More Than a Book Signing

Reflections from Joseph-Beth Booksellers

July 11, 2026

Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating in Joseph-Beth Booksellers’ Local Author Spotlight event. It was my first time signing there, and while I certainly hoped readers would discover my books, I walked away realizing the afternoon had become about much more than sales.

One of my biggest questions leading into the event was whether I could create a professional, welcoming display within a shared three-foot table space while also testing ideas that may inform future Mythic Quill Studios events. During the week before the signing, I worked through several layouts, refined the signage, simplified the presentation, and removed anything that did not directly serve the books or the reader. I relied mostly on materials and equipment I already had, with the goal of creating an economical footprint that still felt polished and intentional. A single title would naturally have had more room to breathe, but presenting both books clearly within such a limited space made the setup a useful real-world test. Sometimes the strongest solutions emerge from constraint, and that certainly proved true here. The final display was compact, approachable, and distinctly mine, a reminder that necessity often shapes the best ideas.

The table cards did exactly what I had hoped they would. I watched readers pause, study the descriptions, pick up a book, turn it over, read the back cover, and then begin a conversation. In one case, a reader simply read the table card, picked up the book, looked it over, and said, “I want this one.” That single moment validated hours of planning and reminded me that good presentation is not about flashy marketing. It is about helping readers understand what a story offers and giving them a reason to take the next step.

Throughout the afternoon, people asked questions such as, “What is the difference between these two books?” and “What age range is this one written for?” Those conversations never felt like sales pitches. They felt like invitations into worlds I had spent countless hours creating.

One friendly reader told me she loved young adult novels and was interested in both of my books. After hearing more about them, she felt Whispers Of The Fallen might be a little too intense for what she usually enjoyed, while Phineas Fitch and the Curious Chest sounded perfect because she loved whimsical stories filled with adventure, mystery, and magic. She purchased a copy, brought it back to my table, and I had the privilege of signing it before placing it into one of my prepared gift bags with a bookmark, folded business card, and thank-you card. It was a small touch, but judging by her reaction, it made the experience feel more personal and memorable.

The children who wandered by found the sticker bowl almost immediately, while several readers picked up bookmarks or paused to look over the display. Those small details served exactly the purpose I had hoped they would. Not everyone who visits an author’s table is ready to buy a book, but everyone should feel welcome to stop, look, ask a question, or take something with them.

One of the greatest surprises of the afternoon was not simply meeting readers, but meeting the other authors. Every one of us had arrived by a different path, and yet there was an immediate sense of shared understanding. Writing is often solitary, but for a few hours, all of us were gathered in the same room with the same hope that someone might pause, pick up a story, and decide to carry it home.

One author had spent years in traditional publishing before deciding to learn self-publishing after feeling that her earlier books had been allowed to fade without much continued support. Another had devoted thirty-five years to public service before retiring and writing a cookbook that blended Italian family recipes with stories, memories, and heritage. We also spoke privately about some of the meaningful work she continues to support today. Out of respect for her and the people involved, those conversations will remain private, but they reminded me that every author carries experiences far deeper than anything printed on a book cover.

I also met an author whose mystery novel grew from a true story that could never be fully shared, as well as another author celebrating the publication of her first novel through a major traditional publisher. Each conversation offered a different view of what it means to write, publish, and keep moving forward.

Perhaps the most memorable person I met that afternoon was Bernie Burns. At ninety-eight years old, Bernie has lived a remarkable life. Long before publishing his books, he spent years in New York’s entertainment world, building his own career as a comedian and crossing paths with names such as Rodney Dangerfield, Lenny Bruce, Jimmy Komak, Billy Crystal, and Tony Bennett to name a few.

Meeting Bernie Burns was one of the highlights of the afternoon. At ninety-eight years old, he is still preserving the stories, memories, and humor of a life well lived—and he is genuinely hunble and funny.

What struck me most was not simply who he had known, but the fact that he was still willing to sit down, write, publish, and share his experiences at ninety-eight years old. He wanted to preserve pieces of a life well lived before those stories disappeared with time. I purchased two of his books, opened one at random, read a page, and immediately started laughing. That was all the convincing I needed.

More importantly, I had the opportunity to shake his hand and thank him. Not because he was famous, but because there was something deeply meaningful about meeting a man who had lived so much life and still believed his memories, humor, and experiences were worth leaving behind. He created something that will remain after him, and I found myself respecting that more than I could easily put into words.

A major part of what made the afternoon so enjoyable was Yetter, who helped coordinate the signing and made sure the authors had everything we needed. He was kind, attentive, and constantly moving, but never in a way that made the room feel rushed or chaotic. He seemed to have complete command of the event in the best possible way, knowing what needed to be done, when it needed to happen, and how to handle it while remaining polite, calm, and helpful.

I could see that he genuinely enjoyed this kind of event and that he was exceptionally good at it. There was a clear sense of care, focus, and pride in the way he worked. His attention to detail allowed the rest of us to relax and be present rather than worrying about the operational side of the signing. Because Yetter was handling the room so well, I was able to focus on speaking with readers, getting to know the other authors, and enjoying the experience itself. Watching him work, I found myself thinking that any organization would be fortunate to have someone bring that level of focus, care, and professionalism to the role.

By the end of the afternoon, Joseph-Beth invited me back for another signing and kept six copies of my books in stock after the event. They also photographed each author individually, took a group photograph, and shared the event through their social media channels. I had not expected that level of attention, and it made the entire afternoon feel like more than a simple sales event.

There was also something genuinely special about the group of authors themselves. Before the event, most of us were simply names listed together on a promotional flyer. By the end of the afternoon, it felt more like an unusual group of friends who had gathered for a few hours. We did not know one another well, but there was a kindred connection among us. Every author had taken a different road to get there, but we all understood the vulnerability, effort, uncertainty, and hope involved in putting a book into the world.

The steady rain likely kept some people home, but those who came brought genuine curiosity and made the afternoon worthwhile. Looking back, I sold two books, and I am genuinely grateful for both readers. Still, the true value of the day was measured by the conversations, the encouragement from fellow authors, the invitation to return, and the experience of seeing ideas I had tested at home work in a real bookstore environment. I am also eager to see how the six books Joseph-Beth kept in stock find their readers during the store’s normal day-to-day flow, outside the focus and energy of a scheduled event.

The table cards worked. The compact display worked. The gift bags added something personal. The bookmarks and stickers gave people a reason to engage even when they were not ready to purchase. Most importantly, the event reminded me that a book signing is not simply about selling books. It is about creating a welcoming space where readers, writers, and stories can meet.

I am grateful to Joseph-Beth Booksellers, to Yetter for the care he brought to the event, to the authors who made the afternoon feel like a gathering of old friends, and to every reader who stopped to look, ask a question, take a bookmark, or carry one of my stories home.

As I continue building Mythic Quill Studios and Mythic Quill Publishing, those lessons are every bit as valuable as the books themselves. Every signing, every conversation, every success, and every mistake becomes part of a growing body of practical experience that I hope will one day help other authors navigate their own journeys.

For now, though, it is time to turn my attention back to my upcoming release, The Hollow Glass: A Lantern Keeper’s Tale. The story is waiting for me, and after yesterday, I find myself even more excited to finish it. These are the stories I want to place in your hands and share with you, so you can enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy bringing them to life.

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Ryan L. Smith
Author | Founder, Mythic Quill Studios LLC

© 2025 Ryan L. Smith. All rights reserved.

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