by Kathryn Lively

Created on: March 12, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

You have your book. You hold it confidently in both hands, taking in the design of the cover and savoring the feel of each page as they slide between your fingers. When you think of all the hard working - the writing, the editing, and arduous search for a publisher - you know this moment is to be treasured. It goes without saying that the prospect of selling the book is both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Yet, if you wish for a publisher to take on another work of yours, you must prove that your current work has selling power. For the new author, this often means taking on the bulk of the marketing, promotion and selling. Booksignings are but one way to bring exposure to your work.

As an author and publisher, I have had to arrange booksignings not only for myself, but for other authors as well. Depending on where you live and whom you contact, arranging an event with a bookstore can be as simple as making a phone call, or it can be like pulling teeth. Some bookstore managers may be more willing than others to allow a new author to set up a booth and peddle signed copies, while others may adhere to strict policies that limit in-store events to larger names. However you go about scheduling a booksigning, you want to be certain that when the day arrives (and well before then, too) you are ready to smile, sell books, and sell yourself.

Here are just a few tips to consider when planning your book event:

1) Confirm early, confirm often! Nothing is more embarrassing than showing up to a book event to discover you have no books. Probably the only thing worse that can happen is arriving at the store to learn your event isn't even going to happen! Don't laugh, I've seen it happen to authors, and it has happened to me. When you schedule a signing event with a store, take the time to confirm the event with the store manager in the days and weeks before the event.

Don't book a day three months in advance and assume all will be well, and that a large table with a welcome banner bearing your name will await you as you enter the shop. If you are Stephen King, maybe. If you are Joe Smith, local poet, call ahead and confirm! I personally managed to spare myself the expense of driving twelve hours to my hometown one year for a signing by calling ahead a week before the event. The store where I had reserved my signing had fired their events coordinator, and along with that canceled all events. Good thing I called, because nobody called me to let me know!

Make your plans, then make sure

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