Being an author is not for the feint of heart, especially when you consider yourself an introvert. I have always considered myself an extrovert. Over the years, I worked in outward facing occupations, in food service, hospitality, event planning, and non-profits. In all those positions I had to be the friendly, outgoing person ALL THE TIME. And truthfully, I love interacting with people. But it takes energy to always be “ON” and outgoing.
But between getting older, no
longer in the workforce per se, if you don’t count the desk I am glued to more
hours than not, writing the next bestseller (OK – exaggeration alert,) and
Covid isolation, I seemed to have moved closer to being an introvert. In other
words, it seems to take a lot more energy for me to gear up to be in social,
out-facing situations. But once I am in the midst – watch out.
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Case in point. Recently my state
romance writers’ group had a book signing at a library about forty miles away.
Now another thing I don’t do much of anymore is travel. After commuting
one-hundred and fifty miles daily for six years, the thought of getting on the
highway is…UGH! But who can resist getting together with other authors to talk about our books, with an audience,
Of course, I signed up. And
once I commit, I feel terrible if I don’t complete my obligation. Plus, now
that I am bordering on introvert status, doing a book signing by myself seemed
overwhelming. With this adventure, I knew I would be in good company.
So, as usual, I had everything
packed days ahead of time, and trucked out to the car the day prior (a habit
from my event planning days,) since I had to leave early. I set off the next
morning—early. All the way up the lightly traveled highway, I wondered why I
was putting myself through this. But when I arrived and finally found the right
building and adjacent parking, I was joined by the three authors who would be
signing with me.
The morning was frigid as we lugged
boxes and bags into the library. We had a jolly time unpacking and setting up
our space, and yacking with the librarians.
Then we sat and waited. Soon, people
started wandering in. With a sigh of relief we knew we would have interested
romance readers in the audience. A friend, who lived a few towns away showed
up. YAY! A friendly face. Then her daughter, who lived in town, and her friend
showed. YAY! More friendly faces. Strangers arrived and they had smiles on
their faces. YAY! You know where I’m going with this. More friendly faces, and
an audience that was there of their own free will because they love reading
romance.
The librarian, along with our
romance writers chapter program director had put together great questions. And soon
we were off and running.
The audience, from their body
language, laughter, and questions, were engaged. Phew! Wiping my brow. I had a
blast. And I think the three authors signing with me, did as well. We ended our
Q & A session, and we all waited with baited breath, hoping, praying to the
goddess of romance writers, that at least one person would buy a book.
Well, lo and behold, they all
bought books, not only from me, but from all the other authors. The librarian
bought one of each of our books for the library—WOW! We chatted and laughed and
answered more questions. And as they used to say when I was growing up (yes, in
the 60s) – we were all on a high from the interaction and the adventure.
A week later, as I write this, I am still excited.
I’ve only done one other book signing. And again, I did it with
another author in a local bookstore. We had fun then too. And when our
designated hour and a half was finished, as we packed up, the bookstore clerks
commented on how much fun it was to have a double author signing. With two of
us, we were able to banter with people walking into the store, without making any
customer feel as though they had to stop. The clerk said the vibe was fun for
the entire shopping and working experience.
When I lived in Washington, D.C.
where they had so many bookstores, both big box and indie, I went to tons of
book signings. Many of them for my position as the school alumni director, so I
could pick up signed books written by alumni for our alumni lounge bookcase.
Will I be nervous for the next book
signing? You bet! Will I have a blast? I am sure I will. Especially when my
extrovert personality decides to break free. It was an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to do it again. Plus…I sold books! What fun!
Do
you enjoy going to book signings?
Do you enjoy hearing authors talk about their
books, writing process, and how they got their book topic ideas?
The
Love Left Behind: Hartford Estate
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/
Books2Read
~ cottages to
cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~
Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram:
#delsoralowe
/ https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/
Photo Credits:
Outgoing Person: clip art - Clip Art
Library (clipart-library.com) 437049
Party: Free
Free Party Cliparts, Download Free Free Party Cliparts png images, Free
ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Pile
of Books with Kid: animated image of books
- Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com) BiaKxL7rT.png (566×800)
(clipart-library.com)
Shermans:
and Gardiner Library: Photos taken by Deb Noone and Danielle Bannister
7 comments:
I love book signings! being a part of them and going to them.
My first signing was with Judith and Sarah in Aloha, OR. We had a great time interacting with the customers.
Great blog post!
Diana - it is so much more fun to have the signings with other authors. Otherwise, you just sit there by yourself and hope someone comes up to talk to you. And then when people actually buy your book - what a thrill. Then, of course, I worry - what if they hate it!!!??? A roller coaster of emotions. But FUN!
Great article. I have all those hesitations too. But book signings are a great way to meet new readers.
Sounds like you had fun! I don't travel much anymore either, but I love going to book signings (and being part of them too), so I'll drive to meet new authors.
Oh yes, I know exactly how you feel. I always prefer book signings with other people. And they are so much fun to do! Congrats on letting your extrovert out of the box. :)
I have always sold at least one book and usually more than that at a book signing. And I get to meet readers and hobnob with other authors. I'm looking forward to at least one live 'in person' event this year if not two. I've my non-fiction "Staying Sane in a Crazy World" I'll have available at the GIFCT-US Conference in St. Louis in July and, I hope, a spot at Jan's Paperbacks' in Beaverton, OR for Independent Bookstore Day in mid-August. Not sure if I'll put something else together or not. The Northwest Independent Writer's Association that I belong to has several live events this year. I'll see how I do at the July Conference before I commit further.
So glad you had an awesome time. It shows up in the energy in your post!
Zara, Janet, Jennifer, and Judith -
So sorry to take so long to respond. I appreciate all of you stopping by. Just reading the comments, made me want to get out there again and try to line up some signings It is so true - it is all about the energy of talking to people in person. And... if truth be told, a validity of knowing you really are an author. (big smile) A concept I have to remind myself of---
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