tour book title

Speaker for Writers Events
Testimonials
Call for Speakers
Guest Blog Post
Share Call for Submissions
Submit Feedback/Suggestions
Contribute an Interview (MEMBERS)
Member Directory
Book Award Winners
Interviews – Authors, Members, Experts
Join Our Community
Get Certified
Member Home
Member Login

Join Us Here
Thought Leader Membership
Partner Membership – Service Providers
Tour the Member Dashboard
Member Testimonials
Media Leads for Authors
All Blog Posts
Book Marketing
Writing Nonfiction
Professional Speaking
Revenue Streams for Authors
Live and On Demand Courses
Professional Speaking Course for Authors
Marketing Master Course
Publishing Master Course
Publicity Master Course
All Upcoming Events
Nonfiction Writers Conference
Podcast Interviews
Book Awards
Entry Application
Book Awards Payment
Nonfiction Book Awards Categories
Digital Award Seals
Nonfiction Book Awards – FAQ
Book Reviewers Apply Here
Recommended Resources
Virtual Assistants for Authors
Publishing, Marketing, Publicity Consultants
The Nonfiction Book Marketing and Launch Plan
Free Reports for Authors
NonfictionBookClub.com
*CONFERENCE*

Select Page

20 Things Every Author Should Know Before Starting a Book Tour by Stephanie Steinberg

Posted by Stephanie Chandler | Dec 7, 2015 | Blog , Past Events | 2

Stephanie Steinberg

Before my book was published, I thought book tours sounded charming. What could be better than talking about your book to interested readers, traveling the country and – hopefully – making a little money? Sign me up! By the time I finished applying to book fairs and scheduling book talks, my tour included 13 cities from coast to coast. But once I actually set off for my first stop, I learned a tour isn’t so charming – in fact, it takes a lot of work. With no publicist or agent giving me advice (I’ve gone the DIY-book promotion route), I’ve learned through trial and error what makes a book tour successful.

I wish someone had shared these tips before I started my journey. So here are some book tour best practices and must-do’s I’ve picked up (and stole from veteran authors) that you might find helpful if you’re a book tour rookie, too.

Pack your books in a rolling suitcase. Ladies, trust me when I say you do not want to schlep heavy cardboard boxes from your trunk to your book table in heels. Rolling a suitcase across a parking lot is a lot easier. This tip is for the strong guys too, though. If you’re flying to an event, you can avoid the cost of shipping books by packing them in a carry-on (assuming you choose an airline without bag fees).

Bring your own tablecloth. Never assume your table will be covered – unless event organizers tell you it will be. It’s worth buying your own tablecloth to tuck in your bag. Otherwise, you might run into trouble. I saw one author dash to Bed, Bath & Beyond 20 minutes before a Washington D.C. book fair because she missed the organizer’s email warning that card tables would be bare.

Pro tip: Pick a color that complements your book jacket. Or find a pattern from a craft store or online that relates to your book’s theme. (My book focuses on the University of Michigan, so I found a maize and blue table cover on Amazon for my signings at Michigan bars.)

Make a poster of your book cover to display on your table. Sure, you can arrange your books nicely, but a poster takes a display up a notch. Your publisher might even make this for you. If not, it’s easy to do at FedEx. You can walk in a store and provide a high-resolution image of your cover via email that they’ll print in a day or two. Or submit an order online here , and pick up your poster the next day. An 18×24-inch mounted foam board costs roughly $35. Staples also offers same-day printing and a banner stand option if you really want to stand out.

Set out a candy dish. In all honesty, people will likely wander over to take a Hershey kiss, maybe ask what your book is about, and then walk away. But the chocolate accomplishes your No. 1 goal: Draw people to your table. Even if just one piece of candy entices one new reader, you win. Just beware of fairs with kids: Your candy dish might empty before you can say the title of your book.

Order a Square reader. People don’t always carry cash. And if your book is worth more than 20 bucks, they might not want to part with whatever cash is in their wallet. Rather than risk missing a sale, get a Square reader at squareup.com so you can accept credit cards. It takes a few days for the small white device to arrive in the mail. All you have to do is attach it to your phone, download the Square Register app, enter pricing information about your book (don’t forget the sales tax) and you’re good to go. It’s free to register, but Square does take a 2.75 percent cut from every transaction. I promise the convenience and ability to track sales is worth it.

