Indie and Self-Pub Book Corner discussion

If you're a self-published author, have you ever held a reading or other promotional event at a local independent bookstore or library?

I know most self-published authors use social media and the internet to promote their books but has anyone found ways to promote and sell their books in person?

If anyone has promoted and sold their books using things other than the internet, please share!

On of my authors will be doing this in the very near future. He will be donating a copy of his POD (Print-On-Demand) book to the library and will also have a photo-op with for the local paper.

I offered to donate a couple of my books to my local library. They said they couldn't accept donations, but would buy them. It didn't feel like a brush off, but we'll see if they really do it.

My little library (honored in 2011 as the best small library in America by Bill and Melinda Gates) held a local authors day last year in March. There were about 15 of us. We read from our books and talked to folks who came by. No one sold very many books. I enjoyed connecting with other local authors.

Sadie wrote: "I offered to donate a couple of my books to my local library. They said they couldn't accept donations, but would buy them. It didn't feel like a brush off, but we'll see if they really do it."

That's too bad they wouldn't accept your donation. My library took two of my books (all that were published at the time) and the books have been checked out fairly regularly. I guess different libaries have different rules.

Rhonda wrote: "Sadie wrote: "I offered to donate a couple of my books to my local library. They said they couldn't accept donations, but would buy them. It didn't feel like a brush off, but we'll see if they real..."

Well, I am in the UK. Maybe the rules are different.

I was lucky. It wasn't really a bookstore, but I held a book signing at the coffee shop where I work. (Pretty original--a barista that's also a writer.) I didn't get a lot of exposure, but there was some, and every bit counts.

J. X. wrote: "I was lucky. It wasn't really a bookstore, but I held a book signing at the coffee shop where I work. (Pretty original--a barista that's also a writer.) I didn't get a lot of exposure, but there..."

That's a good idead. I mean coffee shops are always hosting open mic nights for musicians I wonder if more would be open to hosting book signings and/or readings for self-published authors.

Laekan wrote: "J. X. wrote: "I was lucky. It wasn't really a bookstore, but I held a book signing at the coffee shop where I work. (Pretty original--a barista that's also a writer.) I didn't get a lot of expos..."

From what I've heard, open mic nights allow for writers, too. What I'd do is, if you have to talk, see if you can simply read from your book.