Before you go to your next conference…
One book link, every store Booklinker.com
10/23/2026
Hello Reader,
When was the last time you walked into a room full of people who understand you?
When I first started going to writing conferences, I went to learn the craft. I sat in every session I could on plot, dialogue, and character, trying to become a better writer.
And I’ll always have more to learn there. Every writer can keep improving.
But after 25+ books, I’m pretty confident on the writing side. I know the most important thing I can do is keep writing.
These days, I go to conferences for something different.
I go for book marketing, the industry, and the business side of publishing. Things change fast, and conferences are one of the best places to pick up new strategies and find out what’s current.
Right now, a lot of the conversation is about discoverability and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), which means making sure your books show up when readers use AI tools to find their next read.
As much as I love the learning, the biggest value of a conference is the people.
Over the past two decades, conference connections have turned into real friendships for me. I’ve also met people across the industry I know I can call when I have a question or want to bounce around an idea.
Those relationships have been worth more than any session I’ve attended.
I know walking up to strangers can feel intimidating. If you’re more introverted, it can feel downright terrifying.
But it’s worth the risk.
If you have a conference coming up, here are four ways to make the most of it:
1. Go in with a goal. Before you go, pick one or two things you want to walk away with, like a strategy to try or a few people to meet. It helps you choose sessions and keeps you from feeling scattered.
2. Talk to the person next to you. Some of the best connections happen in line for coffee or while you wait for a session to start. A simple “What do you write?” is all it takes.
3. Give yourself breaks. Conferences are a lot, especially for introverts. Step outside, skip a session, and recharge so you have energy for the conversations that matter.
4. Follow up within a week. Send a quick email or connect online with the people you met, and mention something you talked about. A connection only turns into a relationship if you follow up.
Will I see you at Author Nation Nov. 10-13?
Let me know. I’d love to say hi in person!
If you’re not going, are there other conferences you plan to attend in the next six months? Reply and tell me which ones. I’m always curious where authors are finding value.
Happy Marketing!
~Kerrie
Kerrie Flanagan
Content & Community Manager
Booklinker
With friends at IBPA Publishing University 2026: Danica Favorite (PublishDrive), Chris O’Brien (DiggyPOD), Cary Bergeron (CraveBooks), and Alex and Curtis (BookVault)
Newsletter Swaps Without the Headaches: Meet AuthorSwap
Newsletter swaps are a great way to reach new readers, but they can also be frustrating. Authors get ghosted, commissions get taken out of paid placements, and there’s no easy way to tell which swaps actually bring in clicks.
Michelle Singson, a romance author and indie author coach, kept hearing those same complaints, so she built AuthorSwap to fix them. You can find swap partners, get automatic confirmation that each newsletter went out, and see real click data. It takes no commission and has real human support.
It works with MailerLite now, with more integrations on the way, and there’s a 30-day free trial.
Michelle’s tip: “Bring the authors you already swap with most. A swap takes two people, so it works better when your circle is on there with you.”
Check out AuthorSwap: www.theauthorswap.com
Follow Booklinker on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/booklinkerteam/
Industry News & Articles ✍🏽
🌟 How to Get a Bookstore Event: What Stores Want From Authors
Bookstore events aren’t disappearing, but they are becoming more selective. Penny Sansevieri explains why a basic book signing is a hard sell and what to pitch instead, like a conversation, a mini workshop, or a multi-author event, along with a clear plan for how you’ll help fill the room. If you don’t have an event track record yet, she shares how to build one locally through libraries, book clubs, and community organizations.
🌟 How One Author Profits from a 114-Book Backlist
Romance author Jill Sanders has published 114 books, and about 80% of her revenue comes from her backlist. In this BookBub interview, she shares how she keeps older titles visible, the permafree strategy behind her strongest sellers, and why her best results come from discounting a series right before a new release in that same series.
🌟 How Authors Can Build a Reader Community on Facebook Without Constant Self-Promotion
Meta now limits outside links for some professional pages and profiles unless the owner pays. In response, Heidi Gray McGill builds on Edie Melson’s reminder that Facebook is “a conversation, not an advertisement.” She shares how to clear away the clutter, give readers what they actually want, and point them toward other authors they’ll love. Before your next post, she suggests asking yourself whether it “feeds a reader or chases one.”
A Book Marketing Book Worth Adding to Your Shelf 📚
Marketing and Promotion for Authors (2026 Edition) by Dale L. Roberts
You might remember my shout-out to Dale a few issues back. In this updated edition of his book, he shares practical, budget-friendly ways to promote your books, grow your author brand, run Amazon Ads, and time your promotions, with more than 50 marketing strategies to choose from.
Conferences Booklinker Will Be Attending
- Author Nation in Las Vegas November 10-13, 2026
- Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado Springs February 4-6, 2027
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