One advantage of being a member of the Northern Virginia Writers Club is the opportunity to partake in book signings. Thanks initially to one very industrious member-volunteer, and now several more, the club has relationships with numerous area Barnes and Noble stories and Daydrift (a local chain bookstore/cafe) and regularly applies to have booths at numerous local festivals. These efforts mean club members with books in print have the ability to get out in the public and hawk their wares! Even if you don’t sell a single copy, it’s great exposure and a meaningful experience.

For years, the club had been selected to have a booth at the Art of the Avenue festival in Alexandria, Virginia; and I always participated. This was more an opportunity to promote the club, and indeed, the club always recruited a significant number of new members every year. As a bonus, club members who staffed the booth could sell their own books during their shift. Members typically did quite well. I only did okay because this was mostly before I had a collection in print, so I was selling other publishers’ anthologies in which I had a story.

However, I have yet to do an individual book signing. Many of my friends in the club have talked highly of the experience and encouraged me to take the plunge. I was always hesitant. First, the signings are on the weekends, and mine are typically filled to the gills with my daughters’ soccer games and Girl Scout activities.

Then there is the promotional aspect. Don’t get me wrong, I love talking to people. Those hours staffing the club’s Art on the Avenue booth were filled with nonstop chatting with prospective club members and customers, and I loved every minute of it (though my back was less enthusiastic).

I’m talking about the accouterments that authors often bring with them to book signings. These include posters or signs (horizontal and vertical), table clothes with their covers pictured, shirts with their covers pictured, and themed tchotchkes to give away. I’ve had neither the time nor energy to even investigate having these things made. I’m also entirely confident that I would never make back the cost from book sales.

I finally gave in, though, and have my first two book signings in the coming weeks. Details are below. What changed? I didn’t have activities at these two times… and bookmarks. I had bookmarks made with my two covers pictured. I’ll also have a bowl of candy. If you’re in the area, stop by to say hello; and get an author-signed copy of one or both of my short story collections. Or simply say hello and grab a piece of candy. Like I said, I’m always happy to chat.

Saturday, February 21

• Daydrift Books & Cafe
• 1550 Crystal Dr., Arlington, Virginia
• 1-4p

Friday, March 13

• Barnes and Noble
• 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Dr., Fairfax, Virginia
• 5-8p