FRIDAY STIR FRY: Book Signings

 I don't like doing book signings. There I said it. (Hiding under my desk until the storm passes)

"What?? But, you are passing up the opportunity to meet your fans and sell some books." 

Uh, I don't have any fans except for a few friends and family. I also hate small talk. And I don't like sitting at a table smiling at strangers while they pick up the free candy and bookmarks I have scattered around. And then they move on with barely a glance at my books. I feel like I must give off a smell of desperation. "Please kind person, buy my book I slaved over for years. I know you'll love it as much as I do." 

And my bank account will enjoy the meager amount I will profit from a sale. That last sentence is meant as a joke. There is no money in writing anymore, unless you are Stephen King or Patterson or some celebrity with a juicy memoir people want to read. 

And then when it's all over, I end up packing up the same number of books I brought. But not as much candy or bookmarks. 

Maybe I would feel different if I showed up and there was a line out the door waiting on little old me. 

But, I doubt it. 

I'll keep writing and self publishing, but don't expect to see me sitting behind a table.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - I Caved

http://morguefile.com


 

Okay, I'm doing the book signing I wrote about last week. The determining factor: It is at a book store, which means people actually go there to buy books. And it's a local store, not the one remaining chain store. Buy local and all that. My one and only other book signing was at a library. There wasn't much interest in purchasing books by people going there.

My books came in today, so no backing out now. And the charms I like to attach to my business cards arrived a few days ago. All that's left to buy is the candy. Last time I gave away Hershey's Kisses. I think this time I'm going with those heart shaped Dove candies. Nothing says "Want to read a romance?" better than chocolate. Right?

I still need to make a small poster advertising my next book. Too bad it's not done, but they don't need to know that. Maybe that's the incentive I need to finish it. I have been working on it this past week at my day job ... shhh. That's between you and me. My job is really slow right now, I've got to do something to look busy.  

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Can't Decide

https://morguefile.com

I have to decide today if I want to participate in a book signing. I've only done one other formal book signing and I didn't enjoy it. I'm not much of a social butterfly. I don't like small talk and I felt a little like a fish in an aquarium with people walking by, gawking at me, and whispering "What a strange specimen".

Most of my author friends love doing book signings. They have no qualms about hawking their wares like a carnival worker. They smile and talk and are nice. So ... much ... work.

I don't have a new book to promote but, I guess that really doesn't matter. I still want people to read the two books I have, so this would be a chance to get new readers. Unless, of course, nobody buys; shudder

If I decide to go ahead, I'll need to buy copies of my books and swag and chocolate to give away. Plus, I'll probably need a table cover. I just don't know if I want to fool with it all.

I know to be a successful author, I need to not only write the books, but promote them. I haven't been doing much of either lately.

Decision time.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Conference and Book Signing

I look nervous. There was no reason to be. I was surrounded by lots of writer friends. We were set up at a library, which is a familiar atmosphere. I think my table looked nice. I think I looked presentable. Sold a couple of books. All in all it was fine. Won't do it again.

I'm not comfortable sitting at a table and smiling and greeting strangers as they walk by. I wasn't pushy. I didn't scream at them, "Buy my books." But, I still felt uneasy. Kinda like a homeless person standing on the street corner, begging for money. Just felt weird.

I had an author table at the conference, also. It didn't feel as weird because everyone there was a writer or attempting to be. A lot more familiar faces and a more accepting group. Sold a few more books. Won't do it again.

I'd rather sit in the audience and relax. I did enjoy sitting next to my good buddy Allison Merritt. My two books looked tiny next to her five or six published books she brought (and she didn't even bring all her work).
http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com/

For some reason, this ORACON felt a little off to me. Don't know if it was a disconnect with the presenters, or sitting at lunch with people I didn't know, or sitting at my author table.

The pitch I did to Candace Havens with Entangled Publishing was even a little weird. I handed her my business card and she said she didn't take cards. But, then I pointed out mine had a charm attached, and she took it. My main male character cheats on my main female character thus causing her to leave town. Which is really the whole reason for the book. After the pitch, Candace stated that Entangled doesn't do cheaters. Hum. Okay. But, if I could change that, she would be interested. Yeah, I'll work on that.

