Booksignings, Love 'em or Hate 'em?

I’ve known a lot of authors over the years who absolutely detest book signings. Some say it’s uncomfortable to sit and expect someone to come buy your book. Some don’t think there’s any benefit in the time spent or the travel. I have always enjoyed signings. I’m a people person, and I love to get out and meet new people—readers, booksellers, even the occasional curmudgeon who claims she doesn’t read that trash.

When my first few books were released, I traveled near and far to promote them and meet the booksellers. Of course back then we had many independent stores and local distributors. Occasionally an author is fortunate to find a chain store with a great PR person or an independent that loves the romance genre. In Nebraska we have a couple of stores that host the local authors and often authors from all over.

On June 6th Mary Connealy and I traveled to Independence, Missouri, a Kansas City suburb, where we signed at Dog-eared Books, a lovely new and used bookstore, owned by Tina.

Tina’s cohort Connie works at the store and hosts a reader website Once Upon a Romance where you will find reviews and recipes and news about authors. Connie always bakes cookies for the authors, and we weren’t disappointed this time. How she gets them uniform and prettily perfect is beyond me. Yummy, too.

They’ve created a cozy welcoming atmosphere in the store, right down to Tina’s resident cats—I think she calls them mascots. Even the cats are laid back and friendly.



Traveling with Mary and I from Nebraska was Robyn Roberts, who reviews at Once Upon a Romance, along with Connie’s sister, Trudy. Robyn and I have made the trip to Missouri more than once—more than twice—we kind of like those gals and their readers.

Signing with us was the always delightful, Bobbi Smith, Queen of the Western Romance. Her newest book is called Runaway. And joining us, another Nebraska gal, Julie Miller, who signed copies of her new Intrigue, Pulling the Trigger. Julie had her 2009 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award there for us to admire.

After visiting with all the gracious and sweet readers and signing oodles of books, Tina took us to a late lunch at the Olive Garden. Drat, I should have gotten someone’s photo to show you. So anyway, that was my latest experience.

When I learn about a romance author coming to our city, I usually make it to the bookstore to support them. I’ve been to those of Susan Wiggs, Susan Crandall and Linda Lael Miller to name a few. When LLM was here, Pam Crooks and I went to see her and booked her for a blog at Petticoats and Pistols.



Sometimes readers are too shy to approach the author, but will come back later and pick up a signed book. Have you been to many author signings? If you went, did you enjoy talking to the author?