders from teachers and librarians in the audience. What good ideas, I thought—and determined to implement some of these “best practices” at my next event.
Panelists Vanessa Roeder, Jacob Grovey, Lee Reed, and Upasna Kakroo discuss Writing and Illustrating for Children at the Greater Austin Book Festival 2025.
Which is why, today, if you see me somewhere selling my book in public, I’ll probably be wearing my Tooth Fairy costume! It’s fun and catches the eye—fully half the battle. I’ll probably also have my own version of a prize wheel set up: one that offers such treasures as free stickers or dollars off your purchase. You’ll likely notice me writing letters in my journal—because Under My Pillow encourages letter-writing—and if you’re lucky, your child may even walk away with a free, personalized Tooth Fairy journal herself!
If you’re not in Texas, you can still pick up Under My Pillow wherever books are sold.
And if you’re an author yourself, I hope these tips make your own book marketing efforts more lucrative!
