The Value of Booksignings for the Published and Unpublished by Sandra Ardoin

Booksigning.

The word can strike fear into the hearts of those of us who would rather blend into the wallpaper than hawk our wares to strangers. So is it worth it to sit at a table for a couple of hours while people walk past, trying not to see you? (Come on, you know you’ve been one of those people, too.)

Unless you’re J. K. Rowling or the lastest New York Times bestseller, if you ask most writers, they’ll tell you that booksignings result in few sales. I know that from a pure “get rid of the copies you brought” standpoint, it’s tough to make enough money to feel spending the time and gasoline are worthwhile. Yet we all do it because we believe it’s expected of us.

Rather than take the attitude that you’ll slog to the nearest bookstore to sit in a corner and watch the world pass by, why not consider the time and money as a chance for some cheap advertising?

A couple of weeks ago the singles in my church had their annual yard sale to raise funds for various missions they support during the year. This time they added a whole room for vendors, so I shared a space with two author friends from church, and we set up our displays. While I sold zero copies of the children’s collection in which I have a short story, I achieved my main purpose and had fun while doing so.

With my novella releasing in October, my goal for the hours I spent was to hand out bookmarks I’d created for the occasion, introduce people to my upcoming release (especially those in my church who don’t know I write), and gain addresses for my email list. I accomplished all of those.

I’m not an old pro at booksignings, but  each time I do one, I learn something new or discover something I’d like to do next time. For instance, I should have handed out bookmarks to the other vendors, something I’d planned to do, but never seemed to get around to doing before it was over. Maybe I could have done better in my email signups if I’d had a little basket of goodies to give away in a drawing. Instead, I gave out a copy of a recipe to those who signed up. Even so, I was satisfied.

Think about the following when it comes to booksignings: 

(L-R: Phyllis Keels, Susan King, Sandra Ardoin)

• When possible, do a booksigning with others. You’ll get more traffic and interest. 

• Try to share a table with those who write in a different fiction genre than you do, or those who write non-fiction. Variety attracts more people.

• If you’re not published and you have the opportunity, participate anyway. Add to your email list and tell others what you write. Hand out your business card and let them know how they can follow your publishing progress on your blog and on the social media sites.

Honestly, it’s hard to feel like you’re some monkey on display at the zoo, but look for those opportunities to tell others you are a writer. Swing from that booksigning tree! Well, maybe not, but have fun. :)

What nuggets of wisdom will you share with us about your booksigning experiences so we can make ours better? What have you learned that helps you with these events? Do you have a fun/inspiring/odd story about a booksigning you participated in?

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Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author. A fan of old westerns growing up, it’s only natural that she sets stories in the days of the horse and buggy. She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina. Her Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, releases in October 2014. The print copy is on Amazon for pre-order.

Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Mastering Your Writing Goals by Sandra Ardoin

If you write fiction, you know you have to dig deep into your character’s motivations. Writers must find that one thing their characters need, emotionally, so the reader sees their growth. We ask why and keep asking why until we scrape the bottom of their motivational roots. From there, our people bloom and blossom until we type “The End.”

Today I want to get you thinking about what will make you blossom as a writer, so I’ll ask:

At this point in your writing life, what is the one thing you feel you need on the way to mastering your writing potential, the next step to taking it up a notch?  

I’m not referring to a laptop, fancy pen, or any of the typical “tools of the trade.” Get practical, dig deep, and ask “Where am I now, where am I going, and how will I get there?”

• Do you want to improve your talent? 
• Do you want to improve your connections? 
• Do you need persistence in submitting? 
• Do you want to find more time to finish that WIP? 
• Do you need to be a social media whiz? 
• Have a top-flight agent or publisher?

How will you get there?

This is the hardest question and one that requires a plan. 

• Will you participate in writing courses, read more writing blogs? 
• Take part in groups on Goodreads, Facebook, and Google+ to build and boost your networking skills?
• Seek the encouragement of others when it comes to submitting your work?

Once you’ve figured out what it is you consider necessary to your future writing growth, share it in the comments, along with ways you might bring about improvement.

The Seriously Write blog is all about encouragement for writers and supplying tips to help you along your publishing journey. There’s a lot of good information to be found here. Let's all pitch in and provide some of that all-important encouragement. Readers, if you have suggestions or experience that will help others, please share! It's brainstorming for our careers!

Since I asked the questions, it’s only fair that I start, right? J

From a technical standpoint, I feel I need to master plot when it comes to writing a synopsis for an unfinished book. Being a part plotter, part pantser, that’s tough. I do fine until the climax. Then I freeze, trying to decide how I can make that portion of the book unique. I suppose I could study books I’ve enjoyed, but remember, I’m going for uniqueness.

I've decided my goal requires me to improve my imagination. So how is the best way to do that? I can brainstorm the climax with others, something I just did and it helps. I can sit with a pad of paper and do a timed exercise in which I write down every idea that comes to me, logical or not. I can pace my office and talk to myself. (Okay, I already do that.)  Any other suggestions? Help me out here.

Do you have any tricks of the trade that will help others? Where are you in your blooming process?

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(Cover Pending)

Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author of short fiction. A fan of old westerns growing up, it’s only natural that she sets stories in the days of the horse and buggy. Her Christmas novella The Yuletide Angel will release in October 2014.

She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina. Learn more about her at www.sandraardoin.com and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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