So… How did the signing go?

Glad you asked! 😉 As I prepped for the First Annual Bangor Area Maine Author’s Book Fair, I wondered one, if anyone would come since it was the first year, and two, if they did come, would they want romance books?

In my experience, Maine readers tend to be looking for coastal covers, stories told on the ocean… lobsters and lighthouses. All of the things that I do NOT write. I went into this signing knowing I’d be the odd duck out but hoping for the best.

Upon set up, I quickly realized I might be a tad over the top for this event. In romance, your table HAS to be flashy because there is so much competition in the genre, but here, I kept looking around at the tables that just had books and a few bookmarks on an empty card table, and here I was setting up this elaborate display. I kept wondering if I was coming off as a showoff? Was my book display overt? Was the bedsheet I used as a tablecloth too obnoxious. Was my swag over the top? I was almost embarrassed by my table.

There wasn’t much time to fret though because once I had finished setting up, people were already coming in the door. And they kept coming. Steady from 11- to about 3:30. When the sun started to set, so too did the foot traffic. But in that time, I remained busy. I sold 22 books, which was way more than I thought I’d sell!

When things had died down, a few of the authors approached my table to inquire about where I got my stand, how I made my swag, and to just ask marketing questions in general. Me, the one who has felt like a fraud her whole writing life. Oh, irony. I happily answered their questions as best I could and I left the signing thinking, maybe I had learned a thing or two over the years. Baby steps. Even after 11 years at it.

Now, what will I do with the money earned? Replenish my stock for one thing, ha. And the rest will go into the account to pay for future edits/covers/swag/marketing etc. And maybe some Chinese takeout for the author. 😉

Until next week, friends!

Danielle/Dani Bannister author and local signing seller

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Penned Con prep has begun…

This is my 5th year doing Penned Con, and you’d think I’d be used to how much stuff I have to bring. I’m not. Flying to any signing makes things hard. That pesky 50 lb suitcase limit is a nail-biter every time.

Er…I don’t need clothes.

The big case has my pre-ordered books, that ziplock monster is all swag, then some table display stuff crammed in. My smaller case will have more swag, my book rack, and somewhere in there, some clothes to wear. I’ve shipped to a friend 4 boxes of books and a box of my heavy swag. Let’s hope I get rid of the books AND the swag or else the flight home is going to be interesting…

Even though Penned isn’t until next month, my stress for making sure I have everything packed begins now. Whether or not everything I NEED will FIT into two checked bags remains the question of the month. Stay tuned.

 

Danielle Bannister, author and Tetris-bag-stuffing-machine

Catching my breath

The month of April has certainly been a whirlwind of a month. Snowstorms aside, the days have flown by. It’s been a busy spell of signings, working vacations, and catching up with old friends.

First up, in early April, R.J. Keller and I attended the Belfast Farmer’s Market. We spent five hours trying to convince the produce purchasing pedestrians that they needed a copy of our books as well. What trip to a farmer’s market is complete without some good reading material? Surprisingly, the time went by quickly as people darted in and out of the marketplace. And, oddly enough, we each managed to make some sales.

The week prior to the event we made some swag up to give away and somehow managed to Tetris-style our dual set up on the small 4-foot table. In the moments we were not engaged with customers, we people watched. R.J. created an entire novel based on a few people milling around. You’re never safe in the company of authors. Fair warning.

The following week, I drove to Boston for the Talkbooks Author Event signing. I picked up Amy Miles from her flight in and we spent the day before the event in a conference room plotting out some of the second book in our Hallowed Realms Trilogy.  Friday night, Randi Cooley Wilson treated Amy and I and a few other authors to a most DELICIOUS meal at her husband’s restaurant. the Coach Grill. Properly stuffed, we were ready to set up for the signing the following day. The turn out was amazing and lots of books were sold and swag passed out. Over 700 pieces! (That means I get to make more now! Yay!!!)

After a hopping after party, Amy and I drove home…in freezing rain…for four hours. That was a bit of a white-knuckle drive for me and my tiny car.

For the next seven days, I had Amy for a write-in. In that week, we got 56,000 exactly done on the sequel. Not a finished first draft but a pretty hefty dent!

I’m still recovering from it all, but had an epic time at each one!

Next week, I’ll be diving into the remaining chapters of our first draft as well as starting draft two of my Havenwood Falls novella.

Until then, I’ll be napping…and doing laundry.

Danielle Bannister, author and exhausted mama.

P.S.  I’ve also started a closed Facebook Reader’s Group if you want to join in. I share fun memes, and book info and such. You can join here.

Next stop, St. Louis!

I’m finally home after a week away and a book signing in Augusta, Maine. School starts here next week and my other job starts now, so here comes the insanity.  I have taken to writing an hourly schedule in a feeble attempt to take care of everything that needs to get done while also allowing ample time for my kiddos. Hard balance, to be sure.

The next few months are gonna be a little hectic. I have three more signings to do, a book (or two) to finish and two demanding jobs.  (See elephant above)

The next signing is being put on by Amy Miles, and Action for Autism, so of course, I have to go to that!

You can visit the site here.  This is a list of attending authors:

After Penned, I’ll be attending two events with writer buddy, R.J.Keller. We’ll be stopping at Queen City:

Then heading over to N.E.W.S.

Much debauchery will ensue at those events, you can be sure.

Until then, I will be working to keep my head on straight.

Oh, and making cool images like this one!

 

**Get PULLED in, for FREE**

PULLED by DANIELLE BANNISTER

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1wWmMGK

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1gGO3tG

Ibooks: http://bit.ly/QkGL41

OR, get the ENTIRE Trilogy

Amazon: http://amzn.to/RIz5Zy

 

Danielle Bannister, Author and possible owl.