Author and Reader Events
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Lucky 13 loves attending events as a sponsor, blogger, reader, and vendor! Before we sign up for or sponsor an event, we ask questions. Authors and readers should do the same, especially before buying a table or ticket! Scroll down for our event attendee tips and to see the list of events that Lucky 13 will be attending.
Julie has some great tips if you are attending an event for the very first time. Scroll down to see what she has to say!! |
Julie's Tips For Readers Attending Events & Signings
Your favorite author announces that they will be signing at an author event and woohoo it’s within road trip distance! Awesome! So what’s next? There are more and more author events popping up to allow readers and authors to connect. This is great, but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to these events. Lucky you! You have come to the right place! I was one of those newbies not so long ago and I’m here to give you the scoop on what to expect, what to bring, etc.
Decide which events you want to attend. Many are scheduled a year or more in advance, so look around and see what’s close or maybe it’s an event you are willing to travel to attend. Look on your favorite authors’ websites and Facebook pages to see if they list appearances, check Facebook for event pages, and check Lucky 13! We try to announce events that we will be attending and we post events for our Facebook fans even if we won’t be there. See below for the list of events we plan to attend.
Buy your tickets! Tickets sometimes sell out quickly, especially VIP tickets. I know, I know, you are thinking what are VIP tickets? Some events offer VIP tickets; the perks with those will vary, but should be spelled out on the event page or the ticket purchase page. Usually it includes an early entry into the signing, maybe a tote bag, or additional swag. Sometimes it includes an after party or a meet and greet pre-party the night before. Check the ticket options and select the one that works for you. Most events offer a signing ticket only option if you are just interested in the signing, and some signings are FREE!
Join or follow the event Facebook page if there is one. There is usually an event page to follow where you will see information posted about the event and posts from attending authors. Most events also have an attendee’s page or reader group. This is a great place to connect with other readers and the attending authors as well, and it helps to build the excitement leading up to the event.
Book your hotel if you are traveling long distance to the event. Some events will have discounted rooms at the host hotel or will have nearby hotels listed for attendees.
Pre-order your books from the author if you want to guarantee that an author will have a specific book for you to get signed. This is where the Facebook group comes in handy. Often, authors will create google pre-order forms and post on the Facebook page for readers to order books in advance. This allows them to know how many books to bring with them or have shipped to the venue. Sometimes the authors are flying to the event and will have limited books with them. Sometimes the pre-order form is on the author’s website, so check there too. Authors do not always do pre-orders. So if you really want a specific book and you’re not sure they will have it or worry they will sell out before you get a copy, then order your book in advance and bring it with you.
Which brings us to this question, “Can I bring books with me?” Yes, in most instances. Unless the event specifically states otherwise, you can usually bring your own books with you to get signed. For example, one popular bestselling author just announced an event, but all books will be pre-signed and have to be purchased from the bookseller running the event. This is not the norm for indie authors at multi-author signings, however.
Another popular question is, “Will authors sign other things?” Yes, most authors are happy to sign whatever you bring them. Popular items include t-shirts, picture mats, scrapbooks, kindle covers, and event posters, to name a few.
Seating charts: most events will put out a seating chart of the authors a week or so before the event. Plan your route of attack if there are some must-visit authors. Note, if some authors are super popular there may be a number system in place where you are given a number, then they will announce numbers to call you back to the table. This allows you to visit other authors in the meantime and keeps the lines manageable.
Decide which events you want to attend. Many are scheduled a year or more in advance, so look around and see what’s close or maybe it’s an event you are willing to travel to attend. Look on your favorite authors’ websites and Facebook pages to see if they list appearances, check Facebook for event pages, and check Lucky 13! We try to announce events that we will be attending and we post events for our Facebook fans even if we won’t be there. See below for the list of events we plan to attend.
Buy your tickets! Tickets sometimes sell out quickly, especially VIP tickets. I know, I know, you are thinking what are VIP tickets? Some events offer VIP tickets; the perks with those will vary, but should be spelled out on the event page or the ticket purchase page. Usually it includes an early entry into the signing, maybe a tote bag, or additional swag. Sometimes it includes an after party or a meet and greet pre-party the night before. Check the ticket options and select the one that works for you. Most events offer a signing ticket only option if you are just interested in the signing, and some signings are FREE!
Join or follow the event Facebook page if there is one. There is usually an event page to follow where you will see information posted about the event and posts from attending authors. Most events also have an attendee’s page or reader group. This is a great place to connect with other readers and the attending authors as well, and it helps to build the excitement leading up to the event.
Book your hotel if you are traveling long distance to the event. Some events will have discounted rooms at the host hotel or will have nearby hotels listed for attendees.
Pre-order your books from the author if you want to guarantee that an author will have a specific book for you to get signed. This is where the Facebook group comes in handy. Often, authors will create google pre-order forms and post on the Facebook page for readers to order books in advance. This allows them to know how many books to bring with them or have shipped to the venue. Sometimes the authors are flying to the event and will have limited books with them. Sometimes the pre-order form is on the author’s website, so check there too. Authors do not always do pre-orders. So if you really want a specific book and you’re not sure they will have it or worry they will sell out before you get a copy, then order your book in advance and bring it with you.
