And makes me sometimes question the push towards publication.
Book signings!
They terrify me. I envision sitting at a table where I’m forced to smile, act perky (something I’m not around strangers), and try to sell. A salesman (woman) I am not!
This was further brought home with a recent blog entry by Literary Agent Steve Laube about the importance of listening to your publisher about when and when not to schedule a book signing.
He added a Youtube video that I had to link here as well.
Loraine, I thought of you!
Ha! You thought of me because no one comes to mine, either? π Ah well, sometimes a curious hardy reader will stop and ask … where the restroom is. Hey, it’s conversation:
“And would you like to take a bookmark with you for something to read while you…. No? It’s fascinating reading. Really. Nearly as good as the…”
Ah well, they make fun blog entries.
Seriously, I now suggest going to these things just for name recognition. Have something to hand them as they scoot past! Bookmarks are good. Excerpts are better. If I can do it, you can, although these days I do group events instead of single. At least the conversation is more than about bathroom reading and directions. Authors like to talk about their books. Most of them. π
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Hee, hee. No . . . okay . . . kinda π
Mostly I thought of you because you’re the only author I know personally who’s done book signings. I knew you could relate.
Thanks for the advice. I’ll try to remember them if/when I do my own signings.
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Hi Andra, just bring a bowl of Hershey’s Kisses to put on the table in front of you, and smile! You’d probably only get one or two people at a time, and you just chit chat. Ask the person lots of questions about her — does she write? Is she part of a book club? etc. Come up with a nice phrase to put in the book when you sign it. Ask how they want it signed. You’ll be fabulous!
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Good idea, except I should bring a candy I don’t like. Otherwise I wouldn’t want to share.
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