Re: Book Signings?

**"Betty B Mackey" BBMACKEY@prodigy.net>**

Jessie Stephens asked about whether book signings at bookstores are worth
the trouble.

I have experience with this, and the answer is yes, some of the time, a
little. Although you may not get many people at your book signing,
scheduling it will make the bookstore order and display your book, which
otherwise it might not do. A program sometimes brings people in. However, I
have had the experience of giving the same talk at a bookstore that I gave
at a garden event where people paid to attend (Rodale Gardenfest). There
were only a few people at my free talk, but the paid talk was standing room
only. Both events had lots of publicity. People are suspicious that free
might mean boring. And don't bother with book signings during any weekdays.
Saturday morning or afternoon is a more likely time.

Some bookstores, especially the chains, book so many events every day that
the public and press pay no attention unless the author is a rock star or
famous personality. But bookstores that have fewer events and put more
effort into them would be a good bet. I wouldn't travel all that far to give
a free talk at a bookstore, however.

Talks, demonstrations, and signings at garden centers can really be
effective. When Monica Brandies and I released our third edition of "A
Cutting Garden for Florida" I gave a free demonstration (on a Saturday
morning) at Brown's Edgewood Gardens -- a garden center near where I used to
live. It was listed in the Orlando papers and we had a great turnout. People
attending bought lots of books and plants. A book signing for the same title
on a Tuesday afternoon, at a large bookstore, was a total flop. But the
store kept and eventually sold the books that had been ordered.

Programs and signings at botanical gardens with giftshops are often very
effective, and since Jessie's book is "Touring Texas Gardens" it seems like
a natural fit here. Try to get talks at the gardens when they have special
events.

Talks at flower shows definitely are worth the effort and sell books.

So, Jessie, I say that you should probably avoid mid-week events at chain
bookstores. Get all the speaking engagements you can line up with garden
clubs and sell your own book. If no one is paying you to speak, don't put
yourself out with a long, expensive trek to a distant place, unless you are
pretty sure that you will draw a crowd. Sometimes you can get your expenses
covered by your publisher or the sponsor of the event, even when there is no
speaking fee.

Good luck!

Betty Mackey, writer and publisher
B. B. Mackey Books
http://www.mackeybooks.com

Author, "The Gardener's Home Companion" and other titles.
Publisher, "Creating and Planting Garden Troughs" by Fingerut and Murfitt,
    "Florida Gardening: The Newcomer's Survival Manual" by Brandies, and
more.

> Are book signings at book stores really worth the time, trouble, and
> sometimes expense for authors of garden books?
>
> My publisher and some writer friends tell me that such appearances are
key,
> because booksellers will "handsell" your books if they've met you.
Frankly,
> I've shopped bookstores all over the country, and I don't remember a
> retailer trying to "handsell" me a particular title. Sure, they'll
recommend
> something, or several somethings, but unless they are gardeners
themselves,
> it rings pretty hollow.
>
> But since I'm a beginner at the trade paper publishing game, I would
> appreciate learning from the experiences of others. My book is called
> TOURING TEXAS GARDENS from Republic of Texas Press. It will be available
> this month from major distributors and bookstores in Texas, as well as
> amazon, etc. on line. It's basically a tour guide to the public gardens of
> Texas (almost 100 of them). Should I try to line up book signings in
> large-city bookstores? Wouldn't it be more profitable to do it at large
> nurseries, maybe with a short program, as well? Or at gift stores in the
> gardens mentioned in the book?
>
> I welcome your comments.
> Jessie Gunn Stephens
>
> jessie@texoma.net
>
>
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