One from mine might have to be 'Have you had him castrated?'

LoL! The first line can work quite well. I sign mine diagonally, because I've got big, messy writing and it's a fat book, so like you, MW, the end of the line falls downwards and my hand falls off the page, and it ends up being something my bank manager wouldn't pass. I think it looks quite dashing done diagonally, but I expect half the people in the signing queue are thinking, 'Gawd, look at her writing. Just as well they invented the word-processor!'

I'm interested that one shop didn't want you to sign, and I'm sure it's because they can't return them. On the other hand, the booktrade on the whole says 'a signed book is a sold book' and I don't think it's true that it doesn't make a difference. If your book is signed and the other one they were thinking of buying isn't, the signature really does tip the balance - specially when people are buying presents. And I think it make them buy it now, there, instead of thinking 'I'll see if it's cheaper in Tesco's'.

Emma

<Added>

If you want to show you understand the bookshop's dilemma about signing, you could always offer to sign a couple, making a secret resolve to drop back in in a while to see if they want more done.

Thanks for the tips re signing Emma. Esp the idea of offering to sign just a few. Mind you if they've only stocked two copies of your book, then.....
Cheers
Malcolm

Don't get disheartened that they've only got two copies in stock - that's their standard stock of most things. The booktrade's got a lot sharper about inventory in the last few years, and Head Office won't let them order six copies to sit on the shelf for weeks - they'll say have two, and replace them when they sell. A friend of mine who's a manager of Waterstone's seems to spend most of his time juggling stock-numbers.

Emma

Emma. As you'll have guessed, all this promotion lark is new to me. Am encouraged by the 2 in stock scenario. But read this. Prior to going on Southern Counties Radio I phoned local Waterstones branches to mention the fact. They's not heard of the book until then despite the local author element and that it's set in West Sussex. (local sales rep ..where were you?)One branch asked me to order 10 on their behalf. I said surely I couldn't do that. But yes I could and did. When I got back to the store to verify that had been done I was told a further 6 a had been ordere by tele sales to ensure the books were in before my interview. The other two branches on hearing that promptly ordered 10 each. An hour after the interview had gone out I was in one branch where an assistant said someone had just phoned to ask if the book was in stock. And as I stood talking to the manager, a woman came in, peered round the pile of books next to me and the said 'Excuse me, but where would I find 'Pets in Prospect'. She's just heard about it on the radio. Such is the power of the media I guess. You could write a book about it.

MW, I would say your publisher isn't doing their job, but to be fair, it's the kind of thing that just does go astray between Publicity who knows about the radio interview, and Sales who know about the shops but rarely visit them - the chains buy centrally, and the indies only work through telesales. Well done you for joining up the two. This sounds typical of what people mean when they say that even when you are published, an awful lot of the publicity is up to you.

Are you a member of the Society of Authors? They have a message board in the Members' Section, and a post asking for suggestions might garner excellent, road-tested advice on these things - there's a huge amount of experience there.

Emma

Emma. Sounds as if it would be a good idea for me to join the Society of Authors to get some further guidance. My biggest fear is that after this initial publicity push - my book was officially published on th 4th Dec - it will be difficult to engender any further interest in it as there will no longer be the excuse of 'just published' to use. I know I have to build on the publicity generated so far - local press coverage, couple of national magazine reviews in the pipeline, one celebrity quote, 7 radio interviews - and my friends accuse me of being a moaning minnie having achieved this much in a short space of time. But as a complete novice it's very hard to see how to keep the momentum going. I feel the book will sink unless the ripple effect of further publicity can keep it afloat. So joining the Society might be the life line I need. Thanks.
Malcolm

You have achieved an amazing amount, but you're right, now's the time to keep pushing. Do you have a website for it and you? Have you had a look at the Alison Baverstock book about marketing for authors? The Soc of Authors leaflet on the same subject is basically a potted version of that.

Emma

Emma

Been meaning to ask, was reminded by what you say about signing diagonally, why is your book a different shape to most other hard-backs? Or at least I think it is.

Pete

I think your best bet, MWman would be to contact the local radio stations and your local papers and offer to do a 'Pet Expert Advice' phone in slot or column.
Also check out your local town/county websites to see if they have a blogspot for locals, and sign up to one. Make sure you are introduced as local vet .... who wrote the bestseller 'Pets...' available from local bookstores.

Thanks for advice re doing pet expert advice on local radio/paper but only so many times could I plug my book before being chucked off. Did an Agony Uncle column on My Weekly magazine for 15 years. Not too sure I want to return to that. Town blog spot is an excellent idea. Had actually seen something about my book signing in local library on a Google search. So will follow that up. Thanks.

Naomi, that sounds like really good advice. Someone like Malcolm really does have great opportunities to build a general media profile.

Pete, yes, it is a different shape. I think it was a just a design question: ever since Longitude the fat-little-treasure-trove has been one option for the more 'literary' end of the market. It also makes it stand out from the hardback crowd, both for the booksellers (who you hope will think 'Headline are really doing a number on this book - they must think it's worth it' and for the ultimate buyers (who you hope will think it looks like a really engrossing read to curl up with). The proper name for that shape is apparently 'square royal' but everyone, rather endearingly, calls it 'stumpy quarto'. The export trade pb was the same shape and size, but the UK pb is going to be the standard A-format.

Emma

While we're on the signin subject, has anyone gone into random bookshops and offered to sign copies of your book?

Yes, I have. So far, they've always been pleased but I know Malcolm had one shop say 'no thanks'. More fool them!

Emma

On the subject of signing books, this may, or may not be of interest to some. My next book, A Gentle Axe, is being published as a trade paperback. However, there will be a limited edition hardback run (500 copies) exclusive to Goldsboro Books. That was sorted out by David at Goldsboro. They only carry hardbacks so he made Faber produce some hardbacks for him to sell. They are slightly more expensive (£16.99) than the trade paperback but they will be signed. He told me to spread the word, so here I am spreading!

Anyhow, that means that I have a busy day at Goldsboro to look forward to. If you go to Goldsboro books home page, you should be able to see mine in the left hand margin.