How to Prepare for a Book Signing

Book signings are one of the most exciting parts of being an author. You get to sit at a long rectangular table while your readers and fans line up to meet you and purchase an autographed copy of your prized book. While this can be a major ego boost, book signings can also be stressful and they rarely go just as you plan. If you're getting ready for one of these events, read these eight tips on preparing for a book signing.

Prepare for a Book Signing: Look Your Best

If this is your first book, your readers and fans have not likely met you before, and therefore the book signing is the first time they will see you except for your picture on the back cover. So take a shower, dress up and wear comfortable but stylish clothes that reflect your personality and that of your writing.

Prepare for a Book Signing: Confirm Travel Arrangements

Unless you are a self-published author, your publisher is probably paying for your travel and lodging arrangements, so you'll need to confirm. The secretaries and assistants at publishing houses are overworked and can easily make a mistake, so to ensure that you arrive on time, make sure you call the airline, the rental car agency and your hotel before leaving the comfort of your home.

Prepare for a Book Signing: Bring Your Favorite Pen

While the bookstore and/or your publisher will supply you with pens, it is possible that you'll be signing lots of books. Bring your favorite pen along for the ride, preferably one with a comfortable grip so that your hand doesn't give out halfway through the book signing. It's also a good idea to have a few extras because pens often run out of ink.

Prepare for a Book Signing: Call the Bookstore in Advance

If you show up without calling the bookstore, be prepared for any number of contingencies. I've heard horror stories from a number of authors who showed up at a book signing to find that there were too many people to fit into the bookstore, not enough copies of their book to go around, too few employees to handle the crowd and a number of other problems. So call the bookstore for directions and to make sure there won't be any unforeseen issues.

Prepare for a Book Signing: Figure Out a Signature