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This week: Book Signings are Hard Work! Edited by: fyn  
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A person of intellect without energy added to it, is a failure.~~Sebastien-Roch Nicolas De Chamfort
All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination. Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.~~Napoleon Hill
Energy and persistence alter all things.~~Benjamin Franklin
Energy is an eternal delight, and he who desires, but acts not, breeds pestilence.~~William Blake
The energy of the mind is the essence of life.~~Aristotle
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.~~Eleanor Roosevelt
Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.~~Oprah Winfrey
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So. Your book is out! You've held it in you own two hands, sniffed it, fanned its pages and shown it to your friends, family and total strangers who happen to come within range of your excitement. Now it is time for the rite of passage known as a book signing.
I set up an event for some of my authors last weekend and the varied methods of approach were brought into very clear focus as to what works, and what doesn't. This particular event was at a large gathering of artists of all sorts:photographers, painters, crafters, authors and myriads of other artistic works. People mill by, browsing, buying, talking with friends and chasing after children. Music is playing from the nearby gazebo varying from country to background music for dancers or gymnasts and an assorted classical pieces, fifties music and bagpipes. In short, it was a fifty ring circus. We had a 10 x 10 area for our displays with the authors behind a table. Some did very well, others didn't. Granted, it may not have been the premium venue, but with approximately 30,000+ people meandering by, it had enormous potential.
This is where your acting, social and determination-al skills come into play. It doesn't matter if you have a children's book, a science fiction array or non-fiction. What matters is presentation. Oh. No, not of the book, but of the author. It doesn't matter if it is ninety-five degrees under the shaded tent canopy, or that your feet hurt or that you are thirsty, tired, hot or feeling lost. Come prepared--have a table cover, any items needed to create your presentations, bring water, pens, and bookmarks etc. Bring a chair, book stands, and something to make your table 'pop!' Be prepared!
In a situation such as this you need to be perky (read that as alive!) and friendly. You need to greet everyone. Say hi. Ask questions, even if you ask something as mundane as, "Are you a reader; what kind of books do you like to read?" Anything that gets them to slow down and look, to pause for a moment and not just wander on by. You cannot (I repeat) CANNOT just stand there and expect good things to happen.
Remember all the passion you poured into writing your book? Pour it out again to potential buyers. Be able to concisely offer an answer to, "What is your book about?" Have multiple versions ready so you can offer one that might appeal to any given passerby who stops to ask. Have one for the, "I never read . . ." statements. Any interaction should show that YOU are excited about your book, because if you aren't, then no one else will be. Think how you would react on the other side of the table. What would garner YOUR attention and get you to stop and buy? Be friendly, energetic, and informed. Smile. This goes at the beginning and all the way through the hours of heat, sore feet and exhaustion. You have to appear to be thrilled, excited and full of energy. If you aren't, here's your chance to win that academy award of acting and, in turn, creating book sales.
Offer the book for someone to hold and leaf through. Getting it in their hands is key. Be approachable. Remember body language! Standing there with your arms crossed across your chest says 'keep away.' Offer to shake hands, introduce yourself and be friendly. I said this earlier, but it bears repeating: SMILE! Talk to the children if you have a children's book, let them look through it. Ask the parents about their child's reading level. Mention the awesome illustrations. Don't ram it down their throats, but engage them! Show them how your book will entertain, thrill, educate or enhance them as a reader. Mention places where your book can be obtained by specific bookstores or online such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Is your book available on Kindle or Nook? If so, tell them. Always have something they can take with them even if they don't buy right then such as a bookmark (with your book info on it, of course) or a business card or some other chochky.
Sometimes, a book event will entail a reading. Pick a good section that will draw the audience into both you and the book. Be confident. Be practiced! KNOW the section you are reading. Don't stumble over the words. Be entertaining. Be sure your selection is age appropriate for your entire audience and have several sections prepared. Ask questions and be ready with answers. Have answers to those 'dumb' questions everyone asks: How did you get into writing? Where do you get your ideas from? Is it hard to write/get published/etc. Act as though these questions are vitally important to you; don't blow them off with an equally dumb answer--it could make the difference between a sale or not. And each sale/no sale influences any people around them and you. Find out in advance the amount of time TO read. Are people sitting? Standing? Are you? Read with emotion, expression and energy. Entertain. Rehearse ahead of time. Be knowledgeable ABOUT your book! Have you ever read it it from beginning to end since you last proofed it? Do so. YOU create the favorable environment and they will buy. You don't; they won't. Simple as that.
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(user:tjpc} writes: Hi Fyn!
I loved your metaphor of the writing tree. It's so true. There are so many people I know now because of writing. They've made my life richer. I'm grateful for being a writer every day.  -- Laura
jblackgloves number 35.  says: I always learn something from the Newsletter and it is something good. I appreciate the Newsletter for being out here and I am glad that i like to see it when it comes out. jblackgloves
Apondia  adds: I thoroughly enjoyed the quotes about writing. Writers have their own life agenda it should be brodcast more often. It is a fun newsletter.
NickiD89  says: The Writing Tree is a wonderful metaphor -- you've inspired me to explore the forest of my life, too. Great NL, and thanks for highlighting my WDC Survivor book!
Danger Mouse  comments: Thanks Fyn, You are right connections are everywhere.
Their intersections can be unsettling. Seeing people away from where we expect them to be is especially weird. Like if your grocery bagger turned up at the Governors ball, would you recognize him/her? Good newsletter.
Winnie Kay  adds: Great analogy, Fyn!! Plot ideas and character creations come from many sources within our minds, branching out from the main source of our theme, our hearts.
angelswhisper says: Excellent newsletter, inspiring and given me food for thought. You lose a piece of yourself when somebody close to you dies and what better way to express yourself than in writing. Thank you.
Thanking you all for your comments. Feedback is what keeps we editors writing for you! It is SO apreciated! |
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For Authors: June 15, 2011 Issue [#4447]
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