You arrive with your fancy new pen, all inked and ready to sign. You sit down at the table with the pretty display of your books. And you wait….10 Way to Pass the Time Until your Adoring Fans Arrive:
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1. Give people your best Miss America wave.
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2. Put your seat in front of the exit and don’t let anyone out until they say the secret password, “Will you sign a book for me, please?”
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3. Throw tootsie rolls at the customers. If that doesn’t work, try throwing your book.
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4. Carry on a conversation with your imaginary fans. Make sure to insert plenty of laughter and hand gestures for maximum impact.
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5. Erect a catchy display of best-sellers on your table to draw people in.
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6. When customers ask where the bathroom is (because they totally think you’re a store employee), give them a copy of your book for some reading material.
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7. Pay people to form a line so you look famous. Mob mentality, baby. If enough people are doing it, others will join.
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8. Stand by the check out line and read your story very loudly.
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9. Better yet, stand by the check out line and read your endorsements very loudly. Feel free to make a few up.
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10. Wear a really big name tag that says “Karen Kingsbury”.
Seriously.
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I had a book signing at LifeWay Christian Store in Burnsville on Friday night. Everyone and their mother loves Karen Kingsbury.
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I know. I had conversations.
Anyway, my Friday night signing couldn’t have been more different from the launch party I had in the Quad Cities.
Which is really no surprise, since I’m local in the Quad Cities. It’s where all my friends and church family live. All of which equated to a big line in the Quad Cities.k
In Burnsville, not so much.
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The highlight was probably when a flustered looking lady asked if I would hold her books while she ran out to her car to get her purse.
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I jest. It wasn’t that bad.
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I met four new readers, which made the whole thing worth it. Plus, I had a fun time chatting with the store manager.
I met four new readers, which made the whole thing worth it. Plus, I had a fun time chatting with the store manager.
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And thankfully, the signing in Maple Grove on Saturday had a lot more traffic.
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I got to chitchat with fellow ACFWers, one of whom was Julie Klassen (best-selling, award-winning author of historical romance). She reassured me that I’m not the first author to have crickets visit during a book signing. She told me some pretty funny stories of her own, which made me feel a lot better about my Friday night adventure.
Random Tips when Preparing for a Book Signing:
Have something to offer for free.
Like bookmarks. Or truffles! The four ladies who bought my book came over for a free bookmark. This led into a conversation, which eventually led to sales.
Timing is key.
5-7 pm on a Friday night is not the best. People are stuck in traffic, eager to get home at the end of the work week. They don’t want to make detours to book stores.
Team up with another author.
When I walked into LifeWay in Maple Grove on Saturday and saw that I was signing with another author, I almost melted with relief. Not only would I have somebody to talk to during those slow moments, it introduced me to new readers. There were a few people who came for Judy Baer and ended up buying a copy of my book as well.
Have somebody hand out bookmarks and direct attention to your table.
On the drive home, Ryan and I were brainstorming ways to make a book signing more successful. We were thinking….what if he handed out bookmarks at the door and said something like, “Stop on over to meet the author and enjoy a free cookie.”
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Something that would invite customers to stop by with no pressure to buy.
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I quickly noticed people avoiding my table. I remembered to shower, so I don’t think I smelled. I’m pretty sure people felt like they shouldn’t come over unless they were going to buy a book. But straight from the mouth of an author….
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I totally appreciated those people who came over to say hi. Regardless if they bought my book or not.
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From now on, whenever I go to a bookstore and see an author sitting all alone at a table, I’m going to make a point to introduce myself. Maybe I’ll discover they wrote a book I want to read. Or maybe I’ll take a book mark and recommend it to somebody I know. Either way, I know the author will appreciate the conversation.
Let’s Talk: Have you ever been to a book signing, either as a reader or as an author? What do you think makes for a successful signing?
Thank you to LifeWay Christian Stores for hosting the Spring Fiction Days and for giving this debut author the opportunity to meet new readers! I felt very welcomed by all the staff. I wish I could have brought you hordes of buying customers. 🙂
Hop on over to Lena Nelson Dooley’s blog for a chance to win a copy of my debut novel.
Wildflowers from Winter was nominated for Fiction Book of the Month on The Book Club Network. If you read the novel and enjoyed it, I’d love your vote!
What wonderful ideas!
