The future of book touring

There’s been a lot of talk about what to do with book tours. Some folks love to do it; others think it’s a waste of time. What seems to be a consensus is that it needs to be rethought, and that there has to be new approaches.

Duane Swierczynski will be going out on the road in October to promote his upcoming novel THE WHEELMAN, and he’s hit on a rather ingenious plan:

So I was e-mailing Dave White yesterday, and he asked about book signings for The Wheelman. I told him that I’m in the process of arranging a bunch for October and November. Mr. White then recommended a store near him, and jokingly added, "You should do a reading in my basement."

I jokingly replied: "A reading in your parents’ basement would be fun."

Be careful when you say things "jokingly."

Next thing I know, Dave e-mails: "Dude, believe me. We can set it up."

I reply: "I think we might be onto something here. The Tupperware Party model… guarantee me 10 people, half of whom will buy books, and I’ll do a basement/den/living room signing."

"Dude, if you’re serious about this," Dave says, " I could guaranatee ten people five of which will buy the book."

Christ. As a first-time novelist, that’s a better deal than I’d get at most bookstores.

And so, if you’re willing to open your home to a newspaper editor-in-chief of Polish extraction, just remember: you’re on the leading edge of the next wave of book touring.

Although that said, Janet Rudolph of Mystery Readers Journal has been hosting "at homes" for years, and I’m surprised more people haven’t thought of doing this….