Regarding book signings

[A.B.Smith]

New to this whole area of my life, and the boards. I am wondering if anyone could give me a little insight on how to do a book signing. I have my first scheduled for June, and honestly I am rather at a loss as to what one does at this sort of thing. Again I am hoping this is a good forum to ask this sort of question. I am still feeling my way around here. Will be excited to hear others experiences on this. Thanks in advance.

 

[FlakeNoir]

New to this whole area of my life, and the boards. I am wondering if anyone could give me a little insight on how to do a book signing. I have my first scheduled for June, and honestly I am rather at a loss as to what one does at this sort of thing. Again I am hoping this is a good forum to ask this sort of question. I am still feeling my way around here. Will be excited to hear others experiences on this. Thanks in advance.

Do you have a publisher? Perhaps they will give you advice on specifics? Stephen often does a reading from the book he is promoting before signing.

 

[GNTLGNT]

....OK relax, I got this...dude, you get a table and a Sharpie and when someone walks up with your book-scrawl "with Love, Dean Koontz"....that's all there is to it...

 

[Haunted]

 

[no bounce no play]

Good luck with your first signing! That's pretty exciting If you google tips for authors signing books, you'll find some useful tips

 

[Out of Order]

Don't misspell a fan's name.

Good luck!

 

[VultureLvr45]

New to this whole area of my life, and the boards. I am wondering if anyone could give me a little insight on how to do a book signing. I have my first scheduled for June, and honestly I am rather at a loss as to what one does at this sort of thing. Again I am hoping this is a good forum to ask this sort of question. I am still feeling my way around here. Will be excited to hear others experiences on this. Thanks in advance.

Where will the signing be?

 

[Sundrop]

Don't misspell a fan's name.

Good luck!

....or your own!

Best of luck!!!

 

[MadamMack]

....OK relax, I got this...dude, you get a table and a Sharpie and when someone walks up with your book-scrawl "with Love, Dean Koontz"....that's all there is to it...

Use a crayon! A red one!

 

[kingricefan]

Perhaps you could sit in on a couple of other author booksignings in your area? Mostly, in the ones I've attended, the author has a podium (supplied by the store), says a few niceties to the audience and then reads an excerpt from their book. Most times followed by a Q & A session, but not always. Then the author goes to a table, sits, and begins to sign books that the readers hand them. Most of them have taken the time to shake hands with their readers. It's important that you look them in the eye, that way they will feel like they had their 'moment' with you. Sometimes the author is asked to stay and sign more books for the bookstore in the backroom or storage area as a 'Thank you.' to the hosting bookstore.

 

[kingricefan]

I do suggest you use a black Sharpie for signing, for some reason it seems to work better than a pen does and is less tiring on your hand.

 

[A.B.Smith]

Good luck with your first signing! That's pretty exciting If you google tips for authors signing books, you'll find some useful tips

Thank you . That is a great help.

 

[A.B.Smith]

View attachment 2367 Where will the signing be?

The signing will be at our local Library.

 

[A.B.Smith]

Perhaps you could sit in on a couple of other author booksignings in your area? Mostly, in the ones I've attended, the author has a podium (supplied by the store), says a few niceties to the audience and then reads an excerpt from their book. Most times followed by a Q & A session, but not always. Then the author goes to a table, sits, and begins to sign books that the readers hand them. Most of them have taken the time to shake hands with their readers. It's important that you look them in the eye, that way they will feel like they had their 'moment' with you. Sometimes the author is asked to stay and sign more books for the bookstore in the backroom or storage area as a 'Thank you.' to the hosting bookstore.

Thank you. That is a lot of good information. The signing is at the Library, but I'm guessing they will have a podium. I am a little nervous about my reading to a group ability.

 

[A.B.Smith]

Do you have a publisher? Perhaps they will give you advice on specifics? Stephen often does a reading from the book he is promoting before signing.

I do have a publisher. I haven't asked them this question yet, good idea. Thanks.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

I wonder if any writer has enlisted a homeless person to stand in for them during a signing? Or say you get one of them fellowships or endowments or whatever they are...you get called to Italy or some other country...send a homeless guy in your stead. Who'd know? The homeless guy would get a kick out of it everyone hanging on his every word. Chauncy. Chancee. All those people trying to be polite and not wrinkle their nose. The old stinky artist vibe going. Didn't Twain write a story like this? Steinbeck, too, maybe.

 

[A.B.Smith]

Update. the book signing is now listed on my publishers site. Thanks for the suggestion FlakeNoir. I am getting butterflies about reading at it, my manager/wife says 'get over it' Have I mentioned how cool this site is lately. A big thanks to all of you that offered feed back. Walter she said no on the Homeless idea, but I sort of liked it.

 

[FlakeNoir]

Update. the book signing is now listed on my publishers site. Thanks for the suggestion FlakeNoir. I am getting butterflies about reading at it, my manager/wife says 'get over it' Have I mentioned how cool this site is lately. A big thanks to all of you that offered feed back. Walter she said no on the Homeless idea, but I sort of liked it.

You will do fine.... I'm sure Stephen would have been nervous his first time too... the more you do them, the easier they'll get.
You should also check out Meg Gardiner's blog page, she does quite a few readings and started out fairly small. She is always happy to answer fan's questions too.

 

[king family fan]

Welcome