Guest Blogger Carla Stewart: FIVE KEYS TO A FUN AND SUCCESSFUL BOOK RELEASE PARTY

Myra here. I'm delighted to welcome back my good friend, award-winning author, and all-around wonderful person, Carla Stewart! When I first met Carla, we were both published-novelist wannabes, and we've critiqued, conferenced, commiserated, and celebrated together through the challenges of this crazy writing business. I love her like a sister!

Today, Carla joins us to share insights, ideas, and advice gleaned from her personal experience with highly successful book launches. So sharpen your pencils, turn to a clean page in your notebooks, and get ready to learn from someone who knows whereof she speaks (er, blogs)!

Award-winning author Carla Stewart

If the release of your new book is anything like mine, it’s been at least two years (or much longer) from the time your book was a glint in your eye until you’ve held your baby in your hands. It’s like being “with child” for twenty-four months! Having given birth to four human babies, I was more that ready for a celebration after just nine months. So double that and then some, and that’s what it feels like when you book baby is born. Why not celebrate your new release with abandon? Show it off to the world and let others join in!

First, a word about terminology. A book release party can be called a launch. It can be a traditional book signing. It can be a virtual book launch. For our purposes here today, though, I’m going with the theory that it’s a PHYSICAL, in-person release party. In other words, this is a VERY BIG DEAL, and you might have to get dressed up for this. But, you know, you deserve it, right?

I’ve come up with five keys to making sure your release party is a smash hit.

PLANNING – The five W’s and How Much?

·      Who to invite – Everyone. It always surprises me who turns up at my release parties. So be sure and include neighbors, friends, work colleagues (yours and your spouse’s), church members, hairdressers, people you’ve met casually who know you’re an author. Make a list and add to it as you think of others you want to include.

·      Who will provide books – you or a bookstore? Order well in advance of the event if you will be providing your own books.

·      What type of party – Theme-related parties are fun using elements from your book. Begin jotting down ideas for decorations and if you will have a reading, a skit, music (live or background music). What unique angle does your book have? Play that up. For my debut book, Chasing Lilacs, we had a fifties-themed party that I documented here. 

·      When – Set a date that is close to your release date and get it on the calendar as early as possible.

·      Where – A church, bookstore, restaurant party room, museum, art gallery, or any place that is unique to your book and would lend atmosphere are all good choices. Bookstores may restrict you on decorating and entertainment, but they offer ease in having books available. Securing a location and coordinating the date go hand in hand and should be one of your first moves. Courtney Walsh held her launch in an art gallery. Read about it here:  And here: 

·      Why have a release party? – See first paragraph. Chances are you are not the only one invested in your writing venture. This should be a time of celebration for your cheering squad.

·      How Much? Make a budget that’s within your means. Jot down the major costs (food, decorations, publicity, rental of facility if applicable, giveaways). It adds up fast, and chances are you will spend more than you budget, but this gives you a starting place. Save your receipts for tax purposes later!

PUBLICITY - Ways to invite people.

·      Personal invitations (postcards with your book cover work great) – I’ve found these to be most effective since people have a physical reminder they can tape to the fridge or tuck in a purse. There’s just something about a personal invitation that makes people feel welcome.

·      Create events on FB or GoodReads.

·      Newspaper ads and/or press releases. This works especially well in small to mid-sized towns.

·      Newsletters: Your author newsletter or those of your church and writing groups

·      Local radio station. TV if you’re really lucky!

·      E-vites

·      Flyers and posters

ENLIST HELPERS – Friends. Relatives. Your church’s social committee. Children. I always give my grandchildren jobs at my release parties – passing out slips of paper for the drawings, collecting cups and plates from guests, even taking pictures. They love it! Don’t be shy about asking for help. People become invested in your career when asked to help. Some jobs you can delegate:

·      Greeters to welcome guests.

·      Refreshments – Baking cookies, making sandwiches, set up and serving. Catering is great, but not always in the budget. You’ll have a lot more fun if you’re not preparing the food.

·      Set-up and Clean-up – A great job for teens and kiddos. Cash is a nice motivator.

·      Decorating – Do ahead of time if possible. Provide materials and props and let creative friends help. Ask permission if you are in a bookstore.

·      Photography – Have more than one person take pics if possible. Take a lot of random photos and pose with readers.

·      Sales – If you are in charge of selling your own books, enlist help to take money and fill out receipts (important for tax records). If your event is in a book store, they will handle sales.

