Indie Author's Guide: Going to a Book Signing
- Mindy Killgrove
- Jul 18, 2025
- 4 min read
When Indie Authors are preparing to go to a book signing, they must start by packing the essentials: their books, a small piece of bookish swag, and some kind of display stand.
Congratulations! You’ve done it. Not only have you penned a book and published it, but you’ve connected with a bookshop and arranged to participate in an author meet and greet session. If you’ve already made it that far, thankfully, most of the tough stuff hasn’t fazed you. But, before you head out to celebrate the birth of your book baby, let’s get you the supplies you need to succeed.
Books: Yep, you’re going to need a few of these beauties. A good rule of thumb is to have twenty books on hand. If this is your first book, then go to your book signing with twenty books in your possession. Twenty is a solid number because you’re not likely to sell out during your 2–4-hour session, but if you do, you’ll feel like a real champ. If you have written more than one book and plan to bring all your work to this signing event, it might be a good idea to bring at least ten copies of any stand alone novel as well as ten copies of the first book in any series. After that, play it by ear. If your newest book happens to be the third one in a series, then you’d probably better bring ten copies of books 1, 2, and 3. Because I have a rather extensive backlist, I usually opt for bringing ten copies of the first books in my series, but then I only bring 2-3 copies of everything else.
Bookish Swag: Even if this is your first book and your first book signing, it never hurts to have some small trinkets on your table that will attract buyers. If you’re feeling creative, try your hand at making homemade gifts. But, if not, opt for easy pieces that can be purchased and spread out in an appealing design.
Most authors start with bookmarks or stickers as their gifts and there’s no need for you to feel like you have to break that mold. You can buy these products in bulk and distribute them as you please. I generally come up with unique phrases for my stickers and buy them from Sticky Brand, but if you want some cute stickers that won’t bust your budget, check out these.
Display Stands: There’s no need to invest tons of money in your displays. When you’re just starting out and maybe only have one or two books, the best thing to do is to buy a couple of sturdy, but cheap book stands so that your books don’t just lie flat on the table.
One of my first purchases was this five pack of acrylic book holders. I’m proud to say that I’ve done dozens of book events at this point and my handy dandy book stands are still serving their purpose.
After you have completed writing and publishing a full series, or you’ve got at least three books to your name, you may want to consider investing in a display stand. There are loads of fabulous shelving units out there, but the one I use is light-weight, durable, and allows readers to get a look at my products easily without having to move a bunch of books around or slide objects out of the way.
Once you’ve got these three items packed, the rest of your to-do list should be minimal.
When you first arranged for this book signing, chances are that you communicated with someone who is affiliated with the bookstore. That person—the owner, manager, or clerk—should have given you a list of directions. Read it closely! From this document or email, you will learn what the venue provides, the type of payment method that is preferred, and other helpful tips (like where you should park on the day of your signing.)
*Quick Hint: Every bookstore operates differently, and each owner has their own set of requirements regarding payment. I have worked with some booksellers who charge the author a “table fee”, but then allow you to price, sell, and collect payment for your books in any way you like. (For the record: I use Square, Apple Pay, and I also accept Cash, but I know tons of authors who prefer Venmo and PayPal.) There will be other bookstore owners who will not charge you any fees up front, but they will divide the profits with you on the backend. (Some will suggest a 60/40% split while others will give you 70/30%.) The terms tend to be non-negotiable. Please note which method your bookseller uses well in advance because if you need to bring items that will help you take payments from customers, those pieces and parts will need to be tucked into your bag first.
Here's a list of additional items you may want to consider bringing with you to this book signing.
Price List
Sweets, Prizes, or Baskets
Water Bottle
Tablecloth
Sign
Download the Printable PDF so you can check these items off your own list before heading out to the bookshop.
At the end of the day, please remember that so long as you show up with a stack of books and a smile on your face, you’ll be just fine.
Best of luck to you, my friend!
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