This last Sunday I did something that I have always wanted to do: my very own book signing. Yay! Although I should probably clarify that it wasn't my own personal event (there were a lot of other authors there too). And it wasn't so much a signing as a sales table (hey, I still signed the books though). And no one knew who I was. But still, book signing!
I really didn't have any idea of what to expect going into the event. Carissa (my new wife) had done most of the work to find the event and submit an application and pay the fees and stuff (OK, she did all of the work). Given that this was my/our first book event on the author's side of the table, we were pretty much flying blind. Mistakes were made, but good times were had.
So we had no idea what to expect. We had given the event coordinator our information and a picture of the book cover, and she told us that we would be provided with a banner. Great. Our next step was ordering books, because those are kind of necessary if you want to have any sales. So we ordered some books (we were a little bit optimistic and ordered a lot more than necessary, but more on that later). Next, Carissa proposed that we make some bookmarks to hand out to people. "Good idea!" I said after some convincing. (For the record, I did think bookmarks were a great idea. It's just that whenever I get handed some convention freebie it usually ends up in the trash. So I was hesitant to spend money on a freebie, even though it was a sound investment). So we designed some kick-ass bookmarks and had them printed and we were set. We even showed them off to the family - who promptly pointed out a spelling error (I apparently cannot be trusted to proof-read my own work). There was a minor freak out about the spelling error, but in the end we decided to not worry about it.
Sunday morning rolls around and I am super excited. It's my time to shine. I've got my books and my bookmarks and some shiny new pens for signing my illegible signature. I even thought ahead and grabbed snacks and drinks and money for change. Carissa, thoughtful as ever, had acquired a card reader in case people wanted to purchase the book with a card. We were all set.
We drive down to Pismo where the event was being held. There were a bunch of tables set up outside and some more inside the hotel. We found our booth outside, but when we spoke with the event coordinator she offered to move us inside due to a cancellation (score!). So we move the banner and bring in the stuff from the car (pro-tip - books are very heavy and should be brought in all at once. Instead, bring in enough display on the table and a few extras for sales and leave the rest behind until they are needed). Set up went well. We met some other authors and put out the books and bookmarks. We immediately saw some of the stuff that other authors had set up on their table and quickly began making notes for next time (bring a book stand, have a map to display, make a sign with the book prices, etc.).
Anyways, the event started slowly and while it was exciting and fun, there weren't as many sales as I expected (I think in total we sold about 7 books). That was a bit of a blow to the ego, because my book is pretty awesome (in my own impartial opinion). Even so, we talked to a bunch of people and everyone seemed to like the book cover (thank you Alicia). We found that getting customers is kind of like fishing, and as two very shy people Carissa and I were not well suited to the task. But most of the time when one of us engaged a person who was interested in the book, we made a sale (except for one girl who got away, darn her).
Anyways, the event was a very long seven hours. We had plenty of books left over at the end (carrying those back to the car is a weight that I will bear for many years) and we spent most of our profits on other books because we can't be trusted with money when there are books nearby. But I had people ask for my signature on a book that I wrote and that made the day worth it.
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