By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Your book is out in the world. Congrats, and now what? Have you dreamed of sitting at a table signing books like a literary rockstar? In that case, book readings and signings are the next logical step.

You also dream of reading your favorite passage in a hushed indie bookstore. But are they worth it? And how do you even set one up? Regardless, invite 100 of your closest friends.

Let’s break it down.

Pros of Book Readings & Signings

  • Face-to-Face Connection: Meeting readers in person can be deeply meaningful. It turns your name into a human being instead of just text on a cover.
  • Book Sales & Buzz: Yes, people do buy books at events. Even better, they post photos and tag you, giving your book legs on social media.
  • Bookstore Cold Sales: If you set up at your local bookstore. The store may buy six of your books to sell and a table. You’ll need more, so bring some of your own, and work out an arrangement with the store manager. The store can buy from you or from the publisher and be your cashier. There will likely be a table for you. Set it up by the main display at the front. All customers pass by there. Stand in front of your table and make sure to catch people’s eyes, and hand them your book.
  • Practice Makes Polished: Public readings help you hone your presentation skills. Those will be useful when you do media interviews, speak at conferences, or perform your TED Talk.
  • Community Building: Especially for indie authors, book events offer a chance to engage with local bookstores. They can connect with libraries and readers who want to support local voices.

Cons and How to Manage Them

  • Low Attendance: Sometimes, five people show up. Sometimes it’s your mom, a stranger who came for free wine, and someone lost looking for the knitting group. Solution? Market like it matters, and treat every attendee like gold.
  • Logistics Overwhelm: Booking venues, creating flyers, arranging refreshments. Event planning takes a lot of time. Solution? Partner with hosts who know what they’re doing.
  • Stage Fright: Reading aloud can feel awkward. Solution? Rehearse. Choose an excerpt with natural dialogue or emotional beats, and time it to 5–7 minutes.

How to Set One Up

  • Pick the Right Venue: Indie bookstores, libraries, writing centers, or even coffee shops. Ask if they’ve hosted authors before and what kind of support they offer.
  • Create a Simple Event Page: Use Eventbrite, your website, or a Facebook event to gather RSVPs and promote online. Bonus if the venue promotes, too.
  • Coordinate with the Host: The host (bookstore owner, librarian, or moderator) usually introduces you and may handle book sales. Provide them with your bio, book summary, and talking points in advance.
  • Plan the Flow: Keep your reading tight (5 to 7 mins), followed by a short Q&A. Then, signing time! Bring Sharpies, a stack of books, and something personal to write.
  • Capture the Moment: Take photos, record a snippet, and share. Future you will be grateful.

The Role of the Host and You

The Host:

  • Sets the tone
  • Welcomes the crowd
  • Facilitates the Q&A if needed
  • Sometimes sells books (or helps you do it)

You:

  • Reads an excerpt
  • Engages with the audience
  • Answers questions
  • Signs books and makes readers feel seen

Your Call to Action

Book events can be awkward, amazing, or both. They’re always an opportunity to connect, to practice, and to celebrate your work out loud.

Don’t wait for someone to give you permission. Book that reading, own that stage, and bring your story to life.

Got a book coming out? Start small with a pitch to your local library or indie bookstore for a reading. Need a script or event checklist? Best Chance Media can give you a hand. Contact us.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

Copy and Share This Post on Your Social Media:

📚 Got a new book? Time to read it out loud! Pros, cons, and how to set up your first book signing event like a pro. #AuthorTips #BookLaunch #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #BookEvents #BookSignings #ReadingsDoneRight https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/09/11/the-ultimate-guide-to-successful-book-readings-and-signings/

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Published by Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker

I’ve been involved with community journalism since 1968 when I wrote for my junior school paper, the "Tumbleweed," through high school and college and then wrote for the "Wyoming State Journal." I put aside my newspaper pen and began Boulder Community Media in 2005. There wasn’t much community journalism opportunity, so I resurrected my writing career as a screenwriter. My first short screenplay, “Stardust”, won an award in the 2005 Denver Screenwriting Center contest. I've made a number of movies over the years. Filmmaking is time-consuming, labor and equipment intensive. I recently changed my workflow to first write a book and make a movie based on that content. - Electric Vehicle Anxiety and Advice - This is a memoir travelogue of three trips covering 2,600 EV miles around Wyoming (2022) - Beyond Heart Mountain - Winter Goose Publishers released my memoir in February (2022) - The Zen of Writing with Confidence and Imperfection - This is a book recounting how luck planed into my signing a book deal after a 15-minute pitch meeting. (2020) - True Stories of an Aging Baby Boomer - War stories about living in a cohousing and lessons others can learn when starting their communities (2021) - Beyond Sand Creek - About Arapaho tribal efforts to repatriate land in Colorado (PBS - TBA) - Beyond Heart Mountain - Based on my memoir about my childhood in Cheyenne facing overt and subtle racism toward the Japanese following World War II (PBS - 2021) - New Deal Artist Public Art Legacy - About artists who created work in Wyoming during the Great Depression (PBS - 2018) - Mahjong and the West - SAG indie feature which premiered at the semi-important Woodstock Film Festival (2014) Over the years, I’ve produced directed, filmed and/or edited several short movies, “Running Horses” (Runner Up – Wyoming Short Film Contest), “On the Trail: Jack Kerouac in Cheyenne” (Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival, Top 10 Wyoming Short Film Contest), “Gold Digger” (Boulder Asian Film Festival), “Adobo” (Boulder International Film Festival), “A Little Bit of Discipline” (Rosebud Film Series), and two feature length documentaries “Your Neighbor’s Child” (Wyoming PBS and Rocky Mountain PBS), and “Serotonin Rising” (American Film Market, Vail Film Festival). He also directed and produced the award winning stage play “Webster Street Blues” by my childhood friend Warren Kubota. Boulder Community Media is a non-profit production company dedicated to democratzing media in all their forms - large and small screens, printed page and stage by providing sustainable and community-based content. I mostly work with community-based media producers, organizations, and socially-responsible businesses to develop their content via – the written word, electronic and new media, the visual and performing arts in a culturally competent manner – I’m what’s commonly called a niche TV and movie producer. Along with all this is plying my forte’ – fund development through grant writing, sponsorship nurturing and event planning.

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