Homepage of Tiva Wallon

Many people ask me how one would go about having a book signing, how to arrange one and things to do. Below, I will give you all that information.

When you are ready to begin prospecting for venues to sign in, research every bookstore in your state. Once you create your signing strategy, open your calendar and start making calls. When I get the manager or owner on the line, I give them my pre-planned “commercial.” I tell them my name, book title and genre, a brief description of my book, and finish by asking what information they require to consider an author for a book signing. Many managers simply have asked for my ISBN and booked me on the spot, while some ask for additional information. For those that request printed information, I send my sell sheet, business card, sample reviews and a cover letter in the mail. I always keep track of every contact and I follow-up within a week to set up a signing time. When I call back, many accept my request. A few pass on the opportunity. Don’t be discouraged if you receive a negative response. Politely thank them and go on to the next call.

With the date set, I send the store bookmarks and a poster or flyer for promotions. Then I conduct media research. I contact the features department of the local newspaper and producers of radio and TV news programs. (You’ll find that many stations are eager to feature someone interesting!) Many media sources have online event listings, so request that your appearance be listed. If you have a Web site or blog, update that information too. Send out invitations via e-mail to all of your fans in that area. I keep the bookstores abreast of all the articles and appearances so employees become excited about the signing as well.

Don’t forget the important step of sending a thank-you note to the store staff and those responsible for media coverage you receive. A thank you goes a long way, and you’d be surprised how many authors fail to complete this simple task. In the note to the bookstore, I always include photos taken of the staff at the signing so they remember the day.

Marketing and promoting a book requires a tremendous amount of energy, effort and research. My publishing representative recommended books and websites, and I’ve embraced every suggestion along the way, determined to overcome all obstacles and rise above average. I’ve poured all of my enthusiasm into every recommendation because this is my dream. If you haven’t already, go after yours!

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Another web page said that you have to pound the pavement or drive to every book store just to set these events up. NOT true! With the cost of gas sky rocketing no one needs to do this. The only walking you'll need to do is with your fingers over the key board. Book store managers understand this and a phone call and or email is accepted.

All you have to do is call a book store, ask to speak to a manager then tell him/her you are an author. Ask about having a book signing event in their store. Most every time they will say yes. Authors bring customers to their stores so it's a win-win situation.

I also read that you should mention your event is a charity event. That's only being an opportunist to the extreme. Donations are an authors choice and not necessary to mention. People are smarter than that and will know what you are trying to do, pray off of someone's sympathy.

Any book store is great to have an event at. You don't need to limit yourself to a couple times a year at a mall. I attend an event every month and at all kinds of book stores or malls. Heck I was just in North Carolina, in a camp ground and I had a signing at pool side! Not to mention at a grand opening at an ACE Hardware store, a shoe store, an outlet mall. The list of places can be unlimited.

All book store managers are experienced when it comes to arranging these events. All an author has to do is call the manager and set up a date for the event. The manager will set everything up for you. With every event I have offered to come early and help set tables up. The manager is thankful but they always decline. An author should NEVER have to set anything up or pay to attend an event.

Smaller book stores, little hole in the wall places, love to have events because it brings potential customers to their book store. So there is no need to only stick with the big book stores or malls. I sell more books at these little book stores than I do at some of the larger stores.

I read also on another web page that the author has to do all the promoting of their events. Not true. The book store manager will send out a wire or email to their contacts, announcing the event, time, date etc. Now with myself, I have a very large media contact list, radio, newspaper etc. so it's a great opportunity to utilize that list. Not just for myself, but for any of the other authors who might be attending with me. Not to mention also that the book store manager will appreciate the extra business.

Self promotion is great and a vital thing all writers must do. The more the public hears or sees your name, your event or your book title, the better chances you have at selling lots of books. There are many ways to promote. Some ways are by fliers, post cards, book marks and sticky notes left here and there. Tell your friends, family and neighbors. Ask them all to tell everyone they know an so on. I even leave "Travelling books" here and there. List your book/s with BookCrossing.com to see where your book/s end up. It's awesome to track them!

Also mentioned on the other page was the fact that you need to have a theme. NOT TRUE OR NECESSARY! If your event is close to a holiday, then the book store manager might decorate. You are there to sell your books and meet potential customers, to network. The customers are there to meet you and to buy your book/s, not see how cute you decorated your table.

