book signings, a thought

[the_faery_queen]

do you think that it would be ok to have two unknown authors signing their individual books together, or do you think that its better for an author to go alone?

just wondering what people might htink the benefits of a double signing compared toa single might be, and what people would prefer. would you feel more pressured to buy both authors books, if we were together, and therefore not approach us, or do you think it would attract more people, interested in seeing what two authors might have to offer, instead of just one?

[Mark Robson]

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks. I'm trying it in Slough a week on Saturday.

[Cobolt]

The upside of having two together would be feeding info off each other and networking.

The downside, what if the authors detest each others genres???


Personally:
Well if I ever get to that stage I think I would prefer to go it alone, I can think of nothing worse than the other author obtaining more signings than myself.

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by Cobolt

Personally:
Well if I ever get to that stage I think I would prefer to go it alone, I can think of nothing worse than the other author obtaining more signings than myself.

That thought had crossed my mind, but although I'm competitive, I don't think I'll mind too much. I always have fun when I sign books. It will be interesting to see whether the combination of two fantasy authors signing will gain more sales, or dilute each other's sales.

[BookStop]

Are you both in the same genre? Do you already know each other? Hve you read each others work? Same publisher?

If you are close (good friends perhaps) with the other author and their work, then I don't think it would be too bad to sign at the same time. If you are not familiar with each other, then it could spark animosity if one of you do well whilst the other does not.

Big groups of 5 or more seem to attract a lot of attention at signings, but only 2 might make some potential buyers wary if they were only interested in 1 book - it would be obvious to the other author, and might make the buyers stay away.

[j. d. worthington]

While it's been a while, I've been to quite a few signings, either as a fan or as someone who worked where the signings took place. From what I've seen with multiple-author signings, the only problem is having room. Usually, they're very friendly events, often with writers (even from different genres) sparking ideas with each other; and the discussions often pull the fans (and people wandering through the store, for that matter) in; it gets to have a very warm feeling of camaraderie. I've yet to see one where there was any jealousy or animosity. It may be different here in the States, but I doubt it, as some of these I've been to have had writers not only from the U.S. and U.K., but South America, France, and so on. So my input is, unless the two of you cordially (or not so cordially) despise each other, it's likely to actually make it more enjoyable for all 'round.

[the_faery_queen]

well i am thinking of my friend joey (not asked her yet) her book comes out (should be out) now, and mine is out in december. i am thinking of moving back to swansea (she's in bristol) and i was just thinking, as we're close together, we could arrange to do these sorts of book signings together. in her city, in mine, and in cardiff (in between) it's all hypethical, but she's read my novel, i've not read hers, but i am helping with some publicity for it, so i think we'd get on ok. just thought it might make it less fun, and would at least, hopefully, encourage more people to come if they thought they would get two signed copies of something, rather than just one.

[Teresa Edgerton]

In my experience, group signings are always more fun and more successful than one (or two) authors going it alone. Maybe you could find a few other new writers to share an event with you and your friend, faery_queen. That way, everyone promotes the signing to their own family/friends/coworkers/other contacts, and you get a good turn out.

As for one author getting more attention than the other(s) -- I once shared an autograph table with Raymond Feist at a WorldCon. Now that was humiliating -- considering that his line was many, many times longer than mine -- but at the same time it was entertaining and instructive to see how he works a crowd. He made everyone feel at home, and like it was all one big party with him as the genial host.

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by BookStop

Are you both in the same genre? Do you already know each other? Hve you read each others work? Same publisher?

If you are close (good friends perhaps) with the other author and their work, then I don't think it would be too bad to sign at the same time. If you are not familiar with each other, then it could spark animosity if one of you do well whilst the other does not.

Big groups of 5 or more seem to attract a lot of attention at signings, but only 2 might make some potential buyers wary if they were only interested in 1 book - it would be obvious to the other author, and might make the buyers stay away.

I'm not sure whether you were replying to my response, or to TFQ's first post. On the off chance that you were talking to me, I'm going to be signing with Amanda Hemingway who also writes fantasy, but not for the same publisher. We have met twice before and mutually decided that as both of us are outgoing and competitive, we might have a lot of fun together at a signing. We did both agree to cross promote each other's books at the event, so it will be interesting to see how that works. Our plan is to sell out as fast as possible and head for the nearest pub!

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Our plan is to sell out as fast as possible and head for the nearest pub!

Now I definitely know you're a writer!

Good luck -- wish I could be there; have a great time!

[roddglenn]

lol a damn good plan, Mark!

[the_faery_queen]

i don't know any other writers in the general area so its just going to be me and joey, if she's up for it, of course!

[BookStop]

I say go for it since y'all are friends, especially if you can cross promote each other's books like Mark is going to do with his buddy.

[StevenSavile]

I have done a few signings alone - never sold less than half a dozen copies that way - but over the last year or so I have been involved in a number of bigger signings. I signed with Mike Lee in the US last August and between us we shipped fifty books, luring in readers for each other. Almost no-one only bought from one of us. At Games Day in Atlanta Mike and I sold around 200 books - it would have been more but Mike sold out of stock. The interesting thing was after he stopped actively signing my sales slowed to an almost standstill across the last part of the day.

So, I am a big fan of two or more folks at a signing.

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by StevenSavile

I have done a few signings alone - never sold less than half a dozen copies that way - but over the last year or so I have been involved in a number of bigger signings. I signed with Mike Lee in the US last August and between us we shipped fifty books, luring in readers for each other. Almost no-one only bought from one of us. At Games Day in Atlanta Mike and I sold around 200 books - it would have been more but Mike sold out of stock. The interesting thing was after he stopped actively signing my sales slowed to an almost standstill across the last part of the day.

So, I am a big fan of two or more folks at a signing.

That's really interesting. I'm looking forward to my trial double signing at the weekend. My normal average for a Saturday signing is about 50-100 books (and about double that approaching Christmas). It will be interesting to see whether, when doubling with someone else as gregarious as my good self, we can increase the overall individual sales.

I'll report back next week.