To Market, To Market: On Failure and Mentally Preparing for my First Market Stall

Hello! Look, I am smiling. Please approach me.

I've been wanting to have a go at selling my books face-to-face at markets and events, but I've been scared and have put it off for YEARS! It's now time. My first market stall application has been submitted, public indemnity insurance has been purchased, and stock has been ordered. Together, let's mentally prepare for my first market stall.

Two days ago, I spent over $1000 on my own books, which feels like quite a declaration of self-belief.

Either I will truly sell more than 100 copies of my books, or I'll need to climb over boxes to get to my writing desk until I do.

It feels scary. I could fail. I could sell nothing. I could end up in powerful winds and torrential rains that ruin my book stock. I could HATE every second. PEOPLE COULD HATE ME.

Eeek!

Mental prep = brain dumping

It could end up a waste of time and money. When you add up the costs, I would need to make a decent profit to break even:

• Market Stall Public Liability Insurance ($124 p/a)

• The stall fee ($60)

• My book stock (>$1000)

• Square electronic payment device ($60)

• Fuel, book stands, props, stickers, signs, frames, tablecloth, marquee, trestle table

• Plus the time it's taken me to organise, travel, and write/produce the books and art

(Check out my blog post, Setting Up a Market Stall in Australia, for more things to consider when setting up a market stall in Oz).

Sheesh. It could be a lot of effort for little reward. My biggest fear is that I will put in a lot of time and effort and not actually make any money.

My tiny tower BEFORE receiving my new order of market stall book stock

But, you know what...

That is my BIGGEST worry.

That is what failing looks like to me.

Climbing over boxes of my own books to get to my writing desk - a tower of failure - a lasting reminder of my waste of time and money.

... Would it really be a waste of time and money, though?

I won't ever have to wonder how I would go, because I will know.

I won't have to be scared of doing it, because it will be done.

It will teach me. I will learn and grow. I will be able to connect with people and improve my communication skills. I will create memories and gain experience.

And, I will know that I believed in myself enough to try.

Also, if I don't sell the books at market, I could always sell them in other ways.

I'm sure that the Tower of Failure would motivate me to finally approach local businesses to pitch my books and find a new stockist (following the closure of my only book stockist last year *insert sad face here*).

The other thing that it can be easy to lose sight of is that when heading to market, the main expenses are to get set up and started. Once I am set up for markets, I have all of the things and I can do more.

So... with all of that in mind,

here I am,

doing this scary thing

(with a lot of prayer).

Because if I fail, then I'm not really failing at all!

Yesterday, I went to check out an indie author event in Barwon Heads. This was so beneficial and such an encouragement to me. The people were wonderful, talented, kind, and willing to answer any questions that I asked. It didn't feel competitive, and everyone seemed happy to help one another. This also helped me. I got to see how other people do things, I got heaps of great ideas, I made new connections, and I gained confidence. I'm now actually really excited about getting out there, meeting new people, and giving it a go!

Just this morning, I received an email telling me that my application to be a stallholder at our local market has been approved! Yay! So it looks like you'll be able to catch me at:

• Golden Plains Farmer's Market on Saturday 07th March 2026, and

• Clunes Booktown Festival on Saturday 21st March 2026

Look out world, here I come (conquering my fears one small step at a time by talking myself into doing things scared).

I'll do a follow-up post to tell you how I go and what I learn.

Wish me luck!

With much love, Marley x