Lessons Learned from my First Solo Book Signing Event & Library Book Fair
- RWeidner
- Oct 2, 2023
- 4 min read
Half Price Books Solo Book Signing Event
In the months following Awakening Dusk's release, I received messages from readers asking how to get books signed. As it was my debut, I had not anticipated the overwhelming interest family and friends would share in owning books signed by the author. After all, I was just thankful Awakening Dusk was finally out in the world!
With the costs of shipping and running an online store, I wasn't able to sell signed books directly. My first idea to meet the demand was to offer book plates, which are essentially book stickers that can be signed by the author and placed inside the reader's book. There was some interest in the option, but not enough to satiate.
It wasn't until 8 months later that the opportunity presented itself to travel back to my hometown and have my first book signing. Thanks to a friend's recommendation, I reached out to Half Price Books, and asked if it would be possible for them to sell my book or host an event.
Indie authors, please reach out to Half Price Books if there is a branch in your area! I was met with the kindest employees! They hosted my event for FREE and gave me the busiest day of the week (Saturday- June 3rd). I was required to bring my own books to sell (they did not purchase them), which meant HPB wasn't out any money and I didn't have to share a commission. I was there for 2 hours. During that time, I sold 14 books, most of which were bought in a packaged deal with 1 bookmark and 2 illustrated postcards.
Payment methods:
I used a Square card reader. It connected to my phone via Bluetooth and worked flawlessly. (I am not sponsored; I just love it!) People with exact amounts paid in cash. I did not offer change, which is something I will reconsider going forward.
Costs & Earnings:
Supply Costs:
Books (printing & shipping): $366.49
Book Merch (bookmarks & postcards- printing price only): $127.40
Supply Total: $493.89
I made $370 total during the event. Technically, I operated at a loss. However, the supplies can be sold at the next event, etc., until I run out of books and merchandise. So, I was left with $123.89 in material investment.
My sister acted as my assistant during the entire event. From taking pictures and videos for social media, to interacting with people and helping with transactions, she was the best partner for my first solo event. My mother watched my kids and invested in other areas as well. I'm incredibly thankful I had my family's support and help throughout the entire process, especially as my husband was back home in Iowa for his job.
The amount of people who came and supported me still leaves me reeling. A local author stopped by to show her support. Family on both mine and my husband's sides, old friends, HPB staff, and new readers all offered encouragement, excitement, and warm generosity.
All in all, though I did not earn a lot monetarily, I am very happy with how my first solo event did, and I look forward to working with HPB again in the future!
Now on to my first book fair!
Badger Public Library Book Fair
Badger Public Library located in Badger, Iowa, hosted a book fair on September 16th from 8am-1pm. There were 10 authors total (all independently published) with books ranging from poetic war mementos, romance-romantasy (romance/fantasy), military sci-fi, fantasy, true crime biographies, to paranomral middle grade series. Again, the event and tables were FREE. There were new authors and award-winning authors.
As most of my readership is based in Indiana, I didn't go into this event expecting to sell a ton of books. I brought 10 books with me. All but 2 were leftover from my event in June. I also brought what remained of my book merchandise.
Costs & Earnings:
Supply Costs: $37 in books. (The rest of the supplies carried over from my last event.)
I also spent $30 buying other authors' books. ;)
I sold 2 books, which means I made $40. (These were paid in cash so there weren't any processing fees.) And I still have 8 books leftover for a future event.
The turnout wasn't as big during this event, but the connections I made with other authors were exactly what I was hoping for. I learned about local writing groups, online resources, etc. One of my book sales was to a fellow author. And during the week following the event, I met up with another author to chat about books and writing over coffee. I'm incredibly grateful for the experience and opportunities this event gave me, and I look forward to the next one!
Lessons Learned
These events, our bucket-list dreams, don't fall into place magically. They can come together in amazing ways, but we have to take action first. We have to knock on the door and cross the threshold, not just wave at it from the street and hope the occupants on the other side will come out to meet us.
I'm an unknown indie author with limited connections and experience. If I want to get my name out there, I have to market not only my book but myself. That's a difficult thing to do. I called Half Price Books to get the ball rolling. I found out about the book fair after cold-pitching the library via email asking if they would consider adding my book to their shelves. And by reaching out, I met wonderful people willing to help in whatever ways they could. Free spaces, free adverising, and free tables are not things to take for granted.
And word-of-mouth? It is PRICELESS. I will forever be thankful to everyone who tells their friend about an event, recommends an author/book, writes a review, or shares a post on social media. Without your help, none of these events would have been as successful as they were. Our books wouldn't be read and our careers would falter. Without you, dear readers, we can't do it.
So thank you to the staff at Half Price Books! Thank you to Tammy at Badger Public Library! And thank you to each and every person who stopped by my table and asked about my book! I thank God for all of you. Until next time!
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