Chrys Fey's Advice for No-Show Events

LOTS OF BIG NEWS!!!!!

FROZEN CRIMES: I submitted Frozen Crimes (Disaster Crimes Book 5) to my editor/publisher. Now I just have to wait 90 days or so before I hear back on whether or not they like it.

BAD FAIRY: My mom got a contract with The Wild Rose Press for her debut middle grade book BAD FAIRY!

KEEP WRITING WITH FEY: I signed the contract for the sequel to Write with Fey with Dancing Lemur Press. It's titled Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer's Block, Depression, and Burnout. It's MUCH MORE than what you've seen here. And very personal.

~*~

A couple of years ago I attempted to do my own book signing at a library, all by myself. It didn’t go so well. I had prepped a speech, had books, set up a table, even decorated the audience’s chairs with leis.

My mom was there.

And M.J. Fifield came. (Yup, mentioning you yet again. LOL)

That’s it.

I had an audience of two...two of my biggest supporters.

They encouraged me to do my speech, which I mostly read from paper. That’s how nervous I was.

The sad thing was, the library didn’t promote my signing. They didn’t post anything on their Facebook page or make an announcement over the intercom. Although they did have a paper announcement taped to the sliding doors and near the check-outs, the big two-sided sign for events taking place at the library didn’t mention my signing, only a computer class.

Unfortunately, we can’t control what the event venue will do for us. Even at a mall event I did with several authors last December, we couldn’t get the mall to do announcements about our author signing.

All you can do is…

1. Make the most of it.

We may have many no-show signings throughout our author careers, but that shouldn’t stop us from ever trying. If we do, we will miss out on those signings that have good or at least decent turn outs. Even if five people attend, those are five people you can turn into readers, five potential sales.

2. Grow

When you go through these difficult situations, they aren’t fun. They will always be disappointing, but you grow with each one. Your skin grows a little bit thicker, so you can handle them better, not be as letdown, and not get depressed over it. No-show signings are a right of passage. You’re not an author until you have one. ;)

3. Try Again

Not at the same place, and not right away, but down the road, when you’re ready.

Do a group event with one or two other local authors, allowing each of you a certain amount of time to introduce yourselves, talk about your book, read an excerpt, and take questions.

Attempt different promos to attract readers/writers to come. Contact your local newspaper, come an hour early and hand out fliers to the people in the venue to let them know about your event, post in groups where you know local writers/readers are, such as on Facebook.

Also, see if you can strong arm a few of your closest friends/family members to come in case no one else does. And if no one else does, you can spend that time having fun with your loved ones. If you brought snacks, enjoy the snacks with them. Throw a little impromptu dance party. (Just be civil and not too loud to get kicked out, especially if you’re at a venue like a library that is quiet.) Have fun, even if only you, your fellow authors doing the signing, and your immediate family/friends attend.

I had never done a signing myself at the time I did this no-show signing. I was a bit naive about it, but now, I know better. That’s what comes with experience. And that is invaluable.

QUESTION: Have you had a no-show event?

Before you go, consider signing up for my mom's holiday blog hop to celebrate the release of her next picture book SLEIGH RIDE.

Blog Hop Day: November 15, 2019

Blog Hop Question for participants to answer in their blog posts: 

What is your favorite holiday memory? (This includes Hanukkah, Kwanza, Yule/Winter Solstice, Christmas, etc.)

All posts will include the cover art, blurb, and buy links for SLEIGH RIDE. As well as her author info.

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