Monday, July 14, 2008

Tips for Book Signings

"At a Boston signing, someone from the audience asked why I was so obsessed with furniture in my books. The question rattled around in my head. I had no idea that I was obsessed with furniture." ~Jonathan Carroll

So I'm always doing research on promotions and marketing, and I came across this really helpful article the other day: 40+ Ways to Make Your Next Book Signing an EVENT!

The author has some great tips, some of which I've already implemented. I wrote a press release for each of the places I'm going in the next few weeks, and I actually found one online for the Nichols Memorial Library in New Hampshire, which I thought was cool. Check it out here.

One of the article tips I really like is to bring a thank-you gift for the person who arranged your signing. Now, in most cases for me, it will be a woman, which is somehow easier to buy for: bouquet of flowers? box of candy? But the Director of the Nichols Library is a guy, and I know he's already advertised my appearance in a few places, including the library's blog. I definitely want to bring him some small token of appreciation...but what?

Anyone have any ideas on an appropriate thank-you gift for a man?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd probably do a bottle of wine or maybe some cool microbrew if you feel comfortable with alcohol, but that's mainly because I can't think of anything else.

Dru said...

I spoke to a couple of guys at the office and they said they like food meaning a box of chocolates. A bottle of wine and gift certificates would also be good.

Allie Boniface said...

Chandler, I thought about a bottle of wine, esp. from one of our local wineries, but then thought oh boy, what if he's a recovering alcoholic or something?? Alcohol's definitely the easy way to go (no pun intended)...will have to think about it.

Marianne Arkins said...

DH always likes camping gear, or fishing lures, lol...

My Dad prefer socks and underwear.

Men are hard to buy for.

*G*

windycindy said...

Maybe someone else in the place knows enough about him and they can give you some ideas. The men in my family always love the cookie gifts or we have a fresh fruit place that makes wonderful bouquets. Cindi

Anonymous said...

Cookies sounds safe. Liz

Maria Zannini said...

Man or woman, you can't go wrong with a box of Godiva chocolates.

Oh, man. Now, I'm salivating. :o)

Judy said...

I like the idea of a fruit bowl of some kind. And, after all, it's the thought that counts. I think he'd be tickled to death just that you thought to bring him something. Or homemade cookies.

Anonymous said...

In case you haven't discovered it yet, Jonathan Carroll writes one of *the* great daily blogs on his website
www.jonathancarroll.com Lots of wonderful insights about the writing life too.

Stina