A tale of two book events…

and how they can be so different.

So…

Last weekend I did an author event/booksignig at a brewery. Yes…where they make and sell beer. 8 other authors/vendors and I were at Litherman’s Limited Brewery on a Saturday afternoon, and I sold a ton of books.

Truly. In a brewery. The people were welcoming, the readers amazing.

Today, I did a solo book signing at my local Barnes & Noble, a bookstore I love, love, love.

Didn’t sell one book.

Not a single one.

I couldn’t get anyone to engage with me. I tried saying hello…people walked by with a fast semi-smile or ignored me altogether. It’s rare that I feel unseen, but I could have been invisible. I was supposed to stay until 4pm, but since no one — no one– who came into the store, despite my engaging – even spoke to me, I left early. It was demoralizing enough for 2 hours. 4? Yeah, I don’t have an ego, but that would have been too much for even me.

Comparing the two events. One was with other authors, in a non-bookstore type location on a Saturday afternoon. The other was a solo event in an actual bookstore on a Sunday afternoon.

Which, in theory, should I have sold more books at? Conventional wisdom says the bookstore.

I have never been what anyone would call conventional.

So… what have I learned from this?
Well, this is at least the sixth bookstore signing ( not all in B&N. The others were indie bookstores) where my sales were zilch. Zero. Zip. I think I can safely say bookstore signings are not for me, based on this empirical data. I don’t have a big enough name, and I am mostly indie-published now, so I don’t have a publisher’s backing to garner me bookshelf space and fight for me..

I do better at much smaller events with more than just me as the author.

Thankfully, I have several of those coming up this summer. Just take a look at the graphic below to find me in July and August.

Here’s hoping I make a few new readers and sell some books at those.

Honestly… this business isn’t for the faint of heart, kids.

~ Peg