Book Signings

Book Event Strategies: Growing readership through events

Allie Pleiter — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:23:18 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Allie Pleiter on 7/15/2025 7:23:18 PM

Events can be a great way to reach new readers and deepen connections with your fans. Whether online or in-person, a writer needs smart strategies to maximize effort and impact. Bestselling author Allie Pleiter has over two decades of experience hosting Facebook takeovers, retail store signings, online gatherings, and host of other creative events. Learn how to launch your book with a bang, and how to keep excitement high in those crucial first months—and beyond.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC_5F00_Book-Event-Strategies_5F00_Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BookEventStrategiesGrowingreadershipthroughevents.mp4

About the Author:
Award-winning bestselling author Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four books at a time. She teaches writers how to achieve the consistent, dependable productivity today’s market requires. The author of over 70 published titles, Allie has spent a decade in the publishing profession with over 1.8 million books sold worldwide. In addition to her own writing career, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on faith, the creative process, women’s issues, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Book Event Strategies: Growing readership through events

Author Learning Center — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:19:59 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Book Signings by Author Learning Center on 7/15/2025 7:19:59 PM

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Book Event Strategies: Growing readership through events

Author Learning Center — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:19:03 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Book Signings by Author Learning Center on 7/15/2025 7:19:03 PM

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC_5F00_Book-Event-Strategies_5F00_Handout.pdf

About the Author:
Award-winning bestselling author Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four books at a time. She teaches writers how to achieve the consistent, dependable productivity today’s market requires. The author of over 70 published titles, Allie has spent a decade in the publishing profession with over 1.8 million books sold worldwide. In addition to her own writing career, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on faith, the creative process, women’s issues, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Book Event Strategies: Growing readership through events

Author Learning Center — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:14:14 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Book Signings by Author Learning Center on 7/15/2025 7:14:14 PM

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC_5F00_Book-Event-Strategies_5F00_Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BookEventStrategies_5F00_Growingreadershipthroughevents.mp4
About the Author:
Award-winning bestselling author Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four books at a time. She teaches writers how to achieve the consistent, dependable productivity today’s market requires. The author of over 70 published titles, Allie has spent a decade in the publishing profession with over 1.8 million books sold worldwide. In addition to her own writing career, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on faith, the creative process, women’s issues, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Book Signings: A Gift to Authors

Douglas Gardham — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 13:54:09 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Douglas Gardham on 10/9/2019 1:54:09 PM

Book signings can be intimidating and even discouraging events. This webinar is about changing that. Author Douglas Gardham goes through booking and scheduling your signing, how to prepare for your signing, and what to do at your signing or book event. He also shares some of his personal experiences in going from his initial inclination not to do signings, to realizing the privilege and importance to his overall author experience.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BookSigningsAGifttoAuthors.mp4

About the Presenter:

Douglas Gardham is the author of the bestselling STARBook award novel The Actor and its sequel, The Musician. In between the two, he published a unique and bestselling collection of short stories entitled The Drive In. Though spending most of his career in engineering and manufacturing, he’s written almost every day for over thirty years. When The Actor was published in 2013, he decided to make what he already considered his life’s work actually his life’s work, and began writing full-time. The Globe and Mail (Canada’s national newspaper), has featured him twice in both its Globe Arts and Pursuits sections and called his novel The Actor “a bizarre, David Lynch-like thriller." He’s been featured in many TV, radio, and print interviews, has over 124,000 Twitter followers, and has completed over 350 book events.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Book Signings: A Gift to Authors

Douglas Gardham — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 20:05:02 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Book Signings by Douglas Gardham on 10/8/2019 8:05:02 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BookSigningsAGifttoAuthors.mp4

About the Presenter:

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, video

Book Signings: A Gift to Authors

Douglas Gardham — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 20:00:42 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Book Signings by Douglas Gardham on 10/8/2019 8:00:42 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BookSigningsAGifttoAuthors.mp4

About the Presenter:

Douglas Gardham is the author of the bestselling STARBook award novel The Actor and its sequel, The Musician. In between the two, he published a unique and bestselling collection of short stories entitled The Drive In. Though spending most of his career in engineering and manufacturing, he’s written almost every day for over thirty years. When The Actor was published in 2013, he decided to make what he already considered his life’s work actually his life’s work, and began writing full-time. The Globe and Mail (Canada’s national newspaper), has featured him twice in both its Globe Arts and Pursuits sections and called his novel The Actor “a bizarre, David Lynch-like thriller." He’s been featured in many TV, radio, and print interviews, has over 125,000 Twitter followers, and has completed over 350 book events.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, video

