Ruth
There is a specific kind of electricity in the air when hundreds of book lovers gather under one roof. This year, I had the incredible honor of experiencing that buzz firsthand as a featured author at the 2026 Suffolk Virginia Writers Festival. It was a day of selling books and also a masterclass in community, marketing, and the sheer power of the written word.
The journey to the festival began months ago. The selection process is rigorous—this year, the committee received over 300 applications from talented writers across the US. Being one of the 70 authors chosen was a humbling milestone. With our slots confirmed, the logistics began. Each author was permitted to bring 50 copies of their work, and as I packed my boxes, I wondered how many would find new homes.
The day kicked off early. We arrived for setup before 10:00 AM, transforming a quiet venue into a literary wonderland. One of the best parts of these events is networking. I spent the morning chatting with Tia and Bonnie, two fellow writers whose energy and insights made the hours fly by. There’s something validating about swapping publishing stories with people who truly “get” the grind.
From 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, the doors opened for the VIP session. This was an intimate window for roughly 100 dedicated readers who had purchased early-access tickets. This time included a shared lunch, allowing for deeper conversations that you don’t get during the afternoon rush. It was the perfect “warm-up” to hear what readers are looking for in 2026.
When the clock struck 1:00 PM, the public flooded in. The traffic was phenomenal—a steady stream of bibliophiles that lasted until 5:00 PM. Before 3 PM, I’d sold over 10 books.
However, the biggest “celebrity” of the day was undoubtedly Joe Kenda. The line to get a book signed by him was legendary, with wait times stretching up to two hours.
While some might see a massive line as an obstacle, I saw it as a captive audience and decided to get proactive. I walked the length of the queue, handing out my custom bookmarks and inviting people to read the blurbs on the back of my books while they waited.
The Result? People who were originally there for one specific person discovered my stories. By engaging with the crowd and giving them something to do while they were waiting, I turned a “wait” into a “win.” The sales climbed significantly once I started working the “Kenda line.” More importantly, I walked away with new connections, a boost in confidence, and a reminder that being an author is as much about the hustle as it is about the prose.
Suffolk, you were a dream.