I never really put much thought into the ideas of having cookies and bookmarks available at the entrance. I have 2 author events scheduled for June at 2 difft. libraries in CT. So your post has got me brainstorming again. One is an Author Open House with 11 other authors. The other is a talk and signing. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I attended a book signing with my Bluegrass Writer’s Group, and three of them did a book signing together. It was a ton of fun. They did a talk about their inspiration for their books and about their writing processes. It was at a small Christian bookstore, and not a huge attendance, but because it almost had the appearance of a cocktail party (without the cocktails), people browsing joined in. I met some really fun people, and the three authors ended up with a long line of people wanting their books.
I would be one of those shy people who would think why would a successful author talk to me if I’m not going to buy a book? I’ll try to look at it differently from now on. I hope to one day get your autograph on the ARC – I was hoping it would happen in Dallas but I can’t go now. 🙁 Looking forward to meeting you in person someday. Maybe when I’m sitting next to you and doing my own book signing. Well, a girl can hope, can’t she?
LOL…those are hilarious!!! Sigh…I needed a good laugh!
I cannot imagine having to just sit and wait. It sounds like torture to me, really! I’m so glad you are getting all these experiences that come with launching a book. And I really love that you share all your experiences. 🙂
I am right there with you. I often check my local newspaper for author signings and go to those I can. It’s an easy way to show support for other writers AND learn what’s down the road with publication! Great tips! When are you signing in Maine???
Guilty, here. When I stop into a bookstore and see the lonely author with the stack of books, I avoid eye contact and head straight to the book I came in for. I don’t want to just start conversation because then I’ll feel I’m disappointing them if I don’t buy the book. Interesting to get your insight on this, and makes me more likely to just ‘stop by.’
Love the list…maybe you could just camp out in the bathroom and talk all about your book while they’re in the stall. Captive audience. (:
When I first published, I chose not to do bookstore signings. One reason being our town no longer has book stores. Instead I threw a community-wide book launch party and invited over 100 people. That was way more successful for me than driving 90 minutes to the nearest Barnes & Noble. That’s not to say I won’t do a bookstore signing in the future. LOVED your helpful hints, especially the Tootsie Rolls.
Everybody loves tootsie rolls, right?
EEK! I am SO SO SO nervous about this!!
Someone handing out bookmarks at the front or flyers is a good idea!!
I think some of it IS that traditional bookreaders are quiet and introverted… heck, right here! Me!! And there is also the “What if I go over there and the book looks dumb and I don’t buy one and then they will have their feelings hurt so I should probably just not go over there in the first place and save us all some trouble” mentality.
Wondering if it would work, depending on the setting, to have a stash of the books “up front” so people could see them and peruse them upon coming in with a note that “author is signing books today from x to x!”
I don’t know, really, just brainstorming. my personal opinion is that even if you don’t SELL alot of books, being there… getting your name out there… having people see your book cover… is a GOOD thing. They might not have the money for it that day, had come in for something else specifically, but the next time they come in to buy a fiction book, maybe they’ll be like, “Oh yeah, that looked good!”
I think we make a mistake by valuing booksignings by only the amount of books sold at that signing.
“I think we make a mistake by valuing booksignings by only the amount of books sold at that signing.”
Very very WISE words, Krista. Incredibly wise!
katie – i think you overestimate the pull of the bookmark when it’s your hottie hubs handing them out. i think women would do what he asked just because he asked them to. 🙂
You know….I was thinking the same thing. Is it wrong to use my hubby’s good looks in this way?
#8 was my favorite. 😉 But you got the second honeymoon, so hey, not all is lost. 😉
I think having more than one author at a signing is great advice. The only time I’ve done a signing by myself was at my hometown library. And it was more of a reunion than a signing. 🙂
I took my grandmother to a book signing for Beverly Lewis–for some reason, I’m not expecting my book signings to ever look like that. 🙂 But really, after her first hour or two of lines, she was twiddling her thumbs while Julie Klassen and I talked until the store closed. And my grandma– having a “famous author hang-up” wouldn’t go back over and talk to her.
Interestingly enough, I worked at Christian book stores for over 4 years and we never had author signings. I wonder if my bosses didn’t like them or whether no one asked….oh wait, one for Mike Huckabee when he was Arkansas’s governor.
Olivia, good to know that no one wanted sweets. Gotta thing of something salty.
