| Author |
Message |
    
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2340
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 06:43 pm: |   |
I will reinstate this thread to tell my story. Those of you who know me know how hopelessly inept I am at booksignings. The very thoughts of one strikes terror into my heart.
The local computer store owner called and asked me to have a books signing. These people have been very good to me so of course I said yes, but asked my usual question. "What if we have a book signing and nobody comes?" The owner said we would have fun anyway so not to worry.
The owner and help have made all the arrangements. The signing will be Nov. 13 between 11 and 1 and again between 6 and 8 p.m. on the same day. They hope that way to get business people and school teachers over their lunch hours. The computer store has planned a menu of real food so people can have free eats if they want it.
They will mail out flyers about the signing with their end of month billing and also distribute flyers around the area by other means. If the area newspapers will not provide free advance coverage, the store will provide paid ads. I will provide the books but if we run out - haha - they will fill the orders through distributors.
We agreed on a price for the books and I told them I would give the profit from each book sold to an accelerated reading program in the grade schools and parochial schools in town - one of the owner's pet causes. She was delighted.
I thought this set up was so nice, so considerate, and so respectful of me as a person and a writer, I just had to share it. Wish me luck. |
pacwriter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
952
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 06:58 pm: | |
Have fun and smile a big big smile.
As they say, "Nice things happen to nice people."
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
Gloria Marlow
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
443
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 07:24 pm: | |
Laurel,
That sounds sooo great. I've thought before that bookstores may not be the best place for booksignings although I know that sounds silly.
I hope you have a wonderful time and sell dozens of books.
Gloria |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1047
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 08:05 pm: | |
LJ,
That is fantastic news, girlie. I hope you have a great time.
LA
LaurieAnne
http://www.authorsinkbooks.com |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
786
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 05:17 am: | |
I think you'll do fine, dear...
Just remember to keep smiling, no matter what may or may not happen...
And make sure that everyone knows you're the author... :-) |
sophie simonet
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
666
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 10:00 am: | |
Even if someone doesn't buy a book, they'll remember your name. I hadn't heard of Elizabeth Berg, but saw in the newspaper that she was reading from her novels and signing books at a local hall. She had a very engaging voice, a really nice presence, and her writing was good. I still didn't buy a book. This was almost two years ago. But just yesterday, I came across a hardback by her called "Open House" and decided to read it. It's very entertaining. My point is (yes, there is one), promotion is cumulative. You may not get results today, but some day... Good luck, Laurel, just be your sweet self and everyone will love you. |
Fred Dungan
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
352
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 12:34 am: | |
Being sweet is for phonies. Forcing a smile is a blatant attempt at deception. It's relatively easy to be witty and engaging when you are not overly concerned with your image. When I like someone, I tell them to read my book online for free. If I don't like them, I tell them to buy it from Publish America. As of today, 8,428 people have read Bushwhacked online, while less than 100 have bought the paperback from Publish America. I have yet to hear a decent reason why they didn't print it the way I sent it to them or a reasonable excuse for failing to make the necessary corrections after being notified of their mistakes.
http://www.fdungan.com/bushwhacked.htm
P.S. I'm looking forward to meeting you all in person on the picket line at the convention. |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2345
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 05:21 am: | |
Well Fred, I'll swan. Are you incineratin' that I could not possibly be sweet without being phoney??  As for smiling, I don't smile so much these days because my teeth are falling out and I look like Festus Hagin.
Yes. I just updated my 2003 book list of "sold" and "donated". I fear as in 2002 I gave more freebies than were sold. Of course.....someone had to buy the the books to give the freebies and guess who did that??? Me. Myself. and I.
Sorry. The cost of getting to MD is beyond me so the picket line is out of the question for me. |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
791
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 05:42 am: | |
I always smile during a signing, whether I feel like it or not...
A lot of times, you're going to have long periods of time when your book isn't selling...and that tends to get an author down. One could easily put on a frown, and sulk around the table...but then one isn't going to sell another book. People prefer to be around other people who are happy and pleasant (although not overly so)...