·      Drawings for giveaways – I have a small form to capture addresses and emails for future mailings and my data base, but letting someone else pass these out and collect them is a huge help! The slips of paper can then used to draw for prizes.

LOGISTICS: Party Time

·      Guiding Principle: It’s all about the readers and guests. Provide a festive atmosphere that invites people to mingle. Make sure guests feel welcome from the minute they walk in the door.

·      Have a schedule. Will you sign books the whole time or chat with guests before moving to the author table? When will you hold drawings for the door prizes (People LOVE door prizes!)? Let guests know so they can plan how long they will stay. 

Door Prize Baskets

·      Will you be doing a reading? Will there be entertainment (special music or a skit perhaps)? Decide ahead of time when these will occur and try to honor that.

·      Round tables or groups of chairs will invite guests to stay and visit while having refreshments either before or after you’ve signed a book for them.

·      Author table: Don’t position too close to the entry. You want people to have a chance to enter the room and feel the warm reception.  Bookmarks and a bowl of candy are nice additions on the signing table.

·      Talk to each guest either while circulating or when you sign their book. Ask for proper spelling of their names and how they want book signed.

GRATITUDE

·      At the end of the day, you’ll want to thank those who’ve helped you. Send notes or provide small “hostess” gifts to your helpers. Inexpensive candles, note cards, sticky notes, bath gel, etc. make nice gifts.

·      Send a thank-you card to the facility that hosted your event. If a bookstore, leave a plate of refreshments for their break room and/or give a small gift to the coordinator.

·      Make a donation to the church if they’ve hosted your event.

·      Pam Meyers made a YouTube video of pictures of the event and sent the link to those who came. She also has a great tip if you have a book trailer.  

HAVE FUN! Releasing a new book is a day to rejoice. Enjoy it. Visit with your guests. Pose for pictures. Laugh. This is a day for you . . . and your readers. Treat them to a wonderful day, and they will be counting the days until your next book releases! 

Carla Stewart’s writing reflects her passion for times gone by. A child of the fifties and sixties, she recalls it as a glorious time when the summers were lazy, colors were brighter, and music filled her heart. Carla’s desire is to take readers back to the times when they knew they were loved, to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.”

Her award-winning novels include Chasing Lilacs and Broken Wings. Stardust is her newest release. She loves readers and participating in book club discussions. You can learn more about Carla and ways to connect with her at www.carlastewart.com.

About STARDUST: 

In the bayou country of East Texas, the neon sign of the STARDUST stands silent, no longer beckoning visitors to its cozy cottages. But two days after Georgia Peyton buries her unfaithful husband, a curious thing happens: the STARDUST sign sputters to life and winks at her. Sustained by a memory from the past and determined to build a new life, Georgia acquires the STARDUST with hopes of breathing new life into it too. 

But the guests who arrive aren't what Georgia expects: her gin-loving mother-in-law; her dead husband's mistress; an attractive drifter who's tired of the endless road; and an aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia's past. Dreams of a new life are crippled amid the havoc. Georgia's only hope is that she can find the courage to forgive those who've betrayed her, the grace to shelter those who need her, and the moxie to face the future. One thing is certain: under the flickering neon of the STARDUST, none of their lives will ever be the same.

Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for Carla's book along with two authentic Southern pecan pralines from East Texas.

You can find Carla here:

My website: www.carlastewart.com

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/ChasingLilacs

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/carlastewartauthor

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3335371.Carla_Stewart

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chasinglilacs/   

Amazon link to Stardust:

StardustVideo Trailer: 

Please Welcome Guest Blogger--Mary Ellis

My first book-signing by Mary Ellis

I often think back fondly of my very first book-signing.

I had just published a romantic suspense geared to the literary/library market. So the binding and packaging were top-notch—it would truly hold up to heavy wear-and-tear. And the cover photo was imbedded in the hardback cover, beneath the paper jacket. The only problem was the list price of $27.00 for an absolute “nobody” of a writer.

I was so tickled with getting published that I scheduled a signing at my local independent bookstore. (Borders and Barnes and Noble kept asking: Who did you say you were?) This was an adorable shop in a valley surrounded by ski slopes and quaint art galleries. Unfortunately, it is now out-of-business. I send out dozens of publicity postcards to my family, friends, neighbors and business acquaintances. I paid for ads in my local newspapers and tried every avenue of free publicity I could find.

