I had a lovely time at Frugal Bookstore in Roxbury, signing copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game. A number of friends stopped by to lend their support, including members of the Myrtle Baptist Church Book Club. I was also delighted at the new acquaintances who purchased the book. I even had a couple of children come up to me, aspiring writers who wanted to know how to get published. I was glad to be able to give them encouragement.
Tag book signing
Hosting a book signing at a store with a mission
The mission of Frugal Bookstore in the Roxbury section of Boston, Massachusetts, is “Changing Minds One Book at a Time.” I like that objective. Books have opened my mind to so many ideas and possibilities over the years. That’s why I was pleased when the owners agreed to schedule a book signing for me on Saturday, May 3, 2014. I’ll be signing copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game.
Owners Clarrissa and Leonard are dedicated to not only building a business, but building a community. Frugal Bookstore offers Boston’s largest selection of books by African American authors, along with African art, children’s books, greeting cards, and gifts. The bookstore is located in a shopping mall. Clarrissa and Leonard plan to set up a table for me in front of the bookstore so that not only people in the bookstore but mall shoppers will know that I’m there.
What I Learned from My First Book Signing
I’ve been a member of Boston Women Communicators for several years. The organization supports women in communications and helps them advance in their careers. Jane Breschard Wilson, the founder, agreed to let me conduct a book signing at a recent monthly meeting held at the College Club of Boston. On the table set aside for me I arranged copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, in which I have an essay, a copy of an article about me that was published recently in the Weymouth News that I had laminated and mounted with a small easel at Fedex Office, pens that I pre-tested to make sure they worked properly and copies of my business card with my blog address. 
I only sold two copies of the book but I had a delightful time chatting with the members and getting good practice for future events. I got a good sense of what people like to talk about when they come to an author book signing. A number of people took business cards which I know led to more traffic on my blog based on my stats in the days following the meeting. I came up with a stock phrase to use when I signed the books so I could write and chat at the same time. So while not getting my essay into the hands of many readers, it was worth the time and effort.