Why Attending Events Matters: Getting Out There as an Author or Illustrator

There’s a question we hear a lot from the artists and authors we represent: “Do I really need to go to events?”

The short answer? Yes. And here’s why.

Publishing is, at its core, a people business. The books that end up on shelves, in schools, in the hands of children don’t just happen because the work is brilliant (though it has to be). They happen because relationships are built, because conversations are started. After all, someone in a room said: “You should meet so-and-so.”

Events are where that magic happens. And so once you embrace them as a core part of your creative career, the better.

Left: Richard Jones and Benji Davies at Nosy Crow 15th Birthday.

Middle: Rachael McLean and Laura Watkins at Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026

Right: Bright Agent Susan Penny and Fátima Ordinola at Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026

Publishers, editors, and art directors see thousands of images and manuscripts. What they remember is people. When you’re in a room, whether it’s a literary festival, a school visit, a book launch, or a panel event, you become three-dimensional. You’re no longer just a portfolio PDF or a submission email. You’re someone they’ve spoken to, laughed with, been inspired by.

As our founder Vicki Willden-Lebrecht always says: people commission people.

A book doesn’t stop needing attention the moment it hits shelves. Events keep it alive. They drive word-of-mouth, generate social content, create new readers, and remind booksellers and buyers that this title is worth championing. Gavin’s evening at the Royal Institution wasn’t just a celebration. It was marketing, community-building, and brand visibility all wrapped up in one unforgettable night.

The conversations you have after a panel, in the queue for a coffee, or at the signing table are often the most career-defining ones. Events create proximity with the right people, and proximity creates opportunity.

The ability to talk about your work, to explain your choices, your inspirations, your process, is a skill that takes practice. Every school visit, every festival appearance, every Q&A makes you sharper, more at ease, more compelling. And that energy translates: into interviews, into pitches, into the way you present yourself online.

A topic we’ve written about before. Take a look at the full piece:

We know it can feel daunting. Not everyone is a natural performer, and that’s completely fine. You don’t need to be. What you do need is a willingness to show up.

Start small if you need to. A local bookshop event. A school visit in your area. A panel at a regional festival. The muscle builds quickly, and the rewards, both professional and personal, are real.

The work gets you in the room. But showing up is what makes the relationship.

Are you an author or illustrator who has attended an event recently? We’d love to hear about your experience. Drop us a note in the comments!

Team Bright