The Indie Life: Stop By, Free Donuts, What I Learned from my First Book Signing and Other News

The Indie Life is held by the The Indelibles on the second Wednesday of every month. Its a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier like eating donuts.

Two Saturdays ago, I had my first book signing and it wasn’t at a bookstore. It was at a festival. Well, I brought one hundred donut holes. Those tasty little cakes attracted children who had their parents chasing them over to my table. So guess what I did?

I squeaked my wheel…all day. I sold eleven books at the event  and got five ebook sales to boot. So I took notes regarding that day.

Free Donuts: It attracts old men and children. Not too far behind the old men are their wives. And like I said above, children are usually attached to parents or vise versa.

One liners: This is the perfect time to tell people about your book in one sentence. I now have it perfectly memorized.

If you’re having issues trying to tell people what your book is about join your local Toastmaster’s Group. I became a member way before I finished writing my book. And really helped me focus on delivering the message of my book.

Money Bank: Make sure you have a hundred dollars in change. I brought twenty in bills and seventeen in change. I missed out on a sale because I didn’t have enough to make change for a fifty.

Flyers: When people are blankly passing your table by, get out in front of your table and pass out flyers about yourself and book.

Signs: Have a Meet your Author sign professionally made and ready to be seen at your booth. I didn’t have one. Although, the donuts did help attract attention.

Don’t be afraid: Yeah. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and shake a lot of hands. People like to feel they matter and are important. You’ll have book sales galore if you can really connect with others.

Sunscreen: Bring this in case you get stuck standing in the sun like I did. My nose and throat were tomato red by the time the event finished. A tent would be nice to have as well.

***

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day so I figured I’d share a kissing diddy between Lila and Max from Secondhand Shoes.

Max took my hand and turned us to face our audience.

He smiled.

I hiccupped.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Before I knew it, Max’s face was on mine, his mouth wide open and his tongue moving over mine, holding himself hard against me. My body stiffened, and I tried to pull back. I couldn’t breathe, but I hiccupped. Vomit hit the back of my throat. I was going to be sick.

I shoved him away, my hand going to my mouth. “I have to go to the ladies room!”

I know, not romantic. My off kilter sense of humor gets in the way. Ever kiss a guy that…well…wanted to make you vomit?

Anyway, next week SAVE THE DATE: Feb.19, 20, and 21st.

I’ll be having a Spread the News and Cheer on the Run Away Bride Giveaway. I’ll be drawing 2 winners for a 15 dollar Amazon card and 2 winners for autographed copies of Secondhand Shoes.

And everyone gets a FREE ebook on those three days, too.

Hugs and chocolate, Shelly