The Book Tour First Aid Kit - Intoduction

While on tour for The Delilah Complex I got the following letter.

Dear M.J.,

I'm a novelist about to go on my first book tour (February). Since you're currently on the road promoting The Delilah Complex, I thought I'd ask you for some advice.

What's in your "Book Tour First Aid Kit"?

What do you pack for the road...(physically and emotionally)?

I'm looking for all the advice I can get...what clothes to wear/what not to wear, essential items for a reading/signing, essential items to keep myself together, what's the best sedative to take, (and should I chase it with scotch, vodka, rum?), best pen to use to sign books (don't laugh, I'm still wide-eyed and hopeful...it's my first novel).

Ami Mckay

It was such a great letter than I thought I’d use the blog to answer it.

But not by myself.

Over the next week I’m going to post answers form some top publicists and wonderful authors who were generous enough to share their thoughts with us. So watch for words of wisdom from Lee Child, Linda Fairstein, David Morrell, Tess Gerritsen, Barry Eisler and more. If you would like your first aid kit suggestions added write me at [email protected]

Comments

[Bill Thompson]

The best pen? The Pentel EnerGel, metal tip, 0.7mm ball. Retail price, about $2.00. Bar none, it's the best I've ever used. Smooth, easy touch, doesn't smear, lasts for weeks. Get 'em at Staples.

[PJ Parrish]

This is a darn good question. I wish I had asked it before I did my first tour! Here is what I found that works:

1. Pack light. You want to look professional but nobody really cares beyond that. A couple pair of no-wrinkle black slacks, black sweaters and tops. Scarves if you're the Isadora type to pull it off. Even if you have escorts, that suitcase gets heavy really quick.

2. Try your damnest not to eat badly. This is hard because your hours are going to be weird, your system all screwed up and you will be so wiped out that Jimmy McD's is gonna look like the best lover you never had...

3. Don't drink too much. Have a glass of wine to unwind at the end of the day but you need all the sleep you can muster. Be careful if folks/fans offer to take you out after signings because you can drink more than you realize out of sheer exhaustion or gratitude that they showed up!

4. Take underwear that dries quick in case you have to wash things out.

5. Comfortable shoes!!

6. Ambien. Even if you've never used sleeping pills before, get some of these puppies. I found they don't leave you groggy.

7. A good travel alarm clock. Don't depend on wake up calls or the hotel alarms. Set two alarms. Your flights will probably be at the crack of dawn. I missed a signing in Seattle because of a botched wake up call. It's embarrassing to have to explain that to a bookstore owner.

8. An umbrella.

9. Disposable camera. You should take a picture of yourself with every bookstore owner and post them on your website afterward. Also, take a group shot of you, the owner and readers who come to the signing.(This is just good PR and a courtesy.) Have the owner hold up a sign of their store if they have one so you remember who is who. It will be such a blur.

10. Small notebook or diary to record the names of the bookstore folks you meet. It's nice to send a thank you note afterward -- they were your hosts afterall and they do work to make your event a success (some more than others!) Jot down some personal notes about the folks you meet so you can remember them in future i.e. (Murder Ink, Houston: owner Joe Blow, short, glasses, has dog named Sue in store. These contacts you make on this first tour will be your foundation for future. Also, it's not a bad idea to make notes to yourself how the event went (no. of people, books sold) because the stores report this info back to your publisher and you need to know it as well.

11. Don't feel guilty about not writing while on tour. It is near impossible. I took a laptop but I was sorry I did. Was too wiped to work.

12. If you have escorts, USE THEM! It is their job to take you to the drugstore if you need tampons. In one city, my bag got lost so the escort dropped me at the signing and went back to wait for it and brought it to the hotel. Don't be a prima donna -- escorts talk! -- but you can rely on them to keep you going. And don't worry about keeping up small talk with them. They are used to authors snoring in the backseat! Treat them to coffee or a meal if you feel they did something special.

Whew...
There's a ton more. Email me if you have any questions. Good luck and ENJOY IT!

[Diana]

PJ, thanks, this advice is invaluable!

[Ami]

hi MJ, Bill, and PJ,
Thanks so much for the amazing help thus far. (Keep it comin' ;-)
It's my "cry for help" letter that MJ's got up here and at the PM blog and I'm SO thankful and excited that she's doing this!

I can't thank you all enough and I'll be checking in frequently in the days to come!
I'll be sure and point my blog readers this way as well.
Cheers,
Ami

[Frederick Smith]

I'm a newbie, too, and had fun out on the road for the first time last summer. I'd definitely say to smile a lot, make the readings fun and personable for the attendees and yourself, and take a sign-up list for collecting e-mail addresses.

Also take postcards so that audiences can give them to their friends who didn't attend your readings.

Speaking of readings -- I totally expected HUGE crowds at all my events. Shows how much of a newbie I am :-) Sometimes, I got less than five folks at an event. Other times I overflowed. So I'd say take a good attitude, and not get discouraged or overly confident with attendance. Make the most of whatever size audience you get -- because they're there for you!

Good luck!
fred

[First aid nurse]

I can understand all the questions but not the one about sedatives and alcohol. It's just from your personal experience and how you react to these or those preparats. No one can tell you that. Good luck with your future books.

[First aid nurse]

I can understand all the questions but not the one about sedatives and alcohol. It's just from your personal experience and how you react to these or those preparats. No one can tell you that. Good luck with your future books.

http://www.test-mall.com/first-aid/

[dissertation]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!