Author Simulcast Centerpiece of In-Store Events

Philippa Gregory

This past weekend, Touchstone Books held a live global video Web event featuring bestselling author Philippa Gregory. During "Philippa Gregory LIVE," the author, who was in front of an audience in England, answered questions from fans around the world who participated via their personal computers or at events hosted by bookstores. Among the independent booksellers in the U.S. creating in-store events around the 90-minute exchange were R.J. Julia in Madison, Connecticut; Books, Inc. in San Francisco; A Likely Story in Sykesville, Maryland; Rakestraw in Danville, California; A Novel Idea in Chattanooga, Tennessee; A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland, California; and Fact & Fiction in Missoula, Montana.

During the September 16 broadcast, Gregory talked with the London audience about her research methods and writing process, her upcoming novel, The Other Queen, and more. Both the audience and the Web participants were able to ask Gregory questions.

"One of the exciting parts about the event was that it was intimate and global at the same time -- and that each bookstore was able to customize it for their own store," said S&S Senior Marketing Manager Wendy Sheanin. "For example, Fact and Fiction in Missoula, Montana held the event at its local library and invited librarians and a book group, while A Likely Story in Sykesville, Maryland, [prefaced] the Web event with an in-store book group discussion of The Other Boleyn Girl in August."

On Sunday, A Likely Story projected video of the event as it unfolded on a large screen and served tea and scones. Owner Debbie Scheller reported that nearly 60 people attended, some in period costume. "It just went wonderfully," she said. "Everyone really enjoyed [Gregory]. I loved that you could communicate with her via the Web. You could ask her questions, and she would answer them right away." Several of A Likely Story's customers had questions about Gregory's characters and upcoming books that Scheller e-mailed to Gregory, who answered them immediately.

Setting up the computer and projector for the event was easy, said Scheller. "I was nervous about the technical aspect. But it was very simple, and Simon & Schuster was very helpful with all of my concerns. It went very smoothly, and I'd do it again. It was just like an author event, but without her physically being here."

Barbara Theroux at Fact & Fiction also wouldn't hesitate to host another online author event. "I would encourage publishers to offer it," she said. "Everyone was very pleased and impressed with [Gregory's] knowledge of history."

Part of what made the presentation so engaging was that it wasn't prerecorded, said Theroux. "It was interesting to see reactions and to know that it was live," she said. "And having her answer people's questions in real time. That's what made it work better than if you were just watching a [taped event.] The uniqueness and the best thing about the concept was that it was interactive."

Kathleen Caldwell, owner of A Great Good Place for Books, was also sold on online author events. "I think it's an awesome idea," she said. "They did a great job of promoting and supporting it. I think it could be the wave of the future." --Karen Schechner