Author Events
I just returned from the picturesque town of Brooklyn, Michigan, where I did an author event at Theresa’s Angels & More. I sure do want to thank everyone that came, including the mayor of Brooklyn, no less. Wow!
Just in case you’re wondering: “What’s an ‘author event’?” Different authors may have different definitions. But, to me, it’s where the author of a book chats about their latest work, does a sample reading, answers questions, and then is available to sign copies. In total, my chat, reading, then Q&A session this past weekend took about 35 minutes. Then, within another 20 minutes after that, the store had totally sold out of Substitute Angel and had to take back orders. It’s really nice when that happens. I would’ve hated to drive 13 hours to sell, like, three copies, but I still would’ve gladly done it.
I wrote in an earlier blog that taking something from your imagination, then bringing it to life, then having total strangers be swept up by it, taken away by it, and entertained by it, is more fulfilling than practically anything else I can think of. It’s not about the money or accolades—although I’d gratefully accept both—but rather about sharing your story. Paul McCartney recently said that if he never got paid to play music again, he’d still be playing on street corners for free. I suppose it’s easy to say that when you’re already rich, but I know how he feels. You really have to love what you do and work hard to share your story. Not just the writing and editing of it, but the promoting of it. I’m talking about getting up at 4 a.m. and driving across four states just so you can spend a few precious minutes talking to strangers about your work, reading them a sample, and hoping they’ll like it.
Of course, a lot of bookstores will do author signings, but not author events, and that’s a shame. If you’re a national personality like a Hillary Clinton, or a rock star of the literary world like a Stephen King, well, yeah, no event is necessary. Their name and reputation alone will draw people in. But bookstores that just sit an unknown author behind a desk with a pile of books are missing out if they don’t have that author do something: tell the backstory to the book, share who their favorite authors are, have them give a reading, etc. By the time I was done with my author event, many people stayed and lingered in the gift shop at Theresa’s Angels while others stayed and had lunch in their charming coffee shop. In short, an author event is good for the writer, and good for the book or gift store. After all, it’s all about having the customer linger longer and have a pleasant experience.
Anyway, thank you to Blair and Kim Marie Tucker of Theresa’s Angels & More in beautiful Brooklyn, Michigan. I appreciate the opportunity and am glad it was a success. I’m happy also very happy to report that the cover art for The Intended Ones, the follow up book to Substitute Angel is now finished. To be among the first to see the new cover (the book comes out December 1st), as well as view pictures from my author event in Brooklyn, simply click links titled Book Signing & Cover Art. And, as always, thanks for reading!
Just in case you’re wondering: “What’s an ‘author event’?” Different authors may have different definitions. But, to me, it’s where the author of a book chats about their latest work, does a sample reading, answers questions, and then is available to sign copies. In total, my chat, reading, then Q&A session this past weekend took about 35 minutes. Then, within another 20 minutes after that, the store had totally sold out of Substitute Angel and had to take back orders. It’s really nice when that happens. I would’ve hated to drive 13 hours to sell, like, three copies, but I still would’ve gladly done it.
I wrote in an earlier blog that taking something from your imagination, then bringing it to life, then having total strangers be swept up by it, taken away by it, and entertained by it, is more fulfilling than practically anything else I can think of. It’s not about the money or accolades—although I’d gratefully accept both—but rather about sharing your story. Paul McCartney recently said that if he never got paid to play music again, he’d still be playing on street corners for free. I suppose it’s easy to say that when you’re already rich, but I know how he feels. You really have to love what you do and work hard to share your story. Not just the writing and editing of it, but the promoting of it. I’m talking about getting up at 4 a.m. and driving across four states just so you can spend a few precious minutes talking to strangers about your work, reading them a sample, and hoping they’ll like it.
Of course, a lot of bookstores will do author signings, but not author events, and that’s a shame. If you’re a national personality like a Hillary Clinton, or a rock star of the literary world like a Stephen King, well, yeah, no event is necessary. Their name and reputation alone will draw people in. But bookstores that just sit an unknown author behind a desk with a pile of books are missing out if they don’t have that author do something: tell the backstory to the book, share who their favorite authors are, have them give a reading, etc. By the time I was done with my author event, many people stayed and lingered in the gift shop at Theresa’s Angels while others stayed and had lunch in their charming coffee shop. In short, an author event is good for the writer, and good for the book or gift store. After all, it’s all about having the customer linger longer and have a pleasant experience.
Anyway, thank you to Blair and Kim Marie Tucker of Theresa’s Angels & More in beautiful Brooklyn, Michigan. I appreciate the opportunity and am glad it was a success. I’m happy also very happy to report that the cover art for The Intended Ones, the follow up book to Substitute Angel is now finished. To be among the first to see the new cover (the book comes out December 1st), as well as view pictures from my author event in Brooklyn, simply click links titled Book Signing & Cover Art. And, as always, thanks for reading!
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