New authors are always inquiring how I manage to have such a great turn out and experience at my events and book signings. This is a little  tidbit on how that happens. 

​Book signings are an awesome time for authors. It allows us the opportunity to present our work and to meet readers. It can be a scary time for you, too.

I love to talk to people and enjoy explaining how and why I wrote my series. The more knowledge you have about your books the easier it is to present them to a reader.

First, you will need a welcoming table. You want a reader to feel at ease to approach you. Some places provide a table and colored table cloth. I have a lace cover I put over them which changes the environment.  

​In the past, I have had flowers in a teapot, an old suitcase filled with goodies, a lantern with a battery operated candle. If you have something unusual or different people will stop.  You will also want to have items to give away, pens, magnets, book markers. I have recently had small heart sachet soaps to give out.

If you are nervous with your first signing bring a friend or family member to sit with you. You will find that they can help engage readers and it's nice to have someone who can say, “Yes, I’ve read the book, series, etc.”

Remember to smile. Dress appropriately for the signing. If you are at a bookstore be professional, at a winery in the country, jeans would be nice. If you have a  costume that has something to do with your book wear it!  You will be approached and people want to know why.  Awards are another draw to your table, bring them, display them. Be proud you have worked hard and won an honor.
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The main thing about Books signings is no matter where they are , bookstore, winery, gift shop, book fairs,  just have fun. People remember the person who smiled, laughed, provided a memento, and was passionate about what they had written. 

It was a cold, gloomy afternoon in Dallas Texas this past February. The perfect setting in Vitruvian park for a photo shoot for my new book Archidamus. I hired, photographer, Sarah Monroe to do the shoot and asked Eric Acklin to be my model.

Eric met us there with the clothing I had asked him to bring.  The four hour shoot with several wardrobe changes kept everyone busy and some onlookers asking questions. I am always happy to talk about my books past, present and future.
 
I needed a setting that was bleak with different areas to choose from for the cover of my upcoming book.  This is the first of my books I have had a live model. I knew at least one of the over one hundred photos taken that day would be the cover for my next book.

​Eric had read my series and the character he was portraying.  Aaron Caydon was introduced in Find me again. Eric’s wife, Liz, a theater art major, assisted him in his expressions and presentation of this character.

​When the shoot was over I gave Sarah license to choose the top fifty pictures.  When the package came I was more than pleased with every picture. Now this caused a huge issue picking the best ones to send to my publisher. I called upon several individuals to pick their top five favorites.

The picture with the most votes was sent with two others to the publisher. I always felt the top pick would be the one on the cover. I was correct. Sarah Monroe  captured  the look I wanted and Eric Acklin became the cover for Archidamus!