Clothing is comfortable. If you need a pillow it's ok to bring. But remember, the more you sit, the less a potential customer will see you. Stand up, get out there and mingle. Bring the customer back to your table, show them your book/s and tell them about what you write and about you. You have to convince them they need to read your book. You should be neat and clean. After all, you are trying to promote yourself and your book. Be professional but have fun. Every event I go to, I wear a tee shirt that has all my books plasterd on the front and back. That's just another way to advertise. You wrote the book so be proud to show it/them off.

Most book stores want you to bring your own books. Some will supply them for you. That's just another thing you have to discuss with the manager. I usually bring along some of each books book marks, post cards, business cards and fliers. Anything with your contact information is a must. I also bring some small candies to offer to the customers. Many of them like to stop and chat so a piece of candy kind of sets the mood.

Before any event, you should arrive about 30 minutes early. The book store manager will have some paperwork for you to fill out. (at larger book stores) It takes a little time to get your spot set up. Just remember, if you are attending with other authors, be prepared to divide your table in to thirds. Table sharing is the norm. A good standard is to think how you will set your things up using about a 3 foot or less spot.

Some authors have huge posters made up of their book covers. Those are fine but usually take up lots of room. If the book store manager allows it, you can place these out fron of the store.

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Just to let you know that I belong to the 'Florida Published Author Tour Group' and arrange many events. While I am not an expert and never claimed to be, I do have the experience with these things. My events are always successful, always. I have the first, the only, the original FPATG. There is another group out there that professes to be the original, but it is, in reality, a copy-cat of my group. They only hold events twice a year.

If you have any questions or need more help you can contact me and I will help you all I can.

Happy signing!

Every writer develops their own voice. All you have to remember is to make your words flow. Read out loud what you have just written. If it sounds choppy or hard to read then your readers will have a hard time as well. Then remember to show your readers, not tell. If you can show your readers, in their minds eye, what you are reading, then you have successfully painted that picture.

Here are some common, basic rules to help you get started.

• Remember to never split an infinitive.
• The passive voice should never be used.
• Do not put statements in the negative form.
• Verbs have to agree with their subjects.
• Proofread carefully to see if you words out.
• A writer must not shift your point of view.
• And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
• Don't overuse exclamation marks!!
• Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.
• Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
• If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
• Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
• Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
• Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.
• Always pick on the correct idiom.
• The adverb always follows the verb.
• Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; seek viable alternatives.

 

Many people have asked me how did I become a writer. Well let me tell you it wasn't easy. It takes a great deal of hard work and dedication. And you can never...NEVER let the word quit enter your vocabulary. If you have an idea, jot it down then run with it. Let someone you trust read your work to let you know what they think. Ask them to be very honest and assure them they won't hurt your feelings if they don't like what they read. Once you finish your story you need to find a publisher.

You'll need to write a short paragraph or two, to introduce yourself then spill right in with your story. That page is called the query letter. That is most likely the most important page of all. The query is what grabs the editors eye. It it's a great query then the editor will want to read more. So do your research on writing awesome query letters.

Once you send your manuscript in be ready to wait, wait and wait more. Though you feel you are the more important on and the publisher should read your work first, it doesn't work that way. When the publisher gets your manuscript it goes into what they call a cue. That's just a fancy word for line. Publishers have readers aka acquisition editors. If your work passes them, then it's off to the editor.

Be ready for that rejection letter. If it happens, it's not the end of the world. I remember when I got my first rejection letter. I didn't write for 3 years! Then after that, I could start a story and couldn't come up with an ending. What got me out of that funk was a handful of very famous authors attending my local romance writers chapter. They told me to think of that rejection letter as just a learning tool, wear it like a badge, learn from it and try again. What one publisher doesn't want, another might. One of the authors told me, in confidence, she has over a hundred rejection letters. I was floored because this particular author has made the best seller list several times and a couple of her books have been made for tv movies. So after that, I'm ok with rejection letters. I have 3 of them, 1 for 3 of my books, and you know what? All 3 of those books were rejected by 3 different publishers but picked up by 3 other publishers.  You just have to keep trying.

I have also been asked, how do I come up with my ideas for a story. Well, I can be sitting at the beach or in a park or even at work and an idea will hit me. The thing to do, and this is important, is if you see a person, a landscape, a sign, something that strikes your fancy, either take a picture of it or write it down. Then place it in your file. I have a file for men, women, places, animals etc. so when I am wanting to begin a story and need to create a description of a man, then all Ihave to do is go to my file and look to see what I have. It's almost like putting together a puzzle. As you begin to piece the puzzle together, your character will begin to take form.

Description is what it's all about...painting a picture in the minds eyes using only words. You have to show, don't tell. A writer writes each day, even if it's just a paragraph. And never limit yourself to just one genre. Spread your wings and try your best.