Publishing Journey: The Book Tour

Back in my early twenties, when I first started daydreaming of being a published author, part of my vision was the book tour. After all, as a voracious reader and writer myself, I considered book reading events to be akin to seeing a favorite band perform, up close and personal. When my sister lived in San Francisco, I made an impromptu trip up there just to see Dave Eggers read. I was on a high for a week from that (no drugs involved, I swear).

When I asked my agent about what to expect with my own book tour, she said, quite frankly, that publishing houses very rarely do book tours these days–unless you’re James Franco or something. Being that I’m a first-time author, I don’t expect my publisher to put up money to send me around the country for readings. Instead, I’m contemplating saving up money and vacation time to do my own mini book tour.

I got the idea after reading “Writing the Road” by poet Travis Mossotti in Poets & Writers. As he says, “Book tours have less to do with books and more to do with people.” I don’t want to miss out on the book tour experience–not because I think a tour is a way to sell a ton of copies (I don’t think I even bought a Dave Eggers book at that reading I drove 7 hours to attend), but because it’s a way to connect with people who have read your work. I’m an introvert, yes, but talking about writing brings out the extrovert in me.

Mossotti says:

“Social media, online reviews, interviews, features, articles, and guest-blogging gigs are all useful tools in getting the word out about your new book, and they may even translate into a spike in actual sales. But those tools don’t have the same staying power as do readings, lectures, class visits, book signings, and the like–all of which can lead to personal, lasting connections with people who might otherwise never find your work.”

And, he states the reality that:

“There’s a strong probability that the burden of coordinating readings, lectures, get-togethers, and workshops is going to fall squarely on your shoulders.” 

I’ll welcome that burden. I’m a good planner. My husband is too. Maybe there will be an RV involved so the dogs can come. Maybe most stops will be breweries…

In the end, I think it’s worth my time and money. Why? This:

“To spend a day or night eating, drinking, and talking shop like you went to kindergarten with whoever’s been kind enough to host you in whatever city, town, or hamlet you’ve found yourself in. To talk influences and music, smoke, drink–and maybe somebody will even break out a guitar–to do more than just share space and stale air in some university auditorium, turning off the ringer on your phone and stopping by the book signing after the show. These are the real reasons to tour.”

Maybe, if it happens, I’ll see some of you along the way.