All in all, though, it was a good couple of days surrounded by like minded people. Better than "my pay the bills job" any day.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Busy Weekend

http://www.morguefile.com

Well, this is it. Today is my first book signing. I think I'm ready. I have books, swag, and table decoration. I need to remember to get change at the bank just in case I actually sell a book. I don't have a smart phone with one of those things you can swipe cards with. Yep, I still have a dumb flip phone. Quit laughing. It does what I need. Answering the occasional call from my son and I can call 911 if needed. And it costs like ten dollars a month. Beat that Apple.

I'll be in good company today. Here is a very small list of the authors participating.

Lisa Medley - https://www.facebook.com/lisamedleyauthor?fref=ts
Shirley McCann - https://www.facebook.com/shirley.mccann?fref=ts
Candace Havens - http://www.entangledpublishing.com/category/candace-havens/
Heather Snow - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeatherSnow
Barbara Bettis - http://www.barbarabettis.blogspot.com/
Allison Merritt - https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwrites?fref=ts
Holly Atkinson - https://www.facebook.com/hollyda1?fref=ts

As you can see, there are many different genres represented. It should be a lot of fun. I have pens, charms and candy to give away. Nobody will leave my space empty handed.

And then Saturday is ORACON - Ozarks Romance Author's annual conference. Always fun, informative, and inspirational. I may never have a published novel if not for this group.

Then Sunday, I really need to get started on a top secret project. More on that later.

Here's to hoping my knees survive. Or if not, my pain medication works.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - A Day To Remember

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the tragedy of 9-11 today. Everyone remembers where they were and how they felt. Will that ever go away? I hope not. All who perished that day must be remembered for their sacrifice whether they were an innocent office worker, a passenger on one of the planes, or a brave firefighter.  I hope everyone observes a moment of silence today.

***

Now, on to more mundane things. I'm preparing for my first book signing a week from now. Since my book was originally published in e-book form only, I've never had this opportunity.

http://www.morguefile.com

I'm a bit nervous. What if I spell their name wrong, or spell my name wrong, or my pen quits working.

Or, shudder, nobody buys a book. Which could happen. I'm not the only author participating. There will be about twenty. And several are nationally known. Plus, I only have two books. My contemporary romance Beyond The Horizon and my collection of short stories Briefs and Shorts. I have a small group of readers to target.

But, on a positive note, there will be candy.

If you're in the area, I would love to see you. Here is the info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/523529321130182/

FRIDAY STIR FRY - This and That

              

         Another edition of this and that. No theme, just observations from the week past. 

http://www.morguefile.com



What has happened to human intelligence?
I'm not claiming to be the smartest roll in the basket, but compared to some people, I'm a genus.
We have a lot of forms where I work. Way too many. But they are pretty self explanatory. Sign here, date here, answer yes or no. Do I ever get a correctly completed form? Maybe 1% of the time.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about people who are truly challenged. I'm talking about people who appear to be fully functional. They drive, they have kids, they work. Some of the worst offenders are caseworkers helping their clients. Scary. Filling out forms seems to be a true challenge for them. Like the sign says on my desk. "There is no life guard in the gene pool." Man oh man, I wish there was.
Enough about the hell I call work.

I participated in my first book signing last week. Technically not a book signing, since my novel is e-book only. I was next to three other talented writer friends, which made it easier. I didn't feel like a total pimp. I gave away an origami book featuring my cover, the first 1000 words and buying info. At least half were gone at the end of the night. I did have a bump in sales ranking on Amazon over the weekend. So, maybe my efforts were not for waste. I might participate in another one down the line.

As treasurer for Ozarks Romance Authors, I'm really busy gearing up for our annual writing conference. Collecting registration fees and compiling lists. Have I mentioned I'm not a number person?

If you are interested in attending a great conference, find more info here: 

  http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/conference-2014/oracon-2014/

Oh, and somewhere in all this mess, I need to write. 

How was your week??