Valerie Willis • Publisher, Author, Speaker
Direct Sales for Authors in 2026Selling direct to readers is one of the most powerful tools available to authors in 2026, but it can feel overwhelming. This session breaks down practical strategies for direct sales both in person and online, including vendor tables, event opportunities, website stores, payment options, fulfillment, and key setup considerations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to build a direct sales path that fits their books, audience, and business goals. Build a Better Book BlurbA strong book blurb is one of the most important sales tools an author has, yet it is often one of the hardest things to write. In this workshop, authors will learn a practical structure for building effective blurbs that communicate genre, hook the right reader, and create emotional momentum without becoming a synopsis. We’ll break down common blurb mistakes, discuss the difference between setup and spoiler, and work through a flexible formula authors can adapt to their own books and genres. Attendees are encouraged to bring a current project if they want to draft or revise a blurb during the session. Book Covers Readers Click, Share, and DisplayA book cover does more than signal genre—it shapes whether readers click, preorder, photograph, recommend, and display it online. In a social-media-driven market, authors need covers that attract the right audience and also look good in reels, flat lays, TikToks, promo graphics, and on camera at events. This workshop explores what makes a cover commercially effective in 2026, what makes it display-worthy, and how to balance personal taste, trend awareness, and market appeal.
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Valerie Willis is an award-winning author, speaker, and publishing professional who writes as Valerie Willis, V.C. Willis, and Honey Cummings. She is co-founder of 4 Horsemen Publications and teaches on writing, publishing, formatting, direct sales, and author business with a practical, engaging, industry-savvy approach.