Out of the way book signing – it can work
Book signing.
Book signing
Michael, left, Shirrel & Reef
My friend Reef Perkins wrote his memoir. Reef is a Key West character, legend to some, friend to many, an ex-smuggler, and when he owned the Sea Tow franchise, he came to my aid many times. I mention this because awhile back Reef and his publisher, another Key Wester, Shirrel Rhoades, asked me if I’d do a joint book signing with Reef. We were in the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, participating in its Friday North of Havana Cigar Social Club gathering. Reef drinks wine, Shirrel likes beer and I prefer Jameson’s.
I tried to explain that in the past I’ve discovered books and bars don’t mix. We talked a little more and I said, “If Charlie Bauer, the owner of the saloon, would let us do the signing on a Saturday, 4 – 6 pm, I’d be interested.” Charlie said yes and last Saturday we held the event. Reef’s wife Roberta and her friend Carol Tedesco did an outstanding job at local PR and I got Reef and myself on two of the popular local radio shows – Bill Becker’s Morning Magazine at 104.1 FM and on Clear Channel’s The Hoebee Experiment on 99.5 FM.
Books and bars don’t mix, but bars can be a great location for book signings. Okay, to explain, from happy hour on, people in bars are not interested in books or authors (unless we are buying drinks!). However, a late afternoon gathering on the weekend makes a great excuse for people to stop by, meet the authors and maybe buy a book. Especially in Key West, people love an excuse to go to a local watering hole early, before dinner, to gather before bar hopping on a weekend night, and such things you need to find an excuse to do.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot the most important two things: my friend Alfred Gonzales, from the local Bud distributor, donated a keg of Bud and Charlie put out wings, conch fritters, fish dip and shrimp ceviche. Everyone that bought a book got a ticket that allowed him or her into the food and beer room! But really, honestly, they all came to meet Reef and me and to buy our books!
Reef sold 90 copies of his memoir, “Sex, Salvage and Secrets,” I sold all 80 copies of “To Beat the Devil,” all I had with me, and numerous copies of my other books in the Mick Murphy Key West Mystery series.
So, when considering a book signing, use some imagination in your own neighborhood, and don’t be afraid to ask a business if they’d be interested. One of the things Charlie said to me is that he’d never seen some of the people before, so the signing brought attention to his business to people who had no reason to go in before. And everyone loved the food, though Reef and I didn’t get a taste, we were too busying signing, but our wives said it was great!
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