Patrons love to know what is happening in their communities, and knowing that one of those mysterious creatures called writers is close by is of great interest. Speaking of those library budgets, we only have so much to work with when it comes to programs and activities, so if you offer to come for free to talk about your books, read an excerpt, and sign copies, it’s hard for the library to say no. It’s a win-win for both parties involved, and patrons get to meet you, find out more about your book, and when you are on the top of the world hitting those bestseller lists, they can say they knew you when.
Beyond a reading/signing event, you could offer (again, for free) to handle a writing workshop or critique group for locals interested in sharing their own stories. We all have different methods of getting those words onto the paper, so this would be a learning experience for you as well. Find out when and where events for your audience are taking place (is there a library program taking place at the community center, or an afterschool program? You could reach older readers or teens and middle grade readers this way) and ask if you can be a part of it. Keep an eye on library flyers, online event calendars, and your local newspapers for other library programs, and check to see if it is okay for you to talk about your own work during those times. Don’t step on anyone’s toes, though – make sure that the library knows you will be there and what your purpose is. Of course, you can always attend as a patron along with everyone else, just don’t stand up and start talking about your book when clearly the event is about another author, community partner, or a craft that has nothing to do with your story. Hey, that would be a great idea, to have an event where you have a craft or art project that ties in with your books. Everyone loves a craft, and if you can read, sign books, and offer that as well, that should be an easy sell to your librarian.
Sometimes that ‘no’ is in the cards, however, for one reason or another. I find myself saying no when someone asks about planning an event next week. Our advertising (yes, libraries have marketing and advertising departments) crew needs our programming plans three to six months ahead of time, depending on the size of the event and the time of year.
ahead of time, depending on the size of the event and the time of year. Yes, that is a long time to plan ahead. You might get lucky if you show up at the reference desk and ask if you can stop by and sign copies after reading your book to whoever attends, but you won’t be in the library’s flyers or on their website, because that ship has sailed. You want to be on all their advertising, because thousands of people see the library’s events in one way or another, and that is free advertising for your book, whether those people come to see you or not. Someone might just say, oh, wow, that book looks interesting, click on over to Amazon, and buy it. We all know how important marketing is, and how expensive it can be. Why not let the library tell the community about it, just as you are sharing your time and talent with them?
Speaking of marketing, one of the perks of my job is the free books. I’m not kidding. I have publicists send me books in droves. I can’t possibly read all of them, but I find good homes for them, and take care to give them to readers who will enjoy them just as I encourage them to leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon for them – because as an author, I know that’s what these review copies and ARCs are for. You can take copies of your own books to your library and ask them to add them to the shelves, which is fine, but better yet, find out the name of the librarian who handles your genre/readership and contact them directly. Do you write young adult? Get the name of the YA librarian, and call her. Ask if you can come in and talk to her about your books, and offer an advance copy of your next title. Bring bookmarks. When I get bookmarks from publicists and authors in the mail, I put them out in our public areas with the books right away. We all love bookmarks, and it is an easy and cheap way to advertise your books. Get them, sign them, and take them to your library. I’ve had publicists and authors send me postcards with their book’s cover on them, which is pretty cool, and definitely stands out. They are a little more pricey than bookmarks, but definitely attention-getting, and in a career where I have stacks of books all over my desk and I have to choose which ones to recommend or purchase, it gives them that edge that makes me take a closer look.
We all know that we’re in a profession (I have my writer hat on now) where we need to stand out, as we are swimming in a sea of competition.