Are Book Signings Too Old-Fashioned

Are Book Signings Too Old-Fashioned This past week, a new author with a newly-released book asked how I approached libraries about holding a book signing. The question took me aback a second, because from my experiences over these last few years, theres almost no such thing as just a signing anymore. Out of my response to her, I molded this weeks essay. First, I dont ask libraries for a book signing. I suggest a presentation for their customers. While books are set up in the back of the room for sale, thats not the point of the event. Libraries are educational, and writers have to think beyond just autographs. Signings When I appear at libraries, Im teaching writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and mysteries, not appearing to talk about s elling my books. Thats not to say that my books arent woven into the presentation. But your chances improve for acceptance if you approach libraries with more opportunity for them than for you. The author responded that she didnt want to promote herself, only wanted readers to buy the book. So I replied: If readers only wanted the book, they wouldnt want the signatures or the appearances and would just order the thing from Amazon. Readers want more of authors these days. They want to know the details behind the book, behind the author. Promotion is a big deal  with so many people writing a book. Consider these appearances as events, more than book selling. Otherwise, you will continue selling five books here and five books there forever. There have been events where I sold not a single bookhowever, I found ways to have my appearance paid for. Yes, Im am paid to appear at most library functions. My library events alone were about $8,000 of my income this year, because I was willing to speak about writing, publishing, editing, and the magic behind mysteries, making the books secondary. Its a balance, and you learn as you go. Become more than the author of a book. Assure librarians you are there for them. Become a professional author with the book being a tool. Thats how you begin accruing  a writing income.

Funny Valentines Day Sayings to Woo Your Beloved

Funny Valentines Day Sayings to Woo Your Beloved Tickle your honeys funny bone with these funny Valentines Day sayings. Its been said that sharing a sense of humor is one of the marks of a strong and satisfying relationship. So go ahead dispense with the mushy stuff this V-Day and have some rollicking good laughs instead. Funny Valentines Day Quotes Ingrid BergmanA kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous. Helen RowlandBetween lovers, a little confession is a dangerous thing. Author UnknownI dont understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentines Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. LinusI love making friends. It’s people I can’t stand. Barbara BushI married the first man I ever kissed. When I tell my children that, they just about throw up. Dorothy ParkerI require three things in a man. He must be handsome, ruthless and stupid. Hilaire BellocI’m tired of love; I’m still more tired of rhyme, but money gives me pleasure all the time. Groucho MarxInstead of getting married again, Im going to find a woman I dont like and give her a house. Fred AllenIt is probably not love that makes the world go around, but rather those mutually supportive alliances through which partners recognize their dependence on each other for the achievement of shared and private goals. Lynda BarryLove is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke. Pauline ThomasonLove is blind. Marriage is the eye-opener. Judith ViorstLove is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket or a holding pattern over Philadelphia. Julius GordonLove is not blind; it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. Basta Man loves little and often. Woman much and rarely. Judith Viorst One advantage of marriage, it seems to me, is that when you fall out of love with him, or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until maybe you fall in again. Albert EllisThe art of love is largely the art of persistence. Mort SahlThe bravest thing that men do is love women. George Bernard ShawThe perfect love affair is one which is conducted entirely by post. John Kenneth GalbraithThere’s a certain part of the contented majority who love anybody who is worth a billion dollars. Brendan FrancisA man is already halfway in love with any woman who listens to him. Author UnknownIf love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? Henry KissingerNobody will ever win the battle of the sexes. Theres too much fraternizing with the enemy. Erich SegalTrue love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked.