Looks like I'll be heading to Book Expo America in good ol' Washington, D.C. this year. That means...um, I'm not sure what that means, having never been to the thing before. I know it's the Big Show in the trade, and I believe my book will be featured in the New Title Showcase.

I'll be able to do a book signing, which brings us, I suppose, to one of the conundrums faced by many a debut novelist: how do you handle book signings as an unknown entity? Book signings for the Jonathan Kellermans and the Lee Childs and the John Grishams of the world, well, those are probably pretty easy to handle. (I've never been to the BEA before, but I picture a giant loudspeaker blaring "Ladies and Gentlemen, Dean Koontz will now be signing books at Booth 1532," followed by a massive stampede.) Even nonfiction signings by debut authors have a built-in audience: a guy writes a book about the history of plumbing fixtures, he can be sure most folks interested in plumbing fixtures will show up.

The debut novelist, however, faces a somewhat more difficult task. There's no inherent demand for your book, because there's no previous body of work or built-in audience (unless you happen to have a unique platform, or are a celebrity of some kind deciding you're now a novelist).

My strategy? Um, I'll let you know when I have one. But I have a couple of thoughts. First, I'm hoping International Thriller Writers or another writing organization I belong to will have some sort of presence at the show, and maybe give me an opportunity to piggyback a signing there. Second, my publisher has a booth, so I might be able to doa signing there. Third, I think the New Title Showcase might have a signing opportunity; not sure about this, so I'll have to do some more research and get back to you. Fourth, I think Sunday, the last day of the show, is specifically earmarked as "New Authors" and "Midlist Authors" day, so I'm guessing folks who show up on this day are probably looking for new discoveries. (I've been to more than a few trade shows in my time, however. The last day, especially when it falls on a Sunday, isn't usually..."high traffic," shall we say?)

So, have you ever been to BEA, or are you planning to go this year? Any wonderful advice for me? (Leave a comment, or email me.) And most importantly, if you are going:

Would you come to my booksigning? I'll buy you a refreshing beverage of your choice.