Kaka's nest books

I thought the sense of deja vu attendant with every book festival signing must be migraine inducing. Authors are artists after all, not performing monkeys. I don’t like crowds or queues, so it’s probably not something I’d enjoy.

So, I put my views to the test. And I was wrong. In fact, I’m a fan. Although I suspect I’m right about the migraine’s.

There was a buzz in the air at the Aotea Centre from Day 1. A sense of community and excitement fizzed around the books – particularly in the pop-up bookshops and signing queues.

It wasn’t possible to see and hear from everyone. With over over 240 authors, from six continents, we were spoiled for choice. I managed to squeeze in audiences with a phenomenal range of authors: Booker Prize winner Samantha Harvey, Kaliane Bradley, Ben Macintyre, Ruth Shaw, Damian Hoey, Michelle Rahrahu, and Robbie Arnott, among others.

I went to the festival knowing that I would buy one or two books. I had my favourite authors lined up to get signed. Signed books are an investment after all. My (little) acquisitions pile trebled as I connected with authors and facilitators in presentations and panels.

On the flip side, I managed to curtail my spending. The authors less inclined to engage the audience, or facilitators less prepared to make connections proved far less threatening to my wallet. And my TBR stack.

Authors should attend writing festivals. Presentations can transition browsers into buyers. Book signings can transition those buyers and readers into loyal fans.

Readers should attend writing festivals. Presentations can open you to new authors, ideas, and of course, books. Book signings can open you to meeting your people, book people, friends between the pages. I have three book signing experiences from AWF 2025 that I will cherish into my dotage. These are books I will never sell, trade, or exchange.

PS: I hope my book people get a giggle from those moments, occasionally.

PPS: You should all read The Ministry of Time and anything Kaliane Bradley writes. Ever.