Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
II. Publishing & Marketing Tips
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Library Events-- Ever Done One?
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Are you in the US, Lily? I've only done one, and that was in the UK and organised by my publisher, so I can't really be much help, except to say - in the UK, libraries are very much discouraged from taking donated books from authors, I think because of PLR. I've tried giving (giving, mind you, not selling) some of mine to local libraries, only to be turned down.Anyway, I wish you lots of luck with your venture and hope you have a wonderful time promoting your book in libraries (wherever you live!)
Most libraries will not keep donated books. They usually end up in the Friends of the Library sales. If you want your book in your library, though, you or a friend can request it.As for an event, you should find out who at the library coordinates those. Small libraries will probably have one person who does this, but larger libraries may have different people, depending if your book is children's, YA, or adult fiction. And they might not be interested in you selling your book there, but instead in your sharing about your experience as a writer or using some other talent you have. If you have a cool angle you can play, that'll make them more receptive to you (ex, do you know magic tricks? can you incorporate an act of some kind? do you have an easy-going dog you can bring? Stuff like that). So definitely get a feel for what you can offer the library to help them promote not just yourself but reading and libraries as well.
Thanks for the answers, Jane and V.K.! I do live in the US. My book is already in a local library but it's remained in one branch. The library actually got my book when they found out I was an author who lived in the town. I'll talk to the librarians and find out how/if I can branch out to more libraries in the South. I know of an author friend who has done this so I don't think it's an impossible task, but I'll see.
I can't do magic and I don't have a dog... BUT, I'm only nineteen and maybe I can incorporate my age into encouraging younger people to pursue their writing passions. Thanks for the tip and I'll definitely think about something more than the book angle.
I appreciate the help! :)
I did this (mumble mumble) ages and years ago with a children's book. It was pretty successful. I read the first chapter. I had little plush toys to give out and some posters with the artwork - quite a lot of fun. I think I would be hesitant to try to promote an adult book at a library unless it was for a well-defined group with a clear issue of interest.
Vanessa wrote: "I did this (mumble mumble) ages and years ago with a children's book. It was pretty successful. I read the first chapter. I had little plush toys to give out and some posters with the artwork - ..."I'm glad you had a successful time. My book is pretty much YA, it's characters are between the ages of 8-18 and the only thing that would make the book inappropriate is language. Nothing strong or HBO worthy, lol.
I work at the library, so it was easy for me to arrange a reading, and they were cool with me selling and signing, too. I did it very simply--read the first chapter (if yours has profanity, you'll need to draft a Bowdlerized version), talked a little about writing, thanked everyone who helped, introduced the "original" for the Ninja Librarian, and took questions. That actually words pretty well for all ages.I think that you could have something with taking about being a teen writer--your library might be willing to make a program for the teens, maybe think about offering something almost like a workshop to talk to the teens about how you went about writing and publishing.
Talk to them. Big name authors charge serious money. Small libraries are at least somewhat open to free events!
My library won't allow me to promote or set anything up because it has to be Non-profit;which it technically is but I guess they cannot have books on the market within the library.I think a signing or even holding an event at a library is an excellent idea. Not everyone can do so, so best of luck Lily!
Justin, I suspect it is a grey area. Our library sells certain books that are of local interest, for which they pay the authors a percentage (or buy them at a reduced cost). And I'm not sure if anyone has looked too closely at letting me sell (I think it could be argued that it is a form of payment for offering the library and event--I give them free content, and they give me the right to earn a little money). I'm not sure if other authors who have come (and been paid to come) have sold books, or if they take the payment and the publicity and that is enough.
Thanks Justin and Rebecca! :) I'm gonna go talk to my librarian tomorrow afternoon, actually. I'm gonna have a paper pad and pen and I'll probably feel like a news reporter or something xD
Good luck Lily, hope you have better luck then I did and your library is more accepting.
I'm looking forward to doing a group library event at the Englewood Colorado Public Library April 29. I've been told by a well-known writer who has been there before, not to expect to sell many books because most people who attend are just looking. I am trying to think of ways to stand out and make my book more appealing. Isn't that what all sellers are looking to do?
Yay! I have an event tentatively scheduled for the evening of May 20!
I'm actually going to the library tonight so my cousin and I can work on a story we are working on together. Also we are going to see if we can set up a creative writer's group there.
I'm in the US. My local library has a local author's program which means I can fill out a form and ask them to review my book. I have to give them a copy to read through. If at that time they choose to accept my book, I can either donate a copy or they will purchase a copy. I haven't done an event with them though, but they have author events sometimes.
I participated in a poetry reading and storytelling evening at the local library where I lived a few years ago, but I wasn't a published author at that point. I did it with a creative writing group I was a part of and a couple of local storytellers.I'm not sure who suggested it, but I know someone from the library and the person in charge of the writing group organized it, flyers were given to all who came in to the library leding up to the event, and those of us doing readings submitted poems to the library to be displayed for a while before and after the event. There were even refreshments organized, though only cake and a choice of a softdrink or wine.
I know that's not quite what you were thinking of doing, but I figured it might help with ideas for organizing your event.
I've done two library events and talked about the writing process at both of them. At the first I talked to a group of 7 and the other was a group of 4, so there wasn't a whole lot of pressure. :)
All of you who do Library Events your lucky. My library doesn't do events for authors unless it's non-profit and I don't know that they ever do any writing events as I have never heard of any. I've heard of readings at Children events but that's about it. My library needs to get with it!
I'm looking to have an event at some libraries soon. My question is, I've never actually gone and promoted myself at a library before. If any of you have, care to share how you went about it? Did you contact the librarian and ask to make it an event to share your book? I have five copies I'd like to donate. How did you generate buzz so people would know to rent your book?
I know I'll have to talk to my librarian, don't get me wrong. But I feel like I don't have a clear picture of what to ask about and I'd rather go in there with a game plan, lol. So if any of you fellow authors have done this before, I sure would appreciate the help!
Thank you very much and have a great day,
~Lily