It’s the most wonderful time of the year—book signing season. At first glance, that may sound strange coming from me. Like many authors I know, I’m a quiet, introverted type more at home in my head than in a crowd. The thought of trying to engage total strangers in a conversation has always been a daunting task.
Engaging strangers is what book signings at fairs, festivals, and holiday markets are all about. Trying to hawk my writing talent to people passing by requires that I step out of my cocoon and be personable and witty, you know like authors are supposed to be. The truth is, I write better conversations than I hold up my end of one.
My saving grace is preparation. I’m not talking about rehearsing a sales pitch. I mean seeing life as a rehearsal. Years in the military, the ministry, and nursing have conditioned me to take on tasks that I’d rather not. I’ve done things like walking in the rain along the spine of an aircraft, leading the congregation singing hymns acapella, and resuscitation of a newborn baby and survived.
Deciding that a job must be done and taking that first step is the toughest part. Acting like I actually know what I’m doing has generally worked for me. That’s the easy part of book signings. I know more about my book than anyone I can think of except, if I’m lucky, future English/Literature teachers. So, I don’t see myself as selling. It’s more like the easiest oral book report ever. And I get to sign autographs—I never in all my life saw that one coming.
For me, conversation and selling border on unnatural acts and viewing book signings in that light are cause for dread. However, turning the event into talking about books, writing, and publishing is like connecting with a fastball and knowing you hit it out of the park.
Jack LaFountain
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