Guest Post:: Raquel Byrnes
Welcome once again to Author Raquel Byrnes, with a fun and
informative guest post. I'm honored to have Raquel on My Book
Bag as part of a blog tour to promote her debut novel, Purple
Knot. (See yesterday's post for my interview with Raquel, and
an excerpt from her book.)
Raquel Byrnes
It's a nightmare of mine, sitting alone at a table in a dark corner of the bookstore. But this doesn't have to be the case. I've talked to many authors about their own experiences and learned some great ideas for ensuring a fun book signing.
Here are 5 tips for avoiding the sound of crickets at your own book signing.· Make it an event, not a book signing. How about a unique venue? A friend of mine is planning a signing for her mystery book at a dinner theater. Most people would love to participate in something interactive and fun.
Schedule family and friends to arrive hourly. Ask your supporters to arrive in waves on the hour or on the half instead of all at once. People happy to see you, walking toward your table, and smiling are going to attract positive attention. Customers might wander over to see what the hub-bub is about.
Call ahead and make friends with the bookstore staff. Send a postcard and follow it up with a phone call or visit. Some authors even offer small gifts for the staff as a thank you…chocolate often works. The more they know you, the more likely they are to tell customers about your signing.
Don't stay seated. You have the most fun and best response when you walk around. I'm not talking about stalking people in the aisle of your genre, though I'm not above that. I mean have bookmarks in hand and chat people up. If they aren't a fan of your genre, they may know someone who is. Be natural and act happy to be there, it puts others at ease.
Decorate your table. Have a banner made, bring book marks, and set up a candy dish. Some authors have a laptop playing their book trailer on mute. Its eye catching and not intrusive.
These are some easy ways to take the terror out of book signings. With a little planning, some creativity, and a sense of humor, you'll have a great time.
ABOUT RAQUEL:
Raquel Byrnes lives in Southern, California with her husband of sixteen years and their six children. She considers inspirational fiction a wonderful way to minister to others. She writes romantic suspense with an edge-your-seat pace. Her first book the Shades of Hope Series, Purple Knot, is set to release from White Rose Publishing.com later this year. You can visit her at her website: www.raquelbyrnes.com and her writing blog, Edge of Your Seat Romance.
informative guest post. I'm honored to have Raquel on My Book
Bag as part of a blog tour to promote her debut novel, Purple
Knot. (See yesterday's post for my interview with Raquel, and
an excerpt from her book.)
Raquel Byrnes
It's a nightmare of mine, sitting alone at a table in a dark corner of the bookstore. But this doesn't have to be the case. I've talked to many authors about their own experiences and learned some great ideas for ensuring a fun book signing.
Here are 5 tips for avoiding the sound of crickets at your own book signing.· Make it an event, not a book signing. How about a unique venue? A friend of mine is planning a signing for her mystery book at a dinner theater. Most people would love to participate in something interactive and fun.
Schedule family and friends to arrive hourly. Ask your supporters to arrive in waves on the hour or on the half instead of all at once. People happy to see you, walking toward your table, and smiling are going to attract positive attention. Customers might wander over to see what the hub-bub is about.
Call ahead and make friends with the bookstore staff. Send a postcard and follow it up with a phone call or visit. Some authors even offer small gifts for the staff as a thank you…chocolate often works. The more they know you, the more likely they are to tell customers about your signing.
Don't stay seated. You have the most fun and best response when you walk around. I'm not talking about stalking people in the aisle of your genre, though I'm not above that. I mean have bookmarks in hand and chat people up. If they aren't a fan of your genre, they may know someone who is. Be natural and act happy to be there, it puts others at ease.
Decorate your table. Have a banner made, bring book marks, and set up a candy dish. Some authors have a laptop playing their book trailer on mute. Its eye catching and not intrusive.
These are some easy ways to take the terror out of book signings. With a little planning, some creativity, and a sense of humor, you'll have a great time.
ABOUT RAQUEL:
Raquel Byrnes lives in Southern, California with her husband of sixteen years and their six children. She considers inspirational fiction a wonderful way to minister to others. She writes romantic suspense with an edge-your-seat pace. Her first book the Shades of Hope Series, Purple Knot, is set to release from White Rose Publishing.com later this year. You can visit her at her website: www.raquelbyrnes.com and her writing blog, Edge of Your Seat Romance.
No comments have been added yet.
