Monday, September 24, 2012

Book Signings - Beyond the Bookstore


Where else can authors do book signings? From my upcoming book, How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now:

Upon hearing the words “book signing,” most people think of a bookstore. And in the past, bookstores were great places for authors to meet readers and fans.

The decline of the bookstore and the emergence of e-books has changed that aspect. Fewer stores mean fewer opportunities for signings. Many people have converted to e-books, and while there are ways to autograph e-books, they're difficult to sell in the store. (Although it's not impossible, as signings at a Barnes and Noble can involve Nook sales.) The ease of self-publishing means there are more authors, too. Meeting a real live author in person just isn't a novelty anymore.

However, there are those who still treasure an autographed book. And since fostering relationships is important, personal appearances can still spur sales.

With bookstores on the decline, where else can you do a signing? The possibilities are endless! Depending on the subject matter of your book, consider these venues:

·         Gift stores
·         Specialty stores
·         Coffee shops
·         Arts and crafts fairs
·         Festivals
·         Farmers markets
·         Fundraisers
·         Political conventions
·         Trade shows
·         Museums
·         Parks
·         School and college events
·         Cruise ships

Can you use your creativity to think of other opportunities?


And my apologies to Kyra Lennon for the late posting of her upcoming book, If I Let You Go, a NA Romance coming out October 22, 2012:

35 comments:

Ciara said...

I've been researching places like this myself. Great list! Good luck on finding the right place.

Stina said...

Great suggestions! I'd never thought of doing book signings in non bookstore locations.

shelly said...

Great list! I've been considering the Starbuck's I frequent. my husband's shop and the hair salon I work at.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly
http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Signing on a cruise ship - I could do that! Well, maybe.

Kyra Lennon said...

Thank you for posting, Diane! Much appreciated! :D

J.L. Campbell said...

Some of those places listed, I definitely wouldn't have though of.

I've seen Kyra's cover around this past week. Wishing her success with this book!

Hart Johnson said...

I participated in a Book festival a while back--it was a good way to do it. Though I was sitting next to a much more famous author, so I felt a little like a fraud. Still... better to have people coming to the table, even if it wasn't for me, than not coming up at all. And It was a learning experience to watch a pro at work.

Anonymous said...

- Church events
- Libraries
- Restaurants
- In-home book clubs
- Hometown sidewalk sale events

Helen Ginger said...

Check out apartment complexes. Next month, I'm speaking at a "Literary Salon" at a friend's apartment complex. They host authors each month.

LD Masterson said...

We have a couple little resturants that will do book signings. As does our library.

Johanna Garth said...

I've been considering doing a wine and cheese book signing party at my house.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

"Beyond the bookstore" is the way to go! These are fabulous ideas.

Southpaw said...

I've been wondering about this for awhile wondering where people get their books signed and meet their favorite authors. These are great suggestions.

Nancy Thompson said...

My friend is having her signing at an Applebee's because the bookstores in her Philly neighborhood won't carry the book. Personally, I'd love to do a signing, but really, who'd come? I'm a debut author in a small town (which I criticize in the book) in a major metro area (Seattle.) It would be nice to think I could pull one off, but since most of my friends are out of state, I doubt I could. *sigh* Too bad you can't hold a virtual book signing!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Susanne, I've done signings in all of those locations, too.

Johanna, that would be fun. I have a theory - drunk people will buy anything.

Nancy find an event near you or consider an independent coffee shop, especially one with a wine tasting night. See my comment about as to why!

Karen Lange said...

How about at a reading? Our local writing group has been holding readings at the coffee shop downtown.

Arlee Bird said...

All good ideas. I've met a couple writers who've set up booths at a local street fair. Also, speakers at some events I've been to will have books available afterwards and are willing to sign them. I guess you know something about that.


Lee
Wrote By Rote

Jemi Fraser said...

Those are great ideas! It's important to think beyond the basics :)

Jai Joshi said...

Churches or other religious places, book groups, writers conventions, libraries, speaking events. I'll probably think of others to add to the list if I think longer.

Jai

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I have had book signings at specialty stores and coffee shops. I've also sold books on Nook everytime I had a signing at Barnes and Noble.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

I've long recommended that authors learn as much as they can about retailing so they can better convince alternative retailers to hold events for them. And I try to convince retailers that authors are an ideal resource for upping their net profit in my HowToDoItFrugally series of books for retailers including A Retailer's Guide To Frugal In-Store Promotions (http://budurl.com/RetailersGuide).It works both ways! (-:
Thanks for this, Diane!

Best,
Carolyn

Jo said...

Me too, I love the idea of doing a signing on a cruise ship sipping a cocktail whilst doing so. Do vegans drink cocktails? If not a refreshing smoothie alongside the pool.

Steven said...

Great ideas. I haven't done a signing I think out of fear nobody will show.

Michelle Wallace said...

Mmm... could it be that there IS an upside to the decline of the bookstore?

Anonymous said...

I am happy to say that this past weekend I found two new independent bookshops that are thriving,
I sincerely hope that the bookstores and real books never die.

M Pax said...

Some place that ties in with the book could be great, and with lots of foot traffic. A friend of mine has good luck at grocery stores.

Eric W. Trant said...

I've often thought about sitting at my local pub, where I did quite a bit of the writing, and signing there.

Also, maybe at my gym, or work, or any other place I frequent.

With the advent of mobile billing, you can set up a book-signing anywhere, with a sales portal, and sell books right off your table!

- Eric

Misha Gerrick said...

Those are some great ideas. Too tired to think of more, though. It's midnight here. ;-)

Anonymous said...

A cruise ship? Now that is a place I would love to do a book signing and even better if it is all expenses paid!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Some great suggestions, everyone. Eric, you should do the pub.

Maurice Mitchell said...

These are great ideas. You should rank them on effectiveness. I'm not a novel writer, but it's interesting.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. I came across someone recently who was handing out leaflets for her book & ebook .. at the tube station .. and was thinking of other places ...

I guess in a mall - however small the mall was ... at a farmer's market if you're local ..

Great ideas here though ... cheers Hilary

Ella said...

Thank you for sharing! Sounds like a great book ;D

Fab idea!

Unknown said...

The cruise ship sounds good!

Trisha said...

I'd like to try all of the above, but a cruise ship would indeed be something new for me, in all aspects. Niiiice!