Pages

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Safety in Numbers






I've got an event coming up this weekend that I'm very excited about. I am doing a booksigning for my latest release The Rancher's Runaway Princess, and on Valentine's Day, no less.


But I'm not doing it alone. No sirree.



I did my first book signing solo. I kept my girls close by for moral support - they were all of 9 and 7 at the time. I did have an okay crowd, but during the lulls, when customers went by, it felt a little awkward being at that table all by myself. And while I'm personable, I just don't have it in me to get in someone's face and ask them to buy my book. I smile in a friendly way and offer a hello. And feel stupid. Thank goodness for friends that came and kept me company - like my good friend Joyce here who might be the coolest person ever.


There really is safety in numbers though. The next signing I did was five months later as a part of a workshop that the Calgary RWA was putting on. We did a group signing - me, Vivi Anna, Pamela Yaye and Brenda Novak. We laughed our butts off. Had a great time. We all had peeps come and then shifted them over to other authors. It was a BLAST. I knew then I never wanted to do another solo signing.







Fast forward to this past October when I was in Calgary again - this time with Vivi Anna, Pamela Yaye, Cara Colter, CJ Carmichael and Rebecca York! A whole gaggle of authors! Don't we look like we're having fun?






My determination not to do solo signings is working out well, because quite unexpectedly I ended up with a signing this Saturday! I can't wait, because the other author is one whose work I really admire...Julianne MacLean. I'm really looking forward to being able to chat with her and with readers!

Now I don't know how many of you are in the Halifax, NS area, but if you are we'd love to see you at the Sunnyside Indigo from 12-2. Rumour has it there may be chocolate!

11 comments:

Helen said...

Hi Donna

You are sure to have a great time I wished I was closer I would go but Australia is a bit far away. I gotta say I have only been to one book signing and that was Stephanie Laurens and it was great and I have met Anna Campbell twice and Annie West at talks that they has given lovely Ladies.
I am going to the Australian Romance Readers Convention in Melbourne in 2 weeks and I am so excited.

Have Fun
Helen

Unknown said...

Wow I would love to be there, the chocolate is a nice incentive but just to be able to be in the same room with you would be the topping on that cake. I hope you party it up and have a great time doing it.

Unknown said...

Oh you lucky girl.....Australia? Have a wonderful time. I think Jennie Lucas is going as well and give Annie, Trish and the gang big hugs from those of us here in the US.

Donna Alward said...

Oh, I'd love to go to Australia! I have heard such good things about the conferences there.

I'm just excited I get to go to DC this summer, and I'll be taking part in the literacy signing. Now that is a REAL group signing!

Jennifer Skully/Jasmine Haynes said...

You're so right, Donna, a group signing is much easier than flying solo. I always feel like the fuller brush man! Now, I always make sure a friend signs with me. Even one helps a lot, because we sell each other's books. Have a wonderful time and many happy sales.

Jasmine

EllenToo said...

I would love to attend a book signing with any of the authors whose books I read (and you are one of them) but we don't seem to attract authors to my corner of the US. I can imagine that being a solo signee would be a little awkward. I would love to be at your signing but that is a 3000 mile drive away.

Donna Alward said...

Thats a long drive, Ellen!

Jasmine...what is so cool is when someone's peeps come out and then you end up talking to them and sometimes you end up with a new reader or just some great conversation!

Thanks for popping by everyone!

Estella said...

Wish I was closer so I could attend your signing!

Misty Williams said...

Have Fun!! Sounds like tons of fun. :)

Unknown said...

Aww I am sad I am not in the area. I hope you have a blast!

Julianne MacLean said...

Looking forward to our signing on Saturday, Donna!