Christian Book Expo

A Showcase for Your Authors

By: Mark Kuyper
President/CEO, ECPA
Published in: E-Link, September 2007

The Christian Book Expo is primarily designed to provide a showcase for authors and their messages. We will offer classrooms for workshops and seminars, as well as performance pods on the exhibit floor. We will create event-sponsored workshops and discussion groups which will feature multiple authors speaking on contemporary, provocative, and even controversial topics. You may choose to host your authors in your exhibit area for “readings” or book signings. We expect to attract an unprecedented level of print, radio, and television media for author interviews. We will also record and tape many events for distribution through podcasts and vodcasts, and hope to even post select segments on YouTube. The best part is that the audience for this first-of-its-kind event will be anyone who makes or influences a Christian book-buying decision. The Christian Book Expo will be the most prominent stage for Christian communicators you could participate in!

Here are some guidelines for maximizing this opportunity.

Popular Authors
We need your “A”-level authors as a draw for attendees. It is important that you get on their schedules as soon as possible. E-mail us to submit your “A”-level authors for consideration. Here is a list from Pubtrack Christian of the top 50 best-selling authors in our industry.

New Authors
While we need “A”-level authors to attract an audience, new and relatively unknown authors will probably make up the vast majority of workshops and seminars. The CBE is a great opportunity to ignite the fire of word-of-mouth marketing for an author with a dynamic message and great presentation skills

Authors as Speakers
Choose authors who are excellent presenters. Some authors have the gift of using words, but not necessarily the gift of public speaking. Focus on authors who are such good communicators that it will create a buzz and attract media attention.

Authors with multiple books
Bringing an author who has written several books will maximize the opportunity for attendees to buy multiple books during the event or to continue buying books after the event. Remember that in this environment your backlist can seem like frontlist to many attendees.

Key Authors
You may be developing an author who has several messages or a line of books which you expect to have great value for years to come. These authors are prime candidates for this event.

Can’t bring all your authors? Who can?! One publisher we spoke to is going to inform all of their authors about the event, letting them know that the publisher obviously can’t bring everyone but inviting them to attend on their own. You may even want to provide space or time in your exhibit for any authors who do accept your invitation.


MARCH 20-22, 2009
Dallas Convention Center
Dallas, Texas


Your audience. Your message. Your Event. It’s what you’ve been waiting for. It’s time.