What NOT to do at a Bookstore Signing
By Erika Robuck | April 22, 2010 |
Today’s post comes from guest contributor Erika Robuck. Erika, author of historical novel Receive Me Falling, was one of the finalists for the WU contributor post. Please enjoy her essay, we think it’s fantastic!
Imagine you’re heading off to your first day at a new job in sales. For the sake of argument, we’ll call you a pharmaceutical rep. Imagine stepping into the conference room at a physician’s office with a group of doctors waiting for you to pitch your drug. You’ve prepared well for this day. Close your eyes and visualize the scene.
Got it? Do you see yourself?
Are you wearing jeans? Do you have your kids with you? Did you bring a bowl of candy bars?
I’m going to go out on a limb and say, no. Your picture probably includes someone in a suit with a well polished appearance and a briefcase full of materials pertaining to the drug.
What does this have to do with you as a writer? I’ll tell you. Prepare yourself for some tough love.
When you are given the privilege of a book store signing, remember that you are a professional. This is your job. Like it or not, you must sell yourself and your book, not only to the shoppers in the store but also to the book store employees. If you show up wearing jeans, have your kids slumped around the table playing handheld video games, and try passing out chocolates to lure in potential buyers, you aren’t being professional and you should not expect to be taken seriously.
Unfortunately, your appearance is your first impression. While you don’t have to wear a suit, you don’t want to look like you just rolled in off the soccer field. Of course, overdressing can be just as deadly as underdressing. It’s difficult to find the balance, but generally, business casual is the appropriate dress for a book store event.
Like everyone else, your children are your pride and joy. They are precious and wonderful, and they might get a kick out of seeing Mom signing books. I know issues arise—babysitters cancel, caretakers get sick, it’s your custody weekend—but you wouldn’t take your children into an office for a work day, so don’t take them to the signing. Not only does it reflect poorly on you, it’s also unfair to other authors at a group signing. It takes away some of their professionalism and makes them feel awkward.
Finally, the candy issue is debatable. Freebies are a must at a signing, and the more creative, the better. Unless you’ve written a book about chocolate, however, don’t put it on your table. Not only is it a gimmick, but it won’t leave anything for people to remember your book. Bookmarks and pens are inexpensive and can be personalized with website and book information. Save the candy bars for the book store employees. They’ll love you for it.
The bottom line is that you are a professional. A book store signing is a long way from where you sit writing in your bed, in your pajamas, with the laptop on your legs.
You must be able to make that transition if you want your book to make it into the hands of readers in their beds, in their pajamas, with your book on their legs.
Erika Robuck (@ErikaRobuck) self-published her first novel, RECEIVE ME FALLING. Penguin Random House published her subsequent novels, HEMINGWAY’S GIRL, CALL ME ZELDA, FALLEN BEAUTY, THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE, and GRAND CENTRAL, a collaborative short story anthology. Erika writes about and reviews historical fiction at her blog, Muse, and is a contributor to fiction blog, Writer Unboxed. She is also a member of the Historical Novel, Hemingway, Millay, and Hawthorne Societies.
Great advice here. I haven’t had to really dress for business for a while, but it makes sense to err on the side of formality.
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wonderful post, Erika…and welcome!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Video killed the book writing star? =-.
I’ve actually had good results from a bowl of chocolates at signings, but I agree that there needs to be something book-related to give away as well. Moms are a huge part of my target audience, and having something to give to the kids while I chat with the moms works well.
The other thing with chocolate (and by chocolate, I mean at least Dove, none of that Hershey riff-raff) is that if you have friends and family making an effort to come out and support you (because warm bodies near your book table always help), the least you can do is thank them with a bit of chocolate.
.-= Hillary Manton Lodge´s last blog ..Over the Airwaves. Kinda. =-.
I have yet to bring chocolate, but I do always bring a good pen — and, so far, a keris. :-)
Thanks for a great post, Erika!
Haven’t done a book signing yet. Haven’t had a book published yet or signed with an agent yet, for that matter. But your advice will come in handy when I DO get to do a book signing.
Note to self: leave the kids at home with a good babysitter and a box of chocolates.
.-= Laura Droege´s last blog ..The monster that sends time into warp speed =-.
Not gonna lie, I hadn’t thought about this exactly, but now I probably won’t be able to stop. (Imagining MY VERY OWN BOOK SIGNING, that is. Ooo, the deliciousness.) Thanks for the excellent advice! I hope your signing(s) went well!
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..On the radio =-.
Thanks for your comments everyone!
Hillary–I forgot to make an exception for Dove, especially Dark. And if you’re trying to attract moms and kids, chocolate is an excellent prop.
.-= Erika Robuck´s last blog ..Guest Posting at Writer Unboxed =-.
i appreciate that chocolate esp. when i’m hungry. thanks, authors! can’t wait until i have to worry about this!!
I’ve been to several book signings where the authors wore jeans, actually. Granted, in all but one case they were nice jeans–dark wash, tailored, no holes–and they were paired with nice shirts and shoes, but jeans nonetheless. And I moderated a SF&F panel at a small literary festival a week and a half ago (which I wrote/am still writing about in my blog!), which was followed by signings, and two of the three authors wore nice jeans. (The woman wore a stylish blouse and boots, and the men had shirts + ties, so it balanced out the jeans without making them look too overdressed.) Still, as the author you generally want to look professional and put-together any time you appear in public.
