Why visit?

About two weeks ago a VP from St. Martin's e-mailed me and asked if he could "stop by" with author John Hart, adding (in case I was unaware) that Hart had won an Edgar.  I of course said, sure, come on over, and he then fedexed me several ARCs of Hart's new book, THE LAST CHILD, which I picked up thinking I might get through about half before a visit the next day.  I stayed up all night reading, finishing the book in the morning (and ther's nothing better than that) so I was excited to meet Mr. Hart & talk about his book with him.

We did indeed have a nice visit - my question, really is WHY, nice as it was, did the St. Martin's VP bring him by?  He's not planning on sending him to my store for a booksigning, they had also stopped at Borders.  The two guys browsed around and chatted and the VP even bought a few Hardy Boys books for his kid (and I made Hart buy Thomas Cook's RED LEAVES).  I think they were both intrigued by the more or less "antique" nature of our store, which is mainly - books.  We sell very few side items, and it feels like a used book store, especially in the back.

We also chatted about how the VP had figured out the break even point for a book signing - for him, 100 books, maybe factoring in 12 returns.  He didn 't factor in any other kinds of sales though and we talked about that.  We talked about how the book might sell a few copies before the event, and more after; how the bookseller was more likely to hand sell a book he or she had read and enjoyed, and simply meeting the author is often a sales boost.  As far as we're concerned we also run a review in our newsletter & on our website, a spot that gets lots of hits every month. 

I felt dismayed, though, since an event where we sell 100 (or 88) books is pretty rare.  With some books, over time, we sell that many copies, but usually not in one shot.  On the other hand, I read Hart's book and really liked it and no doubt will do my part to handsell it.  The rest is up to the customer, and at the moment, the economy.   As far as "publisher support" goes, "visiting" is on the odd side, enjoyable as it was.  I would rather host an event, but I sure wouldn't say no to another visit.

Till next week - Happy New Year in the meantime!  If you are like me you are grateful for neighbors who own a snowblower....

Comments

[Maria]

I read a lot of author blogs--sounds like many of them are opting for store visits like the one above rather than signings. For one, a lot of stores don't want to do signings anymore unless more than one author participates and/or the author is popular enough. For two--that break even--for the author and the publisher is generally getting harder to hit (and also harder to figure out.) If the author has to spend money traveling, they tend to hit as many stores as possible with drive-by sign-in-stock.

Apparently some stores don't even really want signed stock because many authors blog about how some stores refuse to let them sign their stock.

But it is stores like yours where hand selling is done and where the proprietors take a real interest that matter the most. I'm guessing most authors would be happy to have an event at a store like yours!

And this is just what I read on author blogs. My only experience with stores was to try to drop off signed bookplates--neither store I contacted (one an independent and another a chain) wanted the bookplates. When I called a chain store because another author I liked was in town (he offered to do a drive-by signing at a store of my choice so I could get a signed copy) the chain store was less than lukewarm about having him stop in (even though I told them I'd be in the buy the book; could they pls hold a copy for me). They pretty much shut down the idea for whatever reason making me feel so unwelcome, it was embarrassing.

Anyway, that's just the two-cents from a buyer/reader!

[Robin Agnew]

A couple comments - I can't imagine refusing to let an author sign stock, that makes NO sense. Also if I was guaranteed a sale, per your example, I would order the book. On the other hand I also prefer "gang bangs" or group signings as you can hit more readers that way, and of course the better known an author is the better for sales. As to the bookplates - go ahead and send 'em. If I have them I put them in the books though I don't think it affects sales one way or another (sad but true).

[Abby Zidle]

The visit did exactly what it was intended to do--make a connection with a bookseller who might handsell the author in future. That's why we often tell our authors to drop in and offer to sign stock; a little face time goes a long way.

In this case, you read the author's book overnight, liked it and say yourself you'll handsell it. You might put a review in your newsletter, that sort of thing. All of that is more likely to convert to sales than a traditional (and more expensive) book tour.

[Robin Agnew]

In fact, the review is already written...

[Drew]

As a bookstore manager, it's disappointing to see the attitude of "you must sell X number of books" during an author appearance or you won't get the author. As was said in a previous comment, I sell copies before, during, and after an author signing. Fans are created. Interest is created. When I meet an author and like what they write, I'll handsell more books.
On the other side, as an author, I've been to signings where I sit for two hours and sign ten books. Did I consider it a waste of time? No. I met people who actually wanted my book. I may have met people who bought the book later because they met me. It's all about getting yourself "out there." If you are unwilling to do that, it is less likely you will sell books. Impossible, no. But, less likely.

[Robin Agnew]

Less likely is true. Of course Hart is a more "major" author and they are giving his new book a big push so I guess they are trying different methods, and as Abby points out above, for them it had the desired effect. For us events keep the doors open so it's not as excellent a result from my point of view.