One author's grassroots approach to book promotion

My book, The Courtship of Julian and Frieda, was published two years ago and still the invitations trickle in from reader’s groups and historical societies, schools and libraries. One engagement is scheduled for next month. And the last was one four weeks ago. I always get nervous and over-prepare my materials, and it invariably turns out to be easier than I had anticipated.

On this particular occasion, I addressed a small assembly in a lovely rural area. They were a very receptive group. I gave them a brief synopsis, answered questions and projected some vintage photographs of the book’s main characters. I have no performance gene and it’s a real strain to be the center of attention. But I force myself and people are invariably kind and far too complimentary.

Afterwards I signed a half a dozen copies or so that the very enterprising organizer (a retired teacher) had purchased from Amazon and made available to the members of her group. One of the people there, a high school principal asked me if I would address her high school. I quaked in my boots at the thought of it and heard myself agree.

I don’t bring copies to sell at these events, it somehow seems too mercenary, unless people utterly insist. I’d rather have the measly $2 in royalties I get from on-line purchases than the full retail whack by hawking my wares. Is this why I’m not rich or even particularly solvent?

Anyway, at my last reading my ego was blasted in the stratosphere by all kinds of accolades (it never ceases to amaze me), got asked why it isn’t a best seller, and why someone doesn’t make a movie of such a great story, etc. (I am, in fact, cutting a documentary of the subject which I will be working at it for some time.)

It strikes me that people (like me) whose books are ignored by mainstream publishers, may find reader’s groups a good source of attention. One group seems to lead to another, as if by magic, and who knows…maybe in 20 years the cumulative effect will be a best seller.