Are Book Signings Old Hat?
2014. We always enjoy participating in signings. It’s a great way to
connect with our readers, network with other writers, and to support local
booksellers.
Over the past three years, we’ve participated in local
events, regional mystery reader festivals, and larger book signing at national conferences.
Sometimes the events are planned for us, and some we’ve planned ourselves.
There are a couple of things that all the books signings have had in common: we
never know what’s going to happen or how many people, if any, will show up. That
seems to depend on the venue, the advance publicity, and often what else is
going on in the community and in people’s lives.
Housedogs, which our local Des Moines library organized for us. We sold more
than 100 books! It felt like every person we knew had taken time to celebrate
our success. It was a night we’ll never forget.
Since that first book launch, we’ve had numerous signings.
Every one of them we’ve enjoyed immensely. Sometimes we sell out of books, and
other times we’ll only sell a handful of books. Regardless of the number of books we sell, we always enjoy talking to the folks who have taken the time to come and see us. At one recent event, there were
five people at the signing, including the bookseller. Oh, and we can’t forget
the three cats—especially the one who decided to lay on top of our books. There was a lot of laughter that night.
writers who’ve decided not to participate in local or regional signings due to low turnout. A book signing can be lonely for an author. Sometimes the only conversation we’ll have with someone is to
answer the popular question, “Do you know where the bathroom is?”
readers can easily engage with their favorite authors via social media, and
with more ebooks being sold now more than ever before, are book signings a thing of the
past?
lovers about great authors, and discovering what everyone is reading. We’ve found
many of our favorite writers that way. It also kicks us out of our writing caves and makes us interact with the real world.
you go see?
Oh, and in case you were wondering about that last book signing, here’s the info:in Des Moines for our newest release!
Friday, December
19th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Beaverdale
Books – 2629 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA
If I could get time off work to be in Des Moines that day, I'd come in a heartbeat. There's something very exciting about meeting an author whose work you admire – interacting on Twitter or FB or through a blog just isn't the same.
Good luck with your signing!
Thanks, Julie! We agree there's something wonderful and special about that face-to-face interaction.
I agree completely with Julie. I love doing these events and attending them too!
Kay, we agree. We love meeting readers, too.
I love going to book signings.
And we love seeing you, Dru!
I love going to them too. And this is an excellent post for someone like me who is just figuring all this stuff out!
Sherry, we're so excited for you! When are you coming to Iowa? 🙂
I love book signings and try to attend all that I can. I enjoy interacting with my favorite authors on Facebook, but there is nothing like meeting an author face-to-face. I like being able to hear the author talk about the research he/she did for the book and the writing process.
I love book signings, but usually do them somewhere other than a bookstore. (There are NONE anywhere near me.) I'll be doing one in someone's home this Saturday with 7 other authors. We're offering wine, coffee and snacks as well as our books. It's being called The Neighborhood Bookstore. And yes, I like talking to readers too.