Author Book Signing Events - Yes or No

n in visibility. There always seems to be some other task that might be more productive. I’ve seen some of this second group being ‘less than’ engaged at book signing events. At one event, I saw an author sitting at his table reading a paperback book. He had a dozen copies of his book on the table and nothing else. Several customers walked by and looked at him but he never engaged. I walked to his table and picked up a copy of his book. He did stand up but he didn’t put his reading material down. I asked him to tell me about his book. He had no polished answer. He fumbled around. I bought his book and got him to sign it. I learned nothing about him as an author. I keep his book as an example of how not to conduct an author book signing. I still have the book today. No matter how low his expectations, I wager that he was always disappointed.The third, and largest, group of authors had a much more positive view of the author book signing. They appreciated having their posters in the windows, their banners raised behind their signing table, and their book-markers on the checkout stands. This group engaged. I’ve watched them make eye contact. They are enthusiastic and interested. They hand a copy of their book to anyone who stops to chat.

I have to admit that I’m part of this third group, as unrealistic as it might seem. I enjoy engaging with readers and potential fans. I like talking about myself and my books. Even more, I like asking about themselves. What kind of books do they like? What are they reading? So, you’re thinking about writing a book? What did you do when you worked in the nuclear industries? I  enjoy the whole process.

I know that my posters, banners, book-markers and books are seen by potential readers. Exposure is everything. I meet someone interesting at every book event I attend, from book signings to book fairs to library events. Not only do I like the experience, sell some books, get some exposure, and meet some people, but I get energized. I recommend author book signing events. I’ve even met and engaged people standing next to me at another author’s book signing. My only problem is that I must limit myself to one or two signing events (mine or others) a month. Being ever practical, I still have to leave time for other marketing efforts (blogs, webpages, and videos) and for writing.

Now back to my original question, ‘are author book signings worth the effort and time?’ Of all the opinions out there, ‘Who’s right?’ Short answer – they all are. All of the opinions are correct based on the criteria that each author is basing their opinion. I’d like to see all the blogs, videos, and webpages with an opinion about book signings say ‘why’ they have the opinion that they do. It would have made my search a lot easier. I could have looked for someone who shared my expectations and then read them (or watched them) to see if they shared my evaluation. That’s the blog that I want to read.

My name is Jeff Bailey. I write nuclear thrillers for a reason, I’ve worked in nuclear related industries, from nuclear weapons to nuclear research, for fifty years. Deer Hawk Publications released my first book, The Defect in June of 2016. In The Defect, I tell the story of a terrorist attack on a nuclear power plant and why the government covered it up. The Defect is based on true events. Deer Hawk Publications is scheduled to release I’m a Marine in May of 2017. I’m a Marine is about a female aviation firefighter in the U.S. Marines who witnesses the murder of two M.P.s. She decides that it is her duty to stop them. Keep in mind that I write nuclear thrillers. The Chilcoat Project, to be released in spring of 2018, is about the theft of nuclear weapons secrets from a national laboratory. The Chilcoat Project is also based on true events. My current project, Wine Country, is based on the true story of the Radioactive Boy Scout, but with a more sinister twist.