The Traveling Launch Party was a success, and fun was had by hopefully all. I know I had a great time. Night One was at Fox Tale Books, a wonderful independent bookstore in Woodstock, GA. They had the window all done up with my books and blue sparkle stuff and it looked really cool.
We walked inside and were greeted by yet another display. And yes, seeing my books in the windows and on display like this totally rocks.
After a bit of socializing with the Foxes (the lovely gals who own the shop), it was time to set up the food and get ready for the guests. I had planned quite the spread for the evening, with some yummy snacks and a cake.
The cake. Funny story here. I went to Publix with the book jacket in hand and asked if they could put it on the cake. The conversation went something like this:
ME: Can you put this on a cake?
BAKER: Yes, but we're not allowed to due to copyright.
ME: It's my book, for my book launch party.
BAKER: -stares at me dubiously-
ME: -flipping open the cover- See? There's my picture. I can show you my driver's license.
BAKER: Let me ask someone. -goes to speak to head baker, both return-
HEAD BAKER: We can do it, but you'll have to write a letter giving us permission.
ME: Okey dokey.
I wrote the letter and everything worked out. It's nice to see that they take copyright images seriously, but it cracked me up that I almost didn't get my own cover on a cake!
Guests started arriving, we joked and laughed and ate, then the Foxes tossed me up in front of everyone to talk about the book and writing in general. We had a great discussion, lots of good questions were asked, and they had to drag me off stage so I could sign books and let folks go home.
Day two sent us to Barnes & Noble, for a more traditional book signing. I recruited my neighbor and a few of her friends to do hair braiding and face painting for the kids, and set up shop in the back.
We also had some chairs set up so folks could hang out and chat after they got their books signed, and we had a nice informal mini-party going on all morning. The girls even went poaching for children when the face painting slowed down and brought back more customers. Spiders were big, and there were lots of cheeks with arachnids on them.
I got to meet some other bloggers and readers (Hi Kritsa!) face to face, and see some bloggers and readers I've met before, who even drove in from another state to see me! (Hi Sarah, and Kayelee!) It's always fun to meet folks I "see" online and put a person to the name.
We wrapped up and went home, tired from all the fun, but in good spirits. Next time, I need to remember to take more pictures.
i have to tell you, i am incredibly impressed with your marketing efforts for your book. the guest blogging alone must have taken hours and hours to put together and write up.
ReplyDeletei'll remember this when (i'm optimistically not saying "if") my book is published!
-- Tom
This sounds like it was tons of fun. I'm sorry I had to miss it. :(
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of your tour!
Nichole
Sounds like a great party - and so cool that you got your book cover on your cake!! I never would have thought of that.
ReplyDeleteOn a slightly different note, I was wondering if you've ever done a post on book signings in general. I was at one blog a few days ago from a new author - Jody Hedlund, I think, and she did a book signing that only brought in 15 customers. Her conclusion was that it wasn't really worth her time and effort and she probably won't be doing more. Granted, she's an adult author, but I was just wondering if you've had similar experiences with your book signings where you thought your time would have been better spent marketing some other way.
Wow. What a great launch party.
ReplyDeleteAngie, Janice covered some info on book signings in her post on my blog on Sunday on blog tours. http://annerallen.blogspot.com
Thanks, Tom! I figure I need to do all I can so I can keep doing this. I did bite off a little more than I can chew, but so far I'm keeping up. :) You have a good attitude, and that will help a lot toward making that "when" real.
ReplyDeleteAngie, I do talk some about book signings over at Anne's blog, and I also did one last year that covered all my author events.
http://storyflip.blogspot.com/2009/12/doing-that-author-thing.html
My signings haven't had tons of people either (20-25 seems to be average), but I don't look at it from a "I need X people to make it worthwhile" standpoint. (I do with other marketing expenses, though) For me, the signings are part of the fun author experience. I love getting out there and meeting folks. And if this happens to be the only books I ever sell (I hope not, but the biz is rough and more fail than succeed)then I want to get the most out of it I can.
It's also about networking. The gal at the B&N near me has arranged school visits for me, and in fact, I'm doing an event tonight that she recommended me for. That wouldn't have happened had I not done a signing with her. I may not sell a ton of books tonight, but I'll get to speak with a bunch of folks and who knows where that will lead?
So much of book sales is word of mouth. I figure the more people that are talking about my book or hearing about my book the better. In the short-term, a signing might not make me any money or generate a lot of sales, but long-term, I feel they help me build my audience and reader base.
That sounded like a blast! I'm glad you had a great time. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the in depth response Janice!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how wonderful it was to have it go off so well. I'd better stick around you and learn how you do it.
ReplyDeleteI hope it won't be long before i'm doing it myself, but the agent has asked for another rewrite first, so.... you know the call
I absolutely love the cake story. (Smiles) And the window with all of the blue grass looked way cool. Sounds like you're having a lot of fun. You go girlfriend! P.S. I'm enjoying your blog tour immensely.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've been very fortunate in my book adventure so far. It's all so much fun to me, and I think having a "ooo look, another new experience!" attitude really helps. I also have lots of moral support from friends and family, and my agents and editor. They're great at helping me keep things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to put your picture on the cake. It's a funny story with the baker.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying watching how you're marketing. Glad you have lots of support.
Congrats! I wish I was anywhere near one of the signings. I would have loved to stop in.
ReplyDeleteI love that you offered to show them your license. That's brilliant. :)
ReplyDelete