Tips for the Traveling Author

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Vacations are a great thing, but as an author don't you think it's time those books you wrote and got published start paying their way? This is the time of year when we all hop into our cars and head for scenic overlooks, family reunions, and the beloved campsites with the family.  Okay, I hope some of you do, I prefer a book festival with a hotel and room service...dang prima dona publishers.
At any rate...what do you do when you are traveling to promote your books?  I know for some of you it is truly difficult to visit a multitude of bookstores with your kids and spouse in tow yelling, "Are we going to stop at another bookstore?" Well, let's get creative!  Traveling is a wonderful opportunity for promoting outside your comfort zone, and you won't have to even talk to people if you don't want to.  Consider all the places you could promote your book. Rest area bathrooms: You simply carry a stack of specially designed bookmarks or post cards that have your cover on it, with a bold header that says "Please Take me!"  You stick them on top of toilet paper holders, under the corner of a mirror above the sink, shoot, tape it to the paper towel dispenser.
It will get thrown away, you say!  Maybe, but not until at least one or two people look at it, and another has to physically pick it up to toss it.  I am 99% certain the person throwing it away will read it first.  Maybe even be interested enough to stick it in their pocket instead to look at it later.  People who travel in packs almost always have at least one reader in the group--the passenger!  Don't let them get away! Fast Food restaurants: Whether you drive thru or eat in, you should hand a card or bookmark to the cashier or server.  Again, they will look at it, and if you have put a clear message on it, it will do the work for you.  "Not a reader?  Give me to a friend who is!"  Most people will, younger people might actually think of their old and decrepit 40-50 year old parents who sit on the couch reading after dinner. Campsites: Holy cow.  This could be a gold mine of opportunity.  You have people out in the middle of nowhere, with kids running around willy-nilly, who are looking for ways to occupy their time.  You simply send one of your kids over with a card or bookmark to tell the new temporary neighbors, "Hey my dad is an author and he has some of his books for sale."  They will graciously take the card and look at it.  No one wants to be rude.  Now, at this point, chances are the wife is a fishing, hunting, or hiking widow and will be in the market for something to do and someone to talk to.  She will come to you and ask about your book and then you hook into buying it, or at the very least ask her to tell a friend about your book.  Viola! Hotels: For those of you who prefer the comforts, as I do, don't let the chance to make those FREE continental breakfasts work for you.  When you go down for breakfast take a small stack of books, a small tabletop poster, and a pen.  You set yourself up in the middle of the room (I suggest in the direct line of the television screen) and see what happens.  If you are really bold, set a post card on each table and see if anyone notices.  Keep an eye on those cleaning folks, or let them know you are a touring author and are putting out a couple pieces of promo materials.  If you end up selling a bunch of books you might consider taking that last book and signing it to the housekeeper who did not throw away your materials.  Nice gesture and well worth the investment.
You could even ask the hotel manager if you could do an impromptu book signing in the lobby.  You might invest in a box of cookies and some soda and they might let you put a sign up announcing the time.  What hotel manager would not like to offer their guests an added bonus that they didn't have to do anything for? The bottom line is to let the materials do the work for you.  Don't be embarrassed to put that note on the front asking them to pass it along. Don't miss a chance to claim at least some of your vacation expenses for business.  Just be sure to log what you are doing and try to visit at least one store or library.
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