The day of the event I wore my new dress and took extra time with hair and make-up. I brought a tray of cookies and fruit tarts from the nearby bakery. The store owner had a fire lit with a comfy armchair for me to greet my “fans.” And in they came—my neighbors, cousins, and coworkers at my day job. It was like a cocktail party minus the cocktails.

Everyone mingled and had a great time, including me. One hapless tourist wandered in and noticed the commotion. I spent fifteen minutes weaving an intriguing synopsis of my mystery. He kept thumbing through the book and nodding his head enthusiastically. Then suddenly he said: “Your book sounds good, but I’ll just check it out at the library.”And he disappeared out the door.

In the end, I didn’t sell a single copy to anyone who wasn’t related to me or knew me personally, but I did sell almost 30 books. When we were leaving with our empty desserttray, my husband said: “This obligates us to very nice wedding/shower/baby/graduation or whatever gifts to everyone for the rest of our lives.” But you know what? It was all worth it, because for one special afternoon I felt like an author instead of just a writer.

Click to Buy

Mary Ellis grew up close to an Amish settlement where she loved their peaceful agrarian lifestyle and strong sense of Christian community. She and her husband now live by the largest population of Amish in the country where they take weekend trips to research her books. Mary enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught Middle School and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate—a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. All three in her Miller Family series made the Christian bestseller lists. A Widow’s Hope was a finalist in the 2010 ACFW Carol Awards and Award of Merit for the Holt Medallion. Her current release is An Amish Family Reunion.

Please leave a comment here on Seekerville for a chance to win a signed copy of An Amish Family Reunion.
And drop by her website and sign up for her future newsletter to win one of five free copies. Drawing will be held February 15th.
Find her on the web at: http://www.maryellis.net/
New website! http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/
And find her on FACEBOOK

Author Beware – It’s Not as Easy as it Seems

 Happy New Year, everyone! Audra here. I'm so excited to welcome the New Year with my special guest, Amanda Cabot. Mark your calendars, Amanda and I will be booksigning together in Cheyenne, WY on Saturday, February 13, 2012 at the Cornerstone Book Store. If you're in the area, stop by! We'd love to see you!!
Author Beware – It’s Not as Easy as it Seems

Using Real Locations for Your Book’s Setting

What was I thinking?  I’d just finished writing the Texas Dreams trilogy and had loved creating the fictional town of Ladreville, so when my editor asked me to propose a series set in Wyoming, why on earth did I choose Fort Laramie and Cheyenne for the settings?  Did I have a sudden memory lapse, forgetting that the one time I used a real city as a location for one of my secular romances, I agonized the entire time I was writing it, worrying that I’d get hate mail from a reader, telling me that such and such a street wasn’t cobblestoned at the time of the book?

The truth is, I chose real settings for two reasons.  I haven’t queried other authors, but I suspect that if they use real places for their books, their reasons are similar.  So, what were my reasons?  The allure of reality and increased marketability. 

Let’s start with the allure of reality. “Real” fiction would seem to be an oxymoron, wouldn’t it?  After all my Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines fiction as “something invented by the imagination or feigned.”  And yet, even though the stories are fictional, I know that readers of historical fiction enjoy learning facts about the time period and that their enjoyment is enhanced when they have the opportunity to read about places that they may never actually visit.  I could have set Summer of Promise at a fictional fort in Wyoming, but using Fort Laramie, an important and well-known location, gave the book added appeal.  That’s the reason I asked that the back cover copy specifically mention Fort Laramie rather than simply saying ‘Wyoming.’  It’s too soon to tell, but my hope is that readers who haven’t picked up my earlier books will be intrigued enough by the Fort Laramie connection that they’ll read it. 

And that leads me to the second point: increased marketability.  Revell has a superb marketing department, but I still think it’s my job to help them.  One way of doing that is to get my books into places that wouldn’t normally carry fiction.  Fort Laramie’s gift shop is a tourist’s delight, filled with books and souvenirs.  The books, it should be noted, are mostly non-fiction.  I knew it was a long-shot, but I really wanted them to carry Summer of Promise, so I approached the Historical Association.  The general manager was intrigued by the premise of the story, and she loved the cover.  (Note: the background is a scene from Fort Laramie.)  But, since we’re dealing with the National Park Service, there’s a rigorous selection process.  Not only did several people on the staff have to read and review the book before they could consider carrying it, but the park superintendant asked them to answer one key question: “Are the details in the book authentic?”  It was only when the readers could answer ‘yes,’ that the Historical Association could order copies of my books.  And now that they’re going to carry it, I’ve approached other museums, using Fort Laramie’s decision as an inducement for them to stock copies of Summer of Promise.  I have no idea how many additional sales this will mean, but each new reader is important. 

