Signing in the Waldenbooks by Parnell Hall

[NicNac13c]

Awww. If I read mysteries I'd read yours!  ;)

[TerriFarley]

Love this! Congrats on turning the tables on luck, Parnell! Betting this has snagged you lots of readers, including me!

[TerriFarley]

Love this! Congrats on turning the tables on luck, Parnell! Betting this has snagged you lots of readers, including me!

[8145cupcake]

I write humor but I can't cheer myself up the way Parnell Hall does with this parody--it's a great picker-upper. I love it.

Lyla Ward

[Solomonjones1]

As an author, I can empathize. This is so real and so hilarious. That's why I've learned to get up from the table and chase readers down :)

[edenbaylee]

aww...if ever in Toronto, I would be happy to come see you! Great video.

Congratulations on the book, and keep at it!

eden

[ThatOtherCaitlin]

Hehe... this is really funny!

[mommywantstoread]

The inevitable response I get when I say Parnell Hall is one of my all time favorite writers is "WHO???". I just delight in introducing people to one of the funniest mystery writers around. Everyone I've introduced the Puzzle Lady books to have become hooked. So happy to see you've gotten so many views on this video and hope that it has helped generate more sales for my favorite mystery author.

[SaxbySmart]

Absolutely brilliant. I feel your pain, buddy!

[pattyfris]

Someone on DorothyL posted the link to this video. Much to my surprise, I am in it. I was standing on the Mary Higgins Clark line at Malice Domestic. I did apply to be Parnell's personal stalker whenever he comes into my area. Looking forward to it. lol

[joanhallhovey]

I love this. So brave and funny. I was a fan before, but an even bigger one now. Met him once at a writer's conference. Great guy. I'm sure his sales have doubled at least.

[chavrons1]

Edgar Allen Poe. MMm. Washington.

[JamesRHannibal]

Fabulous Parnell, can't wait for the Kindle song to come out!

[terrywervin2]

I feel for Parnell Hall. I've never been shut out (close), but I've also never been placed right next to a big-time author.

Hope this helped his sales!

[Schraderhp]

This is a great video and good music! Thanks for having the courage to post it. I'll bet sales have improved dramatically since you did. I'm going to link this to my facebook!

[bobzim]

Add one more sale. I'm ordering your book today.. Thanks for the very funny (but true) video.

[PublishedWriter]

Loved the video, loved the song, loved the lyrics, but what was the book called???

Maybe if you dress up as a Sherlock type, you know, pipe and magnifying glass??

All the best,

Elizabeth

[edelisi]

Geeze, sounds like a lot of my signings! Thanks for a much-needed laugh.

[MickeyHD]

Been there.... Done that!

[PumpUpPR]

What this guy needs is a virtual book tour instead!

[AnneInCt]

I feel for you - that is a hoot!

[scotticohn]

This is so funny! It was such a relief to know this happens to other writers.

[bettydravis]

LOL... Story of my life, Parnell... This is too funny... Sad but true... Keep that computer humming; your books are great... xo

[AncestralStars]

Great video. Unfortunately, been there... and still doing it. As an SF/Fantasy writer, I can prove that Mystery writers haven't cornered the market on bad signing experiences!

[catalot]

Then there are folks asking where the restroom is... ;->

[CoreyHopeColwell]

43,939 care enough to watch this video! Loved it!

[CoreyHopeColwell]

43,939 care enough to watch this video! Loved it!

[celebrategreen]

When you can't beat up, one up them with a video. Great!

[SmoothSale]

The truth hurts but when you can learn and create something "special" such as this video - Parnell may just have the secret for his book's success - I loved this video!

[Queenofyourownlife]

Having just returned from a 12-city author tour for our book and sitting through several painful booksignings, this made us laugh so hard. Thank you Parnell for capturing the author's lament here. You are our hero!

[DeafArtist321]

He needs to talk to Dr. Ivan Misner about booksignings

[wwwangels]

I feel for you, but maybe the publicity will help. Great song and video! I went to a Stephanie Meyers signing at bookstore in Austin in the early Twilight days. The crowd was huge and waiting for hours and I thought, "Wow, this is what a book signing is all about." Little did I know that was a "dream" most authors aspire to.

[superamerickson]

They say you can't judge a book by it's cover...but, dude, that cover art needs work! Seriously.

[Vomaxx1]

This is pure brilliance. Marvellous. Thank you, Mr. Hall--and good luck with sales.

[thefoole]

Too bad they don't have signings at Amazon.com.

[WouldYaEva]

My late husband wrote scores of science fiction books and he had pretty much the same lament. But cheer up: NPR commentator Marion Winik met her second husband at a sparsely attended signing!

[8novels]

Oh, man, I feel your pain. LOL -- did you try the candy dish trick?

[mkathrynm]

LAUGHING!* - I'm enjoying the comments as much as the video! haw! My publishers told me from the start: "booksignings aren't where it's at anymore, so don't pressure yourself into doing them--just write the next book!" bless them!

Oh, this made me laugh . . . thinking of the book fair were all us authors sat and sat and sat and hardly anyone came in to buy books- even from the best sellers--dang it was a long arse day...but at least I met some cool people.

love it!

