Have Book Tours Gone The Way of The Dinosaur?
Thursday, May 20, 2010 Question of the day: I was wondering if you have any input on where you go on book tours?
On the surface, I know that this question isn't big enough to merit a huge blog entry, but I wanted to pull it out and answer it anyway, because it demonstrates the changing nature of our industry.
So, to answer this question, yes, I do have input on where I go. In fact, I only go places where I have connections and/or can pull some folks in. Because there is just no point in flying all over the place and doing a reading/signing for five people. Super-big authors (in fame, not girth) are indeed sent to all corners of the country but even the folks who have had good but not huge success mostly stay home.
Why?
Because with the internet and blogs and twitter and Facebook, there simply isn't the same need anymore to schlep every which way, and there are much more efficient ways to target and reach your audience. I'm spending a week on the road and that only takes me to a few cities. What could I accomplish from the comfort of my home office in that time (and with that money spent?). SO MUCH. Which isn't to say that there's not something worthwhile about going to bookstores, meeting readers face to face and signing. Of course there is, it's just that there are some really good, viable, cost-effective alternatives now that help you reach an even bigger audience than in-person appearances can.
All of this aside, it's certainly a lot of fun to head to stores and read and sign and shake hands and catch up with old friends. (Well, it's fun if, in fact, people show up.) But that be-all-end-all question of the past: "are you going on a book tour," just doesn't merit the same weight anymore. A week on the road is plenty for me. For the rest of the time, I'll be parked here, chatting with all of you who don't live in those cities.
So what do you guys think? Do you turn out for authors you like when they come to your cities? Or would you be just as happy communicating with them online?
Promotion
Reader Comments (11)
I certainly turn out for authors I enjoy. Emily Giffin recently had a few signings in NYC. A huge number of readers turned out as well. She does a great deal of communicating with her fans on facebook and twitter. However, I think the word of mouth that an author generates from these signings is also beneficial. Readers show up, meet a nice author (if they are nice) and feel compelled to tell their friends to go out and purchase the book. Readers also feel more compelled to buy more books during these signings to get a book signed for other friends. She mentioned going to recent signings where only a handful of people showed. But it truly is a balance and a gamble. But ultimately you have to do what is necessary to publicize your book. Facebook and Twitter are great tools but they do not humanize the author and build reader loyalty. There needs to be a balance of social networking and direct communication.
I really enjoy book signings and readings. I wish I lived closer to some of the places that authors tend to visit (New York, LA, Washington DC). I do live near Boston but often authors will have their book signings during the week and its hard for me to make it to the city. I have attended book signings by Jennifer Weiner and she always draws a crowd. I think if I were an author I would want to have book signings even if only a handful of people were in attendance because I would know how important it is for those people to meet me. I wish I could meet all my favorite authors.
I forgot to ask something. Allison, do you think authors are as nice as they appear to be at these signings? Or do they put on a good face for publicity?
I definitely go to author signings, if I'm interested in what they write (but often even if I haven't read anything by them). And yes, I usually by one of their books (assuming there's something there that costs $15 or less). As an aspiring writer and an avid reader, I find author readings SO invigorating!
But I do understand that it's not necessarily time/cost effective. I know Jamie Ford does a lot of Skype sessions with book clubs, which seems like a great way to "travel" without really going anywhere.
While I definitely think the increased communication that comes via blogs, twitter, facebook, and the like is a wonderful thing, I also feel like there's a lot to be said for signings/readings/discussions. I always make it a point to attend when any authors I like have an event that's at least relatively nearby. There's just something about that face-to-face interaction and communication that can be really special, and it's always such a pleasure to be able to chat in person. I've often found those talks to be incredibly inspiring, and I personally find it so interesting to hear what the authors have to say about various topics. The online component is fantastic and I think it's both unique and special when authors like you go out of your way to make yourself accessible to your readers and fellow writers, but I wouldn't trade that tangible, in person experience. Like Kristan said, it's invigorating ... and making that connection with a writer whose work you admire can be a wonderful thing!
This is great to hear, you guys! I think a lot of authors feel discouraged about going out on the road because it can be really hit or miss, but it's nice to know that there's still enthusiasm out there. I think the problem also stems from the fact that marketing budgets are dwindling so much that publishers are really hesitant to send an author out in the first place.
Del - ha! Well, I can't speak to whether or not every author is as kind as he/she appears at a signing, but there are certainly a lot of very nice, gracious authors out there...I'm friends with a lot of them! Sure, some are less nice behind the scenes, but on the whole, they/we are a pretty good bunch. :)
I have only ever been to two book signings. The first one was many years ago for Al Franken's "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot," but I really wasn't there for the signing. He was at the Texas Democratic Convention (shortly afterward, Ann Richards lost her bid for governor to George Bush). The line for Al's signature was at least a hundred people deep. The other signing was at an independent book store and the author was a friend. She signed three books in four hours and one of them was mine. So, I guess my advice would be to sign your book where there is already a large crowd of people who might be interested in the topic. Book stores and libraries do not tend to have large crowds of people and so the onus is on you to promote your signing and to coax people from their homes to your location.
Thank you for answering my question Allison! I just re-read my comments and it reads as though I were saying EG is not so nice. Absolutely not what I meant and SO not true! She is a doll. Super sweet and intelligent. I would go back to all her signings. Good luck on your tour Allison! Hope to see you.
I'm not a fan of crowds, I'm also not a fan of making a fool of myself and treating people like celebrities. I would go to a book tour if it was one of my favorite authors or if it was a bloggy friend, but I wouldn't go just to go. In fact, I don't even know how you hear about book tours anymore. I have nearly banned myself from the bookstore because I spend too much money so I don't even know how I'd hear about authors making appearances.
I'm going to see Jen Lancaster next week. Can't wait.
If you come to Chicago, Allison, I'll be in the front row!!
I love book signings and go whenever I can. And if it's an author I love - I'm there! I also round up a bunch of friends (who always laugh at how much I read) and make them go too - and no one has ever had a bad time. I also really LOVE signigns where the author speaks or does a reading.