I just got back from 3 days at the Albuquerque Book Fiesta  where I did a “reading” from and promoted the new book “Contagious Optimism” for 3 days.
In general the conference was poorly attended and many authors were angry and frustrated.

Sitting at table with an advanced copy of a book proclaiming the power of positive forward thinking
and tote bags asking  the question:

I HAD to keep my glass half full.

I gave my presentation as the opening day throng of almost multiple dozens had, mostly, dissipated.
The crowd of 2 nearly doubled as my words echoed through the vast empty hall.

And by the time I was done, there were smiles on their faces.

It turned out 2 of the 3 attendees were fellow exhibitors with nothing better to do (AND they wanted a tote bag).

The next day, attendance was better but still pretty dismal.

However, half the exhibitors made their way to my table because, apparently, the optimism in my reading was slightly
contagious, and provided me with the three most valuable words an author can hear, “TELL ME MORE”.

I guess it could have been the tote bags, but only a handful took them so I’m sticking with the former interpretation.

Then a very interesting thing happened 1/3 of the authors gave up and went home Saturday night.

Those that stayed saw the largest crowd of the weekend come through the doors on Sunday.

I have attended 4 of these book festivals over the last 5 years. I never go to sell books.
I go to promote an idea, a concept, a perspective that has the potential of generating those three magic words.

On average, IF you are not a major celebrity and if you are very lucky, each day allows you to plant the seed in 10 or
20 people.  More than 100 people stopped at my table…more than half of them walked away with a tote, a smile and the thought
that MORE of this optimism stuff wouldn’t be half bad.

So from my perspective my  half cup runneth over.