You Gotta Love A Book Signing!

Okay, so I have been reading posts from the 40 or so writing groups I belong to, and I am noticing a trend. Many of the "published" authors on the site frown on book signings. They say they are a complete waste of time and that authors will not see a substantial increase in book sales.

Okay, I have no problem with that theory. I can see how selling 30-50 books at a book signing isn't really going to make a dent in the bottom line.

BUT A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME?

Explain how meeting your readers and having them tell you how much they enjoyed your book is a waste of time? Tell me how spending time with people who spent their hard-earned money to purchase your book, then spent their precious free-time reading it, and THEN spent more precious time coming to your book-signing and have you sign it is a waste of time?

I will be the first to admit that I want my book title on the NYT Best Seller list. I want media covereage, I want the big book deal and I want the private island and all the trappings that come with being a rich and famous author. But that includes a book tour. I want to do book signings and meet my readers. I want to hear how much Susie from Poughkipsie enjoyed my book. I want to know that Karen from Clarkston couldn't put it down. I want to scribble "To, (your name here), hope you enjoy the book!" Never will I view meeting my readers as a waste of time because it doesn't up my bottom line enough to be feasible. And spare me the lecture on the writing "business". I'm not new to business: I am more than aware that you need to make money for your publisher. If they don't make money, then neither do you. I get it. It still doesn't change my mind.

I think that these writers that have "made it" are so focused on their bottom lines that they have forgotten about the thrill of the sale and the enjoyment received from appreciative readers. I cannot wait for my first book signing. I don't care if only three people show up...it will still be a thrill. I know how much I enjoy getting emails from my readers, I cannot imagine how cool it would be to hear these people in person.

So to all you "made it" authors out there that think talking to your readers is a complete waste of your time: you should be ashamed of yourselves.
- posted by Kim @ 4:42 PM