The Emergency Bag - Why Authors Need One

You never know when you’re going to need something. Over the years, I’ve learned to pack a supply or an emergency bag for the just in case. Here are some things I’ve learned to have handy:

• A bottle (or two) of water and a snack (I have been to some venues where there were no snacks or drinks.)

• Tissues

• A box of books in the trunk of my car (You never know if the order was delayed. Or what happens if you sell out!)

• Extra pens (At my very first book signing, I didn’t want to carry my purse inside. I grabbed my keys and pen. The pen died, and I had to borrow one from my mom.)

• Paperclips, scissors, and a marker

• An extra tent card with my name (Sometimes, they’re not provided.)

• A roll of painters’ tape (You never know when you’ll need to hang something, and this kind of tape doesn’t stick to the walls.)

• My name tag (in case one isn’t provided)

• A tablecloth

• A small candy dish for candy or give-aways

• Bandages or a small first aid kit (You never know.)

• A phone charger

• Extra business cards (You never know when you’ll make a contact.)

I wrote about some of my oopsies at events over the years in an article for the Sisters in Crime anthology, Promophobia. This is a great collection of over sixty articles on book marketing. Check it out. And many thanks to Diane Vallere for organizing and editing the project.

Be Creative When Planning Author Events

The Unhappy Hour at the Poe Museum in Richmond, VA

Writing events aren’t just a writer at a table in a book store. Be creative when you plan and accept invitations to appear. I have had so much fun at our events.

Poe Birthday Bash - Poe Museum’s Unhappy Hour - We are so fortunate to have the Poe Museum in downtown Richmond. It’s one of my favorite museums. They have lots of events and special programs. We’ve done signings, panels, and readings at their annual Poe Birthday Bash and their summer Unhappy Hours.

MOCA - Our short story authors participated in a reading at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach. A lot of museums and botanical gardens have special events or themed events that will fit with your book/genre.

Murder at the Library - For the past four years, we have partnered with the Friends of the Chesterfield County Library and the Chesterfield Libraries to create a “whodunnit” play. Members of my Sisters in Crime chapter write the script for the library staff to act out. They sell tickets for the after-hours event, and we provide authors for a panel discussion and book signing. The event has sold out each year.

Rosemont Winery - For our wine-themed mystery anthology, our authors staff a table at the Rosemont Winery’s Arts and Crafts Festival. The day-long event is held at the beautiful winery with food, drinks, pets, and lots of fun readers who are very supportive of local authors.

Book Launch in a Winery - For 50 Shades of Cabernet, we held the book launch at the Mermaid Winery in Norfolk. The location and food were great, and we had fun talking with so many mystery readers.

Book Launch in a Bowling Alley - I had my launch for Secret Lives and Private Eyes at Uptown Alley, a bowling alley with restaurants, bars, games, and a night club. My character, Delanie Fitzgerald, visits the location in the book, so I thought it was a perfect place to launch the series. My event was held upstairs in the bar/club area with lots of lounge seating and an outdoor patio.

Book Launch in a Café - Our book launch for Virginia is for Mysteries was at the East Beach Sandwich Shop in Ocean View (Norfolk, VA). They offered drinks and great food. We signed books and enjoyed the music of the local band. This artistic community was so supportive of local writers.

Also, don’t forget workshops, libraries, school groups, and book clubs when you’re planning your events. Tell everyone that you know about your book. You’ll be surprised at the interesting invitations you’ll receive to visit and speak.