My Book Tour Through The Midwest

I recently returned from a book tour I took through the several states in the center of the country.  They included Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas.

I was mostly speaking at Rotaries, which I've quickly learned are the best resource for public speaking about my nonfiction books.  Rotaries need new speakers every week, so they are often happy to hear from an author who has an interesting story to tell.  It's as helpful for them as it is helpful for the author.

I knew I would be traveling to Nebraska for a few weeks, so I wanted to fill my schedule as much as possible to make the trip worthwhile.  I also knew I would be going down to Texas for the Alamo City Comic Convention, so I filled as much time there as possible.

I started by going to the Rotary Club Finder: https://www.rotary.org/en/search/club-finder

Here you can enter the region and get a list of all the rotaries in that area.  I got their email addresses and wrote to all of them, telling them a quick summary of Two Gun Hart, including the website for the book, and saying when I'll be in the area and that I would like to speak at their club.  I also found the local libraries and made a similar offer.  From the responses I was able to make a schedule of appearances.  There would be 12 in all, 10 rotaries and 2 libraries, plus the convention, which is a different subject because that involves my book series Relic Worlds.

I stayed with my family in Lincoln, Nebraska and set out from there to speak in Omaha, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.  At these events a little under half of the people bought books, and there were usually about 15 to 20 attendees, so it was decent amounts of money.  In Texas it was hit or miss, either only one or two bought, or almost everyone bought.  Ultimately it turned out to be about the same number.

Basically, the conclusion I came to was that the sales were decent, but when you took into account the amount of time I spent arranging the talks, the flights, the car rental and gas, at best I came close to breaking even.  These were really talks to spread the word.  The problem with this is it's hard to measure it's effectiveness.  Worst of all, people forget things you told them after they leave.

So the best suggestion came from my uncle in Texas who said I should have flyers or bookmarks made up that say the name of this book and other books.  The people who bought books get to see there are others to purchase online, and those who did not buy get flyers to take with them to remind them where to buy them later.

I wish I had thought of that before, but I'll have it in mind now in future events.

I’m in Nebraska

I am currently in Nebraska, and appearing at several venues.  This last weekend I appeared at The Bookworm in Omaha, at the R Bar in Homer, where Two Gun worked, and in Sioux City, where Al had a branch of his operations and where Two Gun also operated.  This weekend I’ll be at A Novel Idea on Saturday, and the Walt Branch Library on Sunday.  I’ll also stick around one more week because the following Sunday is Mother’s Day, and I should hang out with her, and probably spend time with friends.

I was going to stay a whole month because I was going to fly into San Francisco to do a tour there.  However, though several bookstores told me they were interested in talking to me about appearing at their stores, not one ever got back to me about actually doing it.  Also, no news sources showed any interest, so it was quickly turning into a wasted trip.  At the same time, things have been heating up back in Burbank where I need to get a lot done, including Command Combat Battle Reports, which is a whole different story.

Coming to Nebraska

I'll be coming to Nebraska for several events at the end of this month and the beginning of next month. I'll be signing copies of Two Gun Hart and talking about the story. Harry Hart, son of "Two Gun" Hart, will be with me at the events in Homer and Sioux City, as well as the Walt Branch Library. Here are the dates:

Saturday, April 25, 1-4 pm: The Bookworm in Omaha
Sunday, April 26, 11 am - 1 pm: The R Bar in Homer
Sunday, April 26, 2-4 pm: Sioux City Museum in Sioux City
Saturday, May 2, 10-11 am: Chapters Books in Seward
Saturday, May 2, 1:30-3 pm: A Novel Idea in Lincoln
Sunday, May 3, 2-4 pm pm: Walt Branch Library in Lincoln

Going to be in Nebraska for a Couple Weeks

I'm going to Nebraska for a couple weeks to do some signings, talking, teaching, and even take place in an 1800s period base ball game!  Here are the dates:

Friday, October 10 - 9:00 am - On the radio on Friday Live on NET radio, being interviewed by the great Genevieve Randall.

Saturday, October 11 - 1:30 - 3:00 - Appearance at A Novel Idea.  I will be signing copies of The American Game and Relic Worlds, and will be beginning to take pre-orders for the upcoming Two Gun Hart, which is due out next March.

Sunday, October 12 - 1:00 - ??? - Signing copies of The American Game at Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City.  I'll also probably take part in the vintage base ball game taking place on the yard.

Friday, October 17 - 1:00 - 2:30 - Speaking at the OLLI at UNL.  Taking place at NET.

Sunday, October 19 - 1:00 - ??? - I'll be at Bennett Martin Library for the 12th Victim talk.  (I actually won't be speaking at this one, but it should be an interesting event that I recommend everyone go to.)