To quickly recap, in my first blog post, we discussed how to structure a book signing to benefit you and your host. When i published my first book, breathing god, through a printondemand company called publishamerica, i was actually able to set up two book signings at walden book sand borders with some ease. Autographing it is a plus and affords good practice if this is your debut book. Many are my own, and some were suggested by other author friends.
As recommended in the excellent book promotion reference, 1001 ways to market your books, bookstores arent the only places to schedule an event. I also thought about my first businessa bookstorewhere we flipped. Here is a list of what and who you should consider bringing to your first book signing. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
There are some general book club discussion questions that should work on most books, especially popular selections and bestsellers. Eleven tips for a successful book signing litreactor. More childrens books with pictures are sent to potential editors and literary agents than any other type of book. At one of his first book signings, a store manager told pete ritzer pen. The lady in the shop where i bought my rose asked me if i was nervous. Book signing tips and how tos for beginners book riot. California, said that during her first signing, her hands were shaking so much she didnt recognize her own signature. A book is not only an excellent gift for an eager reader but also a memorable present that can last forever. A new author asked the question i am having my first book signing, what should i do. Here are some tips for being polite the next time you go to a book signing. Theres nothing more exciting than getting the chance to attend a book signing. Ask a friend to take pictures and make sure to get some shots of you signing books, talking to readers, and speaking. The purpose of a book signing isnt to sell your books, its to sell yourself. You may pick up top tips and inspiration by seeing an experienced master in action or equally be given a clear lesson in what not to do, as the following example conveys.
Come up with eight to ten questions about the book. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful. Almost always, the booksellers in charge will have you first, turn each book to its title page, then stack them. So my advice is fresh and direct from my experience of my first ever book tour. To get to the top of this huge pile, you will want to follow these important tips to create a book that will.
How to have a successful book signing event youtube. Only once did i have a reading signing at which nobody showed up. Success depends on attending carefully to every detail related to the event. Youll be happy to know that we use your book signing tips page extensively. Book signing writing inspiration bones product launch success author meet tips blog. How to plan a successful book signing wordserve water cooler. Author appearances are an important part of a book marketing campaign. It seems like ive been writing a lot about book signings lately, most likely because my mini book tour has made me think about events more. From how to find author signing events to getting the most out of the. For my next post, ill switch hats and talk about what the bookseller can do. This is one of the ways that an author connects to the reader is by making the book signing a unique and an enjoyable experience.
Here are some tips on how to have successful author readings and book signings. In this blog post, well discuss what you can do to ensure that your book signing is a success. How to plan a successful book signing posted on october 3, 2011 by julie cantrell as a first time author of two childrens books, god is with me through the day and god is with me through the night, i was surprised to discover that the most challenging part of the journey was marketing. Again, this is all about being able to chat while writing. Your first book signing is an important part of your book s marketing plan and an exciting marker of success. You cannot simply buy any book and disregard the happy moment in a persons life.
Its your chance to celebrate all the late nights and endless hours you put into your book, to interact with. Standard protocol when querying for a series is to simply pitch book 1 of the series, and include a line in the query letter such as this is a standalone book, but could serve as the first in a series. Fortunately, the bookstore staffers were more mortified, and i didnt take it too personally. Since our founding in 1992, first book has distributed more than 175 million books and educational resources to programs and. Amazon first reads is a program that offers customers early access to new books across popular genres from amazon publishing. Since our founding in 1992, first book has distributed more than 175 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from lowincome families. Today, id like to talk about what an author can do to make book signings more successful. I know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing.
Here are some tips and suggestions from myself and previous book signing attendees to make your experience stressfree and memorable. To find out what you can do to make your event a success, we spoke to indie superstar, mark leslie. Recently a new author asked me how she should handle autographing her books. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book event at a library, festival, fair, or con authors essentials series 7 kindle edition by shea, lisa. See more ideas about travel quotes, words and travel inspiration. Setting up a book signing as an independent author is harder than ever.
Alternatively, you can purchase sprayon adhesive, buy your own poster board, and attach the poster yourself. Since im an author who also owns a bookstore, ive been on both sides of the book signing game. Do not explain what happens in all 7 books of your projected series. How to prepare for your first book signing the healthy bacon. Henry miller ever thought of writing your own story. Flyersother papers if you have them sometimes i will bring copies of my copyediting. Its the dos and dont, the learnings and the lovings. Successful book signings help drive word of mouth, move books, built your credibility and platform as an author, speaker and expert in your field and allow you to get a true. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author. By adam ellis september 11, 2017 tips for the self publishing author.
First book is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need. Local media were very enthusiastic the tv interview was rebroadcast in their end of year recap and seemed thrilled to have had advance copies. To help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. It took me back to when i had published my first book, remembering how awkward it felt to sign copies. Please feel free to share your top tips about book signings via the. This helped me a lot while preparing for my first book signings. I also want to say that new yorked is a terrific book. Here are some tips and suggestions from myself and previous book signing attendees to make your. Theres nothing more exciting than getting the chance to attend a book signing and meet an author. Her many years of teaching at the high school and university level and her freelance writing career have prepared her to lead a team of experts to guide both fledgling and experienced authors through the maze of indie publishing. Attending your first group of authors book signing. Your first book signing is an important part of your books marketing plan and an.
Book signings allow authors to make personal connections with readers, which is what makes them worth doing. Thank you to everyone who attended my barnes and noble book signing it meant the world to me. Do ask the person who books the signings to write up a recommendation of your book and put it and the book in the staff recommends section of the store. If youve recently completed a book and are considering having a book signing, in this video i will be sharing some tips on how to have a successful book signing event.
There are a lot of very rude people getting their books signed out there. After youve made the decision to host a book signing event, the first step is to choose a venue. Authors can even do them virtually, using webinars to address large audiences and kindlegraph to sign their e books. If your book is about nutrition, consider asking a local health food store if you can host your event there. She insisted i do my first book signing in her store.
Prolific childrens author edith hope fine has some practical advice for first time authors in her new book, jump, froggies. Because the job of a book author is not necessarily steady, there is an ebb and flow of income, some years might be more profitable than others some years, not at all. It didnt help that she discovered that the portable printer she brought with her to print out the loan documents was running low on ink. See more ideas about book signing, books and bhldn chicago.
I must remember to keep these tips handy on my person. One of the ways that an author connects to the reader is by signing books. Book signing dont be your books first stumbling stone. Make enlargements of your book cover at a local copy shop. Even though the book signing event might be marked as one of the most stressful moments of your life it is actually a very great thing. Below, ive listed ten of the tactics i use in making a book signing financially successful. The main challenge of presenting a book is to find a perfect one for a specific occasion. A successful book signing is when you show up, your books are there, you have a place to sit, and you sell just one book. It took me back to when i had published my first book, remembering how. If you are signing an anthology, sign on the first page of your story.
However, you cant expect the venue to do all the promotional work. Each book store has its own distinctive personality. You can also come up with your own questions using the tips below as a. Have about three stock phrases of varying lengths that you can rotate when personalizing books. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author marketing. As a new published author, i had no idea how i should handle autographing my books at my first books signing. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book event at a. While on the road, ive been jotting down more ideas that arent in my 14 book signing tips for authors, and ive. You wrote a book, you have people who love your work and read it, so dont be your books first stumbling stone, do everything in your power to promote it. Book signing tips part 4 of 4 authors and speakers network. There were several scifi fans on staff so the first several sales were built in. You can have the shop laminate the poster and put them on a poster board. As you might be aware, i had my first ever book signing event last weekend in kingston, ontariothe city where the magicians curse takes place.
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