Book Signings: A Gift to Authors

Douglas Gardham — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 19:56:51 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Book Signings by Douglas Gardham on 10/8/2019 7:56:51 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BookSigningsAGift-toAuthors.mp4

About the Presenter:

Douglas Gardham is the author of the bestselling STARBook award novel The Actor and its sequel, The Musician. In between the two, he published a unique and bestselling collection of short stories entitled The Drive In. Though spending most of his career in engineering and manufacturing, he’s written almost every day for over thirty years. When The Actor was published in 2013, he decided to make what he already considered his life’s work actually his life’s work, and began writing full-time. The Globe and Mail (Canada’s national newspaper), has featured him twice in both its Globe Arts and Pursuits sections and called his novel The Actor “a bizarre, David Lynch-like thriller." He’s been featured in many TV, radio, and print interviews, has over 125,000 Twitter followers, and has completed over 350 book events.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, video

Book Signings: A Gift to Author

Douglas Gardham — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 19:56:19 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Book Signings by Douglas Gardham on 10/8/2019 7:56:19 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BookSigningsAGift-toAuthors.mp4

About the Presenter:

Douglas Gardham is the author of the bestselling STARBook award novel The Actor and its sequel, The Musician. In between the two, he published a unique and bestselling collection of short stories entitled The Drive In. Though spending most of his career in engineering and manufacturing, he’s written almost every day for over thirty years. When The Actor was published in 2013, he decided to make what he already considered his life’s work actually his life’s work, and began writing full-time. The Globe and Mail (Canada’s national newspaper), has featured him twice in both its Globe Arts and Pursuits sections and called his novel The Actor “a bizarre, David Lynch-like thriller." He’s been featured in many TV, radio, and print interviews, has over 125,000 Twitter followers, and has completed over 350 book events.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, video

Strategically Timing and Planning Book Launch Events - podcast

Phillip Done — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 18:21:10 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Phillip Done on 12/5/2017 6:21:10 PM

The release timing for a book can be critical to its success, especially when a book is holiday-themed. Author Phillip Done released his holiday-themed book, The Ornament Box, in mid-October, understanding that the biggest book buying season is the fall. He chose to pursue a self-publishing path so that he could better control the time line and launch. Done recommends planning book launch and promotional events at least six months ahead of the release date, and advises authors to think outside of the box when considering places to sell your book and hold book signings. The key to getting positive responses from a prospective retailer or venue, he says, is to have your elevator pitch perfected, including any previously published work, positive reviews, and endorsements.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Strategically-Timing-and-Planning-Book-Launch-Events.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

Strategically Timing and Planning Book Launch Events - video

Phillip Done — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 18:21:06 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Phillip Done on 12/5/2017 6:21:06 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Strategically-Timing-and-Planning-Book-Launch-Events.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

How Independent Bookstores Like Indy Reads Books Support Local Authors - podcast

Alyssa Starr Newerth — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:52:32 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Alyssa Starr Newerth on 10/18/2017 2:52:32 PM

Independent bookstore Indy Reads Books is an avid supporter of local authors and encourages book signings, readings, and other events as opportunities for authors and readers to connect. Scheduling an event is as simple as completing the online form says Director Alyssa Starr Newerth. While Indy Reads Books has a great community following, they do rely on the authors to help drive traffic into the store to support the events. Authors that promote their events through social media, newsletters, and their author website do have the best turnout. New authors especially should start local with their independent bookstores and retailers as a way to begin building their audience.

Learn more about Indy Reads Books over at http://www.indyreadsbooks.org.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../How-Independent-Bookstores-Like-Indy-Reads-Books-Supports-Local-Authors.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, podcast

How Independent Bookstores Like Indy Reads Books Support Local Authors - video

Alyssa Starr Newerth — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:52:30 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Alyssa Starr Newerth on 10/18/2017 2:52:30 PM

Learn more about Indy Reads Books over at http://www.indyreadsbooks.org.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../How-Independent-Bookstores-Like-Indy-Reads-Books-Supports-Local-Authors.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

A Checklist of Things to Bring to Your First Book Signing - podcast

Nicole Baker — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 13:14:47 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Nicole Baker on 10/3/2017 1:14:47 PM

