The Psychology of Book Signings

I have been waiting for my thought on this subject to coalesce prior to launching into a blog but I have decided to venture forth in my confusion. First, I will distinguish the event by separating the famous, well-known authors from the rest of us barely, slightly and moderately known authors. Jenna Bush is on a 25 state book tour and I am guessing she is not having problems with drawing people to her book signings. However, for the rest of us lesser known authors they can be akin to a root canal. Why is that? I have many hours to ponder this questions as I sit at my table in the Barnes and Noble or other bookstore waiting for a human to approach. I have Dove chocolates and a big smile to greet them with but they buzz by my table making a wide berth as though I had a contagious disease. Have we eschewed human contact in favor of virtual relationships as was discussed on NPR today? People blog, join social networking sites and IM in cyberspace but won't approach a real person to talk thoughts and share experiences.

I am just as guilty. I have been in bookstores during book signings for an author I had not heard of and made a point of avoiding the area where he/she sat. I had gone to the bookstore to sip a latte and immerse myself in a book. I was in search of a solitary experience. Plus, it's a bit intimidating to approach someone whose book you have not read and have no idea if you would be interested in it. What if it happens to be a book about the last amoeba standing, how do you politely extricate yourself? I have bought many a book I really didn't want just because I am too polite to say so.

One thing for sure, advertising is key. As is creating an event rather than a static book signing. I held an event in a small town in Colorado and drew a good crowd because I billed it as a discussion around writing and publishing books rather than a book signing. I sold a book to almost everyone present so it works.

So is the day of the book signing coming to an end? I would love to hear from other authors and those who attend or shy away from these events.

Authors and Thick Skin

First off, I heard Anne Lamott read and discuss her latest book, Grace (Eventually) last night at the Tattered Cover in Denver. She was fantastic - very witty, raw and honest just like her books. I drove 4 hours across the mountains to see her. I am indebted to her because without Bird by Bird I would not be a published author. I am glad I did - it was well worth the cost of gas and my nervousness in driving in Denver.

On to thick skin - boy you better develop it if you step foot into the book industry. Having had a successful career in research, I am unaccustomed to rejection but am becoming more and more familiar with it each day. I am trying real hard to not have it reduce me to a puddle on the kitchen floor but some days I lose the battle. I spent most of the 4 hour drive yesterday fighting back tears from having had my book event rejected by a major bookstore. It seems since my book has not sold at this store they do not want to do a promotion to achieve that end. Its a catch 22 - I am just expanding my marketing plans to include this area so that the book will sell however since it hasn't, I can't. My marketing has been local until now due to the fact that I am a small press with limited funds. My book has been well received locally and so I thought it was time to expand - the catch is that since I don't have a regional or national appeal yet, so I can't get anyone interested in hosting an event. But if I don't host events, people won't hear about my book. I guess I will look to new venues to host my events. Anyone with some suggestions is welcome to reply.