Which brings us to this question, “Can I bring books with me?” Yes, in most instances. Unless the event specifically states otherwise, you can usually bring your own books with you to get signed. For example, one popular bestselling author just announced an event, but all books will be pre-signed and have to be purchased from the bookseller running the event. This is not the norm for indie authors at multi-author signings, however.
Another popular question is, “Will authors sign other things?” Yes, most authors are happy to sign whatever you bring them. Popular items include t-shirts, picture mats, scrapbooks, kindle covers, and event posters, to name a few.
Seating charts: most events will put out a seating chart of the authors a week or so before the event. Plan your route of attack if there are some must-visit authors. Note, if some authors are super popular there may be a number system in place where you are given a number, then they will announce numbers to call you back to the table. This allows you to visit other authors in the meantime and keeps the lines manageable.
What should you wear to an event? Most signing events are casual, so think comfortable. It is usually warm in the room because of the crowd. You will be standing in lines for popular authors, most likely, so wear comfy shoes. If you have a fun reading-related shirt or a shirt supporting your favorite author it’s a great time to pull that out and wear it. I have seen some clever shirts at signings! Here’s my t-shirt from author Toni Aleo for her release of Overtime!
What should you bring with you to an event?
Anything you want signed, obviously.
Pens or Sharpies! Sometimes an author might not have one handy and you don’t want to miss the moment. Or if you have something like a shirt, a sharpie works best.
Anything you want signed, obviously.
Pens or Sharpies! Sometimes an author might not have one handy and you don’t want to miss the moment. Or if you have something like a shirt, a sharpie works best.
If you plan on buying a lot of books, a rolling bag is a great idea. On the left is a cart that I have seen often. I use the carry-on bag in the second picture and it works well. Note that you will sometimes get a tote bag at the event, but not always, and it may not be big enough for all of your loot!
A charged camera or cell phone for pics. Authors and attending models are happy to take pictures with readers. Just ask and be polite and respectful! If you wanna go all fangirl, that’s ok, most authors get a kick out of their fans! They will admit to fangirling over their favorite authors too!!
Cash. If you plan on buying books or any merchandise the authors have for sale, you probably want to bring cash. Many of them will offer credit card transactions with a portable device, but those often depend on cell service/wi-fi and it’s sometimes spotty in big hotels and conference centers. So just to be on the safe side, have some cash on you!
Water/snacks. Some events will have cash bars close by, but it’s a good idea to just stash a drink and a small snack in your bag if you have room. Like I said earlier, it gets hot in there sometimes! Alot of authors will have free candy on their tables if you can subsist on that for a snack.
Meet and Greets, After Parties, and Extras! Many signing events will be on a Saturday afternoon. On Friday night, they may have a mixer or meet and greet for attendees and authors. This is just a casual get together usually. Details should be on their event page. That’s a good time to meet other readers and authors and just relax and chat! After parties may be themed. Folks typically dress more formal for these. I have seen costume parties, dinner cruises, outings to local clubs etc., for after parties. These vary or may not be formally arranged. If the event is in a hotel, sometimes the hotel bar is a great spot to hang out and have fun with authors and readers. The Facebook page is usually a great place to see where people will be if there is nothing formal.
A charged camera or cell phone for pics. Authors and attending models are happy to take pictures with readers. Just ask and be polite and respectful! If you wanna go all fangirl, that’s ok, most authors get a kick out of their fans! They will admit to fangirling over their favorite authors too!!
Cash. If you plan on buying books or any merchandise the authors have for sale, you probably want to bring cash. Many of them will offer credit card transactions with a portable device, but those often depend on cell service/wi-fi and it’s sometimes spotty in big hotels and conference centers. So just to be on the safe side, have some cash on you!
Water/snacks. Some events will have cash bars close by, but it’s a good idea to just stash a drink and a small snack in your bag if you have room. Like I said earlier, it gets hot in there sometimes! Alot of authors will have free candy on their tables if you can subsist on that for a snack.
Meet and Greets, After Parties, and Extras! Many signing events will be on a Saturday afternoon. On Friday night, they may have a mixer or meet and greet for attendees and authors. This is just a casual get together usually. Details should be on their event page. That’s a good time to meet other readers and authors and just relax and chat! After parties may be themed. Folks typically dress more formal for these. I have seen costume parties, dinner cruises, outings to local clubs etc., for after parties. These vary or may not be formally arranged. If the event is in a hotel, sometimes the hotel bar is a great spot to hang out and have fun with authors and readers. The Facebook page is usually a great place to see where people will be if there is nothing formal.
Connie with author Cristin Harber at a pirate-themed after party.
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Julie with author Jayne Rylon at a signing.
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Connie with author Kennedy Layne at a signing.
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Last, but not least, bring your sense of fun and adventure! Don’t be afraid to talk to a new author or your favorite author! They love talking to readers and if they are new to you, they love to tell you about their books. When I go to a signing, I make it a point to buy one or two books from authors that I have never read and sometimes know nothing about other than what they tell me at their table. I have found some new fave authors that way! If you have a beloved author, they will sometimes tell you about who they love to read or send you to another author you might like. Also, talk to the author’s spouse/friend/PA that are helping out at the table while you are waiting! Talk to other readers in line! Readers and authors are some of the most amazing people! I have met people that I have only talked to online, met new friends in line (or in a bar :)), discovered that I know an author’s family, and found out that I live twenty minutes away from my favorite author by talking to people at signings!
