How to know which shows are worth it
The Vending Detective is a free guide for authors who are done guessing.
Inside you'll find:
- How to find shows worth investigating (and the one question to ask before you add it to your list)
- What to look for when you walk a show as an attendee
- How to gather evidence from afar when you can't be there in person
- How to do the math so you know your break-even number (including the hidden costs nobody warns you about)
- What to check in the fine print
- And much more!
You've heard the advice: you should apply to shows to get your books out there and build your audience in person.
What nobody tells you is how to figure out which shows are actually worth.
That information exists. It's just scattered across years of hard-won experience that most authors aren't sharing.
Until now.
The Vending Detective is a free field guide that walks you through exactly how to vet a show before you ever fill out an application. Think of it as your case file, a structured investigation that gives you real intelligence on any show before you commit a single dollar.
Hi, I'm Megan. I've been vending at retail and trade shows for 15+ years.
For 14 years, I sold embroidery kits at shows all over the West Coast, going from $300 weekends to $4-5k weekends (all while selling $30 kits).
I'm also a brand designer and strategist, which means I love thinking strategically about how to make the most of any situation, like how to pick the most advantageous show and design a booth that sells more.
After flying out to NYC to walk BookCon in 2026, I realized a lot of authors could use some of the skills and techniques I learned the hard way (through years of trial-and-error).
Ready to find your best shows?
Get the free printable vetting guide so you can stop guessing about shows.