Don’t for get to bring …

Extra pens. Find a pen you love, and buy it in bulk. You don’t want to get stuck at a signing with your favorite pen out of ink. (Unfortunately, I’ve been there.)
A phone charger. Because the last thing you want is your phone to die mid-Square transaction.
Change. If you’re taking cash, have singles, fives, 10s and 20s on hand.
Snacks. Thoughtful event organizers should provide a water bottle, and if you’re lucky, lunch. But not all book fairs have a big budget, so bring whatever you need to keep your energy up when you’re answering – for the zillionth time –how you got the idea for your book.
Friend(s). If a friend is free and offers to help at a book fair or signing, accept! You can leave her in charge when you need a bathroom break, want to stretch your legs or feel like scoping out the competition at other tables.

The Promotion

Print a press release. There will be times you’ll have a line of people waiting to talk to you. You might not have time to give each person your book pitch (especially if the woman at the front won’t stop asking questions). That’s where a press release comes to your rescue. People who see you’re busy can read the paper to get a synopsis of the book instead of waiting impatiently in line. Include a few quotes from reviews and the cover image, too. If the book catches their eye, they’ll come back. If not, at least they’ll be happy you didn’t waste their time.

Print tour date cards. David might not buy your book, but if he sees you’re heading to Chicago, he might know a friend there who would. That’s why you need to offer another handout with a list of tour stops. I found a local company to make a 4-by-6 inch card printed with my book cover on the front and the dates and locations of my book stops, social media accounts and ordering information on the back. You can make this any dimension, but an index card size makes it easy for women to stick in their purse – plus, it can double as a bookmark. Which brings me to…

Give away swag. If you can swing the cost, turn your book cover into a giveaway. My publisher was nice enough to make tote bags with my book title printed on the front. (My friends use it for errands and groceries, and it’s great free advertising around town!) I’ve seen other authors make pens, and you could order anything from mugs and hats , to T-shirts at Staples. If you’re on a budget, bookmarks are easy to print at home.

Take pictures. Of the table. Of you with the book. Of readers with the book. Of you and readers with the book. Anything you can use to promote on your social media accounts. Plus, if you take pictures with your readers, odds are they’ll share them on their Facebook page, and you might gain another reader who didn’t know about your book until you popped up on their timeline with their best friend.

Create a hashtag. You may be thinking, does my book really need a hashtag ? Yes, it does. A hashtag will make it easier to track what people are tweeting or posting about your book. It can also help you engage with your readers who will appreciate a RT (which means you need a Twitter account if you don’t already). Just don’t get hashtag crazy. Pick a short one that matches your title or a recognizable theme in your book. (Mine is #EditorialFreedom.) Then slap it on your marketing materials and social media bios. And tweet it with those pictures you just took.

The Signing

Write fast – but not so fast you spell your name wrong. True story: I got so overwhelmed by the line at my first signing (a good problem to have, I know) that I started writing too fast and transposed letters in my last name. Whether you have two people in line, or two dozen, it’s OK to take a minute to write a message and chat with each person. They stood in line to see you. The least you can do is write a legible and correctly spelled autograph.

Think of a few go-to messages. Sure, all readers want a personal note addressed to them, but you might not have time to think of something on the spot. Instead, come up with three or four short messages you can rotate among readers. It will save time, and you’ll avoid the stress of not knowing what to write while someone’s hovering over you.

Make people spell their name on Post-its. You can pass the sticky notes down a line, or keep them on your table. No matter how well you know someone, request that everyone writes their name or who the book should be addressed to. What’s worse than spelling your own name wrong? Spelling your cousin’s name wrong…right in front of her…in a book she’s paying $20 for…that she’ll have forever as a reminder.

Steal secrets from other authors. The author at the book fair table next to you is hogging all your potential customers. He doesn’t have George Clooney’s looks, and he’s not a bestselling author. So what’s the deal? Chat him up (when he has a minute), and find out why he’s the center of attention. Authors tend to be friendly people, and chances are Mr. Popular will be happy to share his tricks.

