How do you work a meet-the-author book-siging gig

[B.R.Stateham]

I had a book-siging gig on Friday night at a large Barnes&Noble bookstore. Had a table right at the front door of the place, people coming and going. I literately had to rope'em with a lasso and drag them over to the table to talk to them.

Sold a few books, but not nearly the amount I wanted to. So I was wondering if anyone in here had tips on how to get the crowd to mosey over to your table and strike up a conversation.
'

[Benjamin Sobieck]

Speaking as someone who has never had this problem, I'll give you my perspective as a patron of a bookstore. The times I have ventured to an unknown author at a shop was when one of two things were happening:

1) The author was reading aloud from the book, with chairs set up for people to slip in and out of the reading. This lets the patron comfortably peruse the author without feeling like they have to spend 10 minutes explaining why they can't stay and chat. Shallow, yes, but people are like that.

2) There was some sort of free food involved (works every time). Bonus: free T-shirts (prepare for Beatlemania-level crowd swampage).

Getting people's attention is 90% of the battle. Your book will sell itself from there.

[Pepper Smith]

I understand it's not easy to do book signings at book stores. You might try doing things like giving talks at libraries, book clubs, and civic groups, something that you might be able to tie in with your book. Just make sure you don't spend the time pushing your book, because then it just becomes one big commercial.

Another suggestion, when you do book signings at bookstores is to make sure your table display is attractive, and be prepared to stand a lot, so you can great people out from behind your table. It's been suggested that you first ask what sort of books the reader likes, and see then if you can work them over to looking at yours. Having someone else to greet people and direct them to your table also helps, from what I've heard.