Monday, November 29, 2010

A Reader's Guide to Book Signings

Over the years, I've had a gajillion book signings, give or take. Lately, that number has been growing.

And in the last bit, some people, knowing that signings aren't totally awesome unless your last name is something like Rowling, have asked how they should act when they see a writer at a book signing. What's the etiquette?

If I hadn't been on the other side of the fence, I wouldn't have the answer. But alas, I have been there. Many times.

And some days, I wish I had a sign with tips for people to read as they pass.

So today, a list of DOs and DON'Ts for the reader who happens upon a book signing:

1) DO Make Eye Contact and Smile.
In other words, don't panic, pretending the writer doesn't exist, then veer the other direction as if we have leprosy. Yes, we know you're avoiding us. And no, a simple acknowledgment of our existence doesn't obligate you to buy our book. A simple "hello" can go a long way in making the writer feel at least human instead of shunned.

2) If Something Is Offered Free, DO TAKE IT.
Any published writer has likely already been through a lot of rejection, but that rejection gets compounded at a signing, when 99% of people walking by don't buy your book (and some 85% pretend you have leprosy).

Ergo, if the writer offers a bookmark, a card with their book cover, a flier, or WHATEVER, graciously take it, say thanks, and walk on. By doing so, you are not obligated to buy the book. But having a free bookmark or a (ahem) free recipe card rejected can get rather demoralizing after the 186th time that day.

Many writers bring along candy or chocolate. Feel free to take a piece WHILE acknowledging the writer's existence in the process. (Don't take the candy and pretend no one is at the table.) A friendly exchange like that is actually a nice thing, even if you don't buy a book.

3) DO Feel Free to Talk to the Writer.
This does not in any way obligate you to buy anything. After constant rejection, it's nice to get even a simple comment like, "You wrote that book? Cool." Sometimes chitchat evolves into family stuff or interests. It helps pass the time, and really, at least in my case, I do enjoy getting to know people for a few minutes. Even if they don't buy a book.

A corollary for writers: Unless a person actually shows interest in your book, don't give them a three-minute spiel on it. That makes everyone uncomfortable, and you'll feel even more rejected when they don't buy it. Have ONE or TWO short sentences to use when people approach, and if they want to know more, they'll tell you. If they don't ask for more, DON'T keep pitching your book; find something else to talk about.

4) After making eye contact and/or smiling/saying hello, DO NOT keep glancing over if you aren't interested. Writers expect people to keep walking, since that's what happens most times. (And that is fine.)

BUT if someone keeps glancing your way, that's telegraphing a message that they might be interested. Writers have to read body language like crazy at book signings; it's all we've got.

If you keep looking over at us or our book display, you're asking to be talked to. If you accidentally find yourself doing a double and then a triple take and (ACK!) the writer SPEAKS, then just be polite. Smile and say something pleasant (even, "Good luck with your book"). Then feel free to keep walking. Just don't revert to the shunning and contagious disease thing.

5) If you DO want to buy a book, great! You're welcome to talk to us longer (you're our new best friend). As the writer signs the book, tell them if you'd like the book made out to a specific person, and if so, SPELL the name even if it's "Beth." It's amazing how many ways there are to spell the simplest of names, so if there's the slightest chance the writer could get the name spelled wrong, clarify it.

6) If you have no plans to make a purchase, DON'T talk for ten minutes. Seriously, that just messes with our heads. We are ON for hours at a time, keeping adrenaline moving so we can be peppy and fun and approachable. It's exhausting. If someone stops and chats, it's really nice. To a point.

But here's the thing: after ten minutes, I'm bound to get my hopes up that this person will actually buy a book. When they walk away, it's depressing.

I know this can be confusing with #3 above, but it comes down to there being a sweet spot for how long to talk.

You're safe chatting for a minute or two before you end up in commitment waters. But if you've heard several anecdotes about the book, you know what research the writer did, you've heard the backliner, and the writer knows where you live and how many kids you have, your favorite TV shows, and that you're currently potty training Joey, chances are you've been talking too long.


Caveat: These are my rules when dealing with a perfect stranger at a book signing. If you're already my friend, everything changes. For starters, I'll probably want to talk for 20 minutes. For another, you're probably THERE to buy my book.



That's my basic guide for handling book signings as a reader. Questions? Throw 'em into the comments.

Writers: Anything you'd add?

20 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I wish I had known these things before I happened to stumble upon the George Bush signing.

Jenny P. said...

Ha! Kristina's funny. I will remember this list if I ever happen across an author. In this here small town where I live, I can't imagine ever seeing one, but you never know! I'll also remember your tips if I ever happen to have my OWN book signing. ;) (Still waiting, by the way. Ten months and counting...)

Blue said...

This all seems to apply to just happening upon an author signing...but I was wondering what you think about going to a book launch party, and not buying the book. Is that a show of solidarity or just annoying?

I'm asking because I recently attended the launch party for a friend's book. Not a close friend, but a person who I've met and crossed paths with a number of times, and we're on a first-name basis and have some mutual friends.

The launch was at TKE bookshop, and I thought it would be nice to show some support and attend it, but the truth is our fiscal situation at present is too tight to include purchasing books. We're big fans of libraries, both public and school, and always request that they buy any books we want to read, which is how I'd read the author's other books.

I didn't think attending without buying would be a problem, until I was there and chatting with some other friends, who are authors. One of them asked me point blank if I was buying the book (I had bought a copy of their book as at a signing in the past).

