Booking Your Own Tour
Though it’s sometimes hard for me to take in, I know that numbers of people look to me as a mentor. Well, I have a mentor too. His name is David Leddick. He was my first boss, in advertising, on the Revlon account at Grey Advertising in New York.
David Leddick outside Grey Advertising, NY, 1969
David will be 84 in January. Is he a doddering old fart? You judge. Since ’95, when he “retired,” David has written 25 books (no, that’s not a typo), including six novels. Since 2000 when he resumed his performing career (he had been a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera and with the Joffrey Ballet), he has appeared in six musicals, some with script and lyrics by himself. “My best review,” David reports, was in Some Men by Terence McNally when I sang ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ while wearing red feathers.”
For his books, David organizes his own signing tours. I thought, “This is something that readers of this blog might emulate.” Why wait for some publisher? On my own last book, I had to organize and pay for my own tour. Zero help and zero bucks from the publisher.
Anyway I asked David how he does it. Here’s his answer:
The cardinal rule for a book tour is do not go somewhere you do not have at least twenty personal contacts whom you can invite to your event. The bookstore will traditionally provide no one even if they do a fair amount of publicity.
You can do a book event in your hometown. A town you came from. You can ask friends in major cities to pull together a list for you. Then you decide what bookstore you would like to be at. Since my work is largely gay-themed I go to the major gay bookstore there. I have toured New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. I add the name and address of every person who buys a book when I am on tour and thus augment the list for the next tour.
Now with email you can amass email lists as well as mailing lists but I prefer the direct mail approach. I print postcards, the cover of your book on one side. To save money have them printed with no information on the other side and you can stamp the bookstore and time on them. Always write something like “Please come” and sign your name on every card. It will add 30 per cent to your turnout.
Once you have your mailing list you can call the bookstore you want, speak to the PR person responsible for events and they will usually book you on the date and time you want. I don’t think I was ever turned down. They will also order books for the event. Double the number you think will attend. If twenty, they should order forty. Often people will fail to turn up for the event but drop by a few days later to buy the book. Now that books are available easily on Amazon and are always less expensive I find that I get more turnout but fewer sales.
You yourself should call the local newspaper and find out who writes up book events and make sure they have all this information. You, too, must keep an address book with all addresses for newspapers and PR people. I use an address book because keeping all this on your phone or in your computer is dangerous in my opinion. One wipeout and your career is over. Your address book is much more secure.
I certainly do not tour for fun but only to promote. It also boosts sales on previous books. Your signing is the big deal. I now only do New York and Miami Beach for book events as I know fewer people in other cities. One of the penalties of being 83.
I might add that your cover is very important. It should be bold, it should be sexy, it should have strong colors and type. We know that if someone picks up your book, thirty per cent will buy it. You want a pick-uppable book. For new authors they should start in their nearest large city. Call everyone they know for addresses and email contacts. Selling your book is as important as writing it. Your publisher will be as interested in your next book as your sales were good.
P.S. Shawn and I will be publishing David’s newest book, I’m Not For Everyone … Neither Are You here on this site sometime in the spring. First Look Access members get it early and cheap.
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
Okay, this guy makes me feel like a total slacker – his energy level and accomplishments after “retiring” are astounding. It was generous of him to share what sounds like a truly efficient system for setting up a book tour – great advice from the mentor’s mentor (and an original Mad Man to boot)! Thanks for passing this along to us Steve. I also want to wish you, Callie, Shawn and Jeff a Happy Thanksgiving – the Black Irish team has been one of the biggest blessings in my life this year, and I thank you all.
Ditto to everything you said, Mary. Couldn’t agree with you more. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well and thanks for all of your thoughtful comments which enrich the posts from the Black Irish team.
Thanks for the kind words Pheralyn – you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too!
What a terrific post. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the information you, Callie, and Shawn provide on the “business” side of being an author is worthy of several college marketing courses. As someone who owned a PR firm in New York back in the 1990’s, Mr. Leddick’s guidance was a welcome throwback. Good, old-fashioned PR tips still work!
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving – very grateful to have you guys in my life!