[minissa2009]

Doing the same thing on the fantasy circuit and have had the same experience having my signings next to much bigger names whose lines go out the door (although I've had more experience as a CON panelist.) You have a publicist????? Oh, yeah, I write for the small Canadian house Dragon Moon.

[CelticChick9]

Cool country song. That's a bummer when no one shows up or people just stare at you. Since he writes mystery, maybe he could hold a bloody knife and see how people react to that. lol

[dmarijohn]

Brilliant viral video. Cute.

[erzitmud]

oh wow..I just had one of those I TOTALLY GET IT!!! moments... Great video...

[wilsonwriter08]

I'm a published author, with even one NY Times bestseller to my name. I've experienced this painfully humorous situation myself on many occasions. Fans tell me all the time, "You need to come to our town." They don't seem to realize authors usually pay for these trips out of pocket. If I had unlimited time and money, I'd do thousands of signings for one fan at each--I love my fans!--but it's just not a practical option.

Thanks for sharing this, Mr. Hall!

Eric Wilson

[morphinemoniza]

zomg so cute

[SaintLucere]

As an aspiring writer myself, I can sympathise.

Also, although I'm not a mystery reader, I don't think I could resist a book with the name "Puzzle Lady vs Sudoku Lady" ;) It's been added to my wishlist to be bought over the summer. You seem like a nice guy, I can give mysteries a chance :D

[kenrg]

Been there. Done that. But I never got to sit with Mary Higgins Clark!

[raian76]

Love it. I read Hitman, wonderful book. I've been where you are, but people came ;)

[carlynarr]

Absolute genius. Parnell, are you sure you don't want to try writing songs professionally instead of books? ;)

[michylynnj]

That was awesome! "Why'd they have to sit me next to Mary Higgins Clark?" LMAO - excellent! I've been there...LOL

[daileybaker1]

This is truly hilarious. So great to turn a common experience of success & its aftermath (for most of us -- in all the arts!) -- the excruciating feeling of these things, even in the face of a great achievement! Kudos to you for turning it around. The tune keeps going through my head!

[ZaraOver]

wish u luck :)

[kristanlh]

"But why'd they have to sit me next to Mary Higgins Clark?" LOL omg seriously, that would be so hard...

[Jacob64150]

POST YOUR WEB ADDRESS AND BOOK'S TITLE!!!

[allencrider]

You aren't the only one, Parnell.

[Livenlaff]

Everyone is at Barnes & Noble.

[BootyBear1111]

forget writing become a ROCKSTAR!!!

[1SamMoff]

YOU CAN DO IT

[liarsclub75]

Aw poor guy. Hopefully this video will help!

[eapro]

Nearly 26,000 views on YouTube. This looks like a good publicity move, but he didn't put his website on the end of the video. In he end he will become better known for singing about being a writer than for selling books.

Best of luck Mr. Hall! Great song and video! Don't know if it makes me want to read your books though...

[DavidDvo]

A sad and common experience. Good for him that he can see the humor in it and put it on YouTube.

[SusanGabriel]

Now I understand why many writers become recluses. It's better to be mysterious than invisible! LOVE the video and better luck with your future signings.

[fromelina]

Laughing for ages!

Mystery isn't really my genre, but now I'm motivated to pick up his book. An author with a good sense of humor can't be bad at all :)

[sarimn00]

I love this video, and since I love mysteries and he was willing to make light of the situation, I'm going to go find his book. I hope he has better luck in the future!

[DonicaC]

GREAT video! I can SOOO relate! Did my first (and last) signing at Barnes and Noble--I had family show up but the rest of the public avoided me like the plague!

[sallyawolf]

I'm still a would-be published writer but I'm adding the video to my favorites! Too funny and too true! Some of the viewer comments are great. I'm hanging onto those as well! (Just in case I really do end up at one of those tables someday!) I'd add another suggestion...create a series of great videos and put 'em on YouTube! Way to go Parnell! You just sold another book!

[CasaDeAgua]

"While i stand here talking to the guy who came in to buy john grisham" Looool

[ladyeuthanasia]

HA! I can relate. This is why we have friends descend to keep us company in case of desolate signing tables.

[2kooltk]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Only a writer can truly understand the humor in this video, LOL!

[Fuhleeheece]

Oh, this is awesome! The life of a writer is surely fraught with disappointment.

[dmcdine]

Oh my goodness. I'd go with the suggestion to bring your guitar next book signing. Also, bring a laptop and play the video at your table.

[kathystemke1]

Excellent video. Has it helped your book sales. I hope so. I'm about to have my first book published. Do I really have this to look forward to???

[bookwormladymom]

This is just too funny!!!

[lokhtar]

Haha, so awesome.

[digitig]

It's not just authors, and it's not just book signings. I remember listening to a radio phone-in with comedian and naturalist Bill Oddie, when nobody at all phoned in. And I had a good long chat with designer Kaffe Fassett at an exhibition where he was clearly feeling lonely because nobody was visiting his stand (I suspect nobody else even knew who he was -- my gain, because I love his work).

[generationj]

Wonderful! We've all been there! (Well, those of us who have published books, anyway.)

