HEARTLAND FALL FORUM
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Marquee keynote event instructions

This marquee keynote event allows us to work directly with publishers to showcase exciting authors with an inspiring keynote address. It will include time for author introductions, keynote addresses, a Q&A, and book signings.

Marquee author keynote
Thursday, October 13, 8:30–9:50 am
​Our opening keynote event features Sidney Keys, author of Books N Bros, in conversation with Ty Allan Jackson, author of Make Your Own Money. An event plan will be posted here when it's ready.

Tips to knock a keynote out of the park
  • Author talks such as this help booksellers better sell your book by bringing it to life, giving them reasons to carry it in their store, put it on a display, book you for an event, handsell it to customers, etc. Publishers give us complimentary galleys to share for free with our booksellers so they can familiarize themselves and their staff with forthcoming titles.
  • Incorporate your book's selling points naturally into your talk. It's also good to talk about what books inspired you, as "comp titles" give booksellers an easy way to know how to market and sell your book. Pretend your keynote is a trailer for your book.
  • Don't: Read from your book, unless it's a brief portion setting up your talk. Booksellers want to hear from you about the book rather than be read to.  
  • Do: Abide by a helpful rule of thumb: Craft what you will say as if it's dinner party conversation at a table full of book lovers. You wouldn't plumb the depths of your book research process at a dinner party, but you would tell delightful anecdotes about yourself, how you came to write this book, indie bookstore stories, your favorite reading material, etc. (Note: At said imaginary dinner party, you also wouldn't talk favorably about giant online book retailers.)
  • Do: Pack a handout that facilitates communication after the event: business card, postcard promo about your book, etc., including your email address and social media accounts. Some creative authors give away swag based on their book, but it's all up to you. Many of our booksellers call these events “author shopping,” as they form connections with authors and work on setting up events in their stores, so be prepared for these possible conversations.
  • Most importantly, DO include indie bookstore buy buttons on your website! Booksellers will support you if you support them. Read the info above about how to do that if you aren't already. 
  • If you have any questions, please ask your publicist to email Heartland co-director Carrie Obry at carrie@midwestbooksellers.org or MIBA program coordinator Melissa Peterson at melissa@midwestbooksellers.org.
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Shipping instructions

We are requesting 150 galleys minimum.
​

Advance to Warehouse
​Receiving Dates
  • 9/9/2022 thru 10/7/2022
Receiving Hours
  • Mon-Fri 7:30 am-2:30 pm​

​LABEL INSTRUCTIONS
TO: 
  • MARQUEE KEYNOTE
  • AUTHOR NAME
  • BOOK TITLE/PUBLISHER
 
FOR:
  • Heartland Fall Forum
  • C/O Valley Expo & Displays
  • ABF
  • 8630 Hall St
  • St. Louis, MO 63147

​Direct to Show Site
Use only if necessary
​
Receiving Dates and Times
  • 10/12/2022 5:00 pm-9:00 pm and
  • 10/13/2022; 7:00 am-2:00 pm
​
​LABEL INSTRUCTIONS
​
TO: 
  • MARQUEE KEYNOTE
  • AUTHOR NAME
  • BOOK TITLE/PUBLISHER
 
FOR:
  • Heartland Fall Forum
  • C/O Valley Expo & Displays
  • Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
  • 315 Chestnut St.
  • St. Louis, MO 63102

Floor plan

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Cressida Cowell delivers a rousing keynote at Heartland 2017
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© COPYRIGHT 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Attend
    • Scholarships
  • Schedule
  • Events
    • Photos 2022
    • Author Events 2022
    • Education 2022
    • Rep Picks 2022
    • Shelfseeing Tours
    • Event Tickets
    • Quiz Bowl
  • Awards
    • Heartland Booksellers Award >
      • 2021 Heartland Booksellers Award
      • 2020 Heartland Bookseller Award
    • Voice of the Heartland >
      • Past Winners
  • Exhibitors
  • 10 Years
  • About
    • Heartland 2020
    • Heartland 2021
  • Covid 19 Liability and Waiver
  • Merch