How to Have Fun at a Booksigning (even when you're not signing!)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
I just got back from an author talk/booksigning for two chaptermates: Michele Lang has a new book, Netherwood, coming out from Dorchester. And Candace Gold has A Heated Romance available from Highland Press. I always look forward to these events, probably moreso when I'm not signing, because there's no pressure on me. I don't have to sound clever or urbane at the drop of a hat, I'm not scanning the crowd to see which of my friends showed up (and worse, which ones didn't!) and I don't sweat how many books the store ordered, how many are sold, and how many are left after the event.

Regardless of whether I sign or not, there's a palpable energy at a booksigning. Authors are thrilled to have a fan base. Readers are excited to attend. So...what's not to like? I love sharing the joy of the moment with both sides. And when I'm signing, I can't necessarily read both sides. Believe it or not, the audience side is sometimes a lot more exciting than the author side of the table.

I always try to remember Nora Roberts's advice regarding booksignings. Too many authors forget that a booksigning is not all about them. It's about the fan. Think about it. Sure, we the authors, sweat the moment or plan the moment from start to finish. But for whom? Ourselves? Not really.

To the readers, a booksigning is their brush with celebrity. They want to be able to tell their friends they met a famous author. They can't wait to get their hands on your latest release. They want to discuss your characters as if those characters are truly alive. Maybe a fan will get the inside scoop on your next book. For them, it's all about the moment. They spoke to you! "OMG, she's just as nice in person as she looks in her photos!"

And really, without the reader, an author has no audience, no voice, no job. Something to think about...

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posted by Gina Ardito aka Katherine Brandon at 2:59 PM | 3 comments