The Southern Indiana Writers Group went to That Book Place in Madison Indiana for a booksigning. Okay, Spell Checker, for a book signing, if you insist in making two words out of it. Anyway, we went up last month and took multiple copies of our books to leave. Frank and Dan, the store guys, put up an end-cap (that’s a display at the end of an aisle, for those of you without relatives in the retail biz) and a poster. They advertised locally, put it in their store newsletter, and made sure all their regulars knew the signing was coming up.
When we got there, they had a table for us right next to the cash register. We put up a display of our books on the table. We took turns sitting, standing and wandering through the store. In whatever position, we engaged with customers, talking about books and writing in general, answering their questions about our group and our books and encouraging them to pick the books up and browse them. The signing began at 11 am. When it ended at 4 pm, we were astonished at how quickly the time had passed, and even more astonished at how many books we had sold.
Now we’re looking forward to going to their 5th Anniversary Authors’ Fair in March. More about the signing at the Southern Indiana Writers Group blog.
WRITING PROMPT: A character goes to a signing for a favorite author, who is totally unengaged with the fans. How does the character act or feel?
MA
Jayne
January 17, 2011 at 11:34amThat sounds like a very successful book signing to me. Congratulations! And kudos to the store as they sound like they got everything right. 🙂
Marian Allen
January 17, 2011 at 12:21pmThe store was great! It’s no wonder they’re so successful. They went all-out, and it paid off for all of us. And I’m not just talking about money. 🙂
Nancy Williams
January 17, 2011 at 11:39amI’m so glad that the book signing was successful for you and your writer friends.
Howard gazed straight ahead. He appeared to have the problem that so many have, fear of public speeches. He stuttered, I tapped my toe. This was too painful. I grabbed my copy of his new release and left without waiting for him to sign it.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Marian Allen
January 17, 2011 at 12:23pm!! I love the way you turned that on its head, and had the lack of engagement be the author’s burden, not his being full of himself. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop in, especially when I know you’re busy with your blog book tour. You’re the greatest!
Sarah G
January 17, 2011 at 3:44pmNOT fiction: Gwen sat next to a woman at the KY Book Fair that had 7 books in print, but did nothing to sell her work. She sat there and knitted the whole time! It did attract a couple of fellow knitters, but not book buyers. Gwen, who talked to everyone, actually sold several books for her while she was off getting coffee or visiting the ladies’ room.
Marian Allen
January 17, 2011 at 6:22pmLOL! Gwen rocks! ~grin~