AN AUTOGRAPH TOUR
Aah. The infamous promotional tour.
I've just returned from one that took me through twelve states. I learned a ton and a half of things and had several misadventures. I 'd like to share some of those experiences with you. First of all, whenever I do a signing, I always try to look my best. I hardly ever wear make up, but I will to a signing. I wear a classy dress and spend time grooming my hair. It paid off. In Odessa, a man walked up to me, grabbed WHO'S SUSAN? and asked if I would sign it.
"Of course," I said.
After we had chatted for a while, he told me that the reason he came to my table was because he thought I was very pretty. He also bought WHEN COLETTE DIED and WHERE SECRETS LIE.
***
Then I went to Wichita Falls. Since it was very hot and humid and I was just bumming around anyway, I decided to wear shorts. Since my hair is naturally curly, it looked like I plugged in my finger into the electrical outlet, and my hair stood up. As we're driving along, my husband, Rich, suggested we stop at Books-a-Million and sign stock. I was hesitant, but agreed.
The manager was very sweet and said she'd love to have me sign the stock. Then she proceeded to set up a table and announced that famous author--didn't I tell you I like that manager?--L. C. Hayden was in the store signing books. I had shorts on, terrible hair, and no make-up. I will never sell a book, I thought miserably.
Within one hour, I sold out.
So much for having to look pretty.
Sigh.
***
At one of the signings I had in West Virginia, I arrived to the store to find that the books had not arrived. This could have been prevented if I had taken the time to call them two to three weeks prior to the signing. My publisher would have had ample to time to straighten out the delivery problems. Lesson Number One: always call and verify that everything is set.
By the way, I was told that the books arrived the day after my scheduled signing.
Sigh.
***
I have a sign showing a bunch of people raising their hands and smiling. Under them, it reads: If you buy my book, I'll give you a kiss. Next to the sign, I have a candy dish filled with kisses. Since all of the autograph sessions were so far away from home, I didn't want to deal with the kisses and the possibility of them melting while I'm on the road. Consequently, I left the sign back home even though it usually serves as an attention catcher.
Ironically, at the signing I had in Massachussets, the manager provided me with candy-and yep, you guessed it: kisses. I inwardly moaned. The sign was back home in El Paso, Texas.
Sigh.
It would have been so easy to carry that sign with me. It's only 8 X 11. I know better now. Always be prepared.
***
At the signing in Conneticut, I had a chance to bond with the booksellers. In so doing, I found out that the store personnel had no idea that my third mystery WHERE SECRETS LIE has been optioned by Anne Francis for a movie. The store manager said that she wished she had known ahead of time, and she would have prepared a poster advertising the fact as that would have lured more people to the signing.
The regional district manager had set up this part of the tour. I had sent her a press kit. Surely, I reasoned, she would notify the individual stores. Lesson Number Two: never assume anything. People get busy and tend to ignore the "details.; Promoting your work is your responsibility. I lost a lot of potential sales by not advertising the movie deal.
Sigh.
***
The good thing was that I did do some things right.
In Winsted, CT., I spoke to a group of mystery lovers. I found them to be very receptive and warm. I told them about my misadventures with my books and answered their questions. I sold several books and had a blast. Lesson Number Three: try to set up speaking engagements that coincide with your book signings. You'll already have a built-in audience.
***
My next signing was in Boston. I walked in to find out that I was supposed to present a workshop. Nobody had told me anything. Surprise, surprise. Thank God I have done a lot of presentations before and I could remember bits and pieces of them all. Everything worked out okay, but if I had had my notes and the handouts, things would have been a lot better. From now on, I plan to carry emergency speeches and handouts. No more surprises for me. Lesson Number four: always be prepared.
***
While on tour, I received an e-mail from the Community Relations Manager (CRM) at a Barnes & Noble asking me to do an autograph session. If I accepted, they wanted a press kit so that they can make their billboards announcing the event. Unfortunately, I wasn't scheduled to be back home until a week prior to the signing and all of my press kits were at home. By then, it would be too late to send them one.
Fortunately, the CRM was very gracious. I cut the picture from the current B&N signing. I sent it to her along with a complimentary copy of the book, and a flyer I just happened to have describing my works. It certainly didn't look like a professional kit but at least it served its purpose. First thing I did when I got home was grab a handful of press kits and put them in my emergency box to take along with me wherever I go. Lesson Number Five: create a ready to carry emergency box. Include flyers, press kits, business cards, bookmarks, speeches, extra pens, and anything else you might need.
***
In New Hampshire, I had back-to-back signings. Although I download maps of the stores I'm going to visit, I still asked for the directions to the second bookstore. I only had an hour to reach the next store and I certainly didn't want to be late. I was told to take exit one and that I would be able to see the mall as soon as I took the exit.
Armed with my new knowledge, I took off. I did as I was told. I took exit one. The problem was that the name of the mall did not coincide with the name of the mall I had on the map. Being a smart cookie, I took out my cellular and called the bookstore.
"You"re where? I haven't even heard of that mall!" the bookseller told me. "Now what directions did they give you?"
I told them about exit one.
"Oh no. You're going to have to get back on the freeway and take exit two."
The problem was that in order to get back to the freeway, due to construction, I had to drive around several blocks before I could pick up the freeway. By now, I only had ten minutes to get to the signing on time. I hurried as much as I could, but traffic fought me all of the way. I finally reached exit two. Guess where I ended up?
Same mall. Opposite side.
Sigh.
***
At the Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Kentucky, I was treated like royalty. I learned from them that they started out as a small independent bookseller. Now they have gigantic stores in other states as well. This concept gave me courage to continue in this very competitive world of writing. Lesson Number Six: if a small store like that can survive and thrive, then all authors also have the chance to reach the top.
***
In Tennessee, like with all other places, I relied on the maps to get me to my signings. The map's directions led me to one of the most beautiful residential sites I've ever seen. However, it was the bookstore I was looking for.
Again, out comes the cellular.
The Bookstar manager said, "We're at the opposite end of town." "Impossible," I said. "I got my internet map with me showing me where your store is."
The manager laughed and explained that there are two streets by the same name. However, one is a drive and the other is a place. Oops, minor boo-boo. Lesson Number Seven: always double check your directions and focus on the minor details like street or avenue.
***
In Lousiana, I had live television coverage before the signing. I noticed that the people who attended my signing were less hesitant to approach me than when the event received little or no publicity.
Lesson Number Eight: prior to any signings, send the newspapers a professional press kit. Contact the television and radio stations. Anytime I do get coverage, the signing goes a lot smoother.
***
My last signing for this tour took place in Houston. I met a very nice lady who had read and loved both WHO'S SUSAN? and WHEN COLETTE DIED. She hadn't yet read WHERE SECRETS LIE and wanted very much to read it. I felt thrilled and honored that she would come to buy my third novel. While talking with her, my mind furiously raced. I wanted to write something very special on her book. She is, after all, a devoted fan. After talking with her for about five minutes or so, she took the book and began to walk away. I asked her if she wanted me to sign it. She looked at me rather surprised and said, "Oh no. I don't like my books trashed."
Sigh.
