Book signings are often associated with high-profile authors drawing long queues of fans eager to meet their literary idols.
But that’s just part of the story.
Because they hold equal, if not greater, significance for new and lesser-known writers.
For these authors, a signing event is more than a promotional opportunity—it’s a chance to connect directly with readers, build their audience, and establish their presence in the competitive world of publishing.
At their core, book signings are about forming relationships. Readers value meeting the person behind the words, and this face-to-face interaction can leave a lasting impression. For new writers, this personal connection often translates into loyal readership. It allows them to share their passion, discuss their journey, and create a sense of authenticity that readers can connect with, leading to stronger word-of-mouth recommendations.
For emerging authors, visibility is everything. A signing event—whether at a local bookstore, library, or literary festival—creates a unique opportunity to showcase their work in a physical space. It puts their book into the hands of potential readers who may not have encountered it online or in stores. Even modestly attended events can yield substantial returns in awareness and future sales.
Every author has a story beyond the pages they write, and book signings provide a platform to share it. Discussing inspirations, challenges, or the creative process allows writers to resonate with attendees on a deeper level. For less-well known or even first time authors, this personal storytelling can create a memorable experience, encouraging their new readers to support their journey and spread the word.
Book signings often bring together a variety of people—readers, bookstore staff, the local media and sometimes other authors. For new writers, these events are valuable networking opportunities. A positive impression made on a bookseller or librarian can lead to future collaborations or invitations to participate in larger literary events.
I now have numerous book signings to look back on, valuing every single one of them for what they brought me in terms of the book as well as my name, accessibility and visibility as a professional writer. I have come, through these, to greatly appreciate meeting new (and old) readers, engaging with local communities, and building my personal brand through these gatherings, discovering, in the process, that even smaller, intimate events, where no more than thirty or forty people might attend, can still generate widespread enthusiasm for a book, fostering connections that endure long after the event ends.
So if you’re a first time writer wondering if it’s worthwhile holding such an event to promote your new work (and some publishers will arrange them on your behalf-but be prepare to travel to, for example, a branch of Waterstones on a Saturday morning somewhere at relatively short notice!), remember that, even though you may think there would be little to no interest in your book, they are, however modest a first signing may be in terms of scale or attendance, a very genuine investment in long-term growth and a vital step toward building a loyal readership and making a meaningful first impression in the literary world.
