On Book Signings

"If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful." ~Jeff Bezos

Here's the thing about doing book signings: even if/when you don't sell a lot of books (which was the case yesterday), you accomplishment a couple of things.


First, you get yourself out in the public eye. Customers in bookstores will often pick up a bookmark/magnet/piece of chocolate (oh yes, definitely chocolate!) as they pass your table. You also make contact with bookstore managers. And you force yourself to talk about your book(s) to people you do not know, which I think is just good personal development all the way around.


Second, you get a chance to meet and talk with other authors. I always love catching up with these women, most of whom I only see every few months, or in virtual world on various loops, so it's always nice to see what people are up to: what they're writing, what's selling, what conferences are coming up, etc. It's also quite interesting to talk business. I spent a lot of time listening to what Stella Price and Cat Johnson had to say about various small presses and what might be coming down the line for them. Since I don't interact with a lot of publishers, it's pretty interesting to hear what's being dicussed over drinks/coffee/lunch when some of the head honchos get together.


Bottom line: it's important to write, it's important to promote, and it's also important to network. Don't forget that!

With western romance/military romance author Cat Johnson (don't you love her boots?!)