World Book Night

by Jaden Terrell

I got a an email today from Greg and Mary Bruss of Mysteries & More (the wonderful independent bookstore in Lenox Village near Nashville). Because I think what they had to say is very important, I'm including it here. I'm pretty sure they won't mind.

The message said:

Want to be part of a million-book giveaway? To volunteer to change a life? You can, as part of World Book Night, on April 23, 2012. The deadline to sign up to be a book giver has just been extended to February 6.

World Book Night is a campaign to find light or non-readers in the community and hand them each a book. Person-to-person.

It was started in the U.K. last year, and it is coming to our shores on April 23, 2012 – Shakespeare’s birthday, not coincidentally – as well!

The World Book Night organization is printing hundreds of thousands of special free paperback editions, and they are looking for thousands of volunteers to go out on April 23 and give books out across America to get more people reading.

You pick the place: hospital or diner, school or ... well, lots of possibilities. Be creative.

Sign up by February 6 to be a book giver on World Book Night! Please go the website to read up on its mission, the books you can choose from to give away, and some rules and regulations. All you need to become a giver is a little time, a love of books, and the desire to give something to your community.

Think about where you’d like to give away the books before you go online to apply. And thank you!

NOTE: Mysteries & More has been selected as a reception and pick-up point for World Book Night! Literacy can be a powerful resourse in solving the world's problems. Count me in!

For more information, check out http://www.worldbooknight.org.

10 Tips for a (Bad) Book Signing

By Chester Campbell

I've been doing signings all over the place since my first book came out in 2002. With number six set to debut the middle of September, I've scheduled a book launch party at Nashville's friendliest bookstore, Mysteries & More. It got me to thinking about this curious business of autographing books. Frankly, I'm not an autograph collector. I don't care if a book I want to read is signed or not. If I buy one at an author signing, or course, I get a name scrawled on it to make the guy or gal who wrote it happy.

Over the years, I've learned a lot about what to do and what isn't advisable. I thought I'd compile my list of things not to do when taking part in a book signing.

1. Particularly in the summertime, people tend to dress rather sloppily when they go shopping. You can make them feel right at home by wearing shorts and a colorful tee shirt, maybe one with Budweiser on the back. Oh, and your bare feet should be covered by sandals.

2. When you arrive at the store, they should have a table set up near the entrance with your books stacked on it. If you don't find it, ask for the manager and raise hell. That'll let 'em know you're no novice at this business who can be ignored and relegated to the back of the stacks.

3. If it's a store with a cafe, tell them to bring you a big cup of coffee and one of those monster chocolate cookies. It'll be nice to munch on while chatting with readers.

4. If they have a speaker system, tell them to announce your presence as the famous, award-winner author Your Name. If you haven't won any awards, make up a couple like the Pew Lizzer Prize or the National Bulk Award. Stores love to host big-name authors.

5. Sit behind your table with a look of determination. If people try to pass by turning the other way, give 'em a shout. "Hey, buddy (or "ma'am," be polite with the ladies), do you read books?" You'll be surprised how many don't, but refuse to let that discourage you. Insist they read yours.

6. Should the crowd be slim, chide the manager for not doing enough to promote your appearance. They love assertive authors.

7. When you ask people if they read mysteries, a few are bound to say, "My life is a mystery." Laugh and reply, "It's probably a crime that's never been exposed." They'll think you're a latter-day Don Rickles.

9. If all else fails, buttonhole customers as they come into the store and shove a book into their hands. Say, "You'll love this book. How do you ant it signed?" You may get a few books thrown in your face as not all people are connoisseurs. Don't let it rattle you.

10. If you don't sell many books, tell the manager you could have done better at the store down the street. A little competition should keep them on their toes.

Do signings this way and you won't be bothered by store people insisting that you come back. Or do it the opposite way and have a ball.

Visit my newly-revised website HERE.