Have fun. This tip comes last, but it may be the most important. You spent months, perhaps years, on this work, and it’s finally in your hands. Share the joy. Readers will absorb your I-just-published-a-book glow, and they’ll be excited to read it if you’re excited to talk about it.

I’m still mid-book tour, so if there’s something I missed on this list, I want to know! Email me at [email protected] . Good luck on your tour!

Author Bio:

Stephanie Steinberg is an editor of the Health and Money sections at U.S. News & World Report in Washington D.C. and a proud native of metro Detroit. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, USA Today, The Washington City Paper, CNN.com, WTOP.com and several Detroit publications. In college, she was editor-in-chief of the University of Michigan’s student newspaper The Michigan Daily. In celebration of the Daily’s 125th anniversary, she edited “In the Name of Editorial Freedom: 125 Years at the Michigan Daily,” which is a compilation of essays by alumni who take readers behind the scenes of major stories they covered. You can follow Stephanie on Twitter at @Steph_Steinberg and visit her website www.stephaniesteinberg.com .

If you like this interview, you’ll love our weekly teleseminars! See upcoming teleseminar events here .

About The Author

Stephanie Chandler

Best Practices for Nonfiction Authors Using Newsletters to Market Your Book by Roger C. Parker

How to Effectively Use Social Media without It Becoming a Time-Waster

How to Write Sales Copy for the Back of Your Nonfiction Book

Coauthor, Ghostwriter, or Contributor: How to Get the Right Help Writing Your Book by Roger C. Parker

Thanks for sharing these tips! I’m not sure I would have figured all of them out by myself, when my turn comes to do a book tour!

Woishing you all the best on your tour! Tamara Kulish Author of “On Becoming a Lemonade Maker”

Thanks for these very helpful tips. I will be having my first tour in a week.

THE NONFICTION WRITERS CONFERENCE RETURNS MAY 8-10, 2024

Reserve your virtual seat at our most popular event of the year! LIVE educational sessions (by Zoom), literary agent pitches, one-on-one consults with industry pros, virtual networking, and more. NonfictionWritersConference.com

NEW BOOK! The Nonfiction Book Marketing and Launch Plan – Workbook and Planning Guide

The Nonfiction Book Marketing and Launch Plan - Workbook and Planning Guide - By Stephanie Chandler

Are you ready to sell more books? This comprehensive workbook includes over 250 pages of value in a size 8.5 x 11 format. It will help you develop effective marketing plans so you can grow your audience and sell more books. Get the Book Here

Download Our Popular Free Reports

ONLINE COURSES FOR NONFICTION WRITERS

Upcoming Events for Nonfiction Writers

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE REPORT: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BETA READERS

JOIN THE NONFICTION AUTHORS ASSOCIATION

New Nonfiction Book Club site

Book Marketing

Everything you need to know about book tours.

The idea of planning a tour to promote your book can be very exciting but especially daunting. With a vision in mind, you are likely to have plenty of questions: What exactly is a book tour? How do I plan one? When should I do it? What do I do while on a tour?

These are all very good questions, and ones we hear from our authors often. We’ve put together the ultimate guide so you can choose the option that’s right for you!

What exactly is a book tour? What do I do while on a tour?

A book tour is a wonderful method to connect with your network in person and attract new readers. Social and digital media promotions are great for spreading the word and announcing updates about your book, but it’s also rewarding to get out there and share your message or story in a more personal or long-form way.

You can sign copies of your books, hold a party to celebrate the initial launch, read a chapter for attendees, or book interviews and speaking engagements. There are many combinations of what your book tour or single event can look like based on the scale of these events and size of your network.

Book Launch Event

Many authors plan a single event to celebrate their initial launch. If you want to keep your book launch event more personal, you can choose almost any venue to invite your network and encourage online sales or bring signed copies of your book to sell directly to guests.

You can also increase the potential for new readers by collaborating with your local bookstore. Whether you approach your neighborhood indie shop, or reach out to the local Barnes & Noble, many bookstores love working with local authors to schedule launch parties and signings. This is also a great opportunity to form a relationship with that bookstore to get copies of your book on their shelves!