And I like the door greeter thing. Maybe the door greeter could hand out one of those “get to know you” things where you have to ask questions and get a bingo and when they ask me 4 questions in a row of whatever questions look interesting, they can put their paper in for a drawing. Have some really cool questions that came up during my book research like “How do you pluck a duck to fill a feather tick without killing the duck?” or “How did a doctor treat a compound fracture in the 1880s” that kind of thing….forced conversation….or maybe they’d think that was too complicated. I think it’d be fun anyway.
That’s actually a really cool idea, Melissa. Some people might not like it, but I’m sure you’d catch some people’s attention that you might not otherwise catch. Because people love when they know answers to trivia questions. And you’re right – it would be a conversation starter. Not only that – but a conversation starter that would tie into your book!
You are so funny! Any plans for signing in NC? I’ll come!
Hey – I’d LOVE to go to NC! Hubby and I drove there once for a vacation and it was beautiful!!
Katie, I feel your pain! Been there, done that, felt as though I had skipped the shower for a week. All your tips are good, and even though I’ve used them, I’ve left most book signings swearing never to do another one. But hope springs eternal.
The sting wears off quickly. A good thing!
Hi, do you have a list somewhere of your book signing tour?(we’re. in the middle of nowhere but a girl can hope,right?)
Hey Lydia – I’m afraid Minneapolis was it. We were there because LifeWay had this thing called Spring Fiction Days where they promote their fiction. The only other place I could see me going would be Madison, since I know a bunch of people there.
You don’t happen to live in Wisconsin do you??
Aw,no Texas! I’ll just have to wait for when you’re doing nation wide signings I guess.
(Kinda) know what you were feeling though- My husband and I had a table at a craft/art venue once and very few people actually came over to have a look at our paintings. It made us appreciate the ones who did especially the ones asking guestions.
Where in Texas? I’ll be in Dallas in September for the ACFW conference.
I try to go whenever I know there’s a signing in my area. Even if I don’t buy. That’s how I met Julie Klassen – a friend and I chatted with her between signings [she was with Beverly Lewis whose line remained steady]. And she remembered me at conference :D. There were reportedly crickets here too – with Tracey Bateman and Lori Copeland. I was there for 30 min or so before I had to go to a meeting, but it was also a gorgeous day after weekends of too hot, too rainy or too cool to do much. And even if I don’t plan to buy, I usually do… ;).
That’s because you’re so supportive, Carol! Isn’t Julie Klassen the greatest??
Totally related to this!! I’ve had three book signings here in Bermuda, and since the island is so small, how many can you really have for one book, right?! The first went great because it was shortly after my book launch, so lots of friends and church family came out – and yes, we had cookies!! The second and third were not as much fun. I think people do kind of feel they ‘have’ to buy if they check out your book. I saw a lot of interest, but not much in the way of purchases. My husband says I’m not vocal enough. But I don’t like feeling like a salesman who forces somebody into buying something they really don’t want. I have to say that book signings are not my favorite thing in the world to do. And I’ll try out the Karen Kingsbury trick next time too!! 🙂
I’m not sure we can really be vocal unless somebody comes to our table. Whenever somebody did, I didn’t try to sell my book. I tried to strike up a conversation about books. 🙂 Like you, I would have felt weird trying to sell my book.
Love your honesty here, and loved the 10 things to do while waiting. Cracked me up!
Question: Did you give away a bookmark for your book or some other more generic bookmark?
And I wouldn’t have thought of going just to talk to an author. I admit, I’d feel a bit guilty not buying the book! :$
I gave away bookmarks that go with my book.
Seriously, Lindsay – don’t feel guilty! I felt so awkward when people would avoid eye-contact with me. An author will greatly appreciate a friendly smile and a “Hey, congrats on the book!” A great way to get past the awkwardness of not buying a copy is to say something like, “Can I take a few bookmarks to give to some friends?” Trust me, the author will love you for it!
Loved #6!! MAdem e laugh out loud. You’re too funny!
Will pray for you. I know it can be disheartening at first, but stick with it!! I recently was a guest author at a panel event where the audience ran up to the other authors after the Q/A session and I sat there alone…waiting. BUT I did end up meeting three new fans and sold 3 books.
So, keep with it! And thank the Lord for the little things. 🙂
Amen about thanking God for the little things. I was pretty bummed after Friday night. Not for me, but I felt bad for LifeWay. Here they gave me this opportunity to sign books, and I didn’t really bring them any business (besides family….gotta love supportive family).
