Sitting in a crowded bookstore and signing copies of your latest book for a crowd of admiring readers is a dream for many authors.

Book signings are a time-honored tradition in book marketing. They give you visibility, bring customers to the store, and connect you directly with your readers. Last year, I was fortunate to do a signing inside a Barnes and Noble store (after some persistence on my part).

This past weekend I tried something a little different. Since there was an annual festival in my folk’s former stomping grounds, and since the book I wrote is based on my parents’ adventures, what better place to set up shop than in a field where others sell their wares under canopies in 10 by 10 spaces?

I can tell you that it’s not something you decide to do at the last minute. Like any other book signing, it takes planning. I started figuring it out weeks before.

After contacting the festival’s organizer on Facebook and getting on her list, I needed to plan what I would present in my allotted space.

Unlike some vendors who sell a variety of items (much like a Shipshewana yard sale), my space needed to include eye-catching items related to my book “Mission Possible.” Its spectacular cover, created by a well-known artist I once featured in a newspaper article, has the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro on the center front.

The statue of Jesus Christ is famously mounted at the summit of Mount Corcovado and is celebrated in traditional and popular songs in Brazil. It is mentioned in chapter 4 of my book in a scene when George’s mother visits from the United States.

Among items displayed in my booth was a colorful scarf featuring this statue, along with some cityscapes in the background. This over-sized scarf was not only fun to take you to another place visually, it also served to shield me from the bright sunshine when hanging from the canopy’s top.

After contemplating what to display the books in and wishing for a vintage suitcase, I remembered I had an old trunk my parents used to travel to Brazil by ship in the 1950s. For years, it held dress-up clothes the kids used to play with.

Once I emptied the contents, it made the perfect display for the books to sit inside. I posted a map of Brazil, some reviews and the book’s price for people to read inside the lid. Also inside were some knick-knacks I had collected from Brazil, along with sea shells for visual appeal.

On a card table beside my signing table, I displayed a wedding photo of my folks, one of them while in Brazil (which is on the book’s back cover) and a more recent one professionally taken in a studio.

These pictures were placed on a white lace tablecloth from Brazil, along with sketches my father had drawn. Various newspaper articles of when my book was published were also on this table. Serving as a draw to the table was a basket of mints with a sign to take and enjoy. It’s surprising what little tactics like this can draw people into your booth!

Next to this, a black covering was neatly placed on a 4-foot folding signing table, where I displayed bookmarks that I gave away for free to those who purchased a book. Also displayed was a book easel and a board I had previously purchased with my photo and book information. Business cards were in a small trunk box from Brazil.

An important item ordered online was a vinyl sign with the words: Author Nancy Hastings and my website: nlhastingsauthor.com. The company I ordered it from didn’t allow for artwork on the 2 x 1 foot sign, but I was able to take a black permanent marker and draw the feather pen marking that appears on my business cards. The sign was placed front and center on the top of the awning, giving passers-by a clue of what my booth contained.

A few chairs, a cooler of ice-cold water and a welcoming smile were also helpful in what was an enjoyable day. It was delightful to chat with people who either knew of or were friends of my parents (deceased for more than a decade now).

In retrospect, if you’re a first-time writer with a new book, don’t expect to be swamped with sales. If you sell 10, consider yourself lucky. At this event, I sold nearly a dozen and was thrilled!

I’ve discovered that the point of these book signings isn’t to sell books, however, it’s to get publicity for your book and your name as a writer. It’s a way to get your name and your book’s title out to people who might not know about it. Many readers appreciate hearing about local writers and welcome the chance to go see a local author in person.

Here are some additional tips to successful book signings:

Arrive early to set up

Get to the event in plenty of time to set up your table and hang your posters. If possible, set up a display of your books nearby where visitors can check them out.

Mingle and chat

Take any opportunity to chat with people who come to the signing. Before it starts, spend a few minutes mingling with the crowd and starting conversations. They don’t have to be about your book. Make your attendees feel welcome, and show interest in them as individuals. You’ll forge a true connection that leads to more sales and more devoted fans.

Personalize your messages

Before you sign each book, ask, “Is the book for you, or is it a gift?” That way, you can personalize the message to the person they’re buying it for. Also, be sure to ask for an exact spelling of the name, even if it seems obvious. Don’t take chances.

Additionally, instead of just signing your name, add a touch that makes the book signing memorable for the buyer.

Overall, the two-day event was a success in my eyes. Having meaningful conversations with visitors creates a pride felt at being the featured local writer.

One blogger put it succinctly: “As in all aspects of the creative life, it’s best not to gauge success by dollar signs. Creators deal in a mysterious currency. Did our art act as a conduit for connection, depth, and soul? If so, I call this success.”