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Book Signing-Two Important Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make.
I did a book signing last summer for my first book, Beyond the Eyes, and I did another one two weeks ago for Dark Spirits. Here are two dumbass mistakes I made and want to share with you so you don’t make them . . .1.) When a customer wants you to sign your book they just purchased from you, ask if they want it personalized. If they do, which I’m sure they will, ask to whom. If you’re not sure how to spell the person’s name you’re personalizing it to, ask how to spell it. The reason being, some people spell their name differently. For example: My name is commonly spelled Rebecca. However, I don’t spell it that way.
When I was doing a book signing for Beyond the Eyes, I didn’t ask if the reader wanted me to personalize my book. Instead, I just signed my name. The reason why is because beforehand, I didn’t really think about it. You see, years ago I went to Anne Rice’s book signing event. When it was my turn for her to sign the book, she only signed her name, therefore, I thought that’s how it was done.
Wrong!
Afterwards, when I realized my mistake, I felt like shit.
I still do.
A lot of people came to buy Beyond the Eyes, and I totally let them down. L It wasn’t a proud moment for me. So, lesson learned, right?
2.) Always pick a date when another event isn’t going on. Choose the date of your book signing wisely.
When I scheduled my book signing for Dark Spirits, I had no idea it was graduation weekend.
Why would I?
I don’t have kids.
But still, I should have done my research.
Also, Kevin told me half of our town went to a wedding that day. Of course, I wouldn’t have known that ahead of time. But then again, maybe I would have if I’d done my homework. Needless to say, the book signing was a bust. The only thing that lifted my spirits was reminding myself that the day before, the owner of the bookstore called my work to tell me I needed to bring more books. She only had two left which meant both of my books were almost sold out. So people are buying them, and I’m still getting stopped in public by people who have read my books, telling me how much they like them. Sometimes I’ll get asked about my characters, which is fun.
Anyway, if you’re an author or a future author, please don’t make those two crucial mistakes. If you avoid those two things, you’re going to rock your book signing event. J
Here are a couple pictures of my event. I know I’m not in them. I hate getting my picture taken. That is something I’ll have to overcome, especially when I get more into the media.
Have a good rest of the week.
Great tips. Were the bookstore owners very receptive to having you there and selling your books on their shelves? I ask because I've been focusing on social networking for my book, but I have yet to break the local scene.
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ReplyDeleteI had to delete the previous comment because I made an error. LOL. It's the writer in me.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks. The bookstore owner was very receptive to having me sell my books in her store. She even made fliers and put an ad in the paper regarding my book signing events. I think you should ask your local bookstore owner if he or she will sell your book(s) there. It doesn't hurt to ask, right? :)