Monday, July 14, 2014

The Post Costco Signing Report

This is my book sitting on the on the book table at Costco.  I can't tell you how many times I have browsed that table dreaming of the day Uncovering Cobbogoth would be on it too!  It was a very surreal experience.  :-)

So this last Saturday was my very first book signing!!!  Sometimes I forget that I'm doing all of this stuff for the first time, because of self publishing the book first.  I didn't do any signings or launch parties with the last book, however.  I think I might pretend I've already done it, just to ease my nerves a little, but so far everything has gone really well surrounding the relaunch of this book.

My expectations when I arrived at Costco were low so that I wouldn't be disappointed if nobody came.  I was determined to gain at least 10 new potential fans (sell 10 books) by the time I was done.  I even kept a little tally sheet just to let me know how I was doing throughout my three hours there.

But my expectations were exceeded exponentially! :-) Hows that for a sentence?

After my Costco experience this Saturday, I learned that 1) gaining potential fans isn't as scary or hard as I thought it would be, and 2) those people walking by were a whole lot nicer and willing to listen than I was prepared for.  A lot of them were actually eager to learn about my little book and give it a chance.  I think sometimes, because I know the ins and outs of this story, I've seen and slaved over it's weaknesses and faults; because I know that while it's as good as I can do at this point in my development as a writer, it still isn't perfect, I sometimes think other people will see all of those things too.  But I'm learning more and more that people are just generally really amazed that 1) you actually wrote a book in the first place, and 2) that you were actually able to get a publishing house to publish said book.  And most of them really want you to succeed.

So, pretty much I was blown away this Saturday by the kindness of strangers.  Most importantly, I was amazed at how many of you who are already fans made the effort to come out and support me and my book that day.  I am so humbled and so grateful for your support.  This story wouldn't be without the countless people who have and continue to believe in it.  This includes you too amazing family of mine!

And now, without further ado, I'm happy to report that I far exceeded my goal of gaining 10 new potential fans, and ended up nearly selling out of Costco's supply of my book.  By the time I left, there were only 10 copies of Uncovering Cobbogoth left! It was pretty ironic.

Here are a few pics my main man Mikey snapped of the event.

My husband was documenting what happened at the book table while I was busy signing away at the author table.  First it was there in all its Cobbogothian glory.  Then it was going.  And then it was gone!  :-)  When I first got to the store and saw the two large piles of books, I was so worried they'd end up having to send some back to my publisher.  But as you can see, things worked out nicely.  

This is my sister Eve and her family (minus the blonde boy in the yellow stripes. He's mine.) who came up from Nephi to support me.  These guys are what Mike and I refer to as my Super Fans!  My sister Eve has been Uncovering Cobbogoth's 2nd biggest fan, bar none.  Aside from myself, she's read the book more times at various stages than anyone.  Consequently, she is one of the three people Uncovering Cobbogoth  is dedicated to.  And her kids are no exception.  The two oldest have read the book, and are almost as excited about it as their mom . . . almost.  :-)


This is my Amazing sis-in-law and her cutie patootie little girl.  They came down from Heber for the  signing.  Amidst all of the strangers, it was so nice to see familiar faces.

This here is my cute mom.  She surprised me by coming all the way down from Lyman, WY.  She did that one other time when I was in high school at a Region track meet. (The other times she came to things, I knew she was coming.)  But I remember this time particularly, because I was under a lot of stress that day. I was the top distance runner in my school, and my coaches were counting on me to win all of my races so our team could take state.  Needless to say, when my mom showed up unexpected, I about burst into tears I was so relieved.  I felt pretty close to the same when she showed up at Costco on Saturday.
So there you have it!  The Spanish Fork Costco signing in a nut shell.  :-)

For more photos of the event, you can click on our Instagram button up top.  While you're there, follow us!  We try and document all of the events and cool experiences we get to have because of Uncovering Cobbogoth.

Thanks again for all who came out to this Saturday! It was a definite success!
And if you didn't make it to this sighing, there will be another on July 26th at the Costco in Sandy, UT.  Hopefully it will be just as awesome!




2 comments:

  1. Hannah, I got SO choked up reading this and seeing these pics of your beautiful family! Wow, you look like your mother!!!

    SO happy for you it all went so well! Funny----I never think of Costco when I think "book signing"! Glad you mentioned this :) Congrats!!!

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    1. Thank you, Writersideup! I have a pretty fantastic and supportive family--couldn't have done this without them. That's so funny you say I look like my mom, because everyone says I look like my dad. :-) But I'll take it; she's a lovely lady!

      Costco is an odd place for a book signing, but for me it was pretty significant. I've been passing by the book section at Costco for the last five years, dreaming of the day when my book would be there too. Consequently, it's kind of ironic that the first store I saw my book in was Costco.

      Thanks again for stopping by!

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