W. C. Fields Was Right

by Shari Randall

Last weekend, I attended my first writers’ festival – the Local Authors Fair at the New London (CT) Public Library. To clarify, I attended for the first time as an author. I met lots of great folks, fellow authors, and dedicated librarians. And I learned the secret to sales at writers’ events:

Adorable dogs and cookies.

It’s been a month of firsts – my first novel, my first book signing, my first blog interviews. In each, I’ve had fun, but I know I’ve made rookie mistakes. For example, at the authors’ festival appearance I showed up with books. Just books. No cookies. No candy. No dog.

Bottom line? I sold two books. The author with the adorable dog? She had a constant line of buyers!

Don’t let this happen to you.

If you haven’t written an uplifting story of a dog that beats the odds, or don’t have an adorable dog to accompany you to events, here are some out of the box ideas for selling books at signings and fairs from my favorite writers, the Sisters in Crime of the Chesapeake Chapter.

Sherry Harris swears by a basket of chocolates to “lure people in. Even though that sounds creepy.”

Barb Goffman suggested that authors offer to take off an article of clothing for every book sold.

Maya Corrigan warned that this might work best only during the warmer months. Libby Klein disagreed, saying that this strategy might work better if the author offered to put on an article of clothing for every book sold.

Donna Andrews suggested that you have stuffed animals do the talking. During one Barnes and Noble group book signing, where customers either avoided making eye contact or asked the authors where to find the bathroom, Donna liberated some stuffed reptiles from the children’s department and used them to entice, er sorry, entisssse, customers to visit the authorssss. The result? The rest of the signing was a resounding successssss.

Other advice? Grace Topping said don’t sit down – remaining standing is more welcoming.

Alan Orloff said something about offering to wrestle an alligator, but then, that’s Alan Orloff.

Do you have any advice for author events?

Shari Randall is the author of CURSES, BOILED AGAIN, the first of the new Lobster Shack Mystery series from St. Martin’s Press. At her next signing, she’ll be the one standing at the signing table with a basket of chocolates, fully clothed, thank you very much.

Five Tips for Debut Authors

by Shari Randall

I just debuted my first novel, Curses, Boiled Again! It’s the first of the Lobster Shack Mystery Series from St. Martin’s Press. Yes, there is an exclamation point in the title. That’s how my publisher rolls.

As any author who is lucky enough to hold a copy of their book in their hands can tell you, the debut experience has been exciting, wonderful, mystifying, and exhausting. I thought I’d prepared by reading blog after book after blog, and still I went into the whole thing feeling like that toddler at the beach who rushes down the sand to the water and gets knocked down by the wave. It’s fun but, whoa! What just happened?

So, I’m sharing a bit of my experience here to help any other authors anticipating their debut, and I hope other experienced authors will offer advice in the comments. Because I can sure use it.

Some things I learned, from big picture to small, and Why Didn’t I Think of That?

1. Pace yourself. Juggling a signing, a library panel, a Facebook party, and a bunch of blogs in one week taught me my limits. Maybe I’d overestimated my energy level a teensy bit. Especially when I noticed I was doing everything except writing. Schedule lots of fun, but make sure to schedule quiet moments, too.

Donna Andrews, lucky debut author, Sherry Harris

2. Be meticulous about your calendar so nothing falls through the cracks. Nobody warned me that there could be – and there was – a writer's perfect storm. I was doing promo for Book One, edits on Book Two, and writing, sort of, Book Three. Having a calendar devoted just to writing goals and events was a life-saver.

3. Ellen Crosby shared that at a book signing, it’s a good idea to have readers write down on a Post it note the name of the person they want the book inscribed to – that way you avoid potential Kathy, Cathy, Cathie mix ups. She also provided the Post its. Thank you, Ellen!

4. Do not look at your reviews. Well, do what I did and designate a Review Reviewer or Review Buddy. This person (thank you, Charlotte!) scans Goodreads and all those other sites and reports back on when it’s safe to take a look.

5. Two quotes became my mantras. One is from Elizabeth Harris about reviews. “You can have the sweetest peaches in the world, but if someone doesn’t like peaches, they won’t like yours.” My book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” This quote from Theodore Roosevelt is my mantra as I learn about other author’s sales and reviews. I’m lucky enough to have published a book and held it in my hands, and I've received great reviews and kindnesses from fellow authors. For all that I am so grateful and I can't wait to pay it forward.

Authors, any advice to share for newly published authors?