Touring Local Bookstores

If your personal network is nearby, reaching out to local bookstores is a smart way to spread the word across your community. By connecting with multiple stores to schedule events during the months following your book’s release, you can increase your readership, build buzz in your city, and increase local demand for your book! Coordinate multiple events—the more interviews you do, the more opportunities you have to advertise your book and show all the milestones and accomplishments you achieve.

Cross-Country

Perhaps your network spans multiple cities. Planning events outside of your own neighborhood, where members of your network are ready to show up and lead the charge in supporting your book, allows you to increase your readership on a larger scale. It takes further coordination and more resources, but with more effort comes satisfying rewards. Larger bookstores appreciate seeing not only the hard work put in by the author, but also the multiple places and local stores your book receives attention. This not only increases the magnitude of your campaign and number of eyes on your book, but also shows those larger bookstores that readers are excited about your book!

Podcasts/Virtual Events

Maybe you prefer the digital landscape. Speaking about your book on podcasts helps you grow awareness for both your book and your brand. Whether you are a first-time fiction author or an established thought leader, a podcast tour can provide a platform for you to share your work. Some authors primarily focus on podcasts as a way to promote their book online, while others coordinate in-person events and podcast events congruently.

In the same vein, since 2020, virtual book tours have become more popular. They existed before the pandemic, but understandably grew in popularity during that time. You can schedule a reading or Q&A via your website with a link for people to join at a certain date and time, or you can partner with a bookstore that conducts virtual events for the community. It’s all about what works best for you. You can also coordinate any cross-country event by taking the virtual approach if that’s more convenient for your schedule.

How do I plan one? When should I do it?

If a book tour on any scale is of interest to you, there are a variety of ways to start planning.

It’s best to start sooner rather than later in order to have the luxury of an open calendar for both you and the venue. You should promote the event in advance to your network on social media and/or your newsletter.

If you approach local stores, which many authors do, we suggest you send them an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) or sales sheet with essential information at least 2–3 months in advance of when you would like to hold an event. Our Print-on-Demand titles are submitted to retailers much closer to publication, so it’s imperative to keep in mind when your book will be available for bookstores to order and when you’ll be able to order copies yourself. It’s important to let bookstores know that you are a local author, share any planned PR and marketing coverage for the book to show the demand you will be generating, and express your interest in working with them on an event around the time of your book’s release. Every store works differently, so whether they want to order copies of your book for the event via a wholesaler or you need to bring physical copies to the store, your Greenleaf team can help make sure you have the books on hand.

If you are working with a publicist, they can help coordinate a tour for you. Talk with your publicist about signings, speaking engagements, and event promotions as you build your campaign with them.

Once you have the venue, bookstore, or podcast booked, make sure you let your network know! The more support you receive at these events, the better. A good turnout and/or high engagement in podcast episodes can open more doors for you and your book. You may also want to promote the event in local new outlets. Whether you take out an ad in the newspaper or radio station or work on cross-promotion with the bookstore, it’s important to let as many people know about your book as possible.

As you are preparing for your book tour, remember that promoting your book is a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, it is important to plan events as close to the initial launch as possible, but they don’t have to, and likely won’t, happen all in the first month. If you choose to host a single event to celebrate the launch, we recommend doing this the same week the book releases. If you are coordinating an entire tour, in person or virtually, you can plan these events and interviews for the weeks and months after release. It’s important to inform your Greenleaf Marketing and Distribution teams, as well as your publicist, about your event plans to generate the most impact and exposure. A book tour is a fantastic way to continue to build upon the momentum of your book launch, reach new readers, and grow the visibility for both you and your book.

Written by Greenleaf's Marketing Strategist, Madelyn Myers

Madelyn is responsible for the execution of marketing strategies to increase visibility and readership for Greenleaf authors and their books.

click here to read it now

Read this week's magazine

Creating a Successful Book Tour: Five Tips from an Indie Author

When I decided to organize a book tour to promote my memoir, Getting Naked for Money: An Accidental Travel Writer Reveals All, I worried that self-publication might work against me. This was all terra incognita. I'd done signings and readings for my four previous books , put out by traditional presses, but never planned a book tour for a self-published title. Now I was planning an ambitious trip covering four states.