I felt awkward admitting that, no, I was just standing in line to congratulate our friend on the launch...but it made me second guess whether or not I should have come at all.

Are launch parties different than regular Costco signings, for example? I was thinking if I were an author, I'd want warm bodies to attend, even if they didn't buy anything. But is that wrong?

Thanks! ♥

Susan Anderson said...

I had to laugh reading these, because you are right on! I've never liked book signings much. They are just plain painful.

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Chris said...

This article should be posted at every book signing for every author. Stumbling upon one of these and not knowing how to act can be painful.

The Crash Test Dummy said...

Ha ha at Kristina P.'s comment.

Hey, this was so perfect. I just lub you so much!

Melissa Cunningham said...

I'm hoping I actually get to just HAVE a book signing. Sigh. But if I see someone there selling, I buy, because I know how hard it must be and I'll want other authors to buy mine! =)

Annette Lyon said...

I have a suspicion that George W doesn't need a poster . . .

As for Blue's questions, it's so good, I'm replying here as well as to her personally:

A launch is definitely a different animal from a regular signing. At a bookstore or Costco, if no one shows up to see me, I'm not surprised. But if the same happened at a launch, I'd be depressed. (I've had all of two official launch parties with eight books.)

At a launch, I personally am thrilled to see any warm bodies, as you put it. I've had fans come to a launch where they bought the book at a cheaper location to have me sign there, and that's totally cool (although the store might not appreciate it).

I've also had friends come to a launch who couldn't buy the book right then for whatever reason--but who I knew probably would later, or at least would read it--and I really appreciated the show of support. In one case like that, the reader drove a good 45 minutes to come congratulate me--but she couldn't afford the book right then. (And I'm supposed to be mad at that?)

But I'm not every writer. I can imagine some authors expecting that every person who comes will buy a book. Maybe if I end up on the NY Times list, I'll think in those terms, but for now, I'm happy to have fans taking time out of their day to drive to wherever I am to support me.

Sure, I also hope that *most* people coming will also get a book. But I'm not going to get my feathers ruffled if I find out someone came and didn't.

If a reader LIKES your work and wants to meet you or congratulate you and goes out of their way to do so, heavens, be gracious and GRATEFUL.

At least, that's my take. I imagine other writers may well disagree.

T.J. said...

We should pool our awesome knowledge together and come up with an etiquette book for fans and writers. We could make a fortune!

TisforTonya said...

tip for the future me: do not (when asked by the author "who shall I make this out to?" assume that means that I have no way out of buying that book just because I stopped to ask a few questions.

NOT your book by the way...

said book is now keeping the dust bunnies company because even though the author said "13 years old" when I asked for the intended age group of his self published novel... I had to give up on reading it myself.

Really T - grow a backbone.

Blue said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Annette! I feel less lame about being there now. The author signing the books wasn't the one who made me feel awkward, it was my friend who is also an author's question that made me feel lame. Perhaps I shouldn't have eaten a cookie since I wasn't buying :-)

InkMom said...

Oh, Annette. I am groaning. I want to be an anonymous author. Do people still use noms de plume? I know you didn't intend this with your post, but the whole book signing-marketing yourself thing is almost enough to turn me smooth off of writing. Maybe I'll let my sister submit my stuff, too, and we'll split all the proceeds, because she seems okay with the possibilities of publicity. But I'm just not sure I've got it in me! And it's not an issue of nerves, either -- it's the one-sidedness of it. This is why I have no desire to meet famous people: an encounter should be mutually impacting, and how on earth could meeting me, just another fan, affect, say, The Edge (who I love waaaay more than Bono)? As a member of "the fans", my impact is felt in a general sense, but in person meetings? I don't know. I worry that people would actually NOT buy something I wrote because of an unfavorable impression of me . . . maybe I'm one of those authors they'll keep hidden away in order to protect sales? I can only hope. I also have a problem manufacturing personal pep. I admire those who can do it, but ugh! I'm not capable!

Camille said...

I love it! So true - these reminders are necesary. So many times these people getting their books signed act as if they're ordering soup from Seinfeld's "The Soup Nazi"! :)

Anonymous said...

Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!

Annette Lyon said...

Soup Nazi . . . *snicker*

:)

Anonymous said...

So many good comments and questions in here. Thank you for answering them! Thank you for writing the post in the first place. Sometimes, I just get nervous and don't know what to say PERIOD but it helps to have a few basics in place to urge me in the right direction. =D

p.s. Your chocolate book rocks! My Christmas festivities are indebted to you. Plus, people think I can cook and that's one misconception I'm fine to leave! ;)

Lara Neves said...

Love your posts like this. You are so pragmatic, and really help all of us figure this stuff out. Although, I don't think I've ever happened onto a book signing, though I've come to a couple specifically.

Never yours, though. And that makes me sad!!! However, I can't wait to get my cookbook...it's all ordered and coming soon.

Jessica G. said...

I always wondered if I was making some sort of social faux pas by saying hello.
(And neener neener...I wrote more words than you!)

Lisa Loo said...

Well, if the middle of nowhere Montana were just a titch closer to Utah, I might be able to come to one of these lovely events where I would unabashedly push my way to the front of the line an talk to you for hours because I WOULD buy the book. I actually have been dying to get my hands on one of those scrumptious looking volumes but I kind of wanted a little sentiment handwritten on the inside cover from you. So....back to... if Montana were just a titch......

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