Are Book Signings Old Hat?

By Sparkle Abbey

In a couple of weeks we will have our last book signing for
2014. We always enjoy participating in signings. It’s a great way to
connect with our readers, network with other writers, and to support local
booksellers.  

Over the past three years, we’ve participated in local
events, regional mystery reader festivals, and larger book signing at national conferences.
Sometimes the events are planned for us, and some we’ve planned ourselves.
There are a couple of things that all the books signings have had in common: we
never know what’s going to happen or how many people, if any, will show up. That
seems to depend on the venue, the advance publicity, and often what else is
going on in the community and in people’s lives.


Our very first signing was for the launch of Desperate
Housedogs, which our local Des Moines library organized for us. We sold more
than 100 books! It felt like every person we knew had taken time to celebrate
our success. It was a night we’ll never forget. 


Since that first book launch, we’ve had numerous signings.
Every one of them we’ve enjoyed immensely. Sometimes we sell out of books, and
other times we’ll only sell a handful of books. Regardless of the number of books we sell, we always enjoy talking to the folks who have taken the time to come and see us. At one recent event, there were
five people at the signing, including the bookseller. Oh, and we can’t forget
the three cats—especially the one who decided to lay on top of our books. There was a lot of laughter that night.  



Recently we’ve talked to many of our fellow
writers who’ve decided not to participate in local or regional signings due to low turnout. A book signing can be lonely for an author. Sometimes the only conversation we’ll have with someone is to
answer the popular question, “Do you know where the bathroom is?”


As we sent our “Save the Date” email, it got us thinking. Since
readers can easily engage with their favorite authors via social media, and
with more ebooks being sold now more than ever before, are book signings a thing of the
past?

We hope not. We enjoy getting out and talking to fellow book
lovers about great authors, and discovering what everyone is reading. We’ve found
many of our favorite writers that way. It also kicks us out of our writing caves and makes us interact with the real world.


What about you? Do you attend book signings? If so, who did
you go see?

Oh, and in case you were wondering about that last book signing, here’s the info:
  

Book signing
in Des Moines for our newest release! 

Friday, December
19th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Beaverdale
Books
 – 2629 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA

Maybe we’ll see you there!
10 replies
  1. Julie
    Julie says:

    If I could get time off work to be in Des Moines that day, I'd come in a heartbeat. There's something very exciting about meeting an author whose work you admire – interacting on Twitter or FB or through a blog just isn't the same.

    Good luck with your signing!

    • Sparkle Abbey
      Sparkle Abbey says:

      Thanks, Julie! We agree there's something wonderful and special about that face-to-face interaction.

  2. Sherry Harris
    Sherry Harris says:

    I love going to them too. And this is an excellent post for someone like me who is just figuring all this stuff out!

  3. Chris
    Chris says:

    I love book signings and try to attend all that I can. I enjoy interacting with my favorite authors on Facebook, but there is nothing like meeting an author face-to-face. I like being able to hear the author talk about the research he/she did for the book and the writing process.

  4. Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith
    Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith says:

    I love book signings, but usually do them somewhere other than a bookstore. (There are NONE anywhere near me.) I'll be doing one in someone's home this Saturday with 7 other authors. We're offering wine, coffee and snacks as well as our books. It's being called The Neighborhood Bookstore. And yes, I like talking to readers too.

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