Up front, I'm not an author. Just a voracious reader. I've been to a number of book signings, some on purpose, some by chance. If it is an author I like and would buy the book anyway, I will go to the signing. I prefer to have a personalized inscription (but that may just be me), rather than a generic one done in advance. I always buy the book at the store, at the time of the signing. It is tacky to buy your book at 'mega-store' or 'major on-line bookseller' and then take it to your local independant bookstore to get it signed. This rule does not apply if it is an older book, no longer in the stores. If I expect an author to be popular, I don't take all 40 previous books with me to be signed. I was behind that person once, the author was gracious to a fault, but the 75 of us in line behind him were not happy. Being a shy and retiring person :snert:, if I see an author sitting there, alone and forlorn, I will go over to chat. Even if their book is not my cup of tea, I will talk with them for several minutes to encourage other shoppers to come over and see what is happening. And I have purchased books I never heard of, from authors I never heard of, because I stumbled on their signing. Two pieces of advice: 1) STAND UP, if there is a crowd at your table, you may sit for ease in signing, the crowd will generate interest. If you are there by your lonesome, no one will notice you if you are sitting there like a shrinking violet. 2) IX-NAY on the chocolate. Chocolate is messy. Hard candies are better, but get good ones. Not those ubiquitous red/white mints that all the restaurants have at the register.
Remember: All advice is worth the price charged.
MM
Remember: All advice is worth the price charged.
MM