We’ve talked about the advantages of choosing real locations for a book.  Now I’d like to debunk two myths.  “Of course you should use a real location.  It’s easier,” one author told me.  I disagree.  Although it’s true that you don’t have to invent street names and other details about the location, the opposite side of that argument is that you need to know all those details.  Simply having a general idea and then fudging won’t work.  Which is the perfect segue to the second myth: readers won’t catch small errors.  Trust me.  They will.  That’s the downside of increased marketability.  Among the new readers that you’ll attract by using a real location are those who are experts on that location.  While they might forgive a few discrepancies, chances are that if you make serious errors, they’ll tell you and – even worse – the world.  Are you willing to risk having reviewers post your inaccuracies?  It’ll happen.  And even if your mistakes aren’t paraded for the online world to see, there’ll be negative word of mouth.  None of us can afford that.

So, how do you avoid bad reviews and what I call hate mail?  There’s no panacea, but I have a few hints.

Read everything you can about your location.  I find the reference section of the library to be a particularly good source of information, especially when I ask a librarian for assistance.  Searching the card catalog reveals many books, but librarians are the experts.  They’ve pointed me toward books that I would never have found otherwise, books, I might add, that have proven invaluable.  Those included diaries of people from the time period which provided a number of important details, including the weather on specific dates.  Readers may not know that my descriptions are accurate, but I do, and that helps me overcome those worries about hate mail.

Look for picture books.  The adage about a picture being worth many words is true, and never more so than when you’re trying to discover what buildings or streets looked like many years ago.  I’ve found the Images of America series to be extremely helpful.  Not only are there hundreds of old photographs in them, but the commentary is typically written by local history experts.  While I borrow most reference books from the library, the Images books are ones I own, because I find myself referring to them almost constantly during the writing process.  (And, no, I don’t own stock in the company.)

Visit the site at the appropriate time of year.  Although I had made two research trips to Fort Laramie before I wrote the book, one was in late summer, the other mid-autumn.  Since my book began in June, I knew I had to return to the fort then.  I was so glad I did!  Not only did I discover that the grass was green then, whereas it had been golden brown on my other visits, but I was able to see how much higher the river was.  Those and a myriad of other details made their way into the story, adding the authenticity that readers expect.  I know it’s not possible for everyone to travel to a location, especially at a specific time of the year.  If you can’t, search for local residents who can help you with details.  Which leads me to my next hint.

Enlist local experts.  Although I’d read stacks of books about Fort Laramie and had visited it several times, there were still things I didn’t know.  As an example, most visitors to the fort are familiar with Old Bedlam, the large white building that served as the bachelor officers quarters for much of the fort’s history.  The problem was, at the time my story took place, Old Bedlam had been converted to apartments for married officers.  I could find no reference to the building that was used as the BOQ at that time period, so I consulted the fort’s librarian.  She and one of the park rangers pulled out maps and records, and when they couldn’t find any definitive information, they helped me to choose a plausible location.

Don’t make assumptions.  This is actually a corollary to my first two points.  On one of my visits to the fort, I took a picture of two uniforms displayed in the fort’s museum.  One was clearly marked ‘infantry,’ and since my hero was a lieutenant in the infantry, I used that picture as my source, describing the single-breasted coat in great detail.  The problem was, once the Images of America book on Fort Laramie was published, I started studying it and discovered that many of the soldiers wore double-breasted coats.  Why was there a discrepancy?  Again, the fort librarian was of immeasurable assistance.  She provided me with a book that detailed Army uniforms during the nineteenth century.  Half an hour with that book revealed that the uniform in the museum display was for an enlisted man, while the double-breasted coats I saw in the pictures belonged to officers.  My description had to be changed.  Would a reader have caught the error?  Possibly not, but I’m glad I discovered it.

Lastly, if you take liberties, tell the readers.  There are times when an author wants to bend history for the sake of the story.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  After all, we’re dealing with fiction.  But if you do decide to stretch the truth, perhaps by placing a real person in a city where he or she might not have been, mention that in a note to readers.  They’ll appreciate it, and so will you, because your note will forestall criticism.

