Top Ten Tuesday: Tips for Attending Book Signings

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. There are two major book signings occurring this month and some later this year, so this week I thought I’d share Tips for Attending Book Signings. Book Bonanza is taking place in Texas this week, and Apollycon will be held in Washington, D.C. at the end of the month. I’ve been fortunate to have attended several large book signings, and I’ve learned some tips along the way that I thought would be helpful. I’ll be at Apollycon this year, so if you’re planning to attend let me know. I’d love to meet you and chat books. 

1. Label your books!
Label your books ahead of time. There are lots of authors you will want to see in a short amount of time, so if you want your books to be personalized, you need a quick and easy way to give the author your name and make sure it’s spelled correctly. I write my name (or someone else’s name if it’s a gift) on small Post-It notes and stick them on the title page of each book. If I just want the author’s signature without any personalization, I flag the page and write, “No name,” or tell the author not to personalize the book.

The prep:

The end result:

 

2. Get a sturdy cart or tote.
Whether you choose a rolling case or a utility tote, make sure it is sturdy enough to safely hold all your books. I never bring a backpack. Signed paperbacks are precious to me, and I wouldn’t want to cram books in there and risk getting them damaged. Some signings don’t allow wheeled carriers, so I use one from Thirty-One.

 

3. Consider pre-ordering books from authors.
Unlike some bookstore signings, you can bring books from home. Most authors will have a pre-order form though. Ordering your books ahead of time reduces the number of books you have to lug to the signing and ensures that the books you want are in stock. Some events limit the number of books you can get signed, but that may be waived for books that are pre-ordered.

4. You don’t have to buy or bring any books in order to meet the author.
You’ve paid to attend the signing, but you probably don’t have enough funds to buy books written by every attending author. It’s ok to visit an author’s table, tell them you’re a fan, and ask for a picture. You can even get them to sign something other than a book.

5. Bring a souvenir for authors to sign.
If you want signatures from authors but you don’t have any books for them to sign, it’s a good idea to bring a souvenir. Virtually anything will work. Some signings will provide event posters or totes that authors can sign. I’ve even had authors sign my Kindle case. You can get a blank canvas from any arts and crafts store. They look very nice when signed in different ink colors and displayed. Some people get really creative and make handmade scrapbooks.

 

My favorite thing is to create photo books. I love Shutterfly. Sometimes they have a sale, and Groupon usually has a deal. I recently bought a Groupon for Shutterfly that let me create a 20-page hardcover photo album for $5. You can design it online to look however you want. I personalize the cover and then I insert images of book covers from some of the attending authors on the first few pages. I leave the rest of the pages blank to be signed by authors. Here’s a rough preview of my book for this month’s signing. 

 

6. Bring a portable phone charger.
Signings last for a few hours. You’ll be taking lots of pictures, looking things up on Goodreads, texting, etc. The last thing you want is for your phone to die before the signing is over. Always bring a portable charger as a backup. I bought mine ages ago on Amazon, but they no longer sell it. You can find a variety of ones here.

7. Bring cash.
Authors have a limited selection of books for sale at their tables, but they don’t always accept credit cards, PayPal, or Venmo. To be on the safe side, have some cash on hand—preferably exact change. I’ve never had to pay sales tax, so the cost is typically in $5 increments.

8. Bring a separate bag for swag.
I love collecting swag at signings. Signed bookmarks, pens, stickers, notepads, lip balm, buttons, magnets—give me all the swag. Whether it be a Ziploc bag or a tote, take something to carry your loot around. I bring a small, easily accessible tote bag that I decorate with buttons I collect.

 

9. Approach new authors.
Don’t be afraid to meet an author whose books you haven’t read yet. Authors are always looking to find new readers. Tell them you’ve never read their books before, and ask them what types of books they write. You can also ask them which book of theirs they recommend you read first. It’s a good conversation starter and a way to get a signature from an author you don’t know.

10. Make a list of your must-see authors.
Everyone has their favorite authors they really want to meet. It’s easy to lose track of which authors you have met and which ones you still need to see—especially if the signing occurs in more than one room. You don’t want to miss your must-see authors. Make a list of your top authors and where they are located at the event, as well as the titles of books you want to get signed (if any). Then cross them off as you go. If the authors are in multiple rooms, note the room.

Feel free to share any tips you have in the comments. I hope to see you at a book signing soon!

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