Enjoy a ride with a yacht


Tips for the Traveling Author

Vacations are a great thing, but as an authorCampsites: Holy cow. This could be a gold
don't you think it's time those books youmine of opportunity. You have people out in
wrote and got published start paying theirthe middle of nowhere, with kids running
way?around willy-nilly, who are looking for ways
to occupy their time. You simply send one of
This is the time of year when we all hop intoyour kids over with a card or bookmark to
our cars and head for scenic overlooks,tell the new temporary neighbors, "Hey my dad
family reunions, and the beloved campsitesis an author and he has some of his books for
with the family. Okay, I hope some of yousale." They will graciously take the card
do, I prefer a book festival with a hotel andand look at it. No one wants to be rude.
room  service...dang  prima  dona publishers.Now, at this point, chances are the wife is a
fishing, hunting, or hiking widow and will be
At any rate...what do you do when you arein the market for something to do and someone
traveling to promote your books? I know forto talk to. She will come to you and ask
some of you it is truly difficult to visit aabout your book and then you hook into buying
multitude of bookstores with your kids andit, or at the very least ask her to tell a
spouse in tow yelling, "Are we going to stopfriend  about  your  book. Viola!
at  another  bookstore?"
Hotels: For those of you who prefer the
Well, let's get creative! Traveling is acomforts, as I do, don't let the chance to
wonderful opportunity for promoting outsidemake those FREE continental breakfasts work
your comfort zone, and you won't have to evenfor you. When you go down for breakfast take
talk to people if you don't want to.a small stack of books, a small tabletop
Consider all the places you could promoteposter, and a pen. You set yourself up in
your  book.the middle of the room (I suggest in the
direct line of the television screen) and see
Rest area bathrooms: You simply carry a stackwhat happens. If you are really bold, set a
of specially designed bookmarks or post cardspost card on each table and see if anyone
that have your cover on it, with a boldnotices. Keep an eye on those cleaning
header that says "Please Take me!" You stickfolks, or let them know you are a touring
them on top of toilet paper holders, underauthor and are putting out a couple pieces of
the corner of a mirror above the sink, shoot,promo materials. If you end up selling a
tape  it  to  the  paper  towel  dispenser.bunch of books you might consider taking that
last book and signing it to the housekeeper
It will get thrown away, you say! Maybe, butwho did not throw away your materials. Nice
not until at least one or two people look atgesture  and  well  worth  the  investment.
it, and another has to physically pick it up
to toss it. I am 99% certain the personYou could even ask the hotel manager if you
throwing it away will read it first. Maybecould do an impromptu book signing in the
even be interested enough to stick it inlobby. You might invest in a box of cookies
their pocket instead to look at it later.and some soda and they might let you put a
People who travel in packs almost always havesign up announcing the time. What hotel
at least one reader in the group--themanager would not like to offer their guests
passenger! Don't  let  them  get  away!an added bonus that they didn't have to do
anything  for?
Fast Food restaurants: Whether you drive thru
or eat in, you should hand a card or bookmarkThe bottom line is to let the materials do
to the cashier or server. Again, they willthe work for you. Don't be embarrassed to
look at it, and if you have put a clearput that note on the front asking them to
message on it, it will do the work for you.pass  it  along.
"Not a reader? Give me to a friend who is!"
Most people will, younger people mightDon't miss a chance to claim at least some of
actually think of their old and decrepityour vacation expenses for business. Just be
40-50 year old parents who sit on the couchsure to log what you are doing and try to
reading  after  dinner.visit at least one store or library. Happy
Trails!



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