If I’ve made using real locations as settings for your stories seem like an overwhelming burden, let me assure you that it’s not.  It can be fun to learn the details of a real place and share them with readers.  A real location can help you market your book.  And it can attract new readers to your books. 

Would I do it again?  Maybe.

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont with her sweetheart, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads West to Wyoming. The endless prairie seems monotonous, but when her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

When circumstances--and perhaps a bit of matchmaking--put Abigail and Ethan together, there's certainly attraction. But Abigail is planning to marry another man and return to life in Vermont as soon as she is finished attending to her sister. And Ethan loves his life in the Army and the wilds of Wyoming. When summer ends, will Abigail go back East? Or will she fall in love with this rugged land herself?

A former director of Information Technology, Amanda Cabot has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. She is now a fulltime writer of Christian historical romances. Amanda is delighted that her Texas Dreams trilogy received critical acclaim, in part because of their historical authenticity, and that the staff at Fort Laramie found her research so accurate that they’re carrying Summer of Promise, the first book in the Westward Winds series, in their gift shop.

Great info, Amanda! Whatever you're writing, historical or contemporay, suspense or Amish, never take research for granted! Seekerville is offering a prize package today. So leave a comment and winner will be announced in the Weekend Edition.

BOOK SIGNINGS -- 1, 2, 3, GIVE BACK!

By Debby Giusti

Since a number of Seekerville writers are newly published or close to publication, I thought I’d offer advice on how a book signing can be a win-win for everyone involved.

Ever ask published authors what they think about book signings? They probably groaned and mentioned sitting for hours as people passed by, trying to avoid eye contact lest they have to buy a book.

Fortunately, that doesn’t happen at Omega Book Center in Peachtree City, Georgia. Karen Duncan owns the independent book store in town and has a gift for making everyone feel at home.

Her biggest competition is a glitzy Books-A-Million located just a few miles away in a larger, more upscale shopping area, but folks -- at least the folks who like to read -- know Karen provides not only a vast assortment of books to buy but also suggestions about new authors and new reads specially geared to interest her customers. That’s a service you don’t find at the larger chain book stores.

Lesson #1: Find an independent bookseller in your local area.

Debby with bookseller Karen Duncan

Karen hosted my first signing and each one since then. Plus, she always has copies of my latest releases on hand so when readers ask me where to find my books, I send them to Omega Book Center.

Lesson #2: The local bookseller is an author’s best friend.


Karen knows when people enter her store looking for one book, they usually leave with two or three in hand, and that’s good for business. Plus, readers enjoy meeting authors so she's always eager to host events and scheduled my first signing long in advance of the release of NOWHERE TO HIDE, in 2007.

I have to admit feeling a bit awkward about asking folks to buy my book for that first signing. After all, I’m a writer, not a salesman. I didn’t want the event to be about me, but about the community that had supported me and my family over the years.

Lesson #3: Find a way to give back.

Tracie Russo, a young woman in my area, had a brain tumor and needed surgery, but she didn’t have medical insurance and lacked funding for the operation. As soon as I learned of her situation, I decided to donate the proceeds from the NOWHERE TO HIDE signing to her medical fund.

I was amazed at the number of people who attended the event. A long line quickly formed, and a steady stream of readers mingled in the store as they waited patiently to buy my book. Some folks pulled out their checkbooks and made personal donations. Others bought multiple copies of my book to give to friends and to also help Tracy.


Tracy's mom accepts a donation from Debby.

 Because Tracy’s need was great, I donated the proceeds from my second book signing to her as well. Although my efforts to help were small compared to larger fundraisers in the area, Tracy and her mom appreciated every donation.  Tracy had her surgery, went on to earn a degree in education and has a bright future ahead of her.

Debby donates book to soldiers going to Iraq.

I wrote MIA: MISSING IN ATLANTA when my son was deployed for his second tour in Iraq and dedicated the book to the brave men and women in uniform. For every book purchased at that signing, I donated a free copy of MIA to the military. Each person who bought a book inscribed a bookplate thanking soldiers for their service to our country, and the bookplates were then glued onto the inside back covers.

A few days later, I took the cases of books to the Atlanta airport and gave them to Hartsfield’s military liaison. He, in turn, passed them out to the soldiers boarding flights to the Middle East. The books provided reading material on the long flight, and I'm sure the handwritten thanks lifted the spirits of the soldiers heading off to war.


