At this point in my “literary career,” such as it is, I’ve had enough book signings that I feel I can confidently say I’ve learned a thing or two—some of which the hard way. My last book signing at Fire Island Vines in Bay Shore happened to be my most successful yet. (I may as well take a moment to thank all the new people who signed up for my blog.) I sold twice as many books as I normally do, though that might not be saying much. It’s true that the upcoming holidays helped, but I’d like to think that I’m finally doing something right for a change (and I don’t mean writing good books). For this blog, I’ve decided to round up some pieces of advice for other authors facing the pressure of a book signing. Full disclosure: I stole a few of these tips from a fellow local author who’s way more successful than I am. (She sells out or almost sells out at every signing she’s had.) If you’re reading this, you know who you are! So I guess I can wait for her lawyer to show up at my door—or I can just buy her lunch. Anyway, here’s today’s listicle:
Pretend Like Your Books Aren’t Even There
This is a lot harder than it sounds. Book signings are a very forced, manufactured event. It’s not like you were going to run into these people in your normal, daily life. So, the best way in is to start with a casual conversation. Ask questions about them, not you, though, slyly, still make it about reading since, after all, you are at a book signing: “What do you like to read?” “Who’s your favorite author?” and so forth. Or, if you want to be even more subtle, ask seemingly irrelevant questions: “Where are you from?” “Have you been here before?” Admittedly, these also sound like pickup lines. As my aforementioned successful author friend likes to say, “It’s never about me.” This brings me to my next point.
Meet People Where They Are
This is sort of tied into my first point, but make every encounter about them, not you. Is someone wearing a funny shirt? Comment on it (but don’t mock the person). Is someone’s energy calm and demure? Then toss your selling script, relax, and try being more casual. Maybe offer to have them quietly read the back cover copy of your books so they get the gist of the plots. If someone approaches you a little manic, the opposite is also true, but you don’t want to go ballistic on them either. (It shouldn’t be an energy standoff where you’re trying to outmatch each other, peak for peak.) Crack a few jokes. Be cheeky. Don’t take everything so seriously—and that’s just good life advice in general. In summary, try being a people person, even if you’re an introvert like me.
Be Honest
Even though you might feel this way, your books aren’t for everyone. (I know—shocker.) I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked someone what they liked to read, and they said something completely different from what I write, like books on World War II or other nonfiction. I don’t try to justify why they should spend their hard-earned dollars on my books, since they’re nothing of the sort these people want. I simply say, “Ah, then you’re not going to like my books” and helpfully point them to another author who might be of interest. This also gets you bonus points with your fellow, hard-working authors in attendance, and they might reciprocate and send a reader your way interested in the very fiction you write. Occasionally, I might have someone tell me they prefer a genre that’s somewhat close to what I write, like Historical Fiction, so I tell them, “Well, I do write stories that take place in the ‘80s and ‘90s, so that is kind of like Historical Fiction.” This isn’t a complete lie. The further we get from those decades, the more the term “Historical Fiction” applies to my nostalgic novels. (Excuse me; I think I need to cry in my Grandpa Joe bed now.)
Smile!
Nobody likes a grumpy goose.
Speaking of book signings, I have my first solo signing coming up this Saturday, November 29th at The Neverending Story in Babylon, NY, from 2 to 4 p.m. Here’s a poster with more details:
Yes, we’re going to party like it’s 1989 (an old joke I know, but it’s just too perfect because my first two books take place during this year). So come one, come all! Help out a small business on Small Business Saturday and an indie author who’s still trying to make it, and get some holiday shopping done for the readers in your life. Plus, it’ll be a great karma boost!
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In other MTP news, this past week was a whirlwind media tour for Perone Publications. (Incidentally, that was the name of my fake publishing company when I was a kid writing my stories.) My writing was celebrated in three different magazines: Loyola Magazine (published by my alma mater), Printed Word Reviews Magazine (as part of The Electric God and Other Shorts winning The 2025 PenCraft Award for the category of Short Stories/Anthologies), and Millennium Magazine by Marquis Who’s Who, where I was also featured on the cover. (The printed version of Millennium Magazine will be published early next year.) You can see the pics below.
I hope everyone has a Happy Turkey Day, and I hope to see you Saturday for my signing!
MTP
P.S.: The Danger Peak audiobook is now available!
P.P.S.: The new edition of The Electric God and Other Shorts is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble:
Michael Thomas Perone 