By Chris Olsen

A recent Publish Her author tip on social media—a meme with a best-selling and sometimes controversial author flinging books after signing them—went viral on Instagram and TikTok. Its satirical message to authors: “To sell more books, don’t be an a*hole.” The video has garnered more than seven million views and tens of thousands of likes and comments—mostly from readers disheartened by what appears to be the author’s carelessness. Many comments were from followers, but the majority were from non-followers.

Some disapproved of the message and defended the author. They noted he had challenged himself to sign a large number of books in a short period of time. Others admonished Publish Her and commenters with opposing views about how the author handled the books. As toxic exchanges escalated on Instagram, we limited the comments and clarified that the meme was intended to be a sarcastic response to what was happening in the video and not a commentary on the author’s overall character. The point was that how authors share behind-the-scenes moments matters. Especially when it involves something people care deeply about—like books.

The reactions to the video revealed a lot. One thing that stood out was that most people—including many authors—aren’t clear about the various ways signatures get into books and how those autographed copies get to readers. Here are six common ways:

Tip-Ins

Authors sign single pages, often in large quantities, that are tipped (inserted) into the book before or after it’s bound. They are typically signed behind the scenes and are often used for promotional purposes by the publisher.

Bookplates

Authors sign decorative labels that are meant to be adhered to the inside cover or another page of a bound book. They are typically signed behind the scenes and used for promotional purposes or when book copies are not available.

Pre-Orders

Authors sign large quantities of books behind the scenes to fulfill pre-orders placed by event partners, retailers, etc. These signings often coincide with an author or literary event (book launch, conference, convention, etc.) at a retail store or another location.

Book Events

Authors sign and often personalize copies for readers at in-person book events. If large crowds are expected, the author may pre-sign books behind the scenes and add a personalized message during the event. These events provide an opportunity for authors to connect with their audience.

Retail Visits

Authors unofficially visit retail stores, look for their books on shelves and sign them. While this is sometimes done without the store’s knowledge, it’s a good idea to get permission. Many retailers have “Signed Edition” labels available to place on books autographed by the author.

Author Websites

Many authors make signed copies of their books (and bookplates) available to order on their websites. Some offer personalization, which provides an opportunity to connect with readers outside of in-person book events.

Final Thoughts

Viewers of the viral video also had opinions about the author’s signature, including the pen he used. There aren’t strict guidelines around this, but many commenters felt strongly that author signatures should be discernible.

What do you think? Are you an author who has mastered book signings? Drop us a line—we’d love to know more.

About the Author

Chris Olsen is a book designer, publisher, educator and the author of “Whyography: Building a Brand Fueled by Purpose.” The founder of Publish Her and Publish Her Story, Chris has helped thousands of women tell their stories and publish their books.

About Publish Her

Publish Her is a female-founded publisher dedicated to educating authors and elevating the words, writing and stories of women. We are passionate about amplifying the voices of women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We aim to make publishing an attainable, exciting and collaborative process for all.