Back to the Books Plus Book Signing Wednesday

I'm having a book signing for Killer Career Wednesday at Barnes & Noble DePaul Center, 1 East Jackson (Jackson & State) in Downtown Chicago, from 12-2pm

If you can stop by and say hi, I'd appreciate it.

Speaking of books - One of my resolutions for 2010 is to spend more time on my works in progress, Our Little Rascal, and Forever Young, because I want to get them finished this year. Some days I may not be blogging, but I will do so as often as time permits.

My other resolution is to lose weight. That's as tough as finding extra time to write.

We'll see how successful I am at keeping my resolutions.

Enjoying My End Cap

Wow! I've got an end cap going at Waldenbooks! It doesn't happen often, but I'm enjoying the sight while it lasts. It's one of those rare thrills in my life as an author. I treasure every one of them.

The reason for the end cap is I'm doing a KILLER CAREER Book Signing at Waldenbooks, 500 W. Madison (Ogilvie Transportation Center) in Chicago on Friday, from 12 - 2, or longer, if supply lasts.

Hope to see a few of you there.

Things People Say and Do at Book Signings

Saturday was a Killer Career book signing at Barnes and Noble in Schaumburg. I just love the way they do their posters, by the way. Very professional looking.

It was 70 degrees outside, which is an unusual temperature for November. Needless to say, not everyone wanted to waste such a beautiful day by pending it inside a book shop.

The usual assortment of customers did come by, some asking me questions about how long it took to write my book, how I got started, and how many books I'd written.
Some said they'd never heard of me. I've heard that one before. (g) 

What was surprising is that three children, not at the same time or with the same party, asked for my autograph - two on the back of bookmarks, one on a slip of paper. That usually doesn't happen. Maybe it's the economy. I don't know if their parents put them up to it, or if they thought of it themselves.

One person asked about my book and then said she doesn't buy from Barnes and Noble, but online instead. Since she was in the store, I can only assume she was scouting there for books first. I don't know.

Oh, yes, a variation on the restroom question was, "Where are the dictionaries?"

Another took the time to show me some missing pages in one of the magazines.

What about you? What questions have people asked you at book signings? Anything that stood out at a book signing you'd like to share?

Book Signing in Glen Ellyn, IL today

I'm at a Book Signing Today from 11AM - 3 PM at
Bundles of Books & Gifts
560 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Phone: 630-545-0069

If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello.

After the book signing, I've got a graduation party to go to. Busy days always
seem to get busier.

Book Signing Today/Saturday in Tomahawk, WI

Although vacation is winding down to a close (leaving Sunday for home), I have one more fun thing to do.

Today, which is Saturday, I'm doing a book signing at Cover to Cover, in Downtown Tomahawk, Wisconsin from 11am -1pm. Yesterday, I was interviewed by Mark Everett, the morning host of WJJQ FM, the local radio station. We talked about my books and the book signing at Cover to Cover.

After the interview, we stopped off at the book store, spoke to Dawn, the owner, and took a few photos, one with Dawn. Many times on the day of book signings it gets so crazy it's hard to get photos done. It's a cute store, as you'll see from the photos.

I also got word that on our next trip, on the Saturday after Memorial Day, I'll be able to do a book signing at a flea market sponsored by Arbor Vitae Fire Department in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin. The great thing is I can get a spot in the Pavilion (won't need to bring my own tent) for only $15.00, so it's definitely worth that tiny investment. Also, it's a spot not hard for me to get to.

So, my vacations are turning into working vacations, but that's okay, because I'm having fun with this kind of work. What about you? Do you have any book signings or events lined up during your vacation?

Back from the Book Signing

Here I am at the DesPlaines Public Library, right before the
bargain hunters rushed in.

Selling books at a library isn't always easy. Trying to sell books while a used book sale is going on is even harder. Well, we gave it a try. We did sell books and also got to catch up on each other's lives in the process. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday morning and afternoon.



Our chief problem was the location. Next time we'll ask to be seated away from the drafty bank of windows. When I went outside afterwards, I realized why it was so drafty inside. Very raw, very wet, very slippery. Better than snow anyway, although some may disagree.