[MaryRobinette]

Ouch! Funny because it is so painfully familiar.

[OpalCarew]

Great video.

When I went to the RT con in 2007, no one knew who I was. There was an author with a huge lineup in front of me, so my husband handed out my bookmarks to people waiting in line. I had several people come by asking for the book and I sold out. (It was only about 15 books, but, hey, I thought that was great!)

Now when I do bookstore signings, my husband hands out book marks at the door and tells people I'm signing. Sometimes I only sell 1-2 copies, but often I sell 10-15.

[BonSueB]

Great video! Thanks for the laugh... it's good to know other authors have the same type of experiences.

[phazeromance]

Too funny. This song could be about me, too. I've been placed next to NYT bestsellers at Romantic Times, and watched their lines grow. I've done group signings where two customers entered the store all day. Thanks for sharing what it's like in the trenches.

[terryspear]

When I signed at one of my local book stores, the owner said that a NY Times best selling author hadn't sold one book. Sometimes it helps to put a local spin on it. Sometimes, nothing helps! Loved the video. Off to share it with my fellow authors!

[sandylender]

Hysterical. Try doing a signing for a fantasy novel in a town where the median age is 64. Wow. A good idea is to get some shills to show up and attract attention...have you tried that? It does work...one of my friends went around B&N handing out bookmarks and telling customers where I was stationed. This is a great video! Definitely inspired. Great humor! I wish you the best!

[BridgetMidway]

Been there. Thanks for the chuckle.

[debnovel]

Romance author signings are similar. Thanks for the chuckle.

[rowenabeau]

Thank you for this poignant video. I can relate, too.

[rjbbelle]

I own a bookstore and always try hard for a successful signing, but sometimes the sun comes (we live in the Northwest) out and no one comes in. I won't ask you to do a singing, but I will be sure that we have all of your books in stock and play this video for our customers. Thank you for the laugh.

[DeeMolition]

Oh, Paul, I am so there with you and I'm sure so many other authors are too! I often appear on panels at conventions (I'm a literary agent as well as an author) but I never do book signings at conventions because I know there's no point.

[COLLETTETHOMAS]

I love this video. Been there, done it. Why I now directly upload my stories to Amazon for their Kindle and each day I check the stats. Lo and behold someone is buying them!

Collette Thomas

[dianewylie]

What a great video! I can relate to this.

[lairdfivecats]

I think Parnell's promoter was Artie Fufkin

[dianabirchall]

One of life's more uncomfortable experiences - but what a charming, funny riff on it! Loved this. I'll buy your book if you buy mine...

[CherylStJ]

This is hilarious! I signed beside Linda Howrd at an RT conference once, so I know exactly how he felt. lol

[dyannedav]

Oh, I love this. I've been at book signings and my sister showed up and rushed around the corner to go and buy another author's book. She now has to buy my books instead of me giving her one of my author copies.

[JenniferAlLee]

Loved your song. Sadly, I can relate. But thanks for giving it such a peppy little spin :+}

[PamelaClare]

Hilarious and oh, so true to life!

[taffyfrench]

Hey, I used to work in the Waldenbooks in the Palm Beach Mall, back in the late 1970s when it was the biggest bookstore around.

Dick Francis did a signing there one day--and maybe sold two books all day (one of them to me).

Dick Francis! So you're not the only one it's happened to. :)

Love the puzzle lady mysteries!

[trainedbyhorses]

Humor...that is what you do...humor. :-) Lots of fun! thanks for the smile!

[janflora]

I can see my future! This brought tears to my eyes, from laughter (mostly). Write on Mr. Hall!

[pattyjhickman]

LOL! It's so true!

[lhj313]

ROFLOL. Sad, but so, so true.

[rachelhauck]

Thank you for sining MY song! Been there, done that!

[vincent2871]

I have been there . . . it makes SUCH a difference when someone walks up to talk, even if they don't buy a book.

[TLMOORE1966]

This is so true!!! Sadly I have lived this..lol...

[JonGibbsmusic]

Excellent! :)

[ginny4e]

hahahahaha

poor you! i liked the song, it made me laugh!

[Synaesthete7]

When that happens to me, I start pretending I work at the store and offer to help people find books in my genre. I recommend books to them that suit their particular needs, then I tell them about my own. Last signing I sold 9 of mine, and 9 of other people's. It kept me from getting bored, and the store was delighted. (I guess!)

[Raad969]

@Synaesthete7 it is funny what you said, but don't be upset.

I feel sorry for you. do you know what, don't worry, I will buy a copy of your book, can I get it from amazon?

[Synaesthete7]

@Raad969 Oh, I'm not upset! It was fun. Really. And I think you should buy a copy of one of Parnell's books instead -- it's his video! :D

[joanlprice]

This is hilarious! Thank you for showing the truth about book signings!

Another author,

Joan Price

[perugia20]

Good video and song. Why don't you bring your guitar to the next signing? Play a couple songs to draw a crowd, then give a short pitch on your book?

[12palmsFL]

@perugia20 You are right!

[rminetor]

Oh, Parnell, I feel your pain! I've sat behind some empty tables myself. Be brave, fellow author!