Friday, March 26, 2010

Crunch Time!

Ah, the day before a book signing. :) Are you a procrastinator? I’m trying not to be. There have been times when I start preparing for a book signing the night before. I wouldn’t really recommend it. ;)
This time I’ve actually got everyone notified, the event listed locally, and the posters to the bookstore. I even decided what to wear without having to pull everything out of my closet. (This is a great triumph ;)

Now it’s just down to getting the last few things done. I’ve got to find a couple of table clothes. I never know what table I’m going to end up, but they always need a table cloth. Last time the table was so small it could have been covered by a handkerchief!
I’ve also got to dig out my “guestbook.” Of course it will be really great if I can remember to ask people to sigh it. :P
Oh, and I need to find some cards to hand out to people who don’t want to buy the book just now. ;) Never let them walk away with nothing!!
Hm, I’m going to need to find my big purse too. Lol, I tend to think of things I need to bring right up until the last minute….Which reminds me, I need to go charge the camera.

Ah, well. If you’re in the Central Valley area of CA tomorrow, please come down and say hello! :) Click here for more details.
And if not, please pray that all goes well. The bookstore ordered a lot of books and I really need to sell them all.
Thanks! Have a great weekend!

15 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I am a queen procrastinator! I'm sure everything will go wonderfully - but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. :-)

Jill Kemerer said...

Best wishes on your booksigning! Alas, I'm in Michigan, but I'd love to attend!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Don't forget the chocolate! It will draw people to your table. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Emily Ann Benedict said...

Thanks! They usually end up being a lot of fun. It's just getting to that point that can be a little streefull. :)

Hm, chocolate? A very interesing idea!! ;)

Anonymous said...

Good luck and praying for a great day for you tomorrow! :O)

Joanne said...

Best wishes from the East coast for your West coast signing :)

Carol J. Alexander said...

Break a leg, Emily. Or, for a writer, would that be, break a pencil?
Can't make from the east but I'm sure you will have a blast.
Blessings,
Carol

Kristin Rae said...

How fun to do book signings!! I hope I get there one day! Will be praying you sell lots of books!!

Great thought to never let them leave with nothing. You are on top of it!

Emily Ann Benedict said...

Thanks everyone. So many of my friends live on the other side of the country! It's just not fair.
Break a pencil? LOL. That's a good one. ;)

Well, I've thought of 2 or 3 more things I need since writing this post. :P

Karen said...

Emily, I'm excited for you! I love that your giving something even to those who don't buy your book. I wish I was closer--I'd come for sure! Yes, I do procrastinate. Wow, you're ready even to the clothes. I pray it is wildly successful! Blessings*

Kara said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I read your interview with Warren and I can't wait to get your book:) Have fun at your book signing.

Warren Baldwin said...

Sounds like you are ready. I never use a table cloth. I guess a book with a picture of a mountain lion on the front doesn't need a table cloth! I like the idea of a guest book. I have sheets of paper just for a name and email. A book is a good idea. And I like Susan's suggestion for a box of chocolate. So far, most of the places I have gone to provide cookies or cake. I'm doing a signing for our local library next month and they are providing refreshments (interesting, since I just wrote a book the local library has asked me to accept a postion on the board. I did). Good luck on the signing! Hope you sell tons. I enjoyed it, and now I'll have my wife and daughter read it.

Karen Lange said...

Sorry I don't live closer or I would stop by to see you! Hope you had a great day:)

Tyrean Martinson said...

I wish I lived closer and could come! I'm excited for you! And I definitely think that chocolate can be a big draw . . . I once bought a book I didn't plan on buying because the author was so genuine, so interesting, and she had free chocolate and little paper bookmarks with her book's name on it. I perused other books at that store, and then came back and bought hers . . . so a little chocolate can go a long ways.
Best wishes!!!!

Jules said...

At least you got a table! My last book signing there was a low coffee table that I was meant to sign books on. I had to lean right over to do it and it certainly didn't feel professional. From a number of other things that happened I got the impression that they rarely hosted book signings. They said it was because they were not successful. I would why!!!!

Glad it went well. And yes it is a funny profession where we love the solitude of writing and then get forced to sell our books and ourselves. If I'd wanted to sell I would've been gone into real estate!