GETTING THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BOOK-TOUR BUCK

GETTING THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BOOK-TOUR BUCK My short-story collection, QUIET AMERICANS, was published Some of this has depended on the assistance of generous friends and family in my destination locations. For instance, I’ve been lucky that these kindly connections respond to my promises of everlasting gratitude if they host book parties for me. (So far, my book and I have been the guests of honor in three cities.) But I’ve done more than drop vigorous hints to people predisposed to respond favorably to them. Consider my trip to Washington for a writers’ conference. I didn’t stop with the two panels and one book-signing that were scheduled for the conference site. One of the stories in my book is inspired More recently, after my application to participate in the Virginia Festival of the Book was accepted, and I learned exactly where and when my festival panel would take place,I tried to think creatively of ways I might meet still more readers in Charlottesville, a place where I didnt know a soul. An article in THE WRITER magazine introduced me to WriterHouse, Charlottesville’s thriving writing center. A few emails and one phone conversation later, I had a contract to teach a freelancing seminar there during my stay. Then, since my book features Jewish themes and characters even beyond the story inspired Of course, much of this success depends on the goodwill of others. But without thinking more broadly about opportunities that might cluster in each location, and without doing some initial research and outreach, none of it can happen. I’ve done it. You can, too. RESOURCES (primarily U.S.-based) Writing Conferences Centers: Literary Festivals: Museum Associations