Part One: How to set up a booksigning. Barnes and Noble bookstores are back! #barnesandnoble #eventsigning #booksigning

I discovered a brand-new Barnes and Noble in Brentwood, Northern California. I walked into the store, and my mouth dropped to the floor. There were books, physical books, everywhere. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Best of all, it was FILLED with people: moms, dads, kids, young people, old people, just everyone. The smell of all those books hanging out under their covers was inspiring. No pun intended.

My next book signing will be at Barnes and Noble. My last one at the coffee shop went well, but those masses of books just call to me. I have decided to do my kids books and not my sci-fi series that I'm working on. Kids make the most marvelous audiences. Getting to figure out how to make the book signing work for them and me, I did research on how to make that happen. This is what I came up with. 

Setting up a book signing at a Barnes & Noble location involves several steps, and it's important to approach the process professionally and with preparation. Here's a guide on how to set up a successful book signing at Barnes & Noble. I wrote it to add to my binder of all things marketing then thought some of my author friends might appreciate it. Treat the company like you would your mother-in-law. 

This is part One, next week part Two

1. Prepare Your Book and Materials

• Ensure Your Book is Available: Barnes & Noble typically requires that your book be available in their system, either physically in stores or through their online platform. Make sure your book is published and listed with them, either through traditional distribution channels or self-publishing platforms. *This was new to me. I didn't think B&N did self-published material. 
• Marketing Materials: Prepare any marketing materials you may need, such as bookmarks, flyers, posters, and other promotional content that will help draw attention to your event. *These can be business cards, flyers, and postcards. It doesn't have to be trendy.

2. Contact the Barnes & Noble Store

• Identify the Right Location: Identify the Barnes & Noble store you’d like to host your signing at. Consider stores that are near your home, are in a region with a strong fan base, or are well-frequented by your target audience. *The associates at B&N are awesome. They will answer all your questions and help support you. 
• Find the Events Coordinator: The key person to contact is the Events Coordinator or Community Relations Manager at the store. They are responsible for organizing events and author signings. *So easy! The kindness is remarkable. My first book signing was with B&N many years ago. I am so happy to see them opening new stores. 
  • Call the store or email them to inquire about their book signing process.
  • Most Barnes & Noble stores have a dedicated email for event inquiries (e.g., [storename][email protected]).

3. Submit an Event Request

• Event Proposal: Provide the Events Coordinator with a formal request or proposal. This typically includes:
  • Your Book Information: Title, author name, genre, ISBN, and a brief description of the book.
  • Book Availability: Indicate that your book is available for sale through Barnes & Noble and may be available for ordering in-store.
  • Preferred Dates: Suggest a couple of dates or timeframes that work for you. Weekends or evenings are often the best for book signings.
  • Your Background: Briefly explain why you are a good fit for a book signing at their store (your experience, following, or local connection, if any).
  • Promotional Strategy: Mention any promotional efforts you're planning (e.g., social media promotion, press release, email campaign).
    
  • *Easy peasy. I haven't done it yet, but I will. Their website is here. I encourage you to check it out. 

Note: It’s recommended to contact the store at least 4-6 weeks in advance to give them time to process the request, promote the event, and prepare.

4. Discuss the Details After your proposal is reviewed, the Events Coordinator will reach out to confirm the details. You'll need to discuss: *I would also suggest that you present a written copy of your proposal and the details you need. Such as:

• Date and Time: Confirm the event schedule.
• Book Stock: Barnes & Noble may ask how many copies of your book you expect to be sold during the event. They might provide a book order form or work with their distributors to have the books available.
• Promotion: Barnes & Noble will often help with promotion via their website, email newsletters, in-store posters, and social media. You’ll also want to actively promote the event via your own channels.
• Event Setup: Understand the logistics of the event. Where will you be seated? Will there be a podium, table, or space for books? Will you need to bring your own materials?
• 5.Promote the Event *Make sure you include how many followers you have on X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• Barnes & Noble’s Help: Barnes & Noble may help promote your event through their website and local marketing channels.
• Social Media: Promote the event across your social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). Use hashtags like #BookSigning and #BarnesAndNoble.
• Email Lists: Send invitations to your mailing list or newsletter subscribers.
• Local Press: Reach out to local media outlets, blogs, or podcasts that might be interested in covering your event.
• Flyers/Posters: Work with Barnes & Noble to see if they can display any posters or flyers in the store ahead of time.