Attending a literary fest? Great, you should. If books are your North Star, turn up at such events and be inspired. I am writing this post not to lend you inspiration for attending literary festivals – chances are, you already know why it’s worthwhile.
Instead, I want to share some practical tips to keep in mind, especially if the festival is away from home and you have to travel. These are based on my own experiences and trust me, they can come in handy.
1. Get the Event Schedule in Print
Before you catch a bus, train, or flight to attend the fest, make sure you have a copy of the event schedule. Prefer a printed copy. That way, you can circle or highlight your priority sessions.
Big literary festivals these days often have multiple sub-venues and parallel sessions. You won’t be able to be everywhere at once, so prioritize well in advance to avoid confusion.
2. Arrive Early to Navigate Easily
Reach the venue at least half an hour in advance. Again, if it is a big fest like Jaipur Literary Festival or Bangalore Literature Festival, navigation can be quite a challenge.
I knew it, but learnt it the hard away again in Bangalore. I arrived on time for a session but, thanks to my poor sense of direction, I wandered around in circles and missed it.
If you’re early, you can get a map from the event team, talk to them and they’ll point you in the right direction.
3. Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
If it’s not a single-day affair, chose your accommodation carefully. Many lit fests these days span multiple days. For example, the upcoming Jaipur Literary Festival will run for 5 days, Galle Literary Fest for 4 days and so on.
If you are planning to be at the fest the entire day, please ensure that you are staying nearby. Staying close to the venue is key to a peaceful daily commute.
Trust me, after a long day on your feet, you’ll want to crash in the comfort of your room ASAP. Whether it’s an Airbnb or a boutique hotel, being nearby will save you a lot of hassle.
4. Plan Your Book Signings
After each session, authors typically head to a designated spot for book signings.
You usually need to purchase their books beforehand. Keep in mind that to get a signature, you may have to leave the session a bit early, which could cost you your seat.
So, decide in advance which authors’ books you really want signed and plan your exits strategically.
5. Keep Questions Brief and Respectful
Sessions are timed, and moderators often reserve the last 5-10 minutes for audience Q&A.
Some people have the tendency to drift into long monologues during this time. Please respect everyone’s time and keep your questions short and to the point.
That way, more folks can chime in and authors can address more inquiries.
6. Schedule Interviews in Advance
If you plan on interviewing authors or publishers or want to exchange business cards, contact them a few days before the event. Contact them via email or direct message.
Don’t reach out a month earlier, as you might be forgotten by the time the fest rolls around.
If they don’t respond, they might just be overloaded with requests. Don’t push too hard in that case. Follow up politely after the event if needed.
7. Carry a Notebook (or Use Your Phone)
If you’re like me – a note-taker – don’t even think of entering a festival without a pen and diary. Sure, you can use Evernote or Apple Notes if that’s your style, but I’m old-school.
My notes from the Bangalore Literature Festival even inspired one of my previous posts about entrepreneur Mukesh Bansal’s talk. Ultimately, choose whatever works best for you.
8. Be Mindful While Filming or Taking Photos
Everyone loves sharing live updates on social media.
If you’re planning to record videos or take photos, try to sit up front.
Otherwise, you’ll be that person with your arms in the air, blocking everyone’s view. Trust me, you’ll quickly become a nuisance to those around you.
So there you have it. These are the tips for attending literary festivals that I’ve learned along the way. I hope they help make your lit fest experience smoother. I’d love to know what your experiences have been, especially if you’re a seasoned lit fest visitor.
Am I spot on with my points? Do you have anything to add? Let me know.
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Now, if you found these tips helpful, share them with a fellow book lover planning to attend a literary festival. And if you’ve got more insights, go ahead and drop them in the comments or reach out to me directly.
Happy fest-hopping, and may your literary adventures be truly inspiring.
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