Note from Suz: I always try
to make book signings as much fun for my readers as possible! Here's how
most book signings work:Suz Brockmann's Book
Signings
FAQ Page
Note from Suz: I always try
to make book signings as much fun for my readers as possible! Here's how
most book signings work:
The bookseller will set up a table and chair for me (cuz it's easier to sign books sitting down!) in a section of their store. If we're having a Q&A (Question and Answer) session, (and there usually is a Q&A session, except for signings such as the RWA Literacy Signing this summer (July 2007) in Dallas) there may be chairs set up for readers in that part of the room. (Or sometimes the chairs might be in another part of the room!) When you arrive at the signing store, check with one of the clerks to find out exactly where the signing and the Q&A will be in case it's not obvious! It can't hurt to arrive a little early to ensure that you get a seat!
I try to arrive at the signing store anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes prior to the start time listed on my appearances page. Sometimes the bookseller will pull me into the back room to sign stock. Sometimes, I'll be right out there, setting up and schmoozing with the readers who have arrived early. Sometimes, I'll panic at the size of the crowd and start signing books before I do the Q&A session. LOL!
Usually, there is a definite
end time for the event. Sometimes the end time is because I have to jump
back into my car and zoom off to the next store -- and I don't want to be
late. Sometimes the end time is because the store is going to close!
If my appearances page says the book signing is going to start at 7:00 p.m., then promptly at 7:00 p.m. we'll begin the Q&A session. This allows me a chance to talk to readers and answer any questions they might have about my books, about writing, about the tour, about my plans for future project (not that I'll say too much about that! <g>). We'll talk for about 30 or 40 minutes.
Then I'll start signing books.
Because I love to spend a little time talking one-on-one to my readers, and to shake their hands, the line tends to move really slowly. But I'll bring my husband Ed and best friend Eric along to help entertain the folks who are standing in line -- to make it feel more like a party then, well, a line. <g> (There will also be copies of Ed's books, Premeditated Murder, Suffering Fools, and Diary of a Serial Killer available. But if you want one, or if you bring your copy from home for him to sign, he'll sign them as he "works the line." It's his preference -- the man likes to stay on his feet! LOL!)
One of the questions readers ask before a book signing is, "May I bring books from home for you to sign?"
My answer is "Yes, but..." In the past, I've had no problem signing entire complete collections of my forty-something books for readers (some readers even have multiple copies -- and I've signed 'em all! LOL!). In fact, I love doing that.
But some booksellers have rules, and we don't want to break them! Also, as more and more people attend my signings (which is a cool thing, right?) that means we might have to impose limits (say, 5 non-new books per person) so that I'm able to get everyone's books signed before I run out of time. (This rule doesn't apply to books bought at the signing. There's no limit to the number of new books that you can get signed.)
So the number of books you can bring from home for me to sign depends on both the bookseller's rules and the amount of time before I absolutely MUST leave to get to the next store!
(My advice -- if you really, really want to get your entire collection of books signed, bring 'em, but leave 'em in your car until you've scoped out the situation at the signing. If the crowd is light and the bookseller is agreeable, and you don't mind rotating to the back of the line every five books, or getting bumped back in line if someone new shows up to get a book signed, then you're golden!)
At about 15 minutes before
the official signing end time listed on my website, we'll hold our free raffle
drawing. Readers must be present to win one item (or more!) from a collection of cool prizes.
Click here to find out about our free raffle!
At some pre-determined point (usually about 15 to 30 minutes after the scheduled end time of the signing, but occasionally we'll work in an extra hour at the end...), Ed and Eric will start gesticulating wildly, and saying "Fifteen minutes til we MUST leave!" They'll also give a ten minute warning. At five minutes, they'll start packing up our stuff. And at zero, they'll each take one of my arms and lift me out of the chair and drag me from the store! LOL! They know that if they don't, I'll stay at a book signing, chatting with readers, forever.
So that's how it works! I hope to meet you at a book signing in the not too distant future!