Congratulations on securing your first book signing event! To ensure a productive and successful event, marketing and communications consultant Nicole Baker offers a checklist of items to help you stay organized and prepared. First, the must haves: plenty of pens, copies of your book, signage to create awareness, proper attire, printed takeaway materials, a sign-up sheet for email marketing or a newsletter, water, gum, and finally: a SMILE. Second, make your event stand out by doing something memorable but that is related to your book. Third, make your table approachable with candy or a conversation starter to break the ice. Last, pack everything the night before to alleviate that extra stress the day of the event.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../A-Checklist-of-Things-to-Bring-to-Your-First-Book-Signing.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

A Checklist of Things to Bring to Your First Book Signing - video

Nicole Baker — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 09:14:04 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Nicole Baker on 10/3/2017 9:14:04 AM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../A-Checklist-of-Things-to-Bring-to-Your-First-Book-Signing.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

Finding Book Signing Opportunities - podcast

Anne Robertson — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 14:58:10 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Anne Robertson on 6/19/2017 2:58:10 PM

Setting up a book signing at a local bookstore can sometimes be as easy as just contacting the bookstore directly. Independent bookstores are often more approachable for new authors and might be a good place to start. Anne Robertson, managing director of public relations at Lavidge, advises authors to be prepared with their pitch and just go for it. She also encourages authors to think outside of the box and get creative with venues. For example, if you've published a cookbook, consider contacting a local gourmet food store for a live demo and book signing event.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Finding-Book-Signing-Opportunities.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

Finding Book Signing Opportunities - video

Anne Robertson — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 14:58:07 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Anne Robertson on 6/19/2017 2:58:07 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Finding-Book-Signing-Opportunities.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

Planning an Event for Your Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:57:25 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Molly Blaisdell on 6/8/2017 2:57:25 PM

Most authors will tell you that book signings only have a small amount of success when it comes to connecting with readers. A better choice for authors, especially newbies, is the book event. A book event usually involves a bookstore presence but it rethinks the venue and broadens the scope beyond a mere signing. For example, the event for a book with a huge art component might be held at a local art museum with a local book vendor on site selling books. The museum joins in, advertising with tweeting and more. The local art council might join in, too.

Making your event an opportunity for cross networking is a good thing. Here are some solid tips to make your book event a success.

Get the Word Out!

One of the most important pieces of the book event puzzle is advertising. Without alerting potential audiences of the event, there can be no success. All authors should leverage popular social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and so on. An author should also contact local press, including newspaper, magazines, television and radio, and drum up interest that way. Don’t sell short the lowly flyer as a viable way to inform. Event advertising should begin about three months before the event with a peak of advertising six weeks before.

It’s All About the Details

A well-planned book event is about the details. Support a non-profit that connects with your work and donate some of the evening’s proceeds. Be sure you have greeters for your event who will guide attendees to your offered activities. Entertainment is a nice touch; live is always better. If you are uncomfortable reading your work, see if a local actress or actor will do it for you. Offer refreshments. More is not better in this case. Always plan to serve enough so that everyone gets one or two tasty bites. Consider a simple contest that involves your audience. Plan for the weather. Make your attendees comfortable regardless of the venue.

Enlist an Army

A book event is not a task to take on alone. The more people personally invested in your book event, the more you naturally extend the scope of your event. You need staff such as greeters, entertainers, bookstore personnel, and so on. You also should have an event coordinator. The night of the event you need to be free to be “the author.”

Sounds expensive?

Don’t think that this has to be a huge outlay of cash. Your event coordinator may be a family member, and your staff could be your friends and family. The trick is to treat your event professionally regardless who serves as your support. Acknowledge everyone who helps you. Understand that your event is offering your helpers value, too, with experience in some cases and needed exposure in others.

Follow this sage advice and watch out: your only problem may be that you sell out of books at the event. Good luck.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Choose the Right Event for You and Your Book - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 09:11:27 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Author Learning Center on 6/7/2017 9:11:27 AM

Book signings and other author events are exciting for authors and readers alike when the right planning and preparation take place. There are many different events that you can take part in as an author. Instead of trying to be present at every signing or appearance possible, make sure the venue and audience at the event work for you and your goals for your book. Every event that you appear at should work with your marketing plan. Read on for tips on how to make events memorable and worthwhile.

