The Autograph Party

Sandra here welcoming you to Seekerville. Be sure and read at the end of this article the premier announcement of a new writing contest and be the lucky winner of the entry fee.

THE AUTOGRAPH PARTY

You’ve received the call.

You’ve revised, copy edited, filled forms for the cover, etc.

And your book has finally arrived. Hooray

Sandra and her friend Carole signing

God's Spirit Within Me

Now comes the fun part. Celebrating with your family and friends.

Your first book always gets the most publicity. Newspapers love the angle “local author sells first book” So make the most of it and have fun while you’re at it.

Here are some helpful hints to prepare for that first autograph party. (Yes, you can start now even before you’ve received “the call”)

PREPARATION FOR THE PARTY

1. First and foremost: Contact your editor and/or the publicity department of your publisher. Did I say contact your publisher? Yes, yes, yes. Most publishers provide a list of publicity requirements and recommendations. Follow them closely. After all, as their author, you now are a representative of their name. You will want to act with their standards in mind.

Cheryl Wyatt signing at the Harlequin Booth

of the Book Expo 2009 in New York

The last thing you want to do is cause stress for your editor or get your publisher upset. Most important-they will give you dates for when books can be ordered. Nothing worse than showing up for an autograph party and there are no books.

If you’re not published yet, ask authors you know in the publishing houses you are targeting for this information and keep a file.

2. Contact your local bookstore. They usually are very supportive. After all a successful signing means business for them. I’ve yet to go to an autograph signing and come out with just one book. How about you???? Plan with the manager. They often have a mailing list or newsletter. So give them enough notice to include your signing in their store publicity.

If you aren’t published yet, haunt your local bookstores. Introduce yourself to the manager. Let them know that you are a writer. They will be more excited for you when “the call” comes if they’ve been part of the journey.

Use any event as an excuse to use a bookstore. Most bookstores have meeting rooms and can be used by critique groups, writers groups, speakers on writing. Bookstores benefit because a writer in a bookstore means good business. I mean don’t we buy tons of books?

Mary Connealy signing at ICRS

3. Send a press release to your local media. Do this as soon as possible as radio stations, television stations and newspapers, especially in large cities need lead-time. If you have your autograph party date all set, you will get extra publicity from the article.

Send the press kit to the local newspaper, radio talk shows and television stations. Radio talk shows are pretty easy to get on and often you can be interviewed on the phone while you sit at home in your bedroom slippers. If you aren’t interviewed, the media will often announce the autograph party on their events calendar.

Even if you aren’t published yet you can develop a press kit. Many authors have press kits on their websites so you can take a peak to see how its done. It’s a good idea to have the professional photo (that has rights for reproduction), cover art for your book, contact information, business cards, etc.

Workshops are available for developing a good press kit. For more information, volunteer to help with the publicity committee of your local chapter of ACFW or RWA.. You’ll learn great publicity tips.

4. Print invitations to your party and send them out to everyone you know. Many authors use their book cover and make post cards. Be sure you ask permission from your publisher. They can send you the digital data to do so.

Put out announcements at all contact places where you are known, i.e. local writers groups, loops, church bulletins, work bulletins, the spa or gym you belong to, the Starbucks you sit at every day, etc.

5. Find the perfect outfit to wear. You are celebrating a new profession. Look professional. Remember, you’re representing not only yourself, but your publisher and the store.

Some historical authors dress in the period they write in. This is fun and an icebreaker.

6. Prepare your table presentation. Some publishers send out some materials but most authors, especially beginning authors need to develop their own. You can make a poster board with your cover. Announce you’re a local author. Include your photo. This is handy to leave in the store after the party is over. Most bookstores will feature your books. In fact, most authors find that they actually sell more autographed books after they leave. Some people are just too shy to approach a celebrity.

Seeker, Janet Dean, is very creative and artistic with her table presentations. In Janet’s debut book, Courting Miss Adelaide, the heroine was a milliner. Janet took a large hatbox and filled it with goodies to give away during the party. Notice the beautiful bouquet of roses too. Use anything you can to make your table attractive and inviting.

Janet Dean signing her debut book

Courting Miss Adelaide

Many authors have a bowl of candy to encourage people to stop by and chat.

Cookies or cake is nice also. At one of her booksigning parties, Janet Dean had the baker put the cover of Courting the Doctor’s Daughter on the cake.

7. Prepare give away items. These help break the ice, especially if you’re signing among strangers. Bookmarks, ink pens and candy are always a hit. The best place to get ideas for give-aways is to go to the give-away room of freebies at a conference. You’ll see a plethora of items with the author’s name, website and book title on them. Items include, match boxes, nail files (I personally love these as you always need one), letter openers, balloons, candy, flashlights, buttons to wear, pencil holders, magnets, etc.

My favorite thing to do while at a party between signings is to walk around and offer a bookmark. If someone shows interest you can tell them you are the author. This beats sitting at a table twiddling your thumbs.

Raffles are another popular way to attract customers. You can always raffle copies of your book. Seeker Glynna Kaye is planning to offer a basket of Seeker books when she signs for her October release of Dreaming of Home. Great idea Glynna. Once a customer comes up to talk to you about the free book, they’re ready to purchase one themselves.

8. Provide a way to collect email addresses. A raffle is a popular way to obtain mail or email addresses. State they do not have to be present to win. Print out raffle ticket blanks that require name and mail/email address. Have them check if they’d like to be included on your announcement for your next book. This saves legal hassles later.

Missy Tippens asked her bookstore to write the customers name on an index card for signing when they purchased the book. They would bring the card to her to show they had paid for the book. If they included their email/mail address, their card was put in the box for the drawing. This by the way, is a wonderful way to get those names correct when signing. You won’t believe how many ways there are to spell the most common names. This also helps if you’re in a crowded room and it is difficult to hear the name the customer is telling you.

Missy Tippens

signing at ACFW Conference 2008

AT THE PARTY

The moment has arrived. Now the fun begins. If you’re shy, make sure you have some trusted friends that promise to hang around and laugh a lot. Strangers are less shy to approach if there is a crowd already around your table. They want to see what all the fun is about.

Mary Connealy who has probably been at more signings than any of us gives this advice:

"And above all else remember you are NOT THERE TO SELL BOOKS. You are there to impress the bookstore owner with your respect for them and love for them. Say thank you often. Compliment their beautiful store."

Mary Connealy and friends

And also always remember you are representing the publisher. Smile a lot and have fun.

So speaking of having fun. Do any of you have any suggestions to add? It never hurts to have tons of ideas for the perfect autograph party. And remember friends. Autographed books make terrific gifts. Go to the parties you can and support not only your friends, but the business you are a part of. Check out Seekerville Weekend Edition for upcoming Seeker autograph parties.

I’m still on the Pacific Coast. In Oregon now so have been out picking huckleberries, blueberries and blackberries. I just toured the Cheese Factory in Tillamook so have cooked up some yummy cheese blintzes smothered with the berry sauce of your choice. There’s coffee and tea to go with that.

Oh yes, as promised. CWOW - Christian Writers of the West, the Arizona branch of ACFW are offering their first writers contest for unpublished writers-The Phoenix Rattler-Does your story have bite? Click on the link for details. If you want to be in the drawing for the entry fee, let me know in your comment section (add email address). Drawing will be tonight at 9:00 pm PST. Winner will also be announced in the Weekend Edition.