When you sign books at the annual Romance Writers of America Literacy Signing, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you won’t be the center of attention unless you’re a New York Times bestselling author.
It’s 500 authors or so in one huge convention room for two hours.
It’s loud and the lines to buy books are long and intense. So my goal for the night was to basically chat up the friends that came by to say “hi” and sell a book or two of Dinah of Seneca.
The night exceeded my expectations.
Highlights:
1. An incredibly nice woman named Gabriela who sought out *me* amongst the whole slew of author to say hello, get information on how to buy Freya’s Gift for her Kindle and buy Dinah of Seneca. Thanks, Gabriela, you are awesomesauce.
2. The best t-shirt of the night: “Lead me not into temptation…especially into bookstores.”
3. My friend Jill, who I want to be when I grew up, took a photo of me before the signing and it came out nice! A photo of me that I like. 🙂 Once she gets it uploaded, I’ll add it to this post. It’s got my official sign and everything. Heh.
4. I realized that sitting is a lot less stressful than walking around buying books. There’s no pressure. Plus, nice RWA volunteers bring you free water.
5. Writing personal notes when signing books is fun. Squee!
6. I was going to head down to the signing with a cleverly disguised rum & coke. My roommates talked me out of it, even though I pointed out it would take the edge off my nerves. 🙂
Then I got down to the signing and found bestselling author Eileen Dreyer sipping a glass of white wine. Clearly, I had the right instinct on this. 🙂
7. An entire family came to see the author sitting next to me. This reader had driven forty-five with her husband and two little kids to meet her favorite writer and get her books signed, which was just so cool. She had the cutest little boy who I provided with Hershey kisses when he seemed to get bored. He has such a polite “thank you.”
In short, I sold a few books, chatted with a lot of friends, met a bunch of very cool readers, and a good time was had by all. And RWA raised over $62,000 for literacy charities.
This morning, I went to a breakfast sponsored by the publisher of Freya’s Gift, Samhain, and met a couple of SF romance/writers readers. I told one of Samhain’s representatives that they should do graphic novels. She said “Troublemaker!” (In a nice way.)
This afternoon is a keynote luncheon with speaker Nora Roberts, and then workshops, including one by Lee Child and Suze Brockmann, and then it’s a dinner with friends at the cool Italian place in the resort.
Friday, I have to pitch. Always fun. 🙂
Note: We’re in Orlando, on Disney property. I hit the Land of Mouse Tuesday, including the Tower of Terror, but I’ll probably write about that on my personal blog & for Geek Dad.
What a cool, wonderful first signing experience, Cory!! So glad it was so great and so sad I missed it.
You were there in spirit, I know it. 🙂
I love hearing about booksignings from the authors pov – lol
Thanks! 🙂
That is too, too cool, Corr. Sounds like a lot of fun and insight all around. Some big names for speaker, too. I bet you were on cloud 9. And tomorrow: Go get ’em Tiger(ess)!
– Ray
Nora Robets gave a great speech. It did include the words “bullshit” and BFD. 🙂
Thanks. I could use the good vibes tomr.
As for in-person pitching, I’ve never done it, but . . . c’mon, you’re a natural.
Just go in and say, “Hey, btw, I’m f’n brilliant. Here’s my story idea. See, it’s f’n brilliant, too.” 🙂
It was my first signing, too, and my experience was much like yours, Cory. Jill took my picture! A few people–including a reader who’d won one of my books–thrilled me by seeking me out. I sold a few books (then bought the rest and gave them away in the Goody Room). I had a great time listening to the author next to me chatting with a bunch of passersby. All in all, an uplifting and heartwarming experience.
Congrats on your first signing at the RWA! I have been a Cherry for so many years and remember when we were all one group with people tossing around story ideas and asking for betas and crits – it was not so long ago. Congrats on all your success and cheers to the future.