Self-publishing wasn't really an issue, I discovered. Bookstores are more concerned about your book bringing in an audience than how it was published.

These tips for planning a book tour apply not just to indie authors but to anyone looking to hit the road in support of a new title.

1. Target indie bookstores—and not just because of good publishing karma.

Small local bookstores have devoted followers and mailing lists tailored to promoting intimate author events. You can expect social media love and personalized attention from them, too.

2. Contact bookstores as far in advance in possible.

I started sending out emails in late February for a book tour starting in mid-June. Not only was I able to get the initial dates I wanted, but starting early gave me the time and space to juggle the schedule.

3. Give bookstores both general and specific reasons to host you.

I sent out detailed pitch emails, individualized for each bookstore. I included an up-to-date press release, a picture of my book cover, and—assuming my press release might not be opened—a few blurbs and a link to Amazon , where I have many five-star reviews. I then emphasized that, as a humorous memoir about travel, my book was a great summer vacation read—thus perfect for a June or July event. Finally, I leveraged ties to individual stores and cities. For example, as the author of Frommer's San Antonio and Austin , I promised potential hosts in both cities behind-the-scenes information about the writing of that guidebook.

4. Promote creatively.

After I'd pinned down dates and locations and started promoting them on Facebook, I noticed that the pictures I posted of my dog, Madeleine, got far more "likes" than status updates about the tour. Then I had a eureka moment. Many people know my writing from my last book, Am I Boring My Dog: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew , and from my dog blog, WillMyDogHateMe.com . I'd been planning to take Madeleine on the book tour anyway, because she's excellent company. Why not capitalize on that?

Thus the Author & Her Dog Book Tour was born.

This sparked ideas for related cross-promotions, including one with a pet-friendly hotel in Austin , and another with a humane society in San Antonio ; I pledged 15% of all book sales to the rescue. This also helped nab me a spot on a San Antonio morning TV show. When your book has the word "naked" in the title, it doesn't hurt to include a cute dog and a family-friendly topic like pet rescue in your pitch.

5. Keep on top of your tour dates and publicity.

I didn't hire a publicist for my tour. I couldn't imagine that the cost would have been offset by additional sales and no one knows my book and my social media strategy better than I do. But sometimes I did make mistakes—for example, I gave a local reporter who wanted to cover my reading the wrong date for it.

Nevertheless, I consider my tour a success. I had fun seeing old friends and making new ones; I learned a lot; and, most of all, I gained confidence in my book—and in myself.

You are a subscriber but you have not yet set up your account for premium online access. Contact customer service (see details below) to add your preferred email address and password to your account.
You forgot your password and you need to retrieve it. Click here to retrieve reset your password.
Your company has a site license, use our easy login. Enter your work email address in the Site License Portal.

Good Writing Habits
Inspiration
Writing Groups, Tools, & Software
Writing Tips
Book Design & Formatting
Book Distribution
Printed Books 101
Publishing Industry News
Self-Publishing
Book Launch
Book Promotion & Publicity
Online Book Marketing
BookBaby.com
Publish My Book
Free Catalog

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

A book tour may sound like some fanciful dream for an indie author, the kind of thing that’s only available to traditionally published authors with six-digit advances. But plenty of independent authors plan and execute successful book tours. In the end, bookstores don’t care if your book was published by one of the Big 5 publishers or if you self-published it; they only care that you can drive traffic to their store.

Table of Contents: • Before contacting bookstores • Create a sell-sheet • Scaling your tour • How can I find suitable venues for my book tour? • Schedule way in advance • Collaborate with other writers or influencers • Create promotional campaigns • Adapt to the ambiance • Rehearsal and dry runs • Day of the event • You need books for your tour!

Book tours offer independent authors a chance to forge partnerships with bookstores, libraries, and other venues. They also offer opportunities to meet their readers, find new ones, and get a better sense of how their writing connects with their audience. So how do you plan a successful book tour?

Before contacting bookstores

Before you start calling bookstores to schedule dates, you’re going to need some essential information on hand. When is your exact release date? How can the store get copies of your book?

