tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post7723755258769758649..comments2023-10-30T15:13:22.680+00:00Comments on Strictly Writing: What's the point of book signings?DThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-49769384344497946562010-03-25T14:42:53.935+00:002010-03-25T14:42:53.935+00:00Come to think of it, 'modest sum' isn'...Come to think of it, 'modest sum' isn't quite so modest if you have as many titles as you do for example, OliviaEmma Darwinhttp://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-37249256077027775512010-03-25T14:42:01.072+00:002010-03-25T14:42:01.072+00:00Ah, Amazon rankings... That way madness lies... Wh...Ah, Amazon rankings... That way madness lies... Which means we're all mad.<br /><br />I would say, though, that they're NOT quite all we've got to go by. For a modest sum - I think I'm right that it's something like £75 per title, for a year - you can get Nielsen to send you your very own weekly through-the-till figures (much more useful than your publishers' out-of-the-warehouse-and-just-you-wait-for-the-returns figures). <br /><br />Just remember that it doesn't represent the full number, since bookshops don't have to report to Nielsen. My editor says you should increase the figure by about 30% for trade booksales, more for academic.<br /><br />But you do have to ask yourself: do you really want to know?Emma Darwinhttp://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-57405023607871596462010-03-25T05:51:01.907+00:002010-03-25T05:51:01.907+00:00Rod! hehe, I liked that.
Caroline, another excell...Rod! hehe, I liked that.<br /><br />Caroline, another excellent post (and timely for me, soon to be book-signing-virgin no longer). I am currently organising my own launch, in Oz...I know what publishers think of nobodies like me having launches (because I used to work on The Other Side) but as you say, you never know where an event like that might lead. And bookmarks! Yes, I'm having those, too. Laminated. Get me.E.G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04739450222683170149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-20110074891947606392010-03-24T23:01:51.743+00:002010-03-24T23:01:51.743+00:00Ha ha - Rod. That's brilliant!Ha ha - Rod. That's brilliant!Essie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04611324005960689918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-52840437037173554942010-03-24T21:12:02.576+00:002010-03-24T21:12:02.576+00:00Well said, Caroline. It gives no hope whatsoever t...Well said, Caroline. It gives no hope whatsoever to struggling authors like ... ahem ... the rest of us! - to read that 30 people at a book-signing is a failure. I'd have fainted with joy if 30 people turned up at mine. I had to have a friend outside the shop, at my last one, trying to drag passers-by in. And I spent most of the time yelling at people like a market stallholder: 'Come and buy one!' Amazing how people can pretend they don't see or hear you!<br /><br />And as for Amazon rankings, they are the work of the Devil. Checking them every day is like weighing yourself every day when you're on a diet (and have I checked them every day myself when I've had a new book out? No - every hour, sometimes!). They're a very unreliable indication of how well (or badly) your sales are going - but we can't stop looking at them because THEY're ALL WE'VE GOT TO GO BY! But incidentally, I'd faint with even more joy if I ever achieved a ranking of 351. My highest EVER was 1540 (not that I've memorised it, at all) and I'm usually nearer ... 351,000, as you said!!<br /><br />Oh. I've said all that, and just realised I've got no idea who Tess Daly is, anyway. Sorry! xSheila Nortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13997206301877289623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-15485982195606012532010-03-24T17:47:17.811+00:002010-03-24T17:47:17.811+00:00At my one and only book signing - held in a booksh...At my one and only book signing - held in a bookshop owned by friends (who had eagerly bought in 100 copies - it's a cheap book), we met and greeted four people over the cause of a day. In fact, we sold more copies after we'd left - I'm not blessed with looks so maybe I should do absent signings in future. And Rod's spot on about Tess. Those Derbyfields, eh - what are they like?DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-35486399739547242962010-03-24T13:02:27.298+00:002010-03-24T13:02:27.298+00:00Interesting insight into signings Caro...now dearl...Interesting insight into signings Caro...now dearly want to reach position of being able to make some bookmarks! I'm loving the idea of those bookmarks...sigh.<br /><br />My local bookshop only has sports people or local authors in for signings. Shame, would be nice if it was a bit broader in remit.Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-62999139457126287072010-03-24T10:49:40.472+00:002010-03-24T10:49:40.472+00:00Caro, I'm surprised to hear that you, "do...Caro, I'm surprised to hear that you, "don't give two hoots about Tess's (or anyone else's) experience of motherhood."