Randy McWilson's Blog, page 2
December 11, 2014
Book Signings...Expensive...But Worth It
My first Book Signing is this Saturday, December 13th at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
It has required much preparation...and much money .
I have spent hours scouring the web looking for tips, tricks, and solid advice about how to have a successful book signing. I have examined photos and poured over videos, creating a list of "best practices" and "Definitely Do's" and "Absolutely Don'ts!"
One thing that stood out is the importance of optics, visuals. Just sitting at a plain table, off to the side, even with a sizable stack of printed books flanking you like columns of glory won't cut it. I may have swayed towards the "overkill" end of the visuals section, but we will see how things go this weekend.
Here is a list of my printed materials:
1. 7-ft. tall "Announcement" banner.
(Reveal-graphics.com)
This gets attention to the fact that there is a book signing.
The banner rolls up into the base (which has nice flip-out pegs that stabilize it) and it also has the stick that goes up the back to hold it up. Simple. Portable.
And the banner can be removed and a new banner can be installed in the hardware for less than $50.
2. Front-of-Table Banner.
This contains the all-important advertisement promise: FREE, and it hangs down and covers the awkward area below the table.
(Reveal-graphics.com)
3. Back-of-Booth Banner. (Reveal-graphics.com)
This creates a more substantial look and feel for the table, and makes it seem "bigger" than it is.
Plus--it has a killer tagline.
FRONT BACK
4. 1000 Glossy 4x6 inch Autograph Cards with book cover/blurb.
These allow you to give something, (including an autograph) to EVERYONE that stops by the booth. These are cheap.
http://gotprint.net/gotprint/showStat...
Double-sided and thick. Very nice.
5. 16x20 Cover Enlargement for the table.
Hey--who doesn't love seeing a nearly 2-ft tall version of their own book standing proudly on the table?
I ordered this from Wal Mart online (http://photos.walmart.com/walmart/pro...)
6. Six-Pocket Book Rack Floorstand.
This holds about 18 paperbacks. (https://bookdisplays.com/stock/floord...)
I am bringing about 72 hardcovers and about 70 paperbacks, many of these have pre-sold...I am not expecting to sell nearly that many!
(Most "non-big-time" authors sell less than 50 copies on a good day)
Hopefully all of the optics will come together to make a visually captivating booth. The banners (Front of table + Backdrop + 7 ft Banner) totaled around $380. The case of 1000 signature cards were about $40. The black cardboard book rack was about $30. The 16x20 oversized print of the book cover was about $40 (Wal Mart print). Throw in a $20 black table cloth (black velvet on sale at Hancock Fabrics) and the total approaches $500.
This is a STEEP investment for a self-published book from a brand new author. I will have to sell MANY books to overcome this outlay of cash.
In my own defense of reckless spending--many of these things can be re-used for other purposes, and can be re-used for future book signings, including book signings for the sequels in this series.
It is hard to put a value on IMAGE and SELF-PROMOTION. Just having an appearance before a large group of holiday shoppers has intrinsic value, no doubt. It is impossible to track the potential future influence that this type of book signing could create.
Profit per book is not that great, but the ability to meet the public, meet with excited readers, and the opportunity to get "your face" out there is priceless .
I am looking forward for my next blog entry where I will recap the highs and lows of my first signing, with photos, observations, lamentations, and celebrations.
It has required much preparation...and much money .
I have spent hours scouring the web looking for tips, tricks, and solid advice about how to have a successful book signing. I have examined photos and poured over videos, creating a list of "best practices" and "Definitely Do's" and "Absolutely Don'ts!"
One thing that stood out is the importance of optics, visuals. Just sitting at a plain table, off to the side, even with a sizable stack of printed books flanking you like columns of glory won't cut it. I may have swayed towards the "overkill" end of the visuals section, but we will see how things go this weekend.
Here is a list of my printed materials:
1. 7-ft. tall "Announcement" banner.
(Reveal-graphics.com)
This gets attention to the fact that there is a book signing.
The banner rolls up into the base (which has nice flip-out pegs that stabilize it) and it also has the stick that goes up the back to hold it up. Simple. Portable.
And the banner can be removed and a new banner can be installed in the hardware for less than $50.
2. Front-of-Table Banner. This contains the all-important advertisement promise: FREE, and it hangs down and covers the awkward area below the table.
(Reveal-graphics.com)
3. Back-of-Booth Banner. (Reveal-graphics.com)This creates a more substantial look and feel for the table, and makes it seem "bigger" than it is.
Plus--it has a killer tagline.
FRONT BACK
4. 1000 Glossy 4x6 inch Autograph Cards with book cover/blurb.
These allow you to give something, (including an autograph) to EVERYONE that stops by the booth. These are cheap.
http://gotprint.net/gotprint/showStat...
Double-sided and thick. Very nice.
5. 16x20 Cover Enlargement for the table.
Hey--who doesn't love seeing a nearly 2-ft tall version of their own book standing proudly on the table?
I ordered this from Wal Mart online (http://photos.walmart.com/walmart/pro...)
6. Six-Pocket Book Rack Floorstand. This holds about 18 paperbacks. (https://bookdisplays.com/stock/floord...)
I am bringing about 72 hardcovers and about 70 paperbacks, many of these have pre-sold...I am not expecting to sell nearly that many!
(Most "non-big-time" authors sell less than 50 copies on a good day)
Hopefully all of the optics will come together to make a visually captivating booth. The banners (Front of table + Backdrop + 7 ft Banner) totaled around $380. The case of 1000 signature cards were about $40. The black cardboard book rack was about $30. The 16x20 oversized print of the book cover was about $40 (Wal Mart print). Throw in a $20 black table cloth (black velvet on sale at Hancock Fabrics) and the total approaches $500.