Pat Rosenbach, left, holds a photo of her friend, Eva.

 When Peachtree City resident Pat Rosenbach told me about her friend, Eva Logan, who died of Von-Hippel Lindau Disease, I knew VHL would play into my next book. PROTECTING HER CHILD is about a mother and her estranged daughter, who may have the genetically acquired disease. Proceeds from that signing went to VHL Connections, an information and support foundation for those suffering from VHL.


Kathy McMullin started Embracing Military Families to help the children of deployed soldiers.


CHRISTMAS PERIL, featuring my novella YULE DIE, came out in December 2009 and benefited Embracing Military Families, an organization that provides Christmas toys to children of service members stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, who are deployed to the Middle East.

The economy was on a downturn when KILLER HEADLINE came out last year. Many folks rely on our local food pantry to get by so that book signing helped the St. Vincent de Paul Society that provides food and financial aid to those in need.

I’m signing THE OFFICER’S SECRET tomorrow night at Omega Book Center and donating the proceeds to Bridget O’Connell, a nine-year-old with end-stage kidney disease. Bridget is on the National Transplant Registry awaiting a kidney and needs financial help to make that operation possible.

In hopes of drawing a good crowd, I mailed 200 postcards to local readers and submitted press releases to newspapers and radio stations. In addition, I’ve mentioned Bridget on a number of blogs. My hope is that people will open their hearts and their checkbooks to this adorable fourth grader who wants to be a chef when she grows up.

Lesson #4: Publicity helps the writer, the charity and the bookseller.

Omega Book Store is taking phone orders for THE OFFICER’S SECRET and promises to ship the book anywhere in the U.S. Call 770-487-3977 to order your autographed copy and help Bridget. To donate to her tax-exempt medical fund, go to the NTAF Southeast Kidney Transplant Fund and type in Bridget O’Connell.

Tomorrow will be a fun night. Karen always provides refreshments, and I’ll have a drawing for a military-themed gift basket. Wish you could be there.

Share the ways you give back or ideas to turn a ho-hum book signing into a win-win event for all. Leave your email address to enter today’s drawing! I’m giving away 5 copies of THE OFFICER’S SECRET.

The coffee’s hot. So is the tea. Grab a plate and help yourself to the breakfast buffet--eggs, bacon, ham, biscuits, hash browns, fresh fruit and, of course, grits.

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti                                
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/
http://www.crossmyheartprayerteam.blogspot.com/

Are You Ready For Your Booksigning?

Forgive me for squealing, but I just have to share.

After a year of excitement and planning for my first book, I just had my very first booksigning!! Oh my goodness, what a rush! I had so many safety nets surrounding me, I never experienced a panic moment. Which gave me the idea to offer you my Booksigning Preparedness List while the event is still fresh in my mind and in turn allows me to use my own photos of my own FIRST booksigning as examples.

Can life get any better??

So first, since Amanda Cabot, my friend and gracious leader of the Front Range Christian Fiction Writers group, set up this booksigning for me, I turned to her for advice. She started me off with:

· Pens


· Bookmarks

· Autographed by Author stickers

· Postcards about the event

· A notebook

Let’s start with pens. I bought all new pens they wouldn’t run out on me, or my guests. Since I write romance featuring cowboys, I found these little ceramic cowboy boots to place my pens in, to keep with theme, of course, LOL!

I had plenty of bookmarks, postcards and business cards – and even provided everyone that bought a book with a Seeker bookmark. Had
lots of folks give those the once over!

Oh my goodness, the fun I had placing stickers on books! I wish my Local Author stickers had arrived, but hey, I’ll take Autographed by Author!!

My guest book, a beautiful spiral bound number with hard covers, now proudly displays the names of people attending my very first booksigning. You never know…could be worth money in years to come, LOL!

That had me off to a great start. Of course I had to take a page out of the Seekerville Guide to Hosting Parties:

· Chocolate

· Prize baskets

· Chocolate

· Virtual snacks

· Chocolate


Chocolate speaks for itself. I had so many varieties, I had people drifting over just to pick through my basket! I felt blessed if my tiny donation of sweets to a stranger was enough for them to scoop up a bookmark and business card and maybe be drawn to order from Amazon or drop by a Walmart at a later date.