A good idea is to create a sell-sheet you can deliver to venue owners so they will have everything they need in one organized, complete document.

Create a sell-sheet

A sell-sheet should include:

A prominent image of your book’s cover.
A three-to-five sentence blurb describing your book.
General information, including your release date, publisher/ imprint , the book’s ISBN, page count, and purchasing info.
A short about the author paragraph introducing who you are. Mention anything that will make you look great, like other published books or awards.
Your contact information, including website, email address, and phone number.
Any testimonials or reviews you’ve amassed that can vouch for the quality of your book and writing.

Here is an article that offers up great design ideas for sell-sheets. If you’re not a designer, consider hiring one.

Scaling your tour

The words “book tour” tend to evoke images of flying off to distant and glamorous locales across North America, but if this is your first tour, think locally. Start with a library, bookstore, and school in your hometown and branch out from there. Draw a circle around your house and find appropriate venues within an hour’s drive so you’re not dealing with hotel and travel expenses.

Also, by keeping it local, you are more likely to be a draw — and you’re more likely to know people who can come out to your event. Once you’ve hit all the places in your region, you’ll have a better sense of how well your tour is going and how people are reacting to your live event. Then you’ll be in a better place to expand your tour to other regions.

When choosing your next region, hit areas where you have friends first, or bring friends with you and make it a road trip.

How can I find suitable venues for my book tour?

Bookstores seem like the most logical venues for hosting a book signing or reading, but that may not be the only or best place for you. (Not to mention, bookstores tend to book up, especially in the holiday season.) If you’re a children’s book author, you might want to focus on schools. Libraries are always open to hosting events, especially if the author is local and especially for nonfiction authors who can work educational angles into their presentations.

Cafes, community centers, art galleries, museums, and universities can also be excellent places to host an event. Consider the demographics of your target audience as well as the subject matter of your book. Tailoring your venue choices to your readers’ preferences will enhance the overall experience and boost attendance.

Research local book festivals and conferences to see if you can attend as a reader, panelist, or judge.

Schedule way in advance

If you wait until the last minute, you’re not going to have many options available to you. You also won’t have time to promote your appearance. Consider booking your tour four-to-six months ahead of time. Not only will you be more likely to get the dates you want, but you’ll have time for promotion and more flexibility should plans change.

Collaborate with other writers or influencers

Consider teaming up with other authors or influencers who share your target audience. Collaborative events can draw a larger crowd and provide a dynamic experience for attendees. Plus, these joint efforts will lighten the workload for you when it comes to promotion and planning.

Create promotional campaigns

Adapt to the ambiance

Each venue has its ambiance, and you should tailor your event to match. If you’re in a cozy cafe, an intimate, conversational format might be suitable. In contrast, a bookstore might accommodate a larger crowd for readings and Q&A sessions.

Rehearsal and dry runs

If you’ve never read your work out loud before, you will definitely want to practice. If possible, conduct dry-run events with a small group of friends or colleagues to gather feedback and identify spots to address in your presentation. Or try recording yourself and review to determine what works and what doesn’t. Make sure you are confident and rehearsed when it comes to showtime.

Day of the event

On the day of any of your tour events, arrive early to set up. Greet attendees with warmth and enthusiasm and create a welcoming atmosphere. Engage in meaningful interactions, sign books, and make an effort to connect with your readers. Capture the moments through photos and videos to share on your social media platforms and keep the tour’s momentum alive.

You need books for your tour!

Planning a book tour requires meticulous preparation and creativity. And if this is your first book tour, keep your expectations realistic — it’s not likely you’ll have 400 people showing up for each stop. Your goal with this first tour is to plant the seeds for your future tours: form personal connections with readers and venue owners, showcase your work, and build your email list. These should be the hallmarks of a successful tour.

Of course, the first thing you need for a book tour is your physical books, and BookBaby’s Complete Self-Publishing Packages have everything you need to publish printed books that will impress your readers at every tour event.

