Thursday, October 11, 2007

Take Me Out to the Trade Shows -- Jay

This past Sunday, I had my first official book signing. Woo-hoo!

Penguin sent 60 hardcover copies of Thirteen Reasons Why to the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association trade show in Oakland. Every half-hour, four authors were scheduled to sign their books, and I was in the first batch o' four. I arrived early to help set-up my books, but they told me to relax and wait behind the curtains until they announced my name over the P.A. (That’s right…I was getting announced!)

“Jay Asher will now be signing copies of Thirteen Reasons Why in the autograph area.”

- Jodie Christensen -
owner of the first autographed hardcover
copy of Thirteen Reasons Why

Here’s the line-up of that first autographing timeslot: Michael Hoeye, Scott Westerfeld, Alice Walker, and Jay Asher. C’mon, sing along! “One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn’t belong.”

Michael Hoeye (very cool guy) and I talked for a long time at the Penguin booth about the business-side of writing. Basically, I said things like, “Oh, absolutely. That’s been my experience, as well,” and, “Definitely. It’s all about the facial hair and vertical stripes.”


For the first time, I felt like an official author. Booksellers I didn’t know were approaching me to share their feelings about my book. Or to tell me how many copies they ordered for their stores. Or to ask if I’d be interested in doing an in-store signing.

Yes, this is what it’s all about, baby!

When I got home, a FedEx package from Listening Library was waiting for me on my doorstep. Inside? Five copies of my audiobook! Here’s what disc five looks like:
What’s so special about disc five? The ending! And if you don’t already know what I’m talking about, check this out.

- Jay

16 comments:

Mac McCool said...

Mega-congrats Jay!!!!!!!!!!

SilberBook-Blog said...

Way-cool, dude! I am so excited for you!
Love hearing about the process - (and as a facial hair wearer - I agree it's all about the whiskers!)

alan

CJ Omololu said...

I sent Lee, the owner of World of Books in my town over to see you. I told him that I'd get my copy from him if he checked you out.

Hey! You didn't come over to jump on our trampoline. I knew I was feeling empty...

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOD!!!! This is for real, isn't it? You're going to be soooooo famous. Let me know if you're going to come to Florida for a book-signing. Congrats (again!). Lamy

Disco Mermaids said...

I met a couple people from World of Books, CynJay...and I've got the bookmark to prove it!

I'll be doing a signing in Menlo Park at the end of November, so save me a spot on that trampoline.

- Jay

Anonymous said...

very exciting, jay! thanks for sharing the pics! =)

*heidi

Anonymous said...

MENLO PARK:

are you going to kepler's, jay?

i'll come see you! also planning on going to the event at s.f. books inc.

*heidi (again)

Rachel said...

I am so happy for you! I almost jumped up and cheered but then I stopped because I didn't want to frighten all these Starbucks customers. I just clapped and smiled until my cheeks hurt.

Disco Mermaids said...

Kepler's it is!

And that was probably a good idea to stifle yourself, Rachel. Starbucks customers can be a little jittery.

- Jay

LindaBudz said...

And so it begins ... enjoy what is sure to be a long, fun ride, Jay!!!

Anonymous said...

That is so cool! Hooray! I'm going to the dinner thing a week from Saturday and can't wait to get hold of your book!

Stephanie J. Blake said...

Ya baby...bask in the glow! xxoo

Sarah Beth Durst said...

So cool, Jay! Congratulations! I hope every second of the signing was wonderful.

Best wishes,
Sarah

Laini Taylor said...

Awesome, Jay! So glad you had a good time! And that IS quite a lineup! When I met Michael Hoeye at SCBWI a few years ago he had no facial hair and cherry-popsicle-red hair, still standing straight up. Maybe that was my inspiration for MY hair. Who knows? Awesome on the audio too! Woo hoo! What a month! Woo hoo!

Sarah Stevenson said...

Wow, Jay! That's really exciting. Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS, Jay!!!!

-Ruta