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Multi-Author Keynote Breakfast Event Instructions

Friday, October 20, 8:00–9:30 am
*Please arrive by 7:45 in Mackinac, 5th floor

This multi-author keynote event allows us to work directly with publishers to showcase exciting authors with an inspiring keynote address. Hosted by Kristen Sandstrom of Apostle Islands Booksellers, it will include time for author introductions, 4 keynote addresses, and a book signing.

Keynote Order
  1. Cristina Henriquez
  2. Candice Iloh
  3. Erik Larson
  4. Kiley Reid

For Authors
​Badges
Your author badge will be printed onsite at the registration desk.
​

Here's how to knock a keynote out of the park
  • Please abide by the 8 minute time limit we gave to you via your publicist. Please know, 8 minutes is ample time to ingratiate yourself to booksellers, and it’s supremely important to leave enough time after keynotes are done for signing books and talking one-on-one with booksellers, which is just as important as your remarks. 
  • 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, the day of contact is Melissa Peterson. She can be emailed at [email protected] or texted at 612.418.2357.

Floor plan

Picture

Shipping instructions

Where to ship
  • Do! Send author event books via our system described below. Use the Rockford, IL shipping address. 
  • Do not! Do not send author event books to the shipping address in your exhibitor packet. Do not use the Romulus, MI address for author event books. (If you do, your authors' books will be mixed in with exhibitor freight and we cannot promise they will be delivered to an author event on time.)
When to ship
​
Receiving Deadline: September 21
​
How to ship
Send author event ​books to the following address and include all required label information on the outside of the box. You can also download the label template for the easiest shipping experience. Specific galley quantities are listed on each detailed event tab at the bottom of this page. Please email Melissa all label information and shipping confirmation. We are requesting 150 galleys (minimum).

​
​If you cannot ship your author event book to meet this deadline, please contact Melissa ([email protected]).
Advance to Valley Expo
TO:
  • HEARTLAND FALL FORUM
  • AUTHOR NAME
  • BOOK TITLE/PUBLISHER
  • EVENT NAME
  • QUANTITY OF BOOKS
  • CARTON COUNT
FOR:
  • Valley Warehouse
  • 4950 American Road
  • Rockford, Illinois 61109
Print and complete the label below for the easiest shipping experience that will ensure your author books arrive in the right place.
DOWNLOAD LABEL
Picture

Multi-author breakfast from 2022
© COPYRIGHT 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Attend
  • Schedule
  • Education
  • Exhibitors
  • Authors
  • Photos
  • Sponsor/Host
  • Scholarships
  • Rep Picks
  • Awards
    • Heartland Booksellers Award >
      • 2024 Heartland Booksellers Award
      • 2023 Heartland Booksellers Award
      • 2022 Heartland Booksellers Award
      • 2021 Heartland Booksellers Award
      • 2020 Heartland Bookseller Award
    • Voice of the Heartland >
      • Past Winners >
        • 2023 Janet Webster Jones
        • 2022 Kris Kleindienst
        • 2021 Louise Erdrich
        • 2020 Two Dollar Radio
  • About
    • Merch
    • 10 Years
    • Heartland 2022
    • Heartland 2020
    • Heartland 2021