I hope your picket line gets you that release you (I assume) so desire, Fred...I really do...if almost 10,000 people have read your book, I'd say there would be plenty of small presses (and maybe major houses) interested when that happens. |
Fred Dungan
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
354
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 10:21 pm: | |
Actually, I only counted the people who have read the html version. There is also a pdf version available online, but I have not been monitoring it lately. I get a lot of email from high school teachers who assign individual chapters to their students as topics for debate, the most popular of which appears to be the chapter on Women and the Draft which I wrote based on material I collected during my 20 years as a board member on Selective Service Local Board #169 (Riverside County, California).
The print version of Bushwhacked was murdered with malice aforethought by the staff at Publish America (PA pulled it from their website for more than a year) which is just as well considering how badly they misprinted it. That the online versions of Bushwhacked have proven an overwhelming success despite their efforts to the contrary is no doubt a thorn in the side of the Author Support team. At this point, I will not accept a release unless it comes with monetary compensation for the sales I lost due to their dirty tricks.
You misread my meaning. I do not advocate scowling at potential buyers, but I do think it is a mistake to force a smile. We are writers, not salesmen and it is our duty to present our work in an honest manner. The purpose of the picket line is to convince Publish America that it is in their best interests to listen to what we have to say.
http://www.fdungan.com/draft.htm |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
794
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - 05:25 am: | |
Sometimes, a writer has to be a salesperson...
just the nature of the beast...
Look at queries, we're selling our books to publishers...
To gain readership, we have to sell our books to the public...
As long as PA is making money doing things the way they do them, I imagine listening to other points of view is the furthest thing from their minds... |
Fred Dungan
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
357
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - 10:58 pm: | |
Then its high time we get their attention.
http://www.fdungan.com/bushwhacked.htm |
Mark A. York (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 65.146.238.82
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 05:48 pm: | |
What are you going to do. I'm going to 60 minutes. 60II@cbsnews.com |
Fred Dungan
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
369
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 09:42 pm: | |
Let's hope they pick up on it. Meanwhile, our collective voices will spread the word that Publish America is not living up to its agreements. Please keep in mind that our objective is to get them to change, NOT to put them out of business (which wouldn't do us any good).
http://www.fdungan.com/bushwhacked.htm |
Mark A. York (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 65.148.114.194
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 08:13 pm: | |
My objective is to put them out of business. There's nothing for them to change into except bankruptcy. There are many good real publishers out there. There's no need for PA period. Our goals are different Fred. This a grifter nothing more. |
Fred Dungan
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
373
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 09:26 pm: | |
Come to think of it, I would not shed many tears if they did go out of business. However, I strongly disagree with you on the availability of good publishers. The established publishing houses don't seem to care that upstart Publish America is giving the publishing industry a bad name. The quality of print has been declining for at least a decade. Proofreading, editing, and printing are certainly not what they used to be. Doesn't anyone take pride in their work?
http://www.fdungan.com/publishing.htm |
Mark A. York (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 65.148.108.49
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 12:58 pm: | |
That's because they're so miniscule in scope that the industry doesn't even see them. I see no evidence that real publishers have declined in any way except in corporate homogeneity. The majority take pride in their work, but those people don't go to PA, except by naivete or mistake. I refer you to the BN statement I just posted in response to PA's role in the industry on the other Convention thread. You'll find it enlightening. And brutally accurate. |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2424
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 09:44 am: | |
I had a book signing yesterday at the local computer center. The people who work there are so good to me. The owner of the store donates $500 twice a year to the grade school and parochial school for the purchase of books. When she asked me to have a book signing I said yes, but only if I could sell the books at cost and charge a little extra per book to donate to the reading program. She was delighted. The store did a lot of advance publicity and the local paper did a nice little article aout the signing.
The store provided deli trays of meats, cheeses, veggies and dips, cookies and brownies, plus coffee and tea. I went from 11 to 1 and again from 5-8. The store sent me yellow roses, which I thought was so sweet.
