One issue every writer must address is how much time to spend marketing as opposed to writing. At first, of course, it is most important to produce a high-quality book and get it published. Once a writer has published a book, however, marketing begins to take more time.
My novels on display at Independence Courthouse at a speaking event earlier this year
Some of the time I spend marketing is enjoyable. I like writing posts for this blog. (Well, most of the time I like it. Sometimes, I admit, it’s a grind.) While some of my posts are reminiscences designed to preserve my memories for family and friends, the blog is also in part a marketing tool. I hope that people who read and like what I post will check out my novels also.
Another marketing activity I enjoy is meeting readers at book clubs and book signing events. I have a number of these events set up this fall in the Kansas City area.
Here’s where I plan to be:
October 6, 2018, 10:00am-12:00pm:
I’ll be selling and signing my books at a local gallery and gift shop. (My books will remain on sale at the gallery for a few weeks after the book signing.)
Location:
Eclectics Gallery
7015 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64113
October 13, 2018, 2:00pm-4:00pm:
I’ll be part of a panel of writers at Woodneath Library who are members of the Write Brain Trust independent authors group. We’ve worked together on publishing and marketing our books for several years now. October 13 is Indie Author Day—what better time to share our experiences!
Location:
Woodneath Library
8900 NE Flintlock Road
Kansas City, MO 64157
November 10, 2018, 9:00am-4:00pm:
Under the sponsorship of Inklings’ Books & Coffee, LLC, I’ll be selling and signing books with other local authors at Fort Osage, in Sibley, Missouri. Fort Osage has a long association with pioneers in Missouri and points West, and I’ll be selling my books with other historical fiction writers.
Location:
Fort Osage
107 Osage Street
Sibley, MO 64088
November 17, 2018, 2:00pm-5:00pm:
I’ll be selling and signing books at the Local Author Fair sponsored by The Story Center, which is part of the Mid-Continent Public Library. I’ve been a part of this event for several years now, and there are always excellent authors represented and a large crowd of readers.
Location:
Woodneath Library
8900 NE Flintlock Rd
Kansas City, MO 64157
December 8, 2018, 1:00-4:00 p.m.:
I also hope to be accepted to sell and sign my books in the Topeka Writers Fair along with other area writers. Preference is being given to Kansas authors, and I live in Missouri, but my Oregon Trail novels certainly describe the emigrants’ experience as they went through Kansas!
Location:
Marvin Auditorium
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
1515 SW 10th Ave
Topeka, KS 66604
I hope to see familiar faces and others who have read my books at these events. If you can attend any of them, please stop by my table to say hello.
Thank you!
