Although I visited the Indie Author Book fair, in Huntingdon, last year, it is always a different experience for a visitor than as an exhibitor. The back corner of the stage, which was the spot I was allocated, wouldn’t have been my first choice as an ideal stand position. Advised by a friend earlier who had exhibited at another show in the Commemoration Hall, I asked three weeks earlier if the extra stairs the hall possesses could be installed for the show, but I didn’t receive a reply to my email.
My colleague and I arrived early, too early as it turned out to start setting up, so we unloaded the contents of our borrowed supermarket trolley back into the car and returned at the appointed hour, 9.00 am. I asked the organiser about the extra stairs but was told we couldn’t have them because they blocked a fire exit. As it transpired the organisers had been let down by their table suppliers, so it wasn’t that good a start for them either. At 9.00, we returned and moved our stuff in. Then found a larger table than had been allocated to us giving the original one to our neighbour to increase their display space. Strangely enough for a theatre setting, it was very dark on the stage, particularly so in our very remote corner. Luckily, we had some lighting with us but not enough.
In addition to my own books, Killing Time in Cambridge and the short story book Strange Times and Other Stories, I had with me books written by fellow u3a, Whittlesey Wordsmiths and those of other members: Henry Curry, my assistant, Cathy Cade, Val Fish, Wendy Fletcher and Stephen Oliver.
The warning notice on the stairs telling people that they used the stage at their own risk wasn’t conducive to encouraging much foot traffic either. At a little after midday, the second set of stairs was produced and installed in the centre of the hall, giving two points of access to the stage. Traffic then increased considerably, although that wasn’t saying a lot.
It was an interesting day, to say the least. We met some nice people, other exhibitors, and those interested in our books. Perhaps, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that there was only one exhibitor I remembered from last year’s show. We packed up and left at 4 pm; luckily, the supermarket trolley was still available. Although some books were sold, it was not a commercially worthwhile experience. Sometimes you have to buy your experience.
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