We all have at one time or another had the fantasy of our books being absolutely indispensable to readers - and that our genius is immediately recognizable even without the benefit of creating awareness or self-promotion. Well, for some very famous authors this may be true - but then again, publishers still spend millions of dollars promoting even the greatest writers' books. Having your book recognized for the high quality endeavor that it is, and selling some in the process, really is ALL about an awareness of both you as an author and your book. One of the hard truths of the self-publishing industry is that authors must work diligently to create a market for their books - and all without the multi-million dollar budgets of the big publishers.

Author Events are the primary vehicle for the self-published author to get out and meet the public, and they can be your ticket to both sales and increased publicity - all thanks to your local retail outlet. This article will be your quickstart guide to developing and setting up winning Author Events and Book Signings.

Follow the steps outlined below, and you'll find yourself scheduling more effective (and enjoyable) events, selling more books, and reaching more readers than ever before.

1 - Research the target locations

Keep in mind that sometimes (more often than not as a matter of fact) the best place to sell books ISN'T in a bookstore. Craft book? What about hobby or fabric stores? Cookbook? What about a local gourmet shop? Business or finance book? Any local seminars coming up that you could "piggyback" with? History or historical fiction? How about your local historical society functions?

Each bookstore has a specific focus, clientele and "ambiance" that contribute to its success. These traits are determined by the store's location, the inventory focus, the personality of the manager and her or his team, and the appearance and atmosphere of the store itself - and these factors drive what products sell within this store. Make sure ALL of these factors support YOUR topic and your book. For example - a store focusing on children wouldn't be the place to pitch your latest investment strategy guide