I saw a very interesting strategy for selling books today. A local author, who was a former student of mine, was selling her books at our regional craft fair. Her book is semi-autobiographical, I believe (http://www.redcanyonink.com/home.htm), and is very personal awareness oriented. She bundled it in a basket with a scented candle, hand-made soap, bubble bath and lotion. She advertised it as a "perfect way to spend an evening." She said she was doing very well at the fair. I bought a basket for my sister. It did look like a perfect way to spend an evening. She sold two others while I was writing the check.

This afternoon was my first signing in town for SUMMER OF THE APOCALYPSE. All of my books have debuted at our local Hastings Books & Video, where the book manager really does a good job of setting up the signing and advertising for it. I also do a lot of pre-signing work to let folks know about the event. I signed 32 copies of the novel in two hours, plus a couple STRANGERS AND BEGGARS and a copy of LAST OF THE O-FORMS, for a total of 35 books. Then, because we sold out of the novel and S&B, she bought 6 more copies of SotA, 3 or S&B and 3 of TLotOF, for a grand total of 47 sold books.

What was interesting about this signing is that several people bought multiple copies. An early December signing is just perfect for Christmas shoppers.