I had two prize baskets loaded with chocolate and odds and ends. Leslie, being the dear she was, guided people to the guest book and drawing slips, explaining with great animation the benefits of taking a chance. LOL! I can’t wait to work her first booksigning! I learned lots from the master.



Virtual snacks? I’d gab about what a great in-house coffee shop Barnes and Noble had and encourage folks to go have a cup and a cookie and maybe stop back by on their way out of the store. Hopefully if they didn’t buy my book, they bought a cup of coffee!!



The most important item on my list isn’t an item at all, but a person. Everyone needs a Leslie. I’m serious. No you can’t have mine, but definitely bring a friend, relative, fellow writer with you to keep you organized! I can’t imagine what I would’ve done if Leslie hadn’t been there to greet people, pull me away from well meaning folks who unknowingly monopolized my time, keep in touch with Vivian when drawings needed to be announced or customers just needed additional help. She also surprised me by making cute pins featuring my cover. What a keepsake.

God bless Leslie!

Barnes and Noble was especially wonderful. They ordered in books, set a table with flowers, provided Lucite stands for books and kept me in water and coffee. Friendly and polite, I think the staff at our Barnes and Noble had a good time at the party, too.

My best advice:

Plan ahead (no snickering from the Seekers who know me well).

Start gathering your materials and placing them in a box or bag you’ll be able to store and always have on hand.

Think theme and dress and decorate accordingly. Make sure everyone knows about the event!

HAVE FUN!!

Now, to continue in the spirit of booksigning, two lucky commentors will receive autographed copies of Rocky Mountain Hero. Check back on Sunday for the Weekend Edition and claim your books!!

Have a great month!

How to Avoid a Book-signing Disaster

Ruthy, here, and I'm pleased to welcome Harlequin American author Leigh Duncan!!!! Thanks so much for joining us in Seekerville today! Guys, sit back, it's Friday (do I hear a resounding YAY from the studio audience????)grab some fresh coffee and donuts while you chat with Leigh about her debut novel "The Officer's Girl".

So, you’ve sold your first book and you’re ready to brave the crowds of eager fans and do a book signing. Or two. Maybe even string several appearances into a book tour. If you’re like me, you educate yourself by reading your publisher’s promotional guidelines and attending a workshop on the topic. Much to your dismay, you learn that, short of hiring a PR firm, no one sets up book tours for new authors, so you have to do all the leg work yourself.

What does that mean, exactly?

Mostly, it means you start early. Have some decent, if not expensive, publicity photos taken. Because retailers will ask for them, write a short bio and a catchy blurb about your book. Five seconds after you stop ooh-ing and aah-ing over your cover art, order book marks. Decide when and where you’d like to sign, hopefully arranging appearances in a straight line instead of back-tracking all over the country (the way I did). And, since the major book sellers require three months to arrange a signing, start lining things up ten minutes after your editor gives you a firm pub date. (Those three months include the time it’ll take to get in touch with the right manager, plus the lead time corporate offices require if they’re supplying posters or including your event in their e- or print newsletter. Surprisingly, smaller stores may want even more lead time and might ask for referrals or a connection to the local community.)

Once all your appearances are scheduled, buy some candy to entice and reward, pack your suitcase, and you’re all set to hit the road. What could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, a lot.

Having just completed seven book signings for The Officer’s Girl, my debut release for Harlequin American Romance, I’d like to point out a few ways your well-planned book signing can fail, and how you can save those uh-oh moments from turning into a disaster.

First up, a little problem I call, “The manager has left the building.” The scenario—a book signing with a major retailer five hundred miles from home. How was I supposed to know Manager X got the boot shortly after he scheduled my event? Fortunately, sales of The Officer’s Girl hit #1 on Amazon.com’s list of Harlequin American releases and, thinking he might want to order more copies, I called Manager X to share the good news. After a few disconcerting moments, I found myself talking to New Manager Y who said not only had Manager X left without ordering a single copy of my book, he hadn’t notified the corporate office of the event, or even put it on the store calendar. But that one phone call turned a disaster into a save and taught me a valuable lesson: For any book signing or appearance, double- and triple-check everything.

Next in line, “Cat Hair Eeew!”

The setting, a large book store where the sales staff had gone all out with balloons, posters, a cloth-covered table, and even candy for the candy dish. There was only one little problem: the clumps of cat hair on the tablecloth outnumbered the dandelions in my back yard. What to do, what to do. I’m open to suggestions, but I’ll tell you what I did—I sneezed.