A number of people who had already bought books came to have them signed. Five other people bought books. That was OK by me but I did feel sorry for the store owner. Not one local teacher showed up despite invitations sent by the owner. I told her not to consider their absence as a rejection of her project, but of me and hving to purchase books. That's how I saw it anyway.
Although I hate book signings, it was a lovely day all in all. |
Jennifer Lynn
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
868
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 10:21 am: | |
Sounds like a lovely signing, Laurel. Congrats on a nice day and all that support from the store owner.
Jenn |
Bill Park (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 66.142.230.166
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 11:38 am: | |
Kudos to the store and you,Laurel. The closest I've come to such a wonderful participation was from a winery. I mentioned their Saint Francis Wine in my second novel in the Franciscan Trilogy. They held the event. Invited their customers to attend and served Saint Francis Wine to everyone, plus chocolate snacks. I even drank wine while speaking from the podium. Sold about forty books. Suggest wine be served at all book signings. If this works (an insert) you can read what the local newspaper wrote about the event in the community where the winery was located.
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
The city of Basehor may not seem like a wine and cheese kind of place but that's exactly what visitors got at a recent presentation by a local author.
On Thursday, Nov. 8, Shawnee Mission resident William Park, author of two books, "The Franciscan" and his latest work, "The Alpha Search," stopped into Holyfield Wine and Vineyard for a presentation and book signing.
The event was sponsored by the Basehor Community Library and hosted by vineyard owners Michelle and Les Meyer.
The vineyard was chosen for the presentation and book signing because of a reference Park made to the vineyard in "The Alpha Search."
The reference, in which Park mentions the vineyard by name and serves a vineyard signature wine to the pope, was received quite well by the vineyard owners.
"I was quite tickled he mentioned the wine and that it was served to a pope," Michelle said.
The wine of the hour was a port wine, a wine mixed with brandy giving it a higher alcohol content, and has a long, sometimes combative history for the vineyard.
Previously, the state of Kansas had tried to shut down production of the wine because of its alcohol content. This was a move that the vineyard owners fought and eventually won.
"It is something that is very near and dear to our hearts because we had to fight for it," Michelle said.
Regardless of the wine's history, the presentation was an eventful evening for those involved as Park spoke about his two books and then answered questions from the audience.
The books penned by Park, which have drawn rave reviews from some critics, are adventurous in nature and steeped in religious overtones.
The two books are part of a trilogy, with the third volume on its way.
Park said he would probably end the tale's series with the third book, and he would miss some of the tales and characters he created when writing them.
"I am going to miss those guys because I have been doing this for a couple of books now, so I am sad to say goodbye," Park said. "But you never know, they might come back.
|
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
919
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 03:57 pm: | |
Personally, I think this is applicable (although technically we aren't prophets):
"...A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." Matt. 13:57
Makes one think, at least...
Another thing to consider is how little teachers get paid...but one cannot tell what their reasons were without asking, so...... |
Nancy Marie
Unity Member
Post Number:
1626
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 07:31 pm: | |
Congrats on a lovely day, Laurel.
I HATE booksignings but I have one already lined up for Benjamin's Bride when it comes out next May. Heaven help me,I'll make it through some how.
blessings,Kitty |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
925
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 07:47 am: | |
I think I must be the only author on the planet who enjoys book signings...sigh. |
Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
384
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 21, 2003 - 06:21 am: | |
Best of luck on your latest signing, Todd. I hear them things are hard to nail down for some folks...but hey, thems the breaks.  |
LisaLawrence (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 65.193.91.99
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 21, 2003 - 09:20 am: | |
o I would cum to your signing big guy
do a signing in vegas and we will dish :P
all silly stuff aside, shrewsdude is a neat writer. he makes violence de-lish, even for those of us who r different
ciao and thnxxx 4 linx |
pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1063
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 05:40 pm: | |
fan club for Shrews
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
396
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 05:55 pm: | |
Pac, you'd be surprised at what I get in the email from folks.
Lisa, I appreciate you stopped by the MS board. Dunno if I will ever get to Las Vegas.
|
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