The Great Book Signing of 2013

The other day we did our first official local book signing. But this wasn't just any ordinary book signing, because it involved Star Wars, G.I. Joe, and the Avengers. That's right, this was a book signing held at the I Want More Comics! comic book store in Denver.

Shortly after taking this picture, George Lucas and Hasbro both sued us.

Needless to say, it was a hell of an interesting experience. We sold some books, we made some new friends, and we got a few more interesting stories under our collective belts.

These are the three things we learned from our book signing:

1. You can always tell who is and isn't going to buy, because it's always in relation to how close they're willing to stand to the table. People not interested in buying (but still nosy enough to wonder what the hell we're doing there) will get as close as they possibly can without creating any form of human contact. Because, you know, if they approach us they'll be sucked into our "void of imminent sales."

On the other hand, the people willing to buy are always the ones who come up close. Even if it's a little too close.

2. Bragging about yourself is awkward but necessary. As an Indie author, the only way to sell a book is to brag about your achievements. Modesty just doesn't sell books.

But the moment you start bragging, people will suddenly start reconsidering.

...Just don't get too carried away.

You aren't truly a "famous writer" until you've signed a middle-aged man's hairy moobs.

3. Comic book geeks will take any opportunity to argue about their favorite comic book/TV show/movie, regardless of whether you actually initiated the argument or not.

We actually got stuck in a very long, very heated, and very one-sided argument with a guy we'll call "Joey" who is very, uh, passionate about the topic of Star Wars.

For at least 10-15 minutes we listened to Joey ramble on and on about Star Wars, aka that movie we both saw some 20 years ago and have forgotten almost every single detail of ever since.

We had no way of escaping, since we were confined to this table, and soon we were his verbal prisoner. We were looking for a way out, but even his mother coming to pull him away and take him home (no, really) did not deter his fervor.

At first we were nice to him because we thought he was there to buy a book. Then we quickly realized he was just there because we were a pair of captive ears, and Brandon asked the dreaded question.

And after all that, he didn't even want a book. Or his moobs signed. I think he just wanted someone to talk to that wasn't his mother.

Regardless, the signing was a fun experience, and we'd love to do one again, even if we have to deal with another Joey.

Anyone else know a 'Joey'?

Cheers and stay classy, friends,
-B&B

Beer: Mojo IPA
Music: Bill Withers