Karen Witemeyer's Book Signing

I recently blogged about the fantasy and fear of book signings so I figured I'd keep the dream alive with a success story.

Months ago I met Karen Witemeyer at a local writer's guild meeting. She had just returned from a trip where she toured Bethany House to see the many steps a book took before hitting the store shelves. She was absolutely excited to say the least and I enjoyed hearing all she wanted to share.

After our first meeting we began talking and it was then (months ago) that I marked on my calendar- May 22, 2010: Karen Witemeyer's book signing. Today is that day. It also happens to be the first time I have ever in my life attended a book signing.

What did I encounter? I can tell you it wasn't a sad and lonely Karen twiddling her thumbs with piles of unsold books surrounding her. Nope. Karen was happily chatting with readers. Not a line down the block mind you, but a steady stream of people. She sat at a beautifully decorated long table that not only was covered in a lovely table cloth and lace, but also bits and pieces of her character's life- sewing supplies.

At a smaller table were three gift baskets and various other decorations, staying perfectly in stride with the book and time period. On the third table were refreshments. Each of these tables had people around them mingling, a copy of A Tailor Made Bride in hand. I was impressed by her attention to detail and how well it seemed to all come together. Oh, and I did I mention this particular book signing was held at a museum specializing in the frontier days. Perfect.

Here's the question:
Which book signings have you been to? What about the event left an impression on you? If you have yet to attend a book signing, which author's would you love to experience?

Book Signings

Book Signings: Every aspiring author dreams of the day when they sit at a table full of their published books while readers line up in anticipation to buy their very own copy, have it signed with a personal message, and meet the person responsible for authoring such an amazing piece of work.

Is this merely a dream? No, not for well known authors like Francine Rivers and Stephanie Meyer. For the rest of us, yes this is only a dream. Sorry to burst bubbles. It's true though. Yes, we will sit at a table surrounded by our published work. And yes, we'll sign them for readers. However when we begin to envision lines out the door and around the building, that part is pure fantasy. Or so I'm told.

I've chatted with newly published authors who tell me many book stores are even hesitant to host a book signing because it doesn't generate much of a rise in book sales. I for one was shocked to learn such dream-dashing news. For some reason I envisioned myself sitting at a beautifully decorated table in a key area of a very large, very popular book store. I admit I hoped for a line, but knew it wasn't probable. Not on my first book at least. So, now that I know the truth, the reality of book signings do I still dream of one? You bet I do!

Call me crazy but there is just something about the idea of signing books that were once an idea trapped in my imagination. Something exciting about chatting with readers who enjoy either the time period of my book, or Christian fiction in general. Yes, I now have the fear of sitting alone at a tiny, undecorated table off in the corner of a small obscure bookstore twiddling my fingers while browsing customers sneak a glance my way wondering who the heck I am. Or worse yet, a customer thinking I am an employee on a break and asking me where to find the bathroom. But gosh darn it, it seems a right of passage to spend a few hours with pen in hand ready and eager to place my signature on the inside cover of a book with my name on it while bonding with fellow readers. So, when that time comes, you can count me in!

Here's the question:
Have you ever attended or hosted a book signing? What was your experience?

P.S. Someone showed me this video. It confirms it friends. :) Funny to watch.