Today, I was blessed with yet another successful book signing event for my novel Weapons Of Light. Fifteen out of the twenty books available for sale at Vine and Branches Christian Book Store in Lodi, sold during the three hours that I was there to sign. The bulk of which sold within the first two hours. My first event with this store last year was a complete sell out of the ten books the store ordered, with two back orders. This time the new owner asked me to supply twenty books for consignment at a very generous percentage for me. I had ten on hand, so I only had to order another ten for the event. The store events manager kept the five remaining books, confident that those also would sell. Plus, she was agreeable to my suggestion, as the new owner had been when I went in to meet him, that the store be the first event host for my next novel due out later this year. So, connections made with my current novel are working toward the success of novel number two.
Earlier during the week, I was at my local bank conducting business and the manager asked if I was retired, I told him that I was technically retired, but that I was a working author. He was immediately interested and asked what I wrote, I told him my genre, then he said that he would like to purchase a book for his wife. I told him that I had a copy in my car; he said "great, I'll take it!" Now I ask you, how easy was that?
For reasons that I won't go into, it's not always easy for me to get out and about to promote myself, so the help that I receive from my Tate marketing rep, Traci, is very valuable. Together we have co-ordinated my events. I'm not a top selling author at Tate, but I'm certainly consistent with successful book signing events, and I have gotten wonderful "stranger" feed back from my readers. So with humility, I consider myself a successful published author, thanks to Tate publishers and their wonderful staff. The couple of reviews posted on B&N and Amazon, have been favorable too.
Again, I am so thankful to God for His gift and inspiration to write, and to Tate for helping to make my little star shine brighter.
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7 comments:
Great stuff Ann-
Thanks, Melanie.
Hello Ann,
I'm an aspiring author, and though I'd like to write in multiple genres, my first completed manuscript is the first of a seven-book science fiction series.
I read your blog post and I started wondering: what are book signings and book promotion like? When I think ahead to doing that for my own work, I admit it seems a bit daunting, like I'm selling umbrellas in an indoor football arena.
I was wondering if you could share a bit of your experience thus far, and maybe how you got your first book published. I'd greatly appreciate it. Congrats for the good turnouts and the blessed reactions and interest from others!
Hi SC, nice to hear from you, and thanks for your comments. If you'll email me ann @ annwinters.net I'll try to answer some of your questions.
Hi Ann
Thanks for sharing your book signing experience. I enjoyed your comments and I share your enthusiasm for the Tate Publishing staff. My first manuscript is in editing and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity and for the learning experience.
Congratulations on your present and future success.
Bob, thanks so much for your comments and well wishes, they are much appreciated. I wish you the very best during your production period and beyond. Enjoy the journey!
Yes, they do.
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