People, especially aspiring authors, tend to think autographings are glamorous events where writers are mobbed by fans. Um, no. Since I’m on Twitter (join me at http://twitter.com/christinadodd) I wrote up a series of Tweets called: CHRISTINA DODD’S ADVICE FOR SURVIVING AN AUTOGRAPHINGAutographing 101-It’s difficult for someone who sends all day alone talking to imaginary people to suddenly shine in public. Autographing 101-Make sure you bring signs proclaiming you’re the author or customers will think you work at the store.
Autographing 101-Customers will think you work at the store no matter what you do. Autographing 101-Make sure you find out the location of the bathroom so when the customers ask, you can direct them. Autographing 101-When signing at Megamart & a customer tells you her child barfed in electronics, pass the message to a sales associate. Autographing 101-When signing at Megamart, stand up & talk to the customers, tell them who you are & why you’re here. Autographing 101-At Megamart saying to a customer, “Hi, I’m Christina Dodd, I'm an author & I’m signing my books” will usually produce disbelief... ...& sometimes annoyance, usually when it's rush hour, 114 degrees outside & customer just ran in for toilet paper. Autographing 101-When signing at Megamart, be prepared to hold the baby while the customer browses your books. Autographing 101-In Megamart, an author is like the vendor giving health bars when everyone else is giving candy. Autographing 101-Booksellers will sometimes want you to speak. Aloud. At a podium. With a microphone. (No wisdom here, just warning.) Autographing 101-Booktours are hard. Early flights, strange cities, iffy hotels, bad food, little sleep. Suggest no publicity photos be taken. Autographing 101-Don’t be late to your signing, or you’ll miss your one true fan. Autographing 101-If your one true fan comes back, try not to show your pathetic gratitude. It will alarm her. Autographing 101-Remember, when meeting fans, the secret is sincerity. Fake it if you have to! Autographing 101-While signing anywhere, prepare to be scolded for writing dirty books. Autographing 101-Fav response to “I don’t read this kind of trash” is “What kind of trash do you read?” Autographing 101-While signing anywhere, prepare to blessed for your talent. Correct response: “Thank you.” Please do follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/christinadodd and join my fan page on Facebook, too! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-Dodd/106295064481?v=wall&viewas=502334541&ref=ts
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Autographing 101-Make sure you dress professionally or customers will think you work at the store.