.-= Kristin Laughtin´s last blog ..Getting it done =-.
I think book store signings have limited value for normal (not huge) writers. I think the key to success is to not do too many and to promote those you do to death. Use them as a chance for fans to come and meet you. Personally invite fans and followers who live close by – this is where twitter, blogs and facebook come into their own.
.-= BubbleCow´s last blog ..Writing Advice From Famous Writers =-.
Agree with Kristin about clothing. Nice, fashionable jeans are probably fine, especially if you write YA, I’m thinking. But the larger point is well-taken: put thought into your appearance!
I probably over-dress a little. Don’t get me wrong, I love working at home in my jeans, but this makes me jump at the chance to glam up a little bit.
I’ve also never done chocolate. I wonder, if you lure over people who want free candy, how often does that turn into a real sale? I’d be interested to hear from commenters who have tried it…
Erika, Good general points. Always room for exceptions, I suppose. Depends on who you are, the make-up of your audience, and even the part of the country. When I got started, I went to a few signings and took note of what worked around here (in Texas).
I prefer “business casual,” which for me means slacks, an open-neck shirt, with a blazer or sport coat (which I can lay aside if it’s hot in the store). One of the first things I did after getting endorsements for my novel was have bookmarks printed, and I always fan these on the table and stick a couple in each book I sign. Haven’t done pens yet, although that may be next. But I do provide a bowl of individually wrapped Hershey’s kisses, which seem to be quite popular.
Welcome to WU. Looking forward to more posts.
Thank you for the insight. I love picturing myself huddled up in a group of kids for a signing/reading in the kids’ section of a bookstore for my latest publication.
Though I always envisioned giving out balloons, not candy. (I know as a parent I can get kind of touchy about candy/lollipops being offered everytime I go to a retailer.) I LUV the idea of bookmarks! I’ve made so many different designs for my kids’ school events as prizes or rewards. A bookmark could also be a fabulous inexpensive way to give yourself some additional marketing by adding your author website in small print somewhere. Maybe 2 sets of designs – 1 for kids that’s playful, and 1 for parents what’s more marketing.
If the signing was local for me, I could see hubby and family popping by to offer support, but certainly not hanging around. I would agree, if you go in with the mindset that it’s a business meeting situation, not a backyard party, you’ll present yourself as a complete professional. Your mental state is always key. Thanks for a great post!
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Kristin–I went a book signing for Cindy Crawford where she wore jeans, and of course, looked perfect. A lot depends on the audience and what you’ve written.
Richard–have you had luck with chocolate? Bookmarks are great because not only are they useful, but you can personalize them with your book cover, your website, and contact information.
Thanks for the comments!
.-= Erika Robuck´s last blog ..Guest Posting at Writer Unboxed =-.
Erika,
Quality advice. How one approaches her craft is portrayed as much through her dress and appearance as her attitude. Our words, afterall, are OUR words. Are what we peddle. As writers we are talking about nothing less than our very selves~on the page and in person, on numerous levels!
Nice job.
Sorry I must strongly disagree with the whole “writer-as-professional” paradigm. Writers are just folks like the rest of us – who have a talent for writing. They put on their pants one leg at a time and sit down in the toilet.
Readers want to connect with a human – not a department store mannequin.
Come as a real person.
If people want to see a “professional” they can go find a lawyer or a broker.
Just a thought,
-Steve
i think you have to do what makes you the most comfortable and let the chips fall. you couldn’t get me into business anything – casual or otherwise. it’s not my style and i wouldn’t be able to be myself. my interactions with people would be affected. having said that, i completely agree: you don’t show up looking like your shower’s busted and the clothes you picked came off the floor at the back of your closet. dress with style – but your style.
.-= denice´s last blog ..don’t be stingy with the blueberries blueberry muffin recipe =-.
Thanks for the great advice, Erica! I agree with Denice – you need to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing or it will show. Also, one woman’s business casual is another person’s everyday casual – just make it obvious that you put some time and effort into your appearance.
Sorry – I misspelled your name ERIKA!!
Interesting discussion! For my book signings, I usually wear slacks and a favorite top (I like scarfy things that drape gracefully) or sometimes a turtle-neck top and vest kind of thing.
My kids are grown (and I have no grandchildren), so I don’t have to deal with that.
I offer free bookmarks and handouts on the topic of whatever book I’m signing. With my picture book One Wolf Howls I give away stickers, coloring sheets, and activities for kids.
Great post – and I have to say…I totally agree with you! And yes, dressing comfortably while remembering WHO you readers are is key.
I would think bookstore owners/managers wouldn’t be thrilled with chocolate, mainly because of the possibility of little chocolate fingerprints everywhere. As a mom, I know when my kids were little, they were very impatient to open a treat right then, even if it was intended for later. I’d love to hear a bookstore owner weigh in.
Denice, I agree about being comfortable, and there’s a way to do that professionally.
Thanks so much for all of your comments!
.-= Erika Robuck´s last blog ..Authors to Watch =-.
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