Saint Patrick's Day Author's Event

I was fortunate to be invited to make a presentation on my novel at local independent bookstore, Mystery to Me, on St. Patrick’s Day.  It’s a small store and the audience of 10 mostly filled the back corner of the store that is set up for author presentations.  In the front of the store a table was set up with a display of my books, a plate of shamrock cookies and a bottle of wine.  It was an inviting display.

I provided two bottles of whiskey, a Concannon and a Jameson aged black label to share with the audience following my presentation.  I sent out 35 evites for the event but received only one positive response.  However, of the 10 people attending I knew 7 of them and each had received an evite but didn’t respond.  That is one of the mysteries of evites.  I’ve concluded people don’t like to make a commitment and respond yes.  I did receive about 10 no’s most because people had plans to go out and eat corn beef and cabbage that night.

There were a number of excellent questions during my presentation.  But - - - there’s always that one in the crowd isn’t there.  Yes, even with an audience of only 10 that one was in my audience.  As part of my presentation I explain how the Irish Republican Army was the first organization designed as international terrorist by the United Nations.  A woman raised her hand and explained she looked up the definition of “terrorism” and had a diatribe on how governments practice terrorism including the French, British, American and others.  What could I say?  She was so off topic.  The only saving grace was a person in the back row raised their hand and I called on him to cut off the woman.  A bit rude but I was desperate.

At the close of the discussion we stood around, sharing a bit of whiskey and talking for about twenty minutes.  Now, here’s the odd thing.  Not one person bought my book.  Not one person bought ANY book.  I was flabbergasted!  People come and listen to a discussion for an hour, drink my whiskey and don’t by a $14.95 book?   

I’ve participated in over 20 events in the past year and in each one sold books.  The Saint Patrick’s Day Event was the first time not a single book was purchased, and this took place in an independent bookstore. 

So, when you attend an author event – PLEASE – BUY A BOOK!