Independent Booksellers around the country have been weighing in about the pros and cons to hosting author events.
The three foxy owners of FoxTale Book Shoppe, Ellen, Karen and Jackie, in Woodstock, GA proved that Southern Hospitality is alive and well just outside of Atlanta when author Michael Lee West arrived recently for a book signing for the soft-cover launch of Mermaids In The Basement (HarperCollins).
In addition to being a best-selling author, Michael Lee West has a whole other set of enthusiastic fans who follow her on Designs By Gollum a website devoted to design, culinary and lifestyle information and gorgeous photography. Some of the fans of “Gollum” showed their support by attending the book signing along with the authors literary fans. A number of the fans who arrived have quite successful design blogs of their own as well! 
The foxy ladies had mermaids hanging off of the backs of their signature hats. There was a mermaid in the window. Michael Lee added to the festivities by bringing some fun home decor items that she gave out as door prizes to the surprised fans. Even the men won something!
Statistics shared with me from the recent SIBA Spring Show for booksellers included these sobering numbers:
$2500 – the average cost per stop for a New York-based publisher to send an author on a book tour.
20% – 25% - the average percent of people in the audience who will actually purchase a book at an off site author reading.
When I travel with my clients, throughout the country to book signings, the statistics of book buyers in the audience is much higher – I would venture to say 75% and sometimes more than 100% (often enthusiastic fans purchase multiple books and have them personalized for gifts for friends).
While booksellers opinions on how much money needs to be spent by the bookstore for an author event varies dramatically, I’m delighted to say that my clients receive the red carpet treatment on their tours and they go out of their way to support the book shops that promote them.
We’ve found it to be a win-win relationship.