And sneezed. And sneezed.

No, I’m not allergic to cats, but I can manage a pretty fair imitation if it means saving potential customers from hair-coated candy. And, thanks to the instructor of that book signing workshop, I had a disposable white cloth in my car. Which I spread across the table after whisking the feline-i-ous one out of sight. Disaster averted.

But what if you show up for a book signing, and your books don’t? After you get through singing, “Oh, where, oh where have my little books gone,” how do you handle this disaster-in-the-making? Well, first you smile and remain gracious. Allow the staff time to search the store from top to bottom. After all, the computer said they had 48 copies which have to be… somewhere. Keep smiling. Keep assuring everyone within hearing that “these things happen” and you’re sure it will all work out. Most of the time, it will. On those rare occasions when it doesn’t, offer to bring in that case of books you stashed in the trunk of your car, and work out a fair exchange.



When this happened at one of my book signings, a very flustered and apologetic manager offered two options. I could handle my own sales, in which case the store would receive nada. Or I could allow the store to handle the sales and replenish my supply with books they’d ship to my home. I chose Door Number 2 and sold 45 copies of The Officer’s Girl within a 2-hour window. Not only did the store replace my books within a week, but I made great friends with a staff which has asked me to return when my next Harlequin American is released in 2011. Lesson learned: Toss an extra case of books in the back of the car…and smile.

On to “Negotiation 101,” or what to do if the store wants a huge slice of your pie. Imagine showing up at the only book store in town where the manager regretfully informs you that her shipment hasn’t arrived. She asks if you can supply your own copies and, thinking about that extra case of books in the car, you agree. At which point, the manager demands a 50-50 split. Since you paid 60% of the cover price, plus shipping, to obtain the books, that stings. But what do you do?

Remember, unless you regularly hit #1 on the New York Times list, your goal on any book tour is to make friends with book sellers and get some face time with potential fans. That doesn’t mean you should lose money on every sale. Explain your costs and negotiate, hopefully in a gracious manner and well out of the sight and hearing of any book buyers.

One final word to the wise about providing candy for your guests. Buy one small bag. Seriously. Unless you’re signing with Nora Roberts, it’s your first book signing for your debut book in your home town, or you’ve hit the NYT top ten and you write YA, plan on fifty people—max—at any one book signing. Most people aren’t going to eat the chocolate. The ones who do, will take one piece. Any more than a single bag of Hershey’s kisses is going to melt in the back seat of your car or go straight to your hips.

Okay, that pretty much sums up all I wanted to say today. No, I’ve by no means covered all the ways a book signing can fail. Sometimes, no matter how well you’ve planned, no one shows up. Or one person lingers too long at the table. Or your relatives form a gauntlet that not even the most ardent fans can brave. But those are topics for another day.

In leaving, I’d like to share with you the list of things I place in my tote bag whenever I head out for a book signing:

Bookmarks
Business cards
A clear plastic display stand holding an 8x10 color copy of my book cover
A collection of Sharpies (Or the pens of your choice. Be sure they don’t bleed through
the page.)
A roll of gold foil “Autographed Copy” stickers
A pretty candy dish
Inexpensive, disposable tablecloths
A cheat sheet listing the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every book store on the
tour, the dates and times of every event, the contact person at each stop
A copy of my book to autograph for each store manager or contact person

Those items, along with a case of books (or maybe two), are my staples for every book signing. What goes in your tote bag? Is there something I should add to mine?

Harlequin American author Leigh Duncan believes solid relationships lay the foundation for true happiness. Married to the love of her life and mother of two wonderful young adults, Leigh writes the kind of books she loves to read, ones where home, family and community are key to the happy endings everyone deserves.

Her debut book, The Officer’s Girl, is in stores now, and her second Harlequin American is slated for release in early 2011. Leigh is a long-time member of the SpacecoasT Authors of Romance (Florida STAR), the Washington Romance Writers, and a charter member of RWA’s on-line women’s fiction chapter. She coordinated the wildly successful Launching A Star contest for 4 years and, hosted the first Online Romance Reader’s Circle with Michelle Buonfiglio at www.barnesandnoble.com. When she isn’t busy writing or helping aspiring authors, Leigh enjoys curling up in her favorite chair with a cup of hot coffee and a great read. To learn more about her, visit www.leighduncan.com.