By C.Z Szarek (Guest Blogger)
Most
authors are pretty introverted. I mean, think about it: We sit behind
a computer screen and type words. Form sentences, then paragraphs,
which slowly work themselves into blocks of text, pages, chapters and
a STORY!
We’re
up in our own heads (for the most part) creating a kick a$$ story (we
hope anyway).
So
it almost makes sense that most authors aren’t around
people—other than the occasional family member—all that much.
For
these introverted authors, the idea of a book signing, a live,
actual signing, can be terrifying. Daunting. Even
petrifying.
I’m
an extrovert, so they excite me more than anything else.
I
will talk to anyone (hubs gets irritated with me because I often have
no “don’t talk to strangers” button—or on switch) but
I very MUCH enjoy talking to people, ESPECIALLY readers.
So,
book signings are a BLAST to me.
But…do
they sell books?
Authors
I’ve talked to feel differently pretty much across the board about
signings. Some authors love them, and some dread them. Some of my
author friends think so, and others feel they’re “a waste of
time.”
Of
course, things like location, and details such as, the number of
authors signing, who the authors are (A-list, Mid-list, Indie,
No-list) might make all the difference. Well, it likely does
make all the difference.
Readers
today are a little different today than they were 30, even 20 years
ago. There was a time when even I as a young reader didn’t think
about or wonder about the author of the book all that much. I
just wanted—and sought—a good story.
With
the advances of technology—social media in particular—I find that
I am more curious about the authors I like to read.
Why?
They
are more ACCESSIBLE. And THAT is awesome.
Now
authors have Facebook pages where you can like and/or follow. Twitter
where you can tweet LIVE, and often times, get a response!
We
have blogs, websites, emails. It’s all out there, in the public
eye, where we encourage our readers to find us. Follow us, keep in
contact with us!
Well,
for those introverted authors, this is the easy way, because the
computer is still there as a shield.
Book
signings serve the same purpose, in a different way. CONTACT with
readers. Face-to-face, live, in-person (in-your-face, if you will)
CONTACT with people who actually read.
The
huge events with a lot of headliners always draw people. So, I
personally like to piggyback off the famous people (LOL. Because I am
most-certainly not famous. But…it’s a yet, mark my
words).
Even
if I don’t sell even one book, talking to people is key for me. I
love to chat. It’s one of my super powers, so I exercise it in full
force. I offer a free read if people sign up for my newsletter (Yes,
I approve of bribery) and I smile, ask what people read, even chat
about my dogs (basically my kids since I don’t have human ones).
Selling
books is the goal, in theory, but contact with readers makes me feel
that I accomplished something.
And
I always have fun.
I’ve
done huge signings, mid-sized ones, and even one with only two other
authors.
Size
doesn’t matter (*snicker* In some things—c’mon, I write
romance, I had to.)
Contact
with people—readers—matter.
Sharing
something of myself as a person, and of course, sharing my awesome
stories with someone who might not (probably doesn’t) know me. It’s
what it’s all about. There’s no better promo than word-of-mouth.
If
a reader thinks it’s cool meeting ME. That makes me have warm
fuzzies.
Kinda
what it’s all about, isn’t it?
Collision
Control (Crossing Forces Book Four)
A one night stand can’t possibly mean forever…
Detective
Jared Manning met his match at a bar. After a night of passion, she
sneaks out of his bed without so much as a note. Problem is, now he
can’t find her.
Kindergarten
teacher, Melody Nash doesn’t do one night stands. Embarrassment
gets the best of her and she lies about her name.
When
they collide at her school, Mel resists his pull. She won’t risk
her heart on the obvious playboy, even though she can’t stop
thinking about the night in his arms.
Stress
engulfs Jared’s personal and professional lives. His brother is at
the center of the joint case he and his partner are working in
cooperation with FBI.
He
puts his job on the line when he fails to share his blood relation.
Complications he doesn’t need, considering the FBI agent on the
case is convinced his brother killed her fiancé.
Balance
is the name of the game. Can Jared save his brother and convince Mel
they’re meant to be together?
Excerpt
Her
head whipped back around. “Why?”
He
rocked back on the heels of his shitkickers.
Why?
Charm.
Focus on being charming.
“I
like to keep the company of a beautiful woman.” Jared smiled.
She
frowned.
He
stared. He couldn’t help it.
She
frowned at a compliment?
Jared
quirked an eyebrow and slid onto the chair next to hers, because she
was never going to invite him to sit. And that made him want to join
her even more. Intrigued the hell out of him. “What’s your name?”
Cocking
her head to one side, she studied him. “Uh…Ren.”
“Wren
like the bird? Cool name.”
“No.”
Her cheeks reddened again and she looked away. “Umm…it’s…short
for Renee.”
He
watched her fidget before she’d meet his gaze again. His stomach
churned at the thought of her being uneasy with him. He forced words
out. “Can I call you Renee?”
Those
eyes met his and he swallowed hard. Crystal blue, like a morning
summer sky. Jared had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
“O-o-o-kay.
I mean, sure.” More shifting, so he reached for her hand.
Touching
her resulted in a zing of energy shooting up his arm. Their eyes
locked. Her lips parted and his mouth went dry.
He
wanted to kiss her.
No.
Jared needed to
kiss her.
Before
he could even lean in, Renee gasped and moved away.
“Which
one of them put you up to this?” she demanded. The suspicion in her
voice made him rear back.
He
blinked.
Wanting
to kiss a woman two seconds after meeting her was fast…even for
him.
Get
it together, seriously.
“Excuse
me?” His voice cracked.
She
looked away. “Never mind.”
Jared
studied her. She was nervous. No…uncomfortable.
Why?
“Renee.”
When
she met his eyes, his heart skipped.
“I
want to have a nice evening. A drink. A dance. With you.”
She
cleared her throat and Jared wanted to kiss it.
“With.
Me.” It wasn’t a question.
He
nodded. “With you. Is that a problem?”
Renee’s
pale blue gaze raked his face. “No. I guess not. My friends are
always telling me I need to loosen up.”
“Are
they now?” He flashed his best charming grin. “Just so happens
I’m pretty good at helping that along.”
Buy Links
Totally
Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/collision-control
About
the Author
Bestselling, award winning author of romantic suspense and epic fantasy romance, C.A. loves to dabble in different genres. If it's a good story, she'll write it, no matter where it seems to fit!
She's a hopeless
romantic and always will be. Risking it all for Happily Ever After is
what she lives by!
She's originally
from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She's happily
married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
She works with kids
when she's not writing.
Where to find C.A.:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/caszarek
Website:
www.caszarek.com
Twitter:
@caszarek
Email:
ca@caszarek.com
