The Emergency Bag - Why Authors Need One

You never know when you’re going to need something. Over the years, I’ve learned to pack a supply or an emergency bag for the just in case. Here are some things I’ve learned to have handy:

A bottle (or two) of water and a snack (I have been to some venues where there were no snacks or drinks.)

Tissues

A box of books in the trunk of my car (You never know if the order was delayed. Or what happens if you sell out!)

Extra pens (At my very first book signing, I didn’t want to carry my purse inside. I grabbed by keys and pen. The pen died, and I had to borrow one from my mom.)

Paperclips, scissors, and a marker

An extra tent card with my name (Sometimes, they’re not provided.)

A roll of painters’ tape (You never know when you’ll need to hang something, and this kind of tape doesn’t stick to the walls.)

My name tag (in case one isn’t provided)

A tablecloth

A small candy dish for candy or give-aways

Bandages or a small first aid kit (You never know.)

A phone charger

Extra business cards (You never know when you’ll make a contact.)

I wrote about some of my oopsies at events over the years in an article for the Sisters in Crime anthology, Promophobia. This is a great collection of over sixty articles on book marketing. Check it out. And many thanks to Diane Vallere for organizing and editing the project.