Wednesday, May 6, 2015

IWSG: My first SIGNING!! #RT2015

Welcome all, to another round of "what the heck am I doing?" AKA- the Insecure Writers Support Group.  This is the one day a month where writers from across the globe scream out our terrors, fears, and just basic wibbly-wobbly knees.

 Want to join us?  Please do!
 http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

 Today I am facing down the barrel of my first book signing. Now, technically, I did have one in the office I work in thanks to my supportive boss who set it up. It was AWESOME!  Great set up, captive audience, surrounded by folks who kinda like me, and yummy food. It was a great first signing.

 Sadly, it wasn't an accurate example of what it will be like for a "real world" one. (Former bookstore manager here- I've hosted book signings....sad....usually, very sad.). NEXT week, Saturday, May 16th to be exact, I will be in Dallas, Texas with a few hundred other authors at a MASSIVE book signing for Romantic Times Booklovers Convention.

 I've been to this convention before, and it's a hoot. Lots of fun and usually a wide variety of excellent panels. Attendees all love books and range from librarians and booksellers, to readers/fans, to published authors of all levels.

 But this is my first time as a published author. And I'm going a bit cray-cray. I have enough swag to supply an army-seriously, one giant suitcase is full (and just under allowed check in weight) another is waiting to be found so it can be filled. Probably need to fit some clothes in that one too.  I already mailed a box of swag for an event (200 hundred pieces there) plus sent a huge box to an awesome friend of a friend who lives in Dallas.

 It is like I'm setting up elaborate troop movements under the cover of darkness!

 Add to this, a lots of stress and freaking out about the entire thing- and an insane urge to practice my friendly yet "no, really, it's okay if you just take some swag and don't even pick up my book let alone buy it" smile. And you have what I'm going through. While working my full time day job. ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!

 So, long story short (too late, I know) I am looking forward to and terrified by my first signing. If any of you live near the Dallas area-come on by and say hi! (I promise to offer you swag :)).
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30 comments:

  1. Tonja DreckerMay 6, 2015 at 6:39 AM

    Sounds like you're more than prepared with those suitcases full. Go get them and have lots of fun!

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    1. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:26 AM

      Thanks, T! I just keep telling myself, it's a new adventure! ;)

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  2. UnknownMay 6, 2015 at 6:40 AM

    Congratulations! Enjoy the moment and bask in your accomplishment!

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    1. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:27 AM

      Thank you, Megan! It is hard to slow down and just think-WHOA! Look what I've done! I think the more moments like that, the happier I'll be ;). Thanks for the reminder!

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  3. Sharon RivestMay 6, 2015 at 6:47 AM

    Maybe you could come up with some snappy question to ask passersby. Like...okay, so like I don't really know what would work, but something.

    I used to meet lots of new people every day on my old job. I pretty much used the same line on every one of them to get them talking - How's the weather treating you? It worked with farmers. Probably not so much people at a book convention.

    How about - "I'm from California and I'm hoping to meet someone from every state today. Where are you from?" Lame? Maybe, but it is a conversation starter.

    You'll do fine. You're very approachable. Best of luck to you.

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    1. Cyndi ChieMay 6, 2015 at 12:45 PM

      It is Romantic Times, so the question should be "who is your favorite cover model?"

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    2. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:30 AM

      Thank you, Sharon :)- wish you were there with me! Hmmm- how about, "I'm from California, can you spare us some water? ;). Cyndi-LOL!!! Maybe just, "so which cover model have you seen here you want to take home" (they run wild at this conference- it's a catch and release program ;)).

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  4. StephscoMay 6, 2015 at 7:41 AM

    Congratulations!! I have not been to RT myself, but several writer friends have and are going this year. It's probably good that you've been before to get your bearings.

    I like the "what state are you from" and the idea of meeting someone from every state. Fun! I used to do the license plate game on road trips where you write down plates from each state (The elusive Montana still gets me!)

    I have my eye on RT in Vegas next year. I'll have a book out by then!

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    1. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:31 AM

      Thank you, Stephsco! You should come to Vegas next year, I'm already looking forward to it! (I can DRIVE there for one thing ;)).

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  5. Chemist KenMay 6, 2015 at 8:26 AM

    Hey, all this pre-planning is what's making you feel most comfortable. Don't sweat it. Do whatever's necessary to keep your sanity and don't apologize for it. Good luck.

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  6. SittieCatesMay 6, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    Congratulations! I'm sure you'll have lots of fun.

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  7. emilia.mMay 6, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    good luck! and have fun :D :D :D

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    1. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:33 AM

      Thanks emilia- I need to remember the fun part! LOL!!!

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  8. Loni TownsendMay 6, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    Woot! You're going to rock it. I've done two signings and both have been tons of fun. I love meeting people, and usually by the end of the night, I've actually gotten my pitch down. That first time someone picked up my book and asked what it was about, I froze. Hehehe. It may or may not help you, but I wrote a blog post about my first one. In the related on that post, you can find a link to my second signing recap, if you're at all interested. :)

    Best of luck, and have tons of fun!

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    1. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:34 AM

      OMG- I can soooo see me freezing! "Um, story good." Oh dear! I am so going to hunt down your blog post!

      Thanks, Loni- we'll be at the same place some time!

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  9. dolorahMay 6, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Good luck with the signing. Wow that was a lot of work you've put into it.

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  10. Diane BurtonMay 6, 2015 at 2:59 PM

    Love your attitude. You will do so well.

    Best wishes,
    Diane IWSG #108

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  11. emaginetteMay 6, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    You sound ready to me, so have a blast! :-)

    Here's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)

    Anna from Elements of Writing

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    1. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:36 AM

      Thanks Anna- there is always the, "I know I will forget SOMETHING!" bit ;)

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  12. AnonymousMay 6, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    Good luck!

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  13. :) DabeeMay 7, 2015 at 1:06 AM

    Girlfriend, you are SO gonna Rock this thing!! You may be a little freaked out at the begining, but you are so approachable and fun to talk to...and you love what you have done, so enjoy it! The book is so gorgeous and folks are going to be drawn to it AND you!! So try to have some fun and know that we are going to be sending prayers and positive thoughts to you the whole time!! (And Iggy sends lots of sweet little fishy kisses!!) :) Deb

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    1. Marie AndreasMay 7, 2015 at 6:38 AM

      AWWWWW!! Thank you, Deb! I will be thinking of you (and Rick and Iggy ;) and wishing you were with me! Thank you so much, your support means a lot to me :).

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  14. Doreen McGettiganMay 7, 2015 at 10:44 AM

    I wish I lived in the area I would love to be there! You are going to do great. Take a deep breath and enjoy every minute of it. Celebrate your one visitor the same as you would 50 or 100, you never know how far the word of one mouth can travel:)
    Good Luck!

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  15. Doreen McGettiganMay 7, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    I have never released a series so I have NO idea but I would like to do a series one day so I will be paying attention:)
    Good luck!
    I love doing author interviews, I filled out the form.

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  16. Sandra CoxMay 10, 2015 at 4:25 PM

    Enjoy. You are going to have such a wonderful time.

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