AUTHOR Anne loiselle

Think about an iconic look – a snapshot if you will – of an author doing authory things. Chances are, you imagined that person signing books. It’s like a musician doing a recital, or a baseball player at batting practice, or a teacher grading papers. Authors do book signings. Naturally, an activity such as this was high on my list, although it made me the most nervous to contemplate. Being in the spotlight in any way makes me nervous, even when it’s irrational. Of course, a book signing can come in different guises, some more daunting than others.

Last winter, for example, at the Virginia Festival of the Book I attended a panel of three authors, one of whose books I had just read. Altogether, it was an entertaining talk / reading, and I decided to purchase the books by the other two authors as well. So, after the panel I went out into the hall with my fellow attendees to see tables piled with books. Each author had her own area, and a long line formed for each. These women were amazing: grab a book, smile at the attendee, whip out a signature, on to the next. Several hundred books were signed and purchased in the space of about half an hour. It was something to behold. Since then, I’ve seen photos on Instagram and other places depicting similar piles of books on similar tables, and a smiling author, pen in hand, scribbling furiously while a smiling fan awaits the finished product. These, I realize, are BOOK SIGNINGS, capitalized and italicized because they represent the epitome of publication success.

However, I know from fellow authors that that is not the only way these things can go. Sometimes they can be fairly boring, with long periods of sitting at a table interspersed with the occasional fluster of activity as – unbelievably – someone finally stops to purchase your ware. The fact is, though, that these are still signings, the experience is still valid and real, and something only a published author can perform. That alone makes them worthwhile and, for the author, memorable.

In October of 2023 I had three back-to-back book signing opportunities, perfect timing for my first novel, which had just come out in July. The first was at a booth at a big Washington, DC race expo, where participants wandered through a maze of products and services after completing “packet pickup” – i.e., getting a bag with the race t-shirt, timing chip, instructions, and freebies. Since my book takes place in DC and features a yoga instructor heroine with friends who do yoga as well as swim, bike, and run, I figured readers at this race would be an almost perfect target audience. The second was at an arts festival in a tiny church that was displaying and selling paintings by local artists. The organizer offered up a table to anyone from my writers’ group who wanted to sell books, and I ended up being the only taker. The third was at a spa and salt room less than a mile from my home, in a beautiful yoga barn. This last was an advertised event featuring just me and my book. And while none of these was anything like the proceedings described in paragraph two, they were all successful in their way. I sold the most books at the expo, and only six people showed up to the yoga barn, but the local arts festival had more activity than I anticipated, and I met the president of a book club who seemed excited at the possibility of including my book in their reading list.

Because there were few buyers across long swathes of time, I remember them all, and they are wonderful memories. There was the electrician who bought the book on day one of the expo and told me on day 2 that a) he was halfway through and enjoying my book, and b) that he has an idea for a work of fiction of his own he wants to write and that I had inspired him to write it in first person. There were the kids whose eyes lit up when they saw a books booth; I love kids who love to read. There was a woman connected in some way to a podcast who got very excited and asked for my business card and contact information – will something come of that? A spot on a podcast to plug my book? Maybe! Then there was the woman who sent me an email a few weeks later, reminding me she was at the arts show and telling me how much she enjoyed my story. And of course, there was the yoga barn. That one was intimidating, because I actually had to speak to an audience, but it was so enjoyable. We sat in a circle on a beautiful warm afternoon, and I read a few pages and talked about my inspiration for some of the major elements. Then we all had tea, and I signed books!

Tips and notes: If you’re a new author, don’t eschew these types of things because you don’t think you’ll sell many (or any) books. They are good for you because they will force you to hone your “pitch.” Got just a few seconds to catch someone’s attention as they pass your table and glance at you? Be ready! Be able to describe the key things you think are most likely to appeal to readers in about two sentences. It must sound authentic and real, and if they pause and pick up the book to take a look, have another two sentences or so at the ready to convince them it will be worth it. This takes practice, especially for it to come out smoothly and sound interesting rather than pushy. For an invitation to be the main event (like the yoga barn or, say, a book club), you will need to know how to start off, and you’ll need to have a plan about what to say and how to say it so that it all flows. You’ll also need to have pre-selected a portion of the book to read, one that it is a compelling section and will leave your audience wanting more. If it’s not the first chapter, make sure you’re ready with a quick set-up so they understand what’s happening (the set up can’t be long, or boring, or complicated or you will lose them before it’s begun).

Remember, too, that just being out there can trigger an opportunity: someone might just want you for their own podcast, book club, local radio or tv news item, or… who knows? You won’t, unless you’re available and you’re ready.

As for me, I am delighted to be able to write this installment and report: experience experienced – check! Would I do it again? Absolutely! In the meantime: on to the next.

Happy writing!