 | 16 May 06 |
Like Jen, the one part of writing I am most uncomfortable with is marketing/promotion. Me, too! Me, too!
I’m not sure I’ll ever find that fine line between promotion and charming BSP, and “you-are-as-annoying-as-hell.” It’s gotten to the point where I tread very, very lightly. And yet is that an aggressive stance to take? Probably not. But I’m not sure how else to do it, because I sure don’t want someone reading my book thinking “This is a good book, but MAN this author is SOO annoying” the whole time they are reading.
The promoting aspect of writing is the very hardest thing I have to deal with. When Karin and I were chatting the other day, I was boo-hooing about having to do a signing. She admitted to LIKING signings. I immediately offered to send her some major psychiatric drugs. But the difference, we soon discovered, was that she has only done group signings to date, while I, living here east of the Moon AKA Utah, usually end up doing them alone. And that can be excruciating.
Also, I should note that Karin is very outgoing and friendly, and comfortable with people, while I’m a little more withdrawn, and usually compensate by PRETENDING to be outgoing and friendly. Inside I’m dying a little bit every time I speak. I’m getting better. But there you have it.
As you can imagine after reading that, solo booksignings are a little nervewracking for me. I recounted my events at a recent signing on my blog, and I’ve learned that all kinds of, um, interesting people come into bookstores. The time you spend chatting with the interesting folks is good time. The time you spend twiddling your thumbs, staring off into space, or BUYING books you cannot afford to buy is not. I’ve wondered how people would react if I brought my laptop and in the lulls spent some time writing. I mean, I AM a writer. Obviously, I have more books to write. Uh, at least we HOPE I have more books to write.
What would YOU, as a reader, THINK if you saw a writer WRITING at a booksigning? Just curious. I’m sure I’ll never do it.
Readings are a little easier, because I have something to busy myself with….unless no one is there. Panels are good, because I’m not alone. I take strength in numbers.
So all you writers, head on out to the Moon, er, Utah, and let’s do a HUGE GROUP BOOKSIGNING. That has to be fun!
© 2006 – 2009, Natalie R. Collins. All rights reserved.
Natalie R. Collins was born in Logan, Utah and attended the University of Utah. She worked for eleven years at The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah's largest daily newspaper, before leaving to devote more time to her family. During the ensuing years, she wrote five novels. She also worked for the 2001 and 2002 Sundance Film Festivals as an editor. Natalie is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Romance Writers of America.
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If I went to a signing and saw the author banging away on her laptop, I’d leave her alone. To me that says “Do Not Approach”
by Karin May 16th, 2006 at 9:11 amI think a successful signing must include the bookseller. She or he has to make it a success by promoting the event properly, and once the signing commenses, keep it moving in a positive manner.
But as we all know, that rarely happens. There are a few gems out there who nail it, and even a few well meaning gems who try but fall short, but most just don’t get t.
Natalie, I completely empathize with the solo vs. group thing. So far, the only two signings I’ve had to do was for a small book of essays a publisher put together after Katrina, and they did a fantastic job arranging to have at least four of us at each signing. Plus, you know, home town advantage, people here were interested in supporting writers who’d written about the devastation in the midst of the devastation. But the first signing, I was so nervous, when someone handed me my book and asked for my autograph, I managed the “Toni” part and started off the Mc… and then froze, blanking. I mean, how on earth can someone blank *on their own name*? And yet, I have managed it.
I have learned to be outgoing (due to jobs I’ve had), and I’m pretty decent at it, but the idea of being alone in a bookstore, trying to reel people over to the table to buy my books is just a nightmare image for me. I know there have been too many times I’ve walked into the local bookstore and saw an author set up at a table and no one was around, they were clearly broken-hearted and looking a little desperate, and yet, if I didn’t know them or what their book was about, I didn’t want to wander over because I didn’t want to get captured by something that wasn’t my sort of interest. I’m horrible! I know! It’s going to come back to bite me, chew me and spit me out! (These were always non-fiction authors, to the best of my knowledge. The one time I happened to be in there with a fiction author, I picked up the book in another area of the store and checked it out to make sure I was interested and then approached.)
I think this aspect, though, of booksignings is what makes them awkward for the shoppers as well as (obviously) the writers. I feel like there really ought to be a better way to do this instead of plunking the poor writer down in the middle of the store and then abandoning them.
(I have now officially managed to build myself a bad case of nerves over this, all over again. Sigh.)
Ironically, I think if I saw a writer on a computer, I wouldn’t feel so bad just perusing their book because it wouldn’t be like they were watching me or that I was breaking their heart, right there for all the world to see.
by toni mcgee causey May 16th, 2006 at 9:16 amToni, you put your finger right on it! There is that kind of “begging dog” look we all get after an hour or two when someone walks by and glances our way. Please please please? Just look at my book, I know you’ll want to take one home. I used to love going to the massive street fair we have every year, but as I pass by the booths I try very hard not to make eye contact. I dont’ want to get roped in. “Just looking, just looking,” I mutter.
Maybe that’s why group signings are nice. People relaxing, talking to their friends, having a high old time…care to join in? Sometimes I think these enforced signings where we sit there for two hours and engender only pity from the bookseller doesn’t necessarily help our cause.
I think chain bookstores are very tough, especially if you’re not in your home town and have pestered your friends and family to come.
I think there are better venues. Especially if you have a paperback, and you can get a distributor to help you, grocery stores are great! People aren’t expecting to see authors there, so you’re actually a nice surprise. They’re buying stuff anyway, throwing items that cost three to ten dollars into their cart at a good clip, so why not have an actual real life author sign a book for them? It’s suddenly an experience.
