Lately, I've heard a number of writers complaining that readings don't really sell books anymore. These writers had recently done bookstore readings and then found out that only a few books sold. They tell me that a lot of writers have stopped doing book tours altogether. I can understand that: it's a lot of work to go around the country meeting people, to stand up in front of strangers or camp out at a table, just yourself and your stack of books. But can we accurately measure the success of these events (assuming that money is the way we measure their success, of course)? Isn't it possible that a lot of people think about the book or keep it in mind and pick it up later? As someone brought up to take a day or two to think before buying, it's entirely conceivable to me that people go to a reading, then read a review, then talk to someone who's read the book, and then make the purchase, either for themselves or someone else. Isn't a writer's goal, in marketing, to get the word out as many ways as possible? You never know which interaction will be the one that finally makes the sale.
I started thinking about this today after a conversation I had at the soup kitchen where I work every month. The supervisor, also a volunteer, just returned to New York after some years of studying cooking in Paris. As we made salmon croquettes, we realized we were both from Texas, which led to a discussion about the school where I studied writing, and to one of my classmates, Dominic Smith. She'd read his book about Louis Daguerre after her mother sent it to her in Paris -- which she did after hearing him read at the Texas Book Festival. For all I know, Dominic left the festival wondering if that had done any good at all: and yet, months later, someone in Paris is reading the book and talking about it with friends and acquaintances. And maybe Dominic didn't leave feeling bad at all. Maybe he left with the feeling that he had connected with people, with readers and potential readers. It's not something professional writers get to do every day. Maybe the reading was reward enough, and book sales a nice bonus.
But what do other people think? Are readings still an effective way of promoting books, especially compared to all the other options we have today? Is it a waste of time? Does it depend on the writer and how they feel about doing it?
It does depend on how you measure success. If you think of yourself as a salesperson then no, those trips probably aren’t successful if they’re only selling a handful of books.
However, you should consider those efforts “marketing”. Marketing a product isn’t about instant results. It’s about making an impression on somebody. Make enough impressions and they will not only buy your book, but will hopefully buy several books from you and promote you to friends and families.
A person is more likely to tell the story of how they met the author of a great book. Which will in turn make an impression on people listening to the story who will buy the book and etc, etc, etc…
I definitely feel that they work. I can honestly say that every book signing/reading that I’ve ever attended resulted in my buying a book from the author. The readings are a very powerful method of inspiring others to continue to read their work after the session.
I sure share the uncertainty whether the book talks convert into sales, but they also are great therapy — a chance to talk in public about what I care about, to connect with other people who are interested in what I do.
I’ll view my first, and every book signing as a treat to myself. A reward to me for all the hard work put into publishing a piece of any size.
Like the consumate professional I’ll give one hundred percent of myself at every book signing even if my total audiance count is one.
I’ll treat my book signings as an opportunity to get away from the pc and notes and re-writes and research and isolation and up hill battles that accompany getting publish.
I look forward to purchasing a fresh pair of clothes and slapping on my favorite cologne for that blessed day — my first, and every book signing.
WOW! Just talking about the possibilities of a book signing has busted through the writers block that’s been plaguing me this week. Gotta go!