How to Host Bookstore Events Remotely: Expert Tips for Authors | Ep. 23

In this episode of The Author's Edge, host Allison Lane dives into a common question from authors: how to arrange book events at bookstores and other venues without prior in-person connections. Allison answers Leslie's question about organizing book events while living abroad, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and planning. She provides actionable steps including emailing, following up with phone calls, and preparing comprehensive event plans to ensure bookstore buy-in. Allison also encourages authors to support each other by sharing helpful resources and staying informed. Listen in to get invaluable tips on hosting successful book events.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Bookstore's Role

00:38 Welcome to The Author's Edge

00:48 Diving into the Mailbag

01:04 Leslie's Question: Hosting Book Events

02:26 Tips for Planning Your Book Event

05:36 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

05:47 Podcast Sharing and Conclusion

📚 Resources Mentioned: 

• Launch Plan: https://www.lanelit.com/launch
• Get a free Critique: https://www.lanelit.com/cc

Your book launch is your chance to build your visibility and grow your audience. In the Bestseller Launch School guided program, I'll show you how to get buzz before your book hits the shelves, master pre-orders and early sales to get attention and keep sales going long after launch day. Live trainings start April 30th - June 11. Grab your seat now: https://lanelit.com/bestseller 

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Transcript

1:34

the bookstore is only offering you their space. They don't want to be your event planner. You are the event planner. So it's up to you to give them everything they need in order to say yes. Welcome back for this episode of The Author's Edge. I am your host, Allison Lane, and I'm so glad you're here because what? We are jumping into the mailbag. I am getting emails every single day People asking questions that, yes, I want to answer them direct, but also their questions are good. So let's get into it. Leslie asks, I submitted a question for the panel you were on and I would like to follow up. I would like to know if there's a way to get bookstores or other public or private venues to agree to host a book event or book reading for me without my having gone to those locations first in advance to connect and establish a relationship. I live in Mexico and would like to schedule a one to three week trip to the U. S. next year when the third and final book of my trilogy is released. Leslie, this is such a good question because You know what? I understand. No one can go to every bookstore. when you want to host a book event. I mean, it's impossible. How could you? Let's back up a sec. The conventional wisdom is that when you want a bookstore to host an event for you, that you need to be a good literary citizen and go and connect in person because It's nice. And also they're being good literary citizens. But that only works when you live close. even if you're going to travel across states or across provinces, you need to be able to arrange things in advance. So here's my quick answer if you do want to set up a trip, so you have a finite window of availability, you've got to send emails and then follow up with phone calls. Because no one at a bookstore is sitting in an office. They are always on the floor. And usually, if it's an indie bookstore, only one or two people are working at any time. they are never at the computer. You send the email first, offering to host an event there, and you need to answer all the questions that you would actually have. What time? Who would host with you? Even if you are thinking, well, I don't know who would, but you need to meet them halfway and consider, you know, or does your facilitator need to be a psychologist or a school librarian or a creative writing teacher? I'm sure you can use Google and figure out who could participate, because really the bookstore is only offering you their space. They don't want to be your event planner. You are the event planner. So it's up to you to give them everything they need in order to say yes. Essentially, I'd like to hold my event there. I'm thinking of, hosting it in this format, I always suggest a facilitated conversation, maybe an hour or an hour and a half. If you want to have, some mingle time. before and after, but usually an hour and you would like to promote it in advance and maybe you even want to make sure that you're going to promote it so that people can buy the book and it's waiting there for them and then send them your book. your author bio, your speaker package. with that, I think you check all the boxes cause that's what they're looking for. And you just have to do the outreach far enough in advance to where they don't already have somebody on the docket. you can check that by going to their website and signing up for their emails. Because the benefit of hosting at a bookstore is really them reaching out to the people who are on their email list. So you've got to answer all their questions so that all they have to do is glance at your email and say, Oh, yeah, I see the window when you're going to be here. This fits with us, which you know because you already checked out on their website and through their email that you're a good fit for them and you've thought of everything and that's what I would do. Trust that. They are always looking for authors who are true partners and you can be that and I can't wait to find out where you're going as well. and congratulations on your book. That's amazing. if you want to get your question answered by me, you can send me an email. at Allison at Lane lit like literary dot com. If you are enjoying this podcast and you know someone who could benefit from it, who is working on their book or wants to write a book, won't you please forward this to them? People need help to find the podcasts that can really help them. So few people gorge on podcasts like I do. I always listen to my podcasts on one and a half, sometimes two times speed. I just fast forward zip, zip, zip. When I'm listening, it's not like I sit there and stare at my phone. I'm in the car. I'm folding laundry, which there is so much of, I've always been a curator of content for people from my, jobs at leading PR for big global brands. It was always part of the job for me to, be scouring, the news and serving that up to people. And that is what I do now, as well as share my favorite podcasts. So if this is becoming one of yours, please share it because people always want to add to their podcast list. That's it for today's episode. I cannot wait to hear what you do next.