Related Posts The Power of Self-Publishing: Why It Outshines the Big 5 Publishers What is Imprint Publishing? About the Author Examples to Get You Inspired Common-sense Tips To Get People To Your Book Signing 10 Book Launch Don’ts

Thank you. I didn’t know I needed this!

Thanks so much for this advice!!!

Recent Articles

"Social Media for Writers: A Guide for the Top Platforms" Smiling young African female influencer talking during a vlog post using a smart phone while standing in her living room at home

How to Set Up Your Own Book Tour

Unless you’re super famous or your publisher has big dreams for your book, you probably won’t be given your own, paid-for book tour. If you’re self-published, you don’t even have a chance of having someone pay you to tour. Not getting an all expense paid book tour isn’t a necessarily a reflection of your writing , but more if you have established yourself as a writer. If you want a book tour, what do you do, then?

You go it alone and set up your own tour. Before you decide to go on the road, though, you must decide whether the expense is worth it. Will you generate enough exposure and sales to offset the costs of the tour, or would you be better served by finding some other ways to promote your work ? If you’re still set on going on tour, here are some tips for organizing your own tour.

Establish a budget

It’s important to establish a budget and to look for ways to cut costs. Figure out how much you can spend and allocate that money most effectively. You probably won’t be able to visit every city you want to visit, so choose which places will give you the most bang for your buck. Also, look into staying with friends or family to cut costs, or doing a tour of places that are within driving distance of your home to avoid expensive airfare.

Send out copies

Don’t just show up somewhere and hope they’ll let you read. Send out copies to bookstores and other places beforehand to gauge interest. If someone writes back and says, “This book isn’t for us,” you can mark that off your list and not waste money going there. If they are interested, you can follow up and add them to your list of places to visit.

Consider teaming with another writer

If you know another writer in your field or whose work is similar to yours, consider teaming up. A bookstore may be more willing to have two of you appear rather than just taking a chance on one unknown author. If your teammate has some credibility already, so much the better. If you trust and are friendly with the other writer, you may be able to share hotel rooms and rental cars, reducing the costs for you both.

Don’t limit yourself to bookstores

Bookstores aren’t the only places where you can appear. Conventions and conferences that are about your field or tied to your book’s theme are good choices. If your book is set in a certain location you might try tourism boards or similar places. There are also libraries, community centers, senior centers, book clubs, and schools/universities if your material is applicable.

Think beyond a standard reading

If you can teach a class in something or speak about your topic, pitch yourself as a speaker rather than just a reader or book signer If a store can bill your event as a learning opportunity they may be more willing to have you visit than if you simply plan to read from your book (which no one has heard of). You’re often more valuable as an educator than an author.

Consider a virtual book tour

If you don’t have the money to do a regular tour, you can consider a virtual tour. You connect with book bloggers around the country and agree to write guest posts, run some giveaways, do a podcast, and/or take questions from readers. You can also do virtual chats or readings through Skype or similar. It still requires a lot of planning and time on your part, but it costs very little.

Go where people know you

If you don’t know a soul in New York, it might not be worth going there. Think of places where you know people who can help you. Where did you go to school? Can you go back to your hometown? Do you have a lot of friends living in one city? Go places where your friends and family can help get the word out and drive people to your event.

Practice efficient scheduling

Once you figure out where you’re going, organize your schedule for efficiency. You don’t want to be flying back and forth across the country ten times. Proceed from city to city in a logical and cost effective order.

Practice your pitch

When you’re ready to start calling bookstores and other places to set up your appearance times, be prepared. Don’t wing it. Know who you’re calling (find out who handles events and ask for that person), and have prepared what you’re going to say. Be clear on who you are and what you’re offering (a reading, a class, etc.) Be professional. If you go in unprepared, or ask, “Um, what do other authors do?” the other person is likely to dismiss you. Quickly.

Alert the media

Call local newspapers and other media in the cities you’ll be visiting to see if you can wrangle any coverage of your time in their city. You may not get any interest, but then again you might so it’s worth a try.

Pay attention to the logistics

Make sure your books are shipped to each location with time to spare before you appear. Will you have to ship other promotional items, as well? Know how you will get around each city. Should you get lodgings with a kitchen to save money, or are there reasonably priced eateries nearby? Are you leaving enough time between appearances to deal with transportation or weather delays? There are plenty of details to consider besides just booking the appearance at a venue.