My husband used to buy cookies from the grocery store and put them on a nice plate on the table (near the entrance) Next to them we’d put flyers, describing the book, a photo, etc. Kids would as if they could have a cookie, and I’d say, “Sure. But give this to your mom.” And hand him the flyer. More often than not, she’d make her way back and buy a book.
I’ve decided that, generally speaking, I don’t want to sign at the big chains in other cities. Mystery bookstores, yes. Nobody shows up, but the booksellers there will handsell your books. I went to one store where no one showed up, but I was on their bestseller list for the month. But chains–who has the time? There are so many people working there.
Okay, I’ve got to get back to writing the damn book. Bye.
by J. Carson Black May 16th, 2006 at 10:34 amOh, grocery store signings! Not sure if my Sept release will be*allowed* there, but if so, you can bet I’ll be bugging the manager. She loves supporting the community.
by Karin May 16th, 2006 at 10:59 amNow,I too am getting my ass back in the chair and writing.
Natalie, I used to love signings too, then I got over it. I’ve had successful and miserable signings too. Group signings are more fun. I love casual chat with bookclubs or giving a little talk before a signing, those I can do. But just sitting there waiting for someone to approach gives me the shudders. It’s not my natural strength.
Hey, Jake, aren’t mystery bookstores the coolest?
by Jen May 16th, 2006 at 11:35 amYes, and book clubs! I love those!
by J. Carson Black May 16th, 2006 at 11:41 amNatalie, I’m an introvert, so signing alone would be one of the last things I’d want to do. In Wisconsin, signings don’t seem to go over so well, I’ve heard, unless the author is really big. I like the cookie idea, Jake. Who can resist free cookies?
by Edie Ramer May 16th, 2006 at 12:06 pmI’m thinking a Murder She Writes booksigning tour is just the thing the western US needs
by Cele May 16th, 2006 at 1:16 pmYou could go around in a Mrs. Fields truck!
by J. Carson Black May 16th, 2006 at 2:48 pmI don’t think that there is anything wrong with bringing your laptop to a signing. Whats wrong with that? It is your job… so I wouldn’t be put aback. I would however, if the author was playing solitar or trying to shove their book down my throat.
by Kristie May 16th, 2006 at 3:57 pmJake, I love the cookie idea and the grocery store idea. That could be fun. And the indie mystery shops, too.
by toni mcgee causey May 16th, 2006 at 5:13 pmI’ve attended a few booksignings now with Karin and they scare me sh*tless. I can’t believe authors have to put themselves through so much to sell a few books. As a reader I would go to them all the time if they had them and advertised them enough for me to know about them. I guess that is the key: advertising.
by Amanda May 16th, 2006 at 5:49 pmGreat comments, everyone!
Karin, I never really considered taking my laptop, but I have often thought, “You know, I could be writing RIGHT now, instead of sitting here….”
Toni, LOL at the blanking on your name thing. That’s easy to do!
Jake, begging dog look is JUST it. I try to avoid that at all costs. It’s one of the reasons I end up buying books!! I always grab three or four from close to my table, and read about them, looking up to small at people walking by, but not being aggressive. Unfortunately, this backfires. I NEVER walk out without at least buying TWO!
As for the cookie idea, LOVE it, but one of the last time I signed I had candy on the table, and a mentally handicapped boy was scooping it out in BIG handfuls. I finally had to HIDE it everytime he came around, just because I was scared he was going to get sick and someone would blame me!
Edie, I don’t think I’m an introvert. But I am pretty insecure, and I cover it with bravado and jokes. So it’s hard to do solo signings. I don’t mind public speaking, and I enjoy writers conferences, but signings really freak me out.
Kristie, I think I’m still not going to bring my laptop to signings… But I will probably be THINKING about it the whole time….
Would love to do a MSW signing tour, Cele!
Jen, do you think it’s easier to do group signings in California, as opposed to say, THE MOON. LOL. I mean Utah.
by Natalie May 16th, 2006 at 6:55 pmCalifornia? The Moon? Utah?
Actually, there are those who think California is the moon – or at least outer space. Strangers have to drag out of me the fact that I live in California. When I tell them, I always get the response “oh” and a look that says “well that explains a lot.” Even after I tell them I don’t live in LA or even SF, just a small town in the mountains, far away from Granola U and Hollywood, very far away, near Nevada, much more like Nevada than California. By then I’m usually whining, but they don’t care. California is California.
There are places in Utah that look like the moon. The Salt Flats. There are also places that are so incredibly beautiful they take your breath away. Zion, Moab, Kanab, Lake Powell.
Which place is easier. It’s easier to get to California. All roads lead to… etc.
But which place has the most book buyers? That’s where I’d do it.
Mo
by Maureen May 17th, 2006 at 6:43 amI’ve had good booksignings and not so good booksignings. But the thing to remember is not so much whether you sell 1 book or 30, but if you’ve made a solid connection with that bookseller, sign the stock, and are polite. You’re building your career, the long-term career that will affect your NEXT book more than the one you are currently signing.
I think some new writers have the idea that if you go out and so a bunch of signings that you’re promoting THAT BOOK, when in fact you’re promoting yourself so that the NEXT BOOK will do better than the first, and so on.
by Allison Brennan May 17th, 2006 at 2:35 pmGood point, Allison. IT is, of course, the only reason to continue to DO signings.
by Natalie R. Collins May 17th, 2006 at 5:52 pmMaureen,
Yes, both Northern and Southern Utah are quite beautiful, in very different ways.
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