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Next Saturday, I’ll be doing something I’ve dreamed about for a long time: sitting behind a table at a live event, chatting to people and signing copies of my debut novel, The Lost Hero.

I’ll be at the Care for Veterans Christmas Fayre at Gifford House, Boundary Road, Worthing, West Sussex, on Saturday 29th November 2025, from 12:00–16:00. 

On the day, it’ll just look like an author at a stall with a nice banner and a stack of books. But there’s a lot of graft that goes into getting there – especially when you’re self-published.

Saying “Yes” to a Live Event

This all started with a conversation at Care for Veterans. I’ve been lucky enough to spend time there, talking with staff and residents, including veterans from previous generations. When the opportunity came up to have a stall at their Christmas Fayre, it felt like the perfect fit.

As a veteran myself, The Lost Hero is my tribute to those who served, those still serving, and the families who carry the weight of it all. Being able to share the book at a veterans’ charity event just made sense.

But saying “yes” is the easy part. After that, the real work begins.

Booking the Stall & Talking to the Venue

First job: book the stall.

That meant liaising with the team at Care for Veterans, confirming:

Date and times Space available What I can and can’t bring Whether there’s power, access, parking etc.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential. Emails, calls, double-checking details. When you’re self-published, there’s no events team doing this for you – it’s all on your shoulders.

Paying Upfront: Stock, Banner & Setup

One thing people don’t always see is the personal cost behind these events.

I’ve ordered a roller banner out of my own pocket so that my stand looks professional and people can actually spot The Lost Hero from across the hall. I’m ordering physical copies of the book myself to bring along and sign. There’s no big publisher shipping boxes of books to the venue. Every copy I sell at the fayre is one I’ve invested in upfront. Then there’s the small stuff that adds up: table coverings, pens that won’t run out mid-signature, card reader, change float, bags for people to take their books home.

None of this is a complaint – it’s just the reality of being an indie author. You believe in your book so much that you’re willing to back it with your own time, energy and money.

Promotion: Letting People Know I’ll Be There

The next layer is getting the word out.

I’m now promoting my stall alongside all the other brilliant stalls that will be at the fayre. That means:

Posting on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and my Ryan Mayo Daily blog Letting friends, family, and the veteran community know Encouraging people to come down, even if it’s just to say hello and have a chat

Again, there’s no marketing department behind me – just me, my phone, and the hope that the right people see the posts and think, “I fancy popping down to that.”

Why It’s All Worth It

So why do it?

Because this is more than selling books.

It’s about:

Meeting readers face-to-face instead of just watching numbers on a screen Talking to veterans and families and hearing their stories Raising money for a cause that means a lot to me

For this event, £2 from every copy of The Lost Hero sold at the fayre will be donated to Care for Veterans. So when you buy a book, you’re not just supporting me as an author – you’re supporting a charity that cares for those who’ve served.

That makes the long emails, the upfront costs, and the logistics feel worthwhile.

Where I’ll Be & When – Come Say Hello

If you’re in or around Worthing, I’d love to see you there.

📍 Event: Care for Veterans Christmas Fayre

🏠 Location: Care for Veterans, Gifford House, Boundary Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 4LJ 

📆 Date: Saturday 29th November 2025

⏰ Time: 12:00–16:00

I’ll be there with:

Signed copies of The Lost Hero A brand-new roller banner (so you can’t miss me!) Time for a chat about the book, service life, veterans, and future projects

If you do come along, please stop by and say hello – even if you don’t buy a book. A friendly face and a conversation are just as valuable.

And if you’re too far away to attend, you can still help by:

Sharing this post Leaving a review if you’ve read The Lost Hero Telling a friend who might enjoy the book

Thank you for supporting an indie author, a veteran, and a charity that does fantastic work.

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