Tours

What happens when I do a book-tour is that the publicist will talk to all of the sales reps and ask them where they think I'd be particularly well received, and/or which stores they'd get major brownie-points from for producing me. [g] Then they set up the itinerary, and start booking media interviews in whatever cities they have planned. So if you want me to come to your city, the thing to do is talk to the manager of the biggest bookstore (or of several bookstores!) in the place and have them talk to the sales reps. Bear in mind that I only do tours when I have a new book out. [g] Other than that, I do come to do conferences, Highland Games, or other special events in various places, and if I'm going to be in a place anyway, the publicist will usually schedule some bookstore appearances, too, though.

Now, just to be clear about this:

1. I don't pick the places I go on book-tours. The publisher(s) do-which seems only fair, as they're paying for it.

2. Said publishers use various criteria for deciding exactly where to send an author on tour. These criteria include (but are not limited to):

a. cities where the author's books are known to sell best or are likely to sell best, geographically (an author who writes Christian inspirational books, for instance, is a lot more likely to be sent to Bible Belt cities than to Sodom and Gomorrah---er, San Francisco and New York, I mean. Whereas a writer who specializes in gay and lesbian lit…well, they're probably not going to Birmingham or Savannah).

b. Specific stores that

i. have a track-record of holding good events (that means "doing enough publicity to attract large hordes of book-buying people"), and

ii. report their sales to the New York Times. (This is how the NYT does its bestseller list-using a weighted formula on reported sales from a sample of selected bookstores. For awhile, publishers made a pretense of not knowing which stores reported to the Times list, but I think they've largely given that up.) Since a publisher's chief reason for sending an author on tour is to try to get the book on Da List (or boost it a trifle higher on said list), they won't-as a general rule-be inclined to send authors to stores who don't report to the NYT, though of course they have no objection to my racing into any handy store to sign books, as long as I'm in the neighborhood.

Doing a book-tour therefore does not mean-as some people seem to assume-that I just "tour" randomally all the time and will go absolutely anywhere (I do have to stay home and write sometimes). I do go a lot of places, though, and for this September, the rough lineup so far is as follows.

Although Diana is not currently on tour, she does have some upcoming events.

March 8 - The Fountain Hills Book Festival
sponsored by the Fountain Hills Library Association
Fountain Hills, Arizona - 12:00PM

I’ll be doing a presentation, speaking (perhaps reading) at the Fountain Hills main library, at noon, and will be signing books between 11 AM and 2 PM (when not speaking, of course).

A map and directions to the Book Festival is available at website. See you there!

March 15 - Renaissance Faire, Apache Junction, AZ

I'm figuring most of you know what a Renaissance Faire is-for those who don't…the website will have details.

I’ll be doing two things at this year’s Festival: judging the Bonny Knees competition (it’s their special Celtic Weekend), and signing books at Ann Chamberlin’s bookshop (it’s the only one on the grounds, I think), both in the afternoon. And yes, I will go in costume. See you there!

May 23 - Friends of the Public Library, 11:30 AM

I think this is at the Burton Barr main library, but I'll check to be sure. I’ll be speaking and signing books, and I’d be kind of surprised if it wasn't open to the public, but I’ll check that, too.

July 19 - Arizona Highland Festival
Foxglenn Park, 4200 East Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

I imagine I’ll be doing a talk and readings, and will certainly be signing books. No specific times as yet, but I’m usually there between about 10 AM and 4 PM.

July 25-27 - CONestoga

I’ll be Guest of Honor at this sf con in Tulsa, OK, and very honored indeed to be asked! No times or details of offsite signings yet, but I’ll add those as available. For details, see the website.

A Short Guide to Book Tours