<br /><br />I thought her experience was tragic - she was badly treated by both Angel Clare and by Alec. Whilst not exactly "A Pure Woman", she had a rough time of it.Roderic Vincenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06519267912305907364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-23893233710303229292010-03-24T10:32:34.037+00:002010-03-24T10:32:34.037+00:00Well said, Caroline! Book signings aren't all...Well said, Caroline! Book signings aren't all about selling books anyway - it can be quite brave of a member of the public to approach an author standing behind a pile of books - they do not know if they will like the book, but feel if they speak to you, they may be obliged to buy. Quite often, if you just chat pleasantly, they may come back later. If I solf thirty books at a signing in a bookshop, I would be thrilled. <br /><br />http://steelthistles.blogspot.comKatherine Langrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529700103932422873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-77035985189936777552010-03-24T10:28:17.371+00:002010-03-24T10:28:17.371+00:00I think your ideas on promotion are really good. H...I think your ideas on promotion are really good. Handing out bookmarks...ingenius.Essie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04611324005960689918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-38059957585136184132010-03-24T09:31:43.327+00:002010-03-24T09:31:43.327+00:00Maybe the resentment is to do with the fact slebs ...Maybe the resentment is to do with the fact slebs usually have a publishing deal handed to them? And in this case perhaps people see The Baby Diaries as a book any half-literate mother could write?<br /><br />I've no interest in her book, or her for that matter, but I think selling 30 is commendable.<br /><br />Interesting post, Caroline!Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-44068427445176659042010-03-24T08:57:22.688+00:002010-03-24T08:57:22.688+00:00All so true.
I suppose if you live by the gutter...All so true. <br /><br />I suppose if you live by the gutter press, you die by the gutter press, and they say there's no such thing as bad publicity. But it is a shame if lots of perfectly normal authors and their friends, for whom 30 people's a very respectable head-count, now feel they've failed. And Caroline's absolutely right that much of the value of a signing is in the collateral things, not the bodies who turn up on the day.Emma Darwinhttp://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-19730077798997220412010-03-24T08:56:36.367+00:002010-03-24T08:56:36.367+00:00Thanks, Caroline - you're reminding me (not th...Thanks, Caroline - you're reminding me (not that I'm in a position to use it at the moment!) how proactive a writer needs to be. And I think it's not just in order to get more readers/publicity - there's something really good about being wholeheartedly involved with your 'baby' at every stage of its growth. Hope yours flourishes!<br />SusiexSusie Nott-Bowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08428000582406338267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-75102389395595570002010-03-24T08:50:06.315+00:002010-03-24T08:50:06.315+00:00Hi
I always think it's so lovely when authors...Hi<br /><br />I always think it's so lovely when authors or actors make time to attend booksigning events/sign autographs. I know this may sound silly but it's like it makes me more of a fan that I get to see them if only for a few seconds and they sign my book/picture personalising it!<br /><br />Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-88652778395141645192010-03-24T08:24:14.761+00:002010-03-24T08:24:14.761+00:00This post made me realise that I've never seen...This post made me realise that I've never seen any book signings advertised at my local high street bookstore - never, in fifteen years living here? Strange.<br />And now I want one - a book signing - not a baby diary. Mine would be ideal but anybody's would be fine. Wake up Waterstones!Fionnualahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12275984316414726884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-79227738461508671772010-03-24T08:16:29.266+00:002010-03-24T08:16:29.266+00:00Aw, poor her. Not. lolAw, poor her. Not. lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-1707553299831620202010-03-24T08:14:11.765+00:002010-03-24T08:14:11.765+00:00Hear hear Caroline! I hope Tess does a daily chec...Hear hear Caroline! I hope Tess does a daily check for all thing 'Strictly' and reads your brilliant post because she's sure to be encouraged by it. I guess it's supposed to be more of an embarrassment for her because of her elevated status in the world of entertainment, but lesser mortals would be hugely delighted - I know I would. *Will.Debs Ricciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10837598374947020855noreply@blogger.com