Book Signings

           You've done it.  You finally finished your manuscript, got it sold, edited, bound, and delivered.  It's in the bookstores and it's even on the right shelf (no small feat, that one).  Now the tough work of marketing begins.
            Most writers detest marketing.  We'd rather be concocting stories and crafting characters.  We bristle at the thought of pushing our stuff on Facebook and Twitter, and we agonize over the business side of writing.  But guess what?  It has to be done.
            Yes, I suppose if you're wildly famous, you don't have to do anything but crank out another best seller.  Everyone knows who you are and thousands of fans have eagerly been anticipating your next novel. Your publisher does all the PR for you.  But for most of us, it's time to roll up our sleeves and sell.
             And part of that, if you're lucky, is doing book signings.  They can be as uncomfortable as somebody else's underwear, as you sit there tapping your pen and waiting for someone to approach you.  You notice a customer glancing at your poster, their lips moving as they read who you are and what you've written. And then they walk away.  It's like being at a Speed Dating event and seeing someone deliberately skirt around your table so they don't have to meet you.
            Another customer watches this awkward moment, catches your eye, and smiles.  Pityingly.  You want to hightail it out of there, go home and eat a bowl of ice cream, and call someone who actually cares about you.  You could be spending this time writing!  You steal a glance at the clock.  Another hour to go.  Agony. More pen tapping.  You sit up straight and try to have good posture so that at least you won't look like the shlub you feel like.
            So why do we put ourselves through this? For two reasons.  First, we do it for the bookstore managers.  When somebody walks into their store and asks them to suggest a book, you want yours to come to mind.  You want to be the nice writer who came and made their store look important.  You signed some books so they can tout autographed copies to potential buyers.  In short, you did them a favor, and now your book stands out in their mind.
            But second, you just might have that wonderful experience of readers lining up, eager to meet you and tell you how much your book meant to them.  Or that you're their favorite writer of all time.  Or that their sister is exactly like one of your characters.  You get to connect with people who took a portion of their lives and spent it with people and ideas you created.  What a compliment.  What a joy.  What a blessing.
            So, if you're lucky enough to be offered a book signing, take it.  You may have some painful moments, but be grateful you were even asked to be the guest author that day.  It's not only the price you pay for writing a book, it's a thank-you gift for doing so.