This is a STEEP investment for a self-published book from a brand new author. I will have to sell MANY books to overcome this outlay of cash.
In my own defense of reckless spending--many of these things can be re-used for other purposes, and can be re-used for future book signings, including book signings for the sequels in this series.
It is hard to put a value on IMAGE and SELF-PROMOTION. Just having an appearance before a large group of holiday shoppers has intrinsic value, no doubt. It is impossible to track the potential future influence that this type of book signing could create.
Profit per book is not that great, but the ability to meet the public, meet with excited readers, and the opportunity to get "your face" out there is priceless .
I am looking forward for my next blog entry where I will recap the highs and lows of my first signing, with photos, observations, lamentations, and celebrations.
November 28, 2014
Amazon Author Central Page for Randy McWilson
I just updated my Amazon Author Central Page, complete with photos, book trailer video, and other biographical information.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY AUTHOR PAGE
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY AUTHOR PAGE
Paradigm Rift HARDCOVER Hits Amazon.com!
Just moments ago, the order page for the HARDCOVER version of Paradigm Rift: Back to Normal Book One finally hit Amazon.com.
Amazon is not currently linking up the hardcover with the paperback and eBook version yet (which means the hardcover shows NO reviews, yet I have about 40 reviews on the paperback/eBook page).
LINK TO AMAZON HARDCOVER ORDER PAGE
I have emailed both IngramSpark (printers of the hardcover) and Amazon customer service to have them rectify this issue.
Another hurdle successfully jumped, for which I am thankful!
-Randy
Amazon is not currently linking up the hardcover with the paperback and eBook version yet (which means the hardcover shows NO reviews, yet I have about 40 reviews on the paperback/eBook page).
LINK TO AMAZON HARDCOVER ORDER PAGE
I have emailed both IngramSpark (printers of the hardcover) and Amazon customer service to have them rectify this issue.
Another hurdle successfully jumped, for which I am thankful!
-Randy
Book Signing Announcement - Saturday, December 13th 2014
Book Signing:
Saturday, December 13th, 2014
West Park Mall, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Main Mall Entrance
10am to 4pm
Hardcovers and Paperbacks available
Free autographs
LOCATION LINK:
WEST PARK MALL, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Saturday, December 13th, 2014
West Park Mall, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Main Mall Entrance
10am to 4pm
Hardcovers and Paperbacks available
Free autographs
LOCATION LINK:
WEST PARK MALL, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Holiday Hardcover Hype
Yesterday (Thanksgiving 2014) I released a special Holiday Hardcover Promotion online:
I posted it on Facebook and immediately started receiving PM's and emails. By the end of Day One of this promotion, I have 24 orders (2 from California, 5 from Kansas, and the rest local). I call this a great success!
I ordered 72 copies from IngramSpark (my hardcover supplier) in anticipation of this promotion as well as my upcoming Book Signing at West Park Mall, Cape Girardeau, December 13th from 10am to 4pm.
If anyone is interested in hardcover copies, please email me: randymcwilson@yahoo.com
** UPDATE ** A package just arrived at the door. It is my first proof copy of my paperback version that will be available to "brick and mortar" stores (such as Barnes & Noble, etc). This book is the same yet different from the paperback that has been available on Amazon.com for over a month.
Regular book retailers will not order from Amazon.com to stock books for a variety of reasons. Therefore, you have to publish your book through another company (I chose IngramSpark) from which they will order from.
The page color is not quite as beige as the Amazon.com version, but it is about 97% the same in terms of feel, build quality, and color.
Thanks!
Randy
I posted it on Facebook and immediately started receiving PM's and emails. By the end of Day One of this promotion, I have 24 orders (2 from California, 5 from Kansas, and the rest local). I call this a great success!
I ordered 72 copies from IngramSpark (my hardcover supplier) in anticipation of this promotion as well as my upcoming Book Signing at West Park Mall, Cape Girardeau, December 13th from 10am to 4pm.
If anyone is interested in hardcover copies, please email me: randymcwilson@yahoo.com
** UPDATE ** A package just arrived at the door. It is my first proof copy of my paperback version that will be available to "brick and mortar" stores (such as Barnes & Noble, etc). This book is the same yet different from the paperback that has been available on Amazon.com for over a month.Regular book retailers will not order from Amazon.com to stock books for a variety of reasons. Therefore, you have to publish your book through another company (I chose IngramSpark) from which they will order from.
The page color is not quite as beige as the Amazon.com version, but it is about 97% the same in terms of feel, build quality, and color.
Thanks!
Randy
November 24, 2014
Disclosure Media Audio Blog Interview about Paradigm Rift
I was interviewed late last night, Sunday November 23, 2014 from 10pm to midnight about the release of Paradigm Rift. The show: Disclosure Media, the host: Rex Bear.
We covered a wide range of topics including: the Back to Normal series, covert CIA programs, the Philadelphia Experiment, MKUltra, Montauk, and even went into End Times scenarios, the Book of Revelation, and the dangerous advances in technology exploding all around us.
Here is an audio archive or that show on Youtube:
We covered a wide range of topics including: the Back to Normal series, covert CIA programs, the Philadelphia Experiment, MKUltra, Montauk, and even went into End Times scenarios, the Book of Revelation, and the dangerous advances in technology exploding all around us.
Here is an audio archive or that show on Youtube:
November 20, 2014
November 16, 2014
A Writer's/Editor's Review of Paradigm Rift
An award-winning published author/editor shares her thoughts and observations about Paradigm Rift:
http://revisionisadishbestservedcold....
http://revisionisadishbestservedcold....
