[Writing Post] Why Autographings Are Important
There have been articles in the past months (and probably years) about how book signings (mostly as events) are dead or dying ways to get more people to buy books. Now, I normally avoid the Grand Sweeping Statement – but I this time… “Bunk!” Book signings – especially the convention autographing session – are still vital components for authors. Especially for Small Press Authors. If you are a convention organizer, this is not meant as any kind of criticism, just a POV “make you go…hmmmm” kind of thing and how it impacts your writer and artist guests.
Yes…all of us – ALL OF US – have had the “throw an autographing and no one came” moments. But just as those moments happen, so do the sales moments, which is why they’re still vital to us. Signings, especially at conventions, for Small Press Authors can be a huge deal for sales. And by “Small Press Authors”, I will define that as authors who don’t have a table in the artist alley or dealer’s room or don’t have their books for sale by a major distributor.
I will use myself as an example. I don’t normally have a table anywhere because 1) there are never enough tables to go around, and 2) I am – generally – busy enough on programming that I’d never be AT the table for more than bits of time. When I am in the Dealer’s Room, it’s generally to sell books from my primary publisher – Yard Dog Press (when they’re there) or our main supporter Edge Books (when they’re there). When I’m at Yard Dog’s table, I’m not comfortable (personally) selling books by other publishers or the ones I’ve independently put out. Why? Because when I’m at their table I’m THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, and it’s hard enough for a Small Press to survive without feeling like you’re diverting a possible sale from them.
That makes my independent sales, well, independent on ME. I can mention the books at panels. I can make jokes about them being sold out of my bag or trunk of my car. SOMETIMES I will get someone approach me after a panel to buy one – which is great, unless I’m dashing off to Panel B because Panel A ran long. Then I have to say, “Catch me later, please?” or hope the fan means it when THEY say, “I’ll catch YOU later.” Because 9 times out of 10, that thought is gone with the next shiny thing that comes along – on both our parts – and conventions are full of the shiny.
That’s what makes autographing sessions SO VERY IMPORTANT. Even if I am sitting all alone at my signing…often times with another author or three…there’s the OPPORTUNITY to remind someone they wanted to at least LOOK at my books. EVEN IF it’s a pity look because I look sad and lonely (I’m not proud, I’ll take that!). I can send interested buyers into the Dealer’s Room for books available there – or I can sell them books NOT available in the Dealer’s Room . I can sign. I can chat. I can make a connection with the fan, fellow professional, or random passerby. The autographings are about the CONNECTION and less about the sale (as it would be in the Dealer’s Room – people expect to be sold to there). It’s an opportunity to REMIND people that, “Oh, yeah, I meant to check out her new chapbook/book/comic/etc”.
Autographings may seem old fashioned and out of date – but in these rough economic times it all matters. Every sale – every connection – is one step closer to being able to a convention in the future. It’s one more sale that might mean another contract for a new story/book/comic/piece of art. This is our economic livelihood as well as fan good will. We need them. Please.