Book Signings

Step 1: Check to find an event that you can join

Go to the Calendar of Contributor Events to see if you can join other book contributors and hold a joint event.

Step 2: Approach your local bookstore and persuade them to have a book signing at their store

How?

For Borders, contact the Area Marketing Manager of your local Borders store (find listings at www.borders.com for store listings) to organize an Author Event. If they agree, they will work out the details with you. Use the Press Release provided to help market the book to Borders.

For independent bookstores, contact the store directly and see if they are willing to have you do a book talk and reading / book signing. Use the Press Release provided to help market the book to the store. You can even customize it to suit your needs, “Local writer contributes to online community developed travel book”.

Some stores have book clubs where you can ask to be a guest speaker.

The book store will usually work out the details of the event with you.

Alternative outlets?

Contact your local library to see if they will host you for a reading from V!VA List. Many small libraries or branches of big city libraries welcome local writers.

REI: This adventure outfitter will most likely be selling our book. Check with your local store and talk to the manager to see if you can have a local in-store presentation about the book. Please do so at least three months (by February) in advance, as REI plans their events far in the future.

Once you have an event booked, add it to the Calendar of Contributor Events on the site. Others may want to join your event, and collaborating will make the planning easier.

Step 3. Planning for the event

• Invite everyone you know (give people at least two weeks notice, and remind them a day or two before the event!)

• Advertise. Distribute flyers at coffee shops, area shops, travel stores two weeks prior. If you have a small local radio station, call them up and ask them to announce the event.

• Prepare material. Read up on the company and the book. Familiarize yourself with the rest of the book, not just your pieces. Be prepared to talk about the other pieces in the book.

• Equipment. Make sure the store/library has proper seating, equipment (microphone, speakers, etc.)

• Book supply. Ensure that the book store has ordered the book in advance ready for sale (most need at least two weeks for this). Details for ordering the book are:

After April 2007 bookstores may order by: CALL TOLL-FREE: (800) 888-IPG1 (4741) or (312) 337-0747 for all other inquiries FAX: (312) 337-5985

EMAIL: orders(at)remove-this.ipgbook.com

WRITE: Independent Publishers Group Order Department 814 North Franklin Street Chicago, IL 60610

ORDER ONLINE: Order on a secure server with your Visa or MasterCard. Proceed to www.ipgbook.com to search or browse titles. Add items to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. Orders shipped to addresses in the Continental United States will arrive within 7-10 business days. Please allow extra transit time for orders sent to Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada. If the product you ordered is out of stock or delayed, you will be notified by email and given the option to backorder or cancel your order. If your order requires rush shipping, special handling, or you are ordering outside of North America, please contact IPG customer service at (800) 888- IPG1 (4741) or orders(at)remove-this.ipgbook.com.

• Prepare your slideshow/visuals (Go to the www.vivatravelguides.com/presentation for a downloadable PowerPoint presentation, available from March). You can tailor the presentation for your needs.

• Prepare a sign-up sheet for guests to add their email to. Send this list to V!VA after event so people can be sent newsletters.

• Order promotional items to take: bookmarks, t-shirts, flyers. There will be info on how to obtain these items later in March via the website.

Step 4: On the day

Don’t forget to take your promotional items, and a pen to sign autographs!

Arrive at the venue with plenty of time, to ensure that everything is organised.

Enjoy!

Step 5: Feedback

After your event, please email the team to let us know how it went and give suggestions of how other contributors can improve their events.

Recommendations for a book talk

• Do talk about the way the guide was put together. We have found that people are intrigued by the collaborative or community theme, and that this strikes a chord with writers, aspiring or established.

• Do talk about getting involved with V!VA. We can provide you information on upcoming projects and ways in which to break into travel writing.

• Do include anecdotes about travel venues. Short, funny or ironic are good and preferably with a photo.

• Do include items of which you have personal experience. It is always easier to speak publically when you are confident with your subject matter.

• Do use pictures at the start of a presentation to grab the attention of the audience.

• Don’t leave it until the last minute to check that your equipment is working, e.g. projector, microphone, laptop.

How Bookstores Can Order V!VA List:

After April 2007 bookstores may order by: CALL TOLL-FREE: (800) 888-IPG1 (4741) or (312) 337-0747 for all other inquiries FAX: (312) 337-5985

EMAIL: orders(at)remove-this.ipgbook.com

WRITE: Independent Publishers Group Order Department 814 North Franklin Street Chicago, IL 60610

ORDER ONLINE: Order on a secure server with your Visa or MasterCard. Proceed to www.ipgbook.com to search or browse titles. Add items to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. Orders shipped to addresses in the Continental United States will arrive within 7-10 business days. Please allow extra transit time for orders sent to Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada. If the product you ordered is out of stock or delayed, you will be notified by email and given the option to backorder or cancel your order. If your order requires rush shipping, special handling, or you are ordering outside of North America, please contact IPG customer service at (800) 888- IPG1 (4741) or orders(at)remove-this.ipgbook.com.

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