This
past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the SC Book Festival along with
several other bestselling authors to include Allison Hobbs (Brick and
Scadalicious), Eric Jerome Dicky (Marvel Miniseries and Chasing
Destiny), Hanoch McCarty (Chicken Soup for the Soul), Kimberla Lawson Roby (The
Reverend’s Wife), Zane (Sex Chronicles and Hot Box) and many more. These authors were not only Featured Presenters but some also had exhibitor spaces.
Me in the middle along with Strebor Books (an imprint of Simone and Schuster) authors Charmain and Allison Hobbs
The festival did a 180
degree turnaround from last year from the bigger names to the crowds. Upon the
opening of the doors on Saturday readers flooded the event, bringing in their
good spirits and of course their wallets. Within an hour my sales tripled from
the previous year. Along with the readers came the inquiring authors. As most
know I enjoy helping others, just not so much when I’m at an event selling
books. This leads me to my actual blog topic—Author Etiquette.
As with anything
there are rules one should follow when seeking advice from other authors or
publishing companies at book festivals:
#1 No
blocking the table! Unless you are purchasing a book do not block the booth
from other readers. Step to the side.
#2 Do
not hand the author or publisher your book expecting them to look it over on
the spot. Yes, we like meeting people but those booths are not free. We are there
to sell books. No one has time to read your book and give you a critique. But,
if you are to be sold bold as to do this please make sure you are handing them
a quality product. Handing someone a non-edited, non-formatted, and poorly
designed cover to boot is not making a good impression.
#3 Do
not bombard authors and publishers with questions and surely don’t pull out a
form expecting them to go down your list of questions. In fact festivals often have classes authors
can attend regarding writing and publishing. Feel free to attend those classes
and ask away. That’s why they have them. Also, most questions can be answered by
looking at a publisher’s website. Feel free to stop by the booth and take some marketing material.
#4 Know the
difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing before you assume
and insult an author. Having a booth at an event and not a featured presenter does
not mean an author is self-published nor has not reached bestselling status. It
means the author knows about marketing and promoting their work.
#5 A
good way to get some answers from an author is to actually purchase one of their
books. Why would an author want to spend their time speaking with you if you
don’t bother to even read their work? For all you know they may not be that
good of an author and you don’t want their advice or in my case, I have a book
that answers all your questions but you fail to purchase it. The Not So Common Sense Guide for Authors was written with you in mind. Tip: no author is
going to give you all of their secrets. We worked hard to get where we are and
are not going to just hand it over.
Me and one of my young adult readers
#6 If
you are a fellow author vending the event don't get upset if your book is not
selling as much as the authors around you. If you do, please refrain from
trying to block their readers and making snide remarks. It’s best to sneak
peeks and take note of what you can do better. If possible catch the author in-between
customers and make small talk with them. Networking is acceptable, but if a
reader walks up kindly step to the side.
#7 If
you are going to approach other authors please be professional and use good hygiene.
It’s a shame I have to say this but bathing is essential if you want to hold a
conversation with me. I don’t have a very good poker face so my eyes starting
to water and nose turning up has nothing to do with your characters untimely
death. It’s the odor.
The
above mentioned are just a few of I often encounter while book touring and all
were broken in SC. While I'm making fun due not I'm also being serious. It will get you a little closer to your goal. For more tips you may want to try The Not So Common Sense Guide for Authors and if you are serious
about promoting your work try being an exhibitor yourself.
Until
Next Time,
Omegia
Keeys
www.okeeys.com
Award
Winning Author
Publicist
Publishing
Liaison
No comments:
Post a Comment