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August 27, 2008
Book Signing Success Tips
A few years ago, I read The Bookshop, by Penelope Fitzgerald. If memory serves, this book is about a middle-aged woman who shifts gears, moves from London to a seaside town and opens a bookshop. What I remember best about this quiet, droll book was a painful scene in which the bookseller shares her views about booksignings. I'm liberally paraphrasing but the gist was that they are awful and embarrassing for all involved. Maybe some of you published authors can relate to that!
There are alternatives, of course, but I don't know if there is a good substitute for bookstore signings. It gives the author and bookseller the chance to get better acquainted, and perhaps a book or two will actually be purchased.
The new book, of course, means bookstore events. My last book launch was two years ago so I decided to pick the brains of some of my generous and talented writing friends to see if they had any tips for me as I head in to a new season of signings.
Susan Patron reminded me of Carolyn See's book, Making a Literary Life, with its numerous suggestions for successful booksignings, including inviting everyone in your address book, from Dad to dry cleaner. When Susan has a booksigning, she sends invitations through the US mail, rather than sending an on-line invitation, which speaks to her classy and elegant nature. She mentioned attending a book signing given by our mutual friend, Ann Paul, which included wine and lovely hors d'oeuvres and a personal thank you note from Ann for those attending. Wow!
Tall tale titan, Helen Kettman, said her best signing happened when she talked the booksellers into putting her right at the front of the store. It was Christmas time so she wore a Santa hat and offered Hershey's kisses to passersby. Along the same vein comes advice from Dia Calhoun who says to stand up at your table and actively greet people, even if they ignore you. Ouch. She says people love giveaways like bookmarks and buttons.
Bonny Becker agreed with Helen that location was important: try to be as visible as possible. But Bonny also likes it when the books are set up in a way that people can take a look at them without having to come to the table and engage in conversation.
With those great tips in mind, I had some postcards made and am sending them out by the dozens to announce bookstore events. I'm also finding that partnering with other organizations works, too. For example, I've got a signing coming up in October that will be part of a local school's bookfair. A portion of the proceeds that evening will go to the school's library. The Bobbies is a book that also lends to partnering with animal shelters. Two bookstores have been willing to let local shelters bring a dog to the event in hopes of its being adopted. One bookstore advertised my signing as a pet friendly event -- I even brought dog cookies for four-legged attendees.
The tip that made me laugh the loudest came from Laura Kvasnosky who said she didn't know the secret of successful booksignings. She said she even tried bringing her ukulele once, "but maybe that was the problem." Laura's comment reminded me of a joke I once heard about a bagpipe player: "He knew how to play but was too much of a gentleman to do so."
Now it's your turn: what has worked for you at booksignings? Time to tap in to your inner Mr. Rogers and share.
Posted by kirby at August 27, 2008 09:28 AM