Consider the Venue

Events such as book fairs and trade shows vary dramatically in size and build. When you are considering an event, find out how many other authors will be appearing, how many people are expected to attend, if the venue is inside or outside, how much space you’ll have, and what the busiest times of the day will be. Considering the venue and audience will help you determine what to bring with you, what to wear, and what to expect. Also, look for venues that have a tie to your book. Being a local author adds some newsworthiness, and attending events taking place in a location mentioned in your book adds a fun dynamic that patrons may find interesting.

Know the Audience

Audiences are rarely the same from event to event. Determine what age group will be at the fair or show and what the group’s interests are. (For example, is the fair primarily for children or adults?) Some shows are regularly attended by publishing industry leaders or book-buying professionals, while others attract mostly readers. Consider your goals when looking at who will be attending. For example, if your goal is to make meaningful connections, you may want to go to a more professional show. But, if you’d like to interact with readers and get feedback on your work, a fair attracting readers of your genre may work best. Consider who you’ll be meeting before you determine if the show is right for you.

Watch Your Budget

When considering your budget and what events to take part in, understand that book signings and appearances are primarily a chance to network. Making connections is a great way to build a platform that may later lead to book sales, but your sales may not soar immediately. That said, consider how far you have to travel for an event, how long you’ll have to stay, how much work you’ll miss, and how many sales you hope to generate when determining whether or not your budget allows you to make the investment. Think of this investment in terms of other marketing activities you could do at the same cost. That will help you determine if attending the event fits into your marketing plan.

Be Prepared

Don’t wait until you arrive at the event to find out that you could have done a lot more to generate interest in your book. Depending on the venue, you may want to take along visual aids, like posters or perhaps even a video to play on a television or computer screen. Be sure to bring enough business cards, bookmarks, or flyers. Before you attend a book signing, find a pen that you feel comfortable writing with and think of a phrase you’d like to sign in the books. Bring along anything that will make you more comfortable, like a pillow to sit on or a fan if you’ll be in the heat. Careful preparation will lead to a better event experience.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Tips from a Road Warrior Book Signer - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 08:54:26 GMT

Current Revision posted to Book Signings by Author Learning Center on 6/7/2017 8:54:26 AM

Are you terrified by the words book signing? Fear not! As a book signing road warrior (45 stores in six months) and your fellow author, I would like to offer you a few fresh ideas to help get your campaign off the ground.

Preparations

When you are ready to begin prospecting for venues to sign in, research every bookstore in your state. Once you create your signing strategy, open your calendar and start making calls. When I get the manager or owner on the line, I give them my pre-planned commercial. I tell them my name, book title and genre, a brief description of my book, and finish by asking what information they require to consider an author for a book signing.

A few managers simply have asked for my ISBN and booked me on the spot, while most ask for additional information. For those that request additional information, I send my sell sheet, business card, sample reviews and a cover letter in the mail. I always keep track of every contact and I follow-up within a week to set up a signing time. When I call back, many accept my request. A few pass on the opportunity. Don’t be discouraged if you receive a negative response. Politely thank them and go on to the next call.

Before the Signing

With the date set, I send the store bookmarks and a poster for promotions. Then I conduct media research. I contact the features department of the local newspaper and producers of radio and TV news programs. (You’ll find that many stations are eager to feature someone interesting!) Many media sources have online event listings, so request that your appearance be listed. If you have a web site, update the information too. I keep the bookstores abreast of all the articles and appearances so employees become excited about the signing as well.

At the Signing

I have one rule: never sit and hand out bookmarks. Roam the store, greet customers and place either a copy of your book or a signed bookmark in their hand. Set up colorful posters, copies of your press kit, bookmarks and a big bowl of sweets. Consider taking pictures of the individuals who purchase your book to make the event memorable. When the signing is finished, give each employee a signed bookmark and autograph any remaining books. Let them know that you appreciate any hand-selling that they do for your book. When I follow these steps, managers, without fail, ask me to return soon!

After the Signing

Don’t forget the important step of sending a thank-you note to the store staff and those responsible for media coverage you receive. A thank you goes a long way, and you’d be surprised how many authors fail to complete this simple task. In the note to the bookstore, I always include photos taken of the staff at the signing so they remember the day.

Note details of the signing for future reference. Touch base with each store periodically through updates and press releases. This past holiday season, each one of my contacts received a Christmas letter. When the press release went out for my second book, Sarah, I sent a Valentine. These little touches assure future signings for the remainder of my series.

I’ve embraced every suggestion along the way, determined to overcome all obstacles and rise above average. I’ve poured all of my enthusiasm into every recommendation because this is my dream. If you haven’t already, go after yours!

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction