I’ve had more successful signings, only 12 copies signed and sold. This was because my fans had mistakenly joined a huge queue a few hundred yards away at WH Smiths. The author, her pen raising friction-burn smoke, was Lorna Byrne, and her book – Angels in My Hair. I thought it was chick lit and asked the manager at Waterstones, but he’d not heard of her. I sneaked out and asked one of her mesmerised queue. Lorna is Irish and since a baby has seen and talked to angels. Her wisdom and advice from the ethereal is in the book, Angels in My Hair. Against the angels what chance had I? Hey ho.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy conversations with folk wanting author-signed books (often no matter the genre).
Two summer-dressedundressed women approached me, eagerly. Okay it was me who was the more eager. Where’s Katie Price’s book? I pointed. They weren’t the first to think I was an employee on an information desk. Next time I’m making a name plate. Geoff Nelder – Author signing! Maybe an arrow too.
One man asked me about Escaping Reality. So I gave him the humorous thriller concept – fugitve escaping jail – across the moors to the Lake District and then to Amsterdam to prove his innocence. More chat with the man and he was really interested. Eventually I said – Do you want me to sign a copy for you?
“Oh, no,” he said, “I only read biographies.”
The white maltesers were eaten mainly by children, me and my daughter when she brought baby Oliver to puzzle over seeing grandad in a new context. I bought him a baby book to read-chew.
My conceptual stereotypes was knocked again. In spite of my urgings I do sometimes find I’m struggling to think outside the box, and the box gets smaller. For example a young woman pushing a chariot with a restless baby ambled past. She held another child in her free arm. Mid-twenties and hassled. Nevertheless, I said: “Would you like a free bookmark?” She stopped, put down a 2-year-old girl, who promptly vanished into the shop. The woman spoke in council-house lingo (I recognize it because I was brought up in Hesters Way, Cheltenham and taught for decades in the Lache, Chester). Without high expectations I asked her if she liked humorous thrillers (Escaping Reality) or Science Fiction mysteries (Exit, Pursued by a Bee)? To my ashamed amazement she gave me a neat rundown of time-related science fiction novels over the last half century! She admitted, while her other kids waffled maltesers, that my use of microscopic time differences is unusual, Enough so for her to ask for a signed copy. Just shows that signings bring you closer to the readers, who shatter preconceptions.
Anyway, Waterstones want me back. I told them perhaps near Christmas, but I’ll check on where Lorna is first. May her angels keep her well but whisper to go sign in another city.
No, you never can tell who will read your book. I considered a pensioner in the store where I was signing as being an unsuitable candidate for Blazing Embers. She chose it over the other books. If twelve buyers bought books I would have been over the moon. But not many more than twelve people actually strolled into the Oxfam shop on that hot sunny day! The pub next door was doing great business serving drinks and food on the pavement area. ‘I only read biographies’ is a frequent statement when I talk books. You have a silver tongue, Geoff. Wish I could share a table with you – anywhere, anytime! I might learn something!
Escaping Reality is a good read – like your Exit. I’ll be buying Xangra for sure.
Waterstones obviously think you good for business.
You may know this but, at present, Waterstones stores can to be approached individually to stock small independent publishers books. This is done through an agreement with Gardners and, if approached, you get sent the whole list of their stores. It all goes through Gardners – books are sent to them and they pay. Waterstones told me that it is too much for them to deal with thousands of small accounts. (I think if a book appears to be paying, Garners will stock a large quantity – presumably to ease ordering.)
When my last book came out, I looked up Waterstones stores on the Internet and sent Emails rather than phone. I had a small order from it. Phoning, or visiting is MUCH better but I am useless at selling anything. I need a harder skin!
Geoff you should have a sign telling people why you are there, even a small bio. It would help them start a conversation and perhaps not feel uncomfortable about approaching you. I would love an opportunity to do a book signing even if it wasn’t my own book. Years of sales experience and I do miss mingling with the public. You found out some fascinating things as in your example.
What a good idea, Maria. If I ever get another signing, I’ll do that.
I can’t imagine many people being shy of approaching Geoff, he’s so affable. He was my angel at a certain book signing that will never be forgotten.