Dressing Up For A Book Tour

This winter author Mary Sharratt took my Buzz your Book class. She came up with a fascianting idea for her book tour and I asked her to write it up for my blog. This is her first post - on what she'll be doing. And then I've asked her to give us an update on how it goes.- MJR

LIVING HISTORY TOUR PART ONE: PLANNING & GOALS by Mary Sharratt

I'm now on book tour to launch my new novel, The Vanishing Point . Instead of the usual summer clothes, a fully boned corset goes into my suitcase, along with a 17th century style bodice and a long skirt, both made of wool. Then I pack the long shift and petticoats, and period style shoes with saucy little heels.

   

I will be touring the Chesapeake region. In June when it’s hot, humid, and muggy. And yes, you read it correctly: my costume is made of wool to be authentic to the period.

    Some of my more elevated author friends might view this as a rather amusing, if slightly desperate, publicity gimmick. It’s one thing to be in a bookstore for a signing and have no one show—quite another to be awkwardly hovering around in historical dress. I do admit one has to be a fairly hardcore history geek to attempt such a stunt.

   

The whole costume thing is the brainchild of work I did for M.J.’s marketing course for authors. She asked us to brainstorm one “big idea” to promote our book. Since The Vanishing Point is set in 17th century Maryland, I decided that a Living History Tour would be just the thing. Dressed in authentic costume, I would do events at bookstores and living history sites across the Chesapeake, then continue the tour in my native Minnesota. Not only would I be in costume, but I would raffle free books to audience members who appeared in Colonial garb.

    Since I can’t sew, the biggest challenge was getting the costume made. Following links from re-enactment society websites, I made contact with a costumer based in West Yorkshire (I live in the U.K.) who made wonderful promises, then took my deposit and proceeded to ignore my phone calls and messages about fittings, fabrics, and deadlines. She even unplugged her phone. As time was running out, I needed to find another costumer fast. Sally Green was reliable and efficient in supplying off the peg, last minute garb. Kevin Garlick crafted the shoes from scratch and supplied them within a week. Since Sally’s lightly boned bodice did not quite offer complete support, I found a very functional boned bodice, perfect to fit period clothes, at Ann Summers, of all places. Ann Summers is the U.K. equivalent of Frederick’s of Hollywood. The girls at the counter tried to sell me erotically shaped chocolates and thong panties to go with the bodice, but I demurely replied that such things weren’t historically accurate. 

    Setting up the events themselves was fun and straightforward. Historic St. Mary’s City, Jamestown Settlement, and Colonial Williamsburg, were all happy to offer to host me. I did feel a tremor of excitement when the events coordinator at Jamestown said their historian would have to take a look at my book first. Fortunately it passed muster, which is a very good feeling.

    The bookstore people were very enthusiastic, especially in Maryland, where people are very proud of their heritage. Sue Sloan of Bay Books in California, Maryland told me that a lot of people in her part of Southern Maryland do Colonial re-enactment and already have the costumes hanging in their closets. My reading at the Compleat Bookseller in Chestertown, Maryland coincides with the town’s 300th anniversary. The night before my event, they are having a Colonial Ball, so I expect that plenty of people will come out in garb. I even received an email out of the blue from a lady named Suzanne Williams of North Carolina. A historical novelist herself, she plans to drive up to attend my reading at the College of William and Mary Bookstore in Williamsburg, Virginia. Both she and her partner will be in costume. Her partner is coming as a Red Coat!

    People in Twin Cities were also excited about the idea. David Unowsky of Magers & Quinn Booksellers  in Minneapolis plans to rent a costume and is going to be raffling store gift certificates along with my free book. My friend Marie Booth managed to get the local chapter of the Society of Creative Anachronisms to help publicize the events and encourage their members to appear in costume.

    Sweaty wool costume, boned corset, and all, I am looking forward to my Living History Tour. I believe the overwhelming response I’ve received so far indicates that it’s not just a gimmick but a unique way of reaching out to a specific regional audience in the Chesapeake and to 17th century history enthusiasts everywhere.

Comments

[Susanne Dunlap]

Mary, I wish I could go to one of your appearances. All best luck to you.

[Sandra Gulland]

Mary, your gown is beautiful! You'll have a wonderful tour. Take a hand-fan — colonial, of course.

[Mary Sharratt]

Thanks, everyone!

And special thanks to M.J. for posting this on her blog!

[Naomi Hirahara]

Mary:

I enjoyed THE REAL MINERVA and I'm looking forward to this new book. Rock on!