Book Tours--Then and Now

Anne signing after the Jabberwocky launch on Nov. 15th.

"But surely this isn't right?" I told the bellman of the brand new Trump Hotel in Chicago (yes, I know!). "I am just a lowly novelist."

"I assure you this is your suite, madam," he replied, grinning and opening the door wider into two enormous rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and a marble bathroom with a bath I could swim laps in. I squeaked a "thank you," and he retired with a paltry tip in his hand.

That was then--2009 to be exact--on one of the stops on my third book tour across the country in support of The King's Grace.. I'd made enough of a name for myself as a Simon & Schuster author to warrant them sending me to Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis, Portland OR, and Seattle. Now, it's couch-surfing with friends and Holiday Inns at our own expense.

Then: At each airport I was met by an escort who drove me to the hotel and checked me in, picked me up later for the event at a bookstore, took me to dinner, and drove me around all the bookstores the next day to sign stock and meet the managers. That's if I didn't also have a TV appearance or radio interview at that particular venue. It sounds glamorous, and it was, but it was also pretty gruelling, and my tours were a fraction of what the Big Boys usually do.

But that was before the publishing world cinched in its belt and re-evaluated sending B-list authors like me out on tour. It all came to a halt with book five, and it has happened to so many of my author friends. Did the sales justify the money spent on me? I maintain it did. Just meeting all the managers in several bookstores in each city and making nice meant they stuck the book in a more prominent place or were able to talk it up to customers. Bookstores also can't "remainder" (send back) books that have been signed, and I signed plenty! Being on TV, radio and in the local newspaper was also free publicity, but who am I to argue with a corporation!

With the downsizing of publishing during the recession, I found myself booked in places I could drive to--which meant New England and Northern New York State (where I used to live and was known). Sales for Queen by Right were not as stellar as my first three books, and by the time Royal Mistress arrived in 2013, I was no longer given the royal treatment and in fact, I was released by my publisher and now I am on my own to market This Son of York. It's tough.


But I think I did alright! I launched the book on Nov. 15th at my local fabulous bookstore, Jabberwocky Books in Newburyport, and thanks to invitations and stories in the local press, more than 100 people turned out to wish me and the book well!
I then got into my book-heavy SUV, with my patient, wonderful husband at the wheel, and drove off to Guilderland, NY for the first event of my little self-made tour. The audience was warm and welcoming and I got some of my most challenging questions ever from several extremely history-passionate members! That is the joy of speaking to a group about what I do--it's meeting those with whom my books really resonate. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Northward we went to Glens Falls, where the lovely people at Crandall Library have hosted me for three events before this one. They didn't let me down this time, either, and Scott had brisk sales at his cash register. Our final stop was at the Peru Free Library near Plattsburgh, where I had been Features Editor at the daily newspaper for 10 years in the '80s and '90s. How wonderful it was that friends and colleagues (and strangers) crammed into the space leaving standing room only. I truly felt loved.

It's true that, then, I sold tens of thousands of books to the masses with a huge publishing house behind me, but now I really appreciate the support and reviews I am receiving from my loyal readers, friends and family as I send my "passion project" (as I call this sixth book!) out into the world.

Who knows, with your help, perhaps it will exceed all expectations!