From Left to right: Morgan Mandel, Debra St. John, June Sproat, Margot Justes & Carrie Lofty

Book Signing Today at DesPlaines Library

I'm getting ready this morning for a book signing at the DesPlaines Library, along with fellow chapter members from Chicago North Romance Writers of America Deb Rittle, Margot Justes, June Sproat and Carrie Lofty.

The library also is sponsoring a used book sale, but hopefully some patrons will be looking for brand new books personalized by the authors themselves.

Anyone in the area, we'll be there from 9:30am - 3:30pm.

I'll let everyone know how it goes later on.

In the meantime, if anyone would like to comment about experiences at library doings, please feel free to comment.

Book Signing Today at Barnes and Noble DePaul

To the left is a photo from my last book signing at Barnes and Noble DePaul Center in February.


I'm off to another book signing today, this time revisiting Barnes and Noble, at DePaul Center, State and Jackson, Chicago, IL from 12-2pm, maybe longer, depending on the foot traffic.

When I set up the book signing, I didn't realize it would be the day after Election Day, so I'm not sure how many people will be coming through the store, or how many will be awake enough to even think about looking at books.


Anyway, it's a great store in a great spot and I'm honored to be able to come back again to provide autographed copies of Two Wrongs and Girl of My Dreams.

If anyone reads this beforehand and is in the area, please stop by and say hello or tell a friend.

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com/

Preparing for a Book Signing

Here I am at one of my first book signings - Barnes & Noble DePaul Center in March, 2006.

Tonight I'm getting ready for a book signing tomorrow, Sat, Oct 18, 1-3pm at Barnes and Noble, 13 West Rand Road, Arlington Heights, IL.

For those who don't know how to get ready, here's what I do in advance:

• Confirm the date with the book store coordinator.


• Find out if the book store will be able to order the books or if I should bring them.


• Make sure I have enough books to bring.


• Tell people about the signing by word of mouth or Internet, if possible newspapers.


• Make sure I have enough promo to bring with for the event. I bring book posters, a photo of myself, rack cards, postcards, business cards, sell sheets and most important, bookmarks. I've also got some giveaway items, among them pens and keychains.


• Arrange transportation. Since there's no conflict in schedules, my husband can drive me. Also, this time it's not too far. If it were at an unfamiliar spot, I'd be checking with the store and the Internet, even my Iphone, to figure out how to get there.

If I haven't done it before, the night before I:

• Make the final decision on my clothes. What I wear depends on the image I wish to project. Tomorrow, I'll wear an argyle sweater with white cuffs and collar, a black jacket for just in case it's cold, black slacks and black leather comfortable shoes since I plan not to sit still, but scout out the readers. This is a safe outfit, which looks professional, but not overly so. Since I have both a mystery and a romantic comedy to sign, I'm treading the line. If I were selling a medical book or something more intense, I'd wear something more staid. I still have to decide on earrings and a ring. I'm not sure if a necklace will go with the outfit. I have time to figure that out tomorrow.


• Get my books together. This time I've put them in a box which fits in a shopping cart. Although it's a mystery authors' book signing, I'm bringing both Two Wrongs, the mystery, and Girl of My Dreams, my romantic comedy. I've had shoppers pick up both books without looking at them and purchase them on the spot. You never know.


• Get my promo together. This time I've put them in two tote bags to balance the load.


• Change purses. I'll pick out one of my many purses that's pretty small because I'll keep it on me when I roam the store. It's not a good idea to abandon your purse at any time during an event like this where it's easy to get distracted. The nicest looking people can hide nasty streaks. Guys don't have to worry about this item on the list.

So, I've got most of my act together. Tomorrow I'll go to aerobics class in the morning, but will have more than enough time to get ready for the 1:00 p.m. start of the book signing. I'll make sure to leave home early to get there ahead of time so I can confirm procedures with the store coordinator and set up my portion of the table. Whatever I do, I don't want anyone wonder where I am. Being late is not the image I want to project.

Time now to relax a bit. I'll be busy enough tomorrow. Let me know what you do to get ready for a book signing. Did I forget anything? Hope not. I'll find out when I get there.