My Top Concerns as a New Author
From the day I was offered the opportunity to write this book, I have had a million thoughts about it. Now that it’s done, a new wave of thoughts now cloud my mind:
Perception
How will the general public respond to a book from someone they’ve never heard of in publishing? Will they embrace it? Tell friends about it?
Sales
Book publishers everywhere are cutting back in this recession: Advances, marketing, and more. How will this affect my debut as a new author?
Promotion
I’ve never promoted a book before, and publishers these days are only doing so much to support the books they publish. I’ve been talking to bestselling authors, and picking the brains of friends who’ve published their own books as well for ideas. Still, it’s pretty overwhelming when I think about the task at hand: How do I best promote this book on my own online and elsewhere?
Tour
This is the biggest thing on my mind: Where can I drum up support for a major tour? I’m not endowed with the capital to travel most of North America for several months in support of the book. Where do I turn? Who do I call? Who are the people that will believe in this book and support it?
Appearances
I’ve been rehearsing for book store appearances here in Colorado. While I’ve seen authors in the past talk about their books, I want to do things a little differently. One thing I want to avoid is a monologue, because this book isn’t about me alone — It’s about all of us and the challenges we face on many fronts around the world. What is the best approach to all of this? What should I talk about? How shall I address negative people?
With 2.5 months to go until the book is released in stores and online, I’m growing more anxious with each passing day. One thing is certain: I’m determined to make this book a success.
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Preliminary: North American “Stick It To The Man” Tour Cities
Based on early feedback from the publisher and the relevance of Stick It To The Man to the global economic crisis, the following cities were selected to support a North American tour. Some might argue against a road tour for a book, but considering the times and my desire to build a connection with the public, it’s essential that this tour is realized.
It is my mission to be more than just a book author on tour. I plan to meet as many people as possible, listening to their stories, and putting the people in the spotlight. To support the tour, efforts are underway to identify and secure sponsors to cover the costs of an RV, fuel, food, lodging, etc. More than a book tour, it’s a dream opportunity to intimately engage those who’ve fought back against the lopsided world of power and law.
America
Anchorage, AK
Denver, CO
Boulder, CO
Ft Collins, CO
Golden, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Lone Tree, CO
Cheyenne, WY
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Sacramento, CA
Boise City, ID
Santa Barbara, CA
Hollywood, CA
San Jose, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Alburquerque, NM
Salt Lake City, UT
Provo, UT
Fargo, ND
Bismarck, ND
Phoenix, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
San Diego, CA
Portland, OR
Eugene, OR
Seattle, WA
Tacoma, WA
Spokane, WA
Great Falls, MT
Billings, MT
Omaha, NE
Dallas, TX
Austin, TX
Houston, TX
Round Rock, TX
San Antonio, TX
New Orleans, LA
Little Rock, AR
Fayetteville, AR
Memphis, TN
Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
Chattanooga, TN
Birmingham, AL
Mobile, AL
Montgomery, AL
Atlanta, GA
Savannath, GA
Jacksonville, FL
Tampa, FL
Orlando, FL
Ft Lauderdale, FL
Miami, FL
Charleston, SC
Greensboro, NC
Raleigh, NC
Charloette, NC
Virginia Beach, VA
Newport News, VA
Richmond, VA
Charleston, WV
Washington, D.C
Newark, NJ
Philadelphia, PA
Bethlehem, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Harrisburg, PA
New York, NY
Albany, NY
Buffalo, NY
Rochester, NY
Hartford, CT
New Haven, CT
Providence, RI
Portland, ME
Youngstown, OH
Akron, OH
Cleveland, OH
Cincinnati, OH
Toledo, OH
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Louisville, KY
Bowling Green, KY
Detroit, MI
Southfield, MI
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Livonia, MI
Warren, MI
Troy, MI
Ann Arbor, MI
Jackson, MI
Kalamazoo, MI
South Bend, IN
Chicago, IL
Milwaukee, WI
Green Bay, WI
Madison, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Minneapolis, MN
St. Cloud, MN
Ft Wayne, IN
Indianapolis, IN
St Louis, MO
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, KS
Witchita, KS
Davenport, IA
Des Moines, IA
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma City, OK
Boston, MA
Manchester, NH
Canada
Vancouver, BC
Kamloops, BC
Surrey, BC
Calgary, AB
Red Deer, AB
Edmonton, AB
Saskatoon, SK
Regina, SK
Winnipeg, MB
Thunder Bay, ON
Windsor, ON
London, ON
Toronto, ON
Ottawa, ON
Montreal, QB
Moncton, NB
Halifax, NS