Posted by Table fees have gone insane, am I right?
I’ve been on the hunt for events to attend for the rest of ’23. I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out which ones will be well attended, have good publicity, and are run in an organized fashion. It’s not an easy task. I’ve certainly had my fair share of missing the mark. Still, every event is its own experience and I’ve met some very groovy vendors throughout the years.
In looking at some of these , I’ve noticed the rise in table fees. If you aren’t familiar, most shows/events/festivals charge a table fee for vendors, whether they are literally providing a table or not. Basically, as a vendor, you’re paying for space to sell your wares. Usually, the larger the space, the more you pay (reasonable). In my case (and most authors I assume), I’m looking for a relatively small footprint – say 8 x 8 or 8 x 10. In past years, I’ve usually paid anything from $25 to $100, depending on the event. It’s been fair.
Well…
Lately (the past 3 – 4 months), I’ve seen table fees go as high as $600. Now, that’s not the average, thank goodness, but come on. The general table fee for a number of Chicago suburb events are hovering around $250. A handful of events in the Central Illinois area are starting to creep up around $125 or higher. For authors/vendors who have a low price point (I sell my books for $10 each), we’d have to make a killing JUST to cover the table fee (not to mention gas, food, hotel, etc.)
I understand that the venue and hosts need to cover their own costs, but this slow rise in table fees might inhibit authors/vendors who simply can’t afford to pay. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to vend at a variety of events, but there are more and more that I simply can’t justify.
Have any of you found this to be the case? How do YOU decide where to vend?
Speaking of events, I’m in the middle of Event-A-Palooza! (lol) Last Saturday was Tomes of Terror right here in Bloomington/Normal. Phenomenal and well-attended for its inaugural showing! This coming Saturday, October 21, I’ll be at Wordsmith BookShoppe in Galesburg, Illinois, doing my own book signing. And the last Saturday of the month (October 28) is the Wheaton Haunted Flea (3pm to Midnight). Yep – the BIG one! For more details on these, check out my Events section on the blog!
So, what the heck have we been watching?
The Newsroom (2012) – Three Seasons – In “The Newsroom,” the Emmy-winning executive producer uses the operation of a fictional cable news network as the heart of the story, with Jeff Daniels portraying the network’s lead anchor and leading an ensemble cast. Episodes are written around actual recent news events, reported by a staff that takes its collective responsibilities seriously, but corporate and commercial obstacles — plus entangled personal relationships — fly in the face of their public mission. (Google) In all honesty, I had to fight to make it through the first few episodes. I went into this show based off of Jeff Daniels’ monologue that was making itself known all over social media – the one where he claims that the U.S. isn’t the greatest country (anymore) and why. I was ready for an intense, hard-hitting dynamo. Instead, the first half of Season One was weighted down with relationship angst and felt more like a YA’s interpretation of what happens in a news room. However…and this is important…it turns itself around and DOES get serious when it needs to. Those episodes and I’d say 90% of the cast really come through. It ended up being one of the BEST shows I’ve seen. Not Breaking Bad best, but more along the lines of Hill Street Blues or SVU. A very solid, worthwhile show. High recommend.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) – Henry Sugar, a wealthy man, decides to take on an extraordinary challenge – he wants to master an extraordinary skill in order to cheat at gambling games. (Google) I don’t really follow directors, but Wes Anderson’s movie ALL have a very distinctive look, setting, pace, and feel. It’s almost like watching a play in real time. Every scene is a living photograph. Every pastel and shade has meaning. The characters aren’t really “acting” (or maybe they are…who am I to say? lol), but more like reading their lines with little emotion. It’s certainly not a film that everyone will gravitate to, but there’s a surreal sense about them. If you’re a fan of Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel, you’ll dig this one. If not? Well, it’s a pretty short movie. Maybe give it a shot.
Malignant (2014) – After the death of his wife, a grieving man becomes the victim of a horrific experiment to cure his addiction. (IMDb) Charlie and I realized that we were supposed to be watching a different movie with the same name! LOL. But, by the time we figured that out, we were almost done with this one. Anyway, talk about “being done” with this film….yikes was it bad. Pointless, boring, and plot holes galore, not even Brad Dourif, the awesome actor who’s starred in over 170 shows, could pull this out from its own drudgery. I settled on giving it a 2.7. You’re on your own with this one, people!
Full Time (2021) – After finally getting an interview for a job that will help her provide for her family, a woman must contend with a national transit strike. (Google) Set in France, this film has a number of similarities to Maid (2021). Both movies follow women who are trying to raise their children in the midst of having to deal with job difficulties and money issues. It’s a slice-of-life and it’s not always pretty. I like a realistic, gritty story and both these films hit the nail on the head. High recommend for realism and acting.
After the Bite (2023) – Documentary – Residents and thousands of holidaymakers grapple with rising numbers of great white sharks off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass. Scientists investigate what has caused the surge, and what it can reveal about ocean health. (Google) Part Jaws-ish, part BlackFish, this documentary shows the shark/seal problems of a coastal town from every angle. Reporters, scientists, residents – everyone has their say. As someone who LOVES animals (and they show a lot of adorable seals) and bristled at the notion of anyone even THINKING of hurting them, I was able to come away with a broader sense and appreciation of the whole situation. While I still can’t even fathom hurting/hunting anything, I could see other people’s perspectives more clearly. High recommend.
Okay, that’s more than enough for today! Have a most groovy week!
Sue Rovens 