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| Lansing New York Community Library |
After a book is written,
edited, and then published, an author has to prepare to market their book.
Actually this preparation should have begun months earlier with the development
of a social media presence alerting readers a book is coming and providing
teasers to keep readers on the edge of their seats while they wait for
publication.
An important step in
marketing is meeting readers, and that is done through bookstore appearances
and signings and presentations at various venues, such as book groups and libraries.
I met a lot of readers this past week when I gave a forty-minute Keynote
presentation at four rural Upstate New York libraries. It was wonderful to be
greeted by so many readers and to be able to share my writing journey with
them. I answered a variety of questions about the writing and publishing
process. One of the attendees was about ten years old and when I asked her at
the end of my presentation if it was helpful, she said, “Yes. I’m just thinking
about what I have written.” I told her there were handouts at the back with a
list of things I have learned, and I hope she was able to grab one.
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| Creative poster at the Ulysses Philomathic Library | - "with a candlestick" |
An important part of my
tour was my hubby who drove me around and was responsible for getting the
laptop hooked up to each library’s projector (we brought our own projector just
in case), and my sister-in-law who listened to the same presentation four
nights in a row (I suggested she bring a book after the first night – she did
not – she enjoyed listening and learning a little more each evening). She set
up the book table and sold them before and after the event. That was a godsend
as it freed me up to answer questions, talk with people, and sign their books.
My sister-in-law intended to keep track of the number of books sold, but she
quickly learned that they go so fast, there was no way she could do that, talk
to people, and make change.
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| Engaging with the Lansing Library attendees |
A week before the tour I
contacted each library director to confirm day and time, A/V requirements,
whether there was a screen (or blank wall for projection), and whether I would
be allowed to sell books. Normally an author donates a book to each library where
the presentation is given, but in this case, I had already donated several of
each to the Finger Lakes Library System.
I returned home energized
about the next Caitlyn Jamison mystery. I know there are many readers waiting.
