What I Learned on Book Tour (Part 3)

Precisely because of Part 2, and also because of some points mentioned in Part 1, the other crucial element to a book tour is hiring professional help. For Flashes of War, I hired a publicist (more here and here) who handled press leading up to the book launch and for the month following release. From there, my book tour manager took over. Of course, everyone remained in communication throughout, but this is how it worked for the most part.

Because I funded my own tour, I had to think especially hard about where I could afford to go. I received some advice very early on that confirmed my suspicions: go where you know you already have at least some small audience built in. I grew up and went to undergrad and graduate school in the Pacific Northwest, therefore I knew I wanted to work very hard to be identified as an Oregon or Pacific Northwest author. But I've lived in Western North Carolina for 12 years, so I also needed to work to become known as a North Carolina author and an Appalachian author. These reputations take time to build, but I can't say enough about actually touring in those places you hold near and dear to your writerly heart. Physical presence and word of mouth in the areas you aspire to build your audience is, hand down, the most enduring way to earn your readers and keep them. You won't make money selling books at a bookstore, but you'll build relationships and have experiences that are priceless and that pave the way for your future as a writer.

Like the spokes of a wheel, I found the major cities

I learned that if I could combine some of these bookstore events on the road with speaking events at colleges and universities, I could offset some of my expenses. Likewise, by touring in cities I knew, I was able to rely on the good deeds of friends who put me up, loaned me their cars, let me cook in the kitchens and write in their living rooms, and sometimes even took me out to dinner. These kind gestures are what made the tour possible, as I simply couldn't have taken on the other financial burdens if I were also responsible for funding housing and 100% of my transportation costs.

Of course, at a certain point, it all had to stop. I reached the limits of my budget, I was road weary, and I wanted to get on with the rest of my life. But the book still needs to sell and it still needs press coverage. How am I handling that? Stay tuned for Part 4 next week!