At the end of my post “Tips for More Successful Book Signings,” I suggested that authors and publishers “think outside of the bookstore box.” I’m not the only one who thinks that.
In an article in the Arts section, The New York Times featured hotels that are having authors come in and do talks related to their books. This allows road warrior business folk to take have culture brought right to their hotels instead of having to search out such things. It also brings area residents into the hotel, thereby increasing the hotel’s visibility in the community. The authors get to reach a new audience, and one presumes, make a few sales after the event. Everybody wins.
These types of things don’t just apply for non-fiction. Most fiction authors spend time researching and learning about various things as background for their books. These topics make an excellent basis for a talk or event, linked to your book. For my novel, Captain Mary, Buccaneer, a story about a woman pirate captain of the 1700s, I did extensive research on women pirates throughout history (see my webpage on them here) and on pirates in general. I’ve spoken on TV and in seminars about pirates in history many times. And then sold books out of the back of the room.
Go where your buyer/readers are.
”You may need to learn public speaking, if you don’t already have some training. Most writers are by nature shy. But you can’t sell a book hiding in your office!
Break out of the bookstore mindset. Go where your readers—and those who might be interested in your subject—are. Sit down and make a list of all the types of people who might be interested in your book. Then list where they might be found. On the Internet and social media sites, sure, but where do they actually congregate? And why aren’t you there?
