Before you get your first book on the shelf you imagine how it will go; a long line of adoring readers, all clutching your books to their chest with eyes agleam in delight…
It can be that, and oh it can be the complete, weird opposite.
Full disclosure, book signings and I have an up and down relationship. It didn’t start off on the best foot either.
I was in a beautiful chain bookstore, right in the heart of downtown back in 2006. I was signing with my friend and fellow DragonMoon Press author, Tee Morris, and I was super excited.
I was in America for the first time, and I had no idea what to expect…which was probably a good thing.
First off, we had been plonked right by the cafe up on the third floor, oh yes…and this was a Monday. Apparently the manager thought we would ‘catch the lunchtime crowd’.
I’m not sure if he was deluded or just clueless, because the majority of people that we saw were either just there for their coffee, or had no idea what a book or a writer was.
This was also the first time that I had even meet Tee, and since we were sharing signing space, I began to suspect that he had paid some of the people off.
Because they were just that weird.
A man approached us with an offer. He had come up with an idea (I suspect it was awesome!) and if we wrote the book he would kindly give us 50% of the proceeds. (HINT: Ideas are cheap, writing a book ain’t) We also got a lovely lady that told us her cats were dictating her book to her.
Not. One. Sale.
After a few years and another ten book contracts, you’d think book signings would have improved…not so much.
Having just got back from Des Moines, Iowa, Tee and I actually had a pretty good book signing. We were of course signing with legendary SFWA Grandmaster, Joe Haldeman.
But wait…I know you’re thinking ‘so that’s the way to do it…do book signings in groups…’
Nope, that isn’t a guarantee either. I’ve been at a book signing where there was eight authors, all sitting near the coffee dispensary, and not one of us sold anything in two hours….except for maybe an expresso. I’m kidding—the people all looked rather annoyed we were there.
Perhaps the store didn’t advertise enough?
They usually do the same amount. Flyers. Banners.
Maybe independents are better?
About the same ratio actually.
Surely conventions are better?
Depends. If you are at a media con you’re not as likely to move books. Literary conventions are more likely to be successful.
The one certain thing I my experience is that I have never had a bad experience signing in a bookstore where a community exists in tandem with it. Reading groups are a prime example. If you can get that support then you are far more likely to have a fun and successful book signing.
Also events where people go to meet authors and buy books are usually pretty solid. The Frederick Book Festival. Authors After Dark. Steampunk Unlimited. All these have been great events for Tee and I.
No one wants to sit twiddling their thumbs behind a desk, but then again when you do, it makes for good stories.
Aside from that…it is also nice to get out of the house now and then…