Regardless of your genre, whether it's westerns or crime fiction. romance or non-fiction, decidely you will share something with writers of other genres: the need for promtotion of what you have written.

While the world wide web has made available new sytems of marketing to authors, from websites and weblogs to sites like myspace, facebook, and the small press exchange, there is still something to be said for meeting readership where they make themselves available -- small press book fairs, conferences and conventions.

Conventions are held globally, regardless of the season. Any small press publisher who is serious about examining the industry beyond the superficial level, would do well to make time to attend at least one small press book fair, or conference per year.

Some may require travel and other expenses: ie hote, table rentals, the cost of promotional materials, accommodations, but above this all you may justify expenses because of the ppportunity to exposeyour name and work to a new audience that is afforded you. You will not make great sales every time, at every event you attend, but you have at least the chance to get your name out! Word of mouth remains one of, if not the strongest, marketing tools for authors and small press publishers.