Ryan reminded me to shift my focus. Four people bought my book who normally wouldn’t have. Those are people. Real-living breathing people. Sometimes it’s so easy in this industry to focus on numbers and forget that there’s a person behind each of those numbers. Hubby reminded me to praise God for the four.
Go hubs! You should keep him 😉
Love these tips, K. I’ll make sure to keep a Karen Kingsbury name tag on hand just in case. 🙂
And I love your point about introducing yourself to an author whether you want their book or not. I’ll remember that.
I’m sure Francine Rivers would work too.
Mental note: Shower before signing. 😉
(wow that nose looked long.)
I like #3 throwing tootsie rolls & #5 well, just b/c . 😀
~ Wendy
Showering before signing is always a good idea.
Well…thinking positively….at least the crickets came? Right?
I loved #10.
When I have my first book signing, I’m going to wear a nametag that says “Katie Ganshert”.
Or maybe you can come join me??? I’ll make you a lobster and some chocolate cheesecake. Then we can wear elastic waist pants to the duel book signing 🙂
Now you are talking! That might be the most fun book signing ever! We could also make that delicious sounding chocolate recipe you sent to me the other day!
Yes, we’d have too much fun! As long as there wouldn’t be a write up in the paper…
“Katie Ganshert and Jennifer Major were seen at a book signing in stretch pants. Both had chocolate stains on their faces and were extremely hyper. No police were involved.”
I love your optimism, Jennifer!
Cute & candid post, Katie. Hmm, maybe customers in a book store are likely introverts, and (I’m guessing) aren’t comfortable enough to strike up a conversation with a ‘stranger.’ I’ve been to the Chicago Printer’s Row Book Fair many times, and have felt bad when I walked past authors sitting at a book signing table all lonesome. However, just like Mr. Darcy ;-), I do not have the talent of conversing with those I’ve never met before… But reading your post and hearing straight from the author’s mouth what you appreciated… I will try to at least ask for a bookmark or something.
As always, thanks for sharing the ups *and* downs with us!
Hey Barb – seriously, it’s totally okay if you’re an introvert. If the author isn’t, she’ll draw you out into a conversation. One lady came over and took a bookmark. She seemed really shy. I struck up a conversation by asking who her favorite author is and what good books she’s read recently and all of a sudden, we were having a conversation. If the author is also an introvert….well, they will still really appreciate you coming to take a bookmark. 🙂
Crickets at my signing too! I signed 4 books, but I did meet a new author who was signing beside me. We even had truffles, but people didn’t want sweets! The most interesting thing to me was the number of people (about 25%) who chatted with us about our books, then asked if they were available in ebook format. Despite being in a bookstore, they bought most of their books for their Kindles and Nooks. Guess we can’t know whether they’ll actually buy the book, but at least it was a chance to chat with them about it–and jam a bookmark in their hands.
Interesting Olivia. I never thought before how the rise in popularity of ebooks would affect the turn out for book signings. But… totally makes sense that it would. I wonder what that says about the future of book signings?
I find the sound of crickets soothing. So that’s good. 🙂
Did you know that there’s now e-signatures?? Crazy, ay?
I cracked up on #6! Why were they disgruntled with the Bailey series? I’m now curious. Email me if you must! 🙂
Thanks for these awesome tips. Never crossed my mind to put someone at the front handing out bookmarks! 🙂
One of the ladies didn’t like how it ended. However, she did still preorder her next book. So despite being disgruntled, she’s a loyal reader. And of course, the whole thing is subjective because another reader really liked how it ended!
I wasn’t a huge fan of it either. I followed the whole series and it definitely ended differently than fans ever thought it would. I also thought the writing seemed rushed. The story wasn’t as involved, just tying up some loose ends. The writing itself felt weaker than her other books. Just my opinion.
However, I still plan to keep reading her books. To only have one book I haven’t cared for, when I’ve loved the others, is still a great success rate. 🙂
As this blog post is the equivalent of you sitting alone in a bookstore waiting for people to come and say ‘hi’, I’ll wander over and start a conversation. 🙂
I’m loving reading all about your publishing success. It must all feel so surreal and exciting. I hope I’ll be in your shoes one day! I hope the next signing you do is a little busier.
Incidentally, I see you want to adopt. Have you seen this amazing blog? http://theblessingofverity.com/(put aside several hours to browse if you haven’t seen it before; you’ll get sucked in. Oh, and take tissues!)
Thanks for wandering over to start a conversation! I love adoption blogs! I’ll have to check that one out!