This is interesting but coming from the bricks and mortar advertising (Nielsen and its thousands of retailer sample stores), I still get the feeling everyone is standing under the same street lights. Build connections and then sell, which will severely limit most people; chase after the few remaining book reviewers and book stores. For me, the “sample” offered for books, whether you intend to buy an ebook or hard copy, is the best thing to happen for publishing. It turns everyone into a sampler, reviewer, and potential buyer. So instead of dealing with the few book stores and important reviewers, open the gates. If you have Legend of Bagger Vance to sell, print the book cover, reviews, author info on scorecards and pass them out at golf trade shows, PGA Tour events with all their trade shows, the largest golf stores, golf writers, resorts, etc. For most people, the stranger, not their limited network, is the ticket to going pro.
I just have one technical comment about address books. David makes a great point. I’ve seen several friends lose all their contacts from damaged or lost phones or hard drive crashes. However, there are online ways to manage and sync your address books between all your devices, so if any phone or computer dies, you can download them again. Gmail Contacts can sync with phones and computers. There are many other ways.
If storing your data online isn’t an option for you, any digital address book can export contacts so you can store a backup on a USB stick or CD. Relying on a physical book is one fire or theft away from catastrophe. Definitely back up your important data!
that was one great article with very useful tips! thank you!
Steven,
One of my mentors is 102 years old and is just an incredible man. Vibrant, healthy, lucid and all he talks about is how blessed he is with so many good friends and the abundance in his life. Like you, I cherish the wisdom and experiences he shares over a wonderful lunch or drink.
I am new to your blog and you can count me now as an avid reader of your blog and books. Thank you for the honesty and transparency in your blogging…….you enrich, energize and build up your readers!
Pete
Steven, for sure you are my mentor. The concepts you have put out have changed my little life immesurably. Other mentors of mine include Steinbeck and Godin and Rowling…
I always hated the idea of a book signing. That is where I will have to climb out of my hobbit hole and hiss at humanity. Much prefer my cave, lol.
I want to be like this guy, though! Why do we slow down? Why do we stop? There is no reason! Nature will do it for us!
Exciting to hear about this book. Looking forward to seeing it. And hoping for others… 🙂
Booking your own tour can be a rewarding and exciting experience, giving you the freedom to tailor your itinerary to your interests and explore your destination at your own pace. One place that should definitely be on your list is The High Coast or Höga Kusten in Swedish. This stunning coastal region in northern Sweden offers breathtaking views, hiking opportunities on the Höga Kusten trail, and a range of tourist attractions, from fishing villages to national parks. To make the most of your trip, it’s essential to do your research in advance. A great resource for planning your visit to The High Coast is the website https://www.discoverybit.com/directory-travel/listing/high-coast-hoga-kusten/. Here, you can find all the information you need about the region, including accommodation, activities, and local tips. With a little preparation, you can create an unforgettable tour of The High Coast that suits your interests and travel style.
Thanks for passing this along to us Steve. I also want to wish you, Callie, Shawn and Jeff a Happy Thanksgiving – the Black Irish team has been one of the biggest blessings in my life this year, and I thank you all. James Bond island Phuket
It turns everyone into a sampler, reviewer, and potential buyer. So instead of dealing with the few book stores and important reviewers, open the gates. Vietnam Cycling Tour
This is interesting but coming from the bricks and mortar advertising (Nielsen and its thousands of retailer sample stores), I still get the feeling everyone is standing under the same street lights. keta
keta (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) Information Foreigners wishing to enter Korea without a visa must obtain K-ETA permission before boarding an aircraft or ship.
Beyond the tangible aspects of travel, there is an intangible magic that lies in the connections forged with fellow travelers and the local communities we encounter. Shared stories, laughter, and the exchange of ideas create a tapestry of human connections that transcend geographical boundaries. trelights cornwall
Your post resonates with me on a deep level! I’ve encountered similar discussions on Best Trip Tips that have left a lasting impression. It’s refreshing to see others exploring topics that are close to my heart. The discussions on that platform always offer unique insights and fresh perspectives. Your post has reignited my passion for this subject. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and fostering meaningful dialogue.
Booking your own tour can offer a more personalized and flexible travel experience compared to joining a group tour. By taking charge of your itinerary, you can customize your travel plans according to your preferences, budget, and schedule, ensuring that you visit the places you’re most interested in at your own pace. Additionally, it allows you to explore unique activities and local experiences that may not be available in standard tours. If you’re planning a trip with a stopover in Qatar, make sure to check if you need a qatar transit visa . This visa can facilitate a seamless transition through the country and potentially allow you to explore Qatar during your layover.
Travel is more than just the destinations we visit; it’s about the unique connections we build with other travelers and the local communities we encounter. These shared stories, laughter, and ideas create bonds that cross all borders. rv park midland texas