Book signings can be one of the BEST parts of being an author. You get to meet readers face-to-face, connect with other authors, sell some books, and hopefully introduce your stories to new readers!

But (and this is a big but) not all signings are created equal. The right event can be fantastic. The wrong one can eat up a lot of money, time, and energy without much to show for it.

So, if you’re thinking about adding more in-person events to your calendar, here are a few things to consider.

📍 First: Choose the Right Kind of Event

There are a lot of different options:

• Indie bookstore events – Great for local reach and exposure, especially if you can pair the signing with a Q&A, reading, or themed event.

• Multi-author reader events – These can draw big crowds and are also great for networking with other authors. Many include panels, parties, reader groups, and other fun opportunities to connect past a signing table.

• Vendor fairs or community festivals – These can be great for local visibility, but keep in mind that the crowd is usually a hodgepodge. Some attendees may be your perfect readers… and some may have zero interest in books.

• Library appearances – Often overlooked! Libraries can be wonderful partners, especially if you combine a signing with a workshop, author talk, or giveaway.

⚠️ Also… choose the organizer just as carefully as you choose the event.

Just this week, I saw a post about a canceled signing, and the authors who had paid deposits were in a very questionable situation when it came to getting their money back.

A great organizer can make an event. A bad one can absolutely break it.

Before you send money, do a little digging. Ask other authors about their experiences. Look at past events. Pay attention to how professionally the organizer communicates. Read the cancellation/refund policy.

And most importantly, trust your gut!

I’d also be careful about overextending yourself, especially for a new event. A signing that requires airfare, hotel nights, shipping books, and a large table fee is very different than one that’s a 45-minute drive from your house.

📈 Once you’re booked, here are a few tips:

• Make your table eye-catching. A banner or table runner, clearly visible book covers, and a bowl of candy or conversation item can go a long way.

Consider bundles or event-only pricing. Giving readers an incentive to buy two or three books instead of one can make a big difference.

• Collect reader emails if you can! Ideally, you want the connection to continue after they leave your table. I often do this with a giveaway signup at my table.

• Talk to the other authors and vendors. Some of the best value from these events comes from the author connections you make. You never know what future collaboration might come from it.

💡 One More Tip: Take Preorders

Preorders can help you sell more books and make it much easier to figure out how much inventory to bring.

If you don’t want to deal with spreadsheets, invoices, and tracking who ordered what, Beventi is a platform that can collect the orders and payments, and remind readers to pick up their books at the event.

Honestly, some of my favorite author memories have happened at signings. Aside from local events, I haven’t done a large one in a few years, and I miss the energy and interactions. 

Just be selective about where you spend your time and money, go in with a game plan, and then have fun with it.

Final note: If you’re nervous about an in-person event, start small! Look into joining a local writers’ group. They often hold joint events at local farmers’ markets, libraries, or bookstores. And if they don’t, maybe you could suggest or plan one! 

Best,

Alessandra

Bestselling author and co-founder of Inkers Con