A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: About Bookstore Book Signings

 

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. 

Today's post shares experiences with bookstore book launch book signings. Everyone expects authors to do them. Should they?

Why do them?

Authors love book signings, and they should. They make a book launch feel real and set the scene for a celebration for friends and fans. 

Bookstores also love book signings, and they should. They provide entertainment for customers and bring new customers into the store.

What really happens and why are many authors disappointed?

Some realism will help stave off what is typically disappointment after book signing events.

Bookstores will generally order 25 books, of which fewer than ten typically sell. Then, they return the remainder to the publisher, often creating a significant loss for the publisher as well for authors whose royalties come from net revenue.

Sometimes, in a good case scenario, bookstores will take the remaining books on consignment, paying once all have sold.

So, how can a bookstore signing be successful?

For a bookstore signing to work well, the author needs to do much preparatory work. Developing a ready-made fan base to convince bookstores to offer a signing as well as to have a good showing where many books are sold. 

An example of a worthwhile book signing is the case of the release of the first book by Sula, Parish cat at Old Mission. The cat was famous in the community and beloved by hundreds of parishioners. The bookstore was swamped with Sula fans, and her book sold out within the first 45 minutes. With nearly an hour and half to go, dozens of disappointed Sula fans pacing the store, and no books, the store manager allowed us (the publisher) to bring in our inventory from the car — we had expected explosive sales. Essentially, we turned the books over to the store, which sold them on the spot and replaced our inventory by ordering the same number from the distributor and then delivering them to us for return to inventory. That is very rare, but it does point out the significance of local author-local store for the best location of a book signing.

The best way to ensure a successful book signing is to become friends with your local bookstore. It makes setting up a launch much easier, and it may bring some extra fans to you in the process. And think of something special you can do to help the bookstore advertise the signing. For example, we make bookmarks announcing the book and signing that the bookstore can hand out to customers in general. (We can also make this on request for authors; so can your local copy shop.)

Are there less-demanding, more successful options?

If the requirements for a successful book signing at a bookstore are a bit steep, consider launching at your local library. Libraries are always looking for book and author events and will let you bring and sell your own inventory.

And there is always the author-friendly local coffee shop!

Bottom line: Think about why you want to do a bookstore booksigning? To get the word out? It will. To make sales? You probably will make too few to be a good ROI. To meet the expectation of what others expect from a book launch? Might want to rethink, in that case.

For previous conversations on this topic, click HERE.

See more Publisher Conversations with authors HERE.

 Learn more about publishing from an acquisitions editor -- how to get your book proposal accepted, why proposals are turned down/accepted, and how to find the right publisher for your book. On special sale for $5 while inventory lasts at MSI Press webstore. Also available as an e-book and an audiobook.

The Tuesday talks reflect real discussions between the management of MSI Press LLC and our own authors or those would-be authors who come through our doors but don't make the cut--yet. If you have a topic that you would like addressed, leave the question in the comment section. Chances are, in our 18 years of publishing first-time and experiences authors, we have had a conversation with one of our authors that we can share with you.

Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthly newsletter

(recent releases, sales/discounts, awards, reviews, Amazon top 100 list, author advice, and more -- stay up to date)

 

Follow MSI Press on Twitter, Face Book, and Instagram. 

Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? 

We help writers become award-winning published authors. One writer at a time. We are a family, not a factory. Do you have a future with us?

Turned away by other publishers because you are a first-time author and/or do not have a strong platform yet? If you have a strong manuscript, San Juan Books, our hybrid publishing division, may be able to help.

Check out information on how to submit a proposal.

Planning on self-publishing and don't know where to start? Our author au pair services will mentor you through the process.

Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book in exchange for reviewing a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com.

Want an author-signed copy of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com.

Julia Aziz, signing her book, Lessons of Labor, at an event at Book People in Austin, Texas.

Want to communicate with one of our authors? You can! Find their contact information on our Authors' Pages.

Steven Greenebaum, author of award-winning books, An Afternoon's Discussion and One Family: Indivisible, talking to a reader at Barnes & Noble in Gilroy, California.

   

MSI Press is ranked among the top publishers in California.
Check out our rankings -- and more -- HERE.