When At A Signing
A few things I thought about as I wallowed in a room full of books and writers at RWA's Literacy Night.
For the buyers:
1. Bring a set amount of money. I wanted to read almost every single book I saw and the only thing that stopped me was the cash in my purse. :-)
2. Don't be rude in your enthusiasm. I was looking forward to meeting a major bestselling author, but I was so excited that as I look back, I seriously think I may have overwhelmed or, worse, offended her with my yapping.
For the authors:
1. Postcards and bookmarks are okay. I don't really use either though.
2. Don't scowl. Seriously, it was only a few people and as a writer I realize they were probably scared and nervous in their booths, but a reader might not know that. No smiling is no-no. Fake your joy, if you have to!
But the majority of authors I saw were peppy and happy and wonderful to be around!
If you've gone to book signings, what do you think works? What doesn't? If you had a book signing, what would you do there? Would you have to fake a smile?
For the buyers:
1. Bring a set amount of money. I wanted to read almost every single book I saw and the only thing that stopped me was the cash in my purse. :-)
2. Don't be rude in your enthusiasm. I was looking forward to meeting a major bestselling author, but I was so excited that as I look back, I seriously think I may have overwhelmed or, worse, offended her with my yapping.
For the authors:
1. Postcards and bookmarks are okay. I don't really use either though.
2. Don't scowl. Seriously, it was only a few people and as a writer I realize they were probably scared and nervous in their booths, but a reader might not know that. No smiling is no-no. Fake your joy, if you have to!
But the majority of authors I saw were peppy and happy and wonderful to be around!
If you've gone to book signings, what do you think works? What doesn't? If you had a book signing, what would you do there? Would you have to fake a smile?
Comments
It does us writing folk the world of good to think that we might just be a teensy bit happy when our books are published and we are sitting at a book signing for our very own book. If arriving with your own published book at a book sighing is not the joy and smiles I am anticipating, I don't want to know. I really don't. Fake it for me. Please :)
What people seem to love is that personal moment I take to chat one and one, to inscribe something personal in the book they've spent hard-earned $$ on.
My most-well-attended signing was over 200 folks. The B&N employees got anxious over people having to wait, yet later told me they were shocked that people didn't MIND waiting because they wanted to say hi, etc. Of course this was in my home town! So don't get the wrong idea!
Be the person God made you to be always works for me. Excited. Goofy. Spirit-led, but me.
I'm not a scowlers, but when I'm not smiling I look sad. I get, "What's wrong?" a lot when often I'm just deep in thought or the usual...tired.
When the day comes I'll want to make sure not to look sad. ;)
~ Wendy
You comin' to ACFW?? You didn't throw me over for RWA did you?!?! :)
Interesting that you mention some authors sitting around scowling. That's really too bad! Maybe they'd had a rough day... or something...
Glad you had such a good time at RWA! I hope I can go next year.
And smiling--yes! For sure. Smiles go a long way.
It would be hard to approach anyone who was scowling, but I can't imagine scowling at a book-signing.
Don't worry about the impression you made on that big-name author. I'm sure you were your own delightful, friendly self and she loved it!
I have never been to a 'book signing' but I've been to event where books were signed. Is that the same? *grin*
I can't imagine approaching someone who wasn't smiling, just as much as I can't imagine scowling if someone was approaching me for a signature.
Ya just gotta smile!
I've been to book signings where the author gave out pens, bookmarks, and CHOCOLATE. You can never go wrong with chocolate. :)
At another signing, the store owner and authors donated books for drawings. Great fun!
Blessings,
Susan
Plus, I want these readers to think of happy things each time they pick up one of my books. I want them to like me as a person, which will inspire them to be even more faithful as fans.
I could go on and on. You can see I've thought A LOT about my future book signings. ;-)
Ah, cash in purse and a room full of books...sweet dreams.:)
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Karen
I love it when authors smile and make small talk. I like to feel I've connected to them somehow.