On Sunday, April 19, 2026, Chanticleer Book Reviews will hold the 2026 “Books By the Bay” book fair at Village Books in Bellingham, Wash. The book fair is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features tables filled with self-published and indie authors' work from across the country.
The book fair follows an author's conference hosted by Chanticleer Book Reviews.
“It’s so exciting to have all these authors together in one place, and it’s such a joy to be able to celebrate and promote them,” said David Beaumier, the communications manager of Chanticleer Book Reviews.
Beaumier highlighted the importance of these events, connections and promotions, especially as the current presence of artificial intelligence and Amazon in the book-selling industry threatens smaller or more local writers.
“Amazon has been doing absolutely nothing, as far as I can see, to prevent sort of fake books from being put up on their website, unlike other places like IngramSpark,” Beaumier said.
Since the book fair increases foot traffic and promotional opportunities, authors appreciate the chance to speak and connect with readers.
“You get to talk about your books, and part of the marketing is being able to talk coherently about what your book is about,” said Janet Oakly, an author who will be in attendance at the book fair. “It’s more than just, ‘Look at my cover and read the back.’”
Despite the main objective being to promote authors' work, many find value in the connections they make with not only their readers, but other authors as well.
“...People come out from all over the community, and you network and get to see people you haven’t seen in a while, and other authors are down there at the book fair too, and it’s just a really fun time,” said Gail Nobel-Sanderson, a local author who will be in attendance.
This community of indie authors provides a creative outlet and mental support.
“Writing can be so lonely and you're just on your own in your own head a lot… and so I’m constantly looking for community,” said Heidi Yewman, the author of “Dumb Girl” who will not be attending the book fair.
Yewman mentions that when she's at these book fairs and meets fellow authors, she becomes inspired. By seeing authors who may be newer in their career, she can see that she was there and give advice, and then sees authors who are ahead of her and can see what she can become.
The book fair used to occur in the same hotel as the Chanticleer Book Reviews conference. However, Chanticleer found that they were missing the element of community and reader connection, and moved the book fair to Village Books three years ago.
“We’re just so grateful that they’re willing to host us,” Beaumier said. “They do so much for the community, and we are also very community-focused, and so it’s just a wonderful match so that readers can actually meet a lot of these indie authors who are extraordinary authors who people have tragically not heard of.”
Along with the community, local authors express their appreciation for the economic benefits it represents for Bellingham.
“It helps the local community,” said Seán Dwyer, the author of “A Quest for Tears” and a professor at Western Washington University. “It helps the local economy to have a boost of book sales in town, plus it shows off Bellingham’s cultural validity and the broad range of ways that we are artistic.”
“Books By the Bay” is estimated to have between 20 and 40 booksellers, and will still take place despite the remodeling of Paper Dreams next door.
Beaumier said, “I really hope we can inspire a love and sort of focus on independent authors.”
Isobel Diprima (she/her) is a campus life reporter. She is a second-year visual journalism pre-major and is thrilled for her first quarter writing for The Front. When she’s not writing, Isobel can be found curled up in bed with her cat, Twilight, reading a good book or taking photos for The Rage Magazine or of her friends. You can reach Isobel at isobeldiprima.thefront@gmail.com.