It is possible to organize your own book tour, even within tight budget constraints. To maximize your investment, do some advance planning and research and make sure that touring will give you the return you expect or need. Touring isn’t the end all, be all. There are lots of other ways to promote your work. Touring can be fun or it can be a nightmare. Try to prepare as much as you can in advance to prevent the nightmare scenario.

(Photo courtesy of Jonathan Clede )

I’ve always wanted to do a book tour. It’s actually a dream of mine, but there are so many costs involved with doing it. You have to already have a good amount of money to be able to do it, and it’s just not possible to do it as a struggling writer. I hope one day to be successful enough that I can go on a book tour, but it’s just not possible right now. I better get back to writing…

As someone who has done book tours, the image and the reality are far different. The image is there are a lot of adoring fans wanting to meet and greet you and tell you how much they loved the book. In reality, it’s a trudge from bookstore to bookstore hoping there are enough people there to buy a few copies of the book. You have to be a salesperson, and that isn’t what a lot of writers are. It’s one of those things where “be careful what you wish for” is pertinent.

I find that most people even some family members want you to give them a copy instead of helping you to promote it and some even have asked to read it but never make a commitment.

This is what authors often don’t realize when they write a book. It doesn’t just sell itself. You have to get out there and promote it so people can find it to read it. I think a lot fewer people would dream about being writers if they knew how much promotion that they have to do on top of all the writing.

Hello! I am a new author and my first book come out in the spring of 2022. What I noticed was some authors don’t have the time or the know how to even begin book touring. In many of my conversations with other writers I ask how are you going to promote your work! The answer I mainly get is I don’t know. My reply back to the author is while your book is bring created also look into marketing strategies this is a topic many over look.

Hi was happy to read this post. My first and only book came out in August 2021 but is sleeping on Amazon’s shelf. I am thinking about doing a book tour to promote it. Would love to know how you are going about your promotion.

This is very helpful. Thank you

Very helpful information. I am planning my first tour for my first book. Much of the information I’ve already considered, but there were things I didn’t consider. Thanks!

I am getting ready to do a book tour. Do I have to get a seller’s permit in every city/state I sell books?

This was very helpful. I will start at local libraries and book stores, then I will go to conferences. Thanks much for these tips.

How to Organize a Successful DIY Book Tour

When my first novel, Lifers , published, I made almost zero plans to promote it. I thought that promoting the book was the publisher’s responsibility, so I basically settled in for a nap and waited for the royalty checks to come in (spoiler alert: this didn’t work). Then, a few weeks later, Lifers received a capsule review in The New York Times Book Review . My wife and I ran out and bought every copy of the paper we could find, and I settled back to take a longer nap and waited for even larger royalty checks to arrive.

Again, this did not work. In fact, nothing happened whatsoever. Because the frustrating truth is, if you as the author don’t put a lot of work into physically promoting your book , it’s impossible to take advantage of stuff like that. We have to get out there and do the work.

One of the most effective ways of drumming up some publicity and awareness of you and your book is a good old-fashioned book tour. It’s probably not surprising that very few authors actually get the classic book tour funded by their publisher that you sometimes see in movies and TV shows—and when they do get them, they tend to be a lot smaller scale than those movies imply. But just because your publisher isn’t willing to foot the bill and do the legwork for a book tour doesn’t mean you can’t organize one on your own.

In the modern-day it’s easy enough to set up a virtual book tour, stopping by blogs to do interviews, post guest articles, hitting up podcasts and vlogs via your phone or video conferencing. And that can be very effective in terms of moving the needle on your book. But even if you’ve set up a virtual book tour to promote your new book, you should consider a book tour in real life (IRL) as well—or should, once the world returns to something resembling normal.

IRL for the Win

Virtual events and Blog Tours are fantastic promotional tools and can be a lot of fun. But there are several advantages to a real-world physical book tour:

Meeting readers. You can, of course, technically “meet” readers and fans online—but it’s simply not the same as having a personal moment. Shaking a hand, looking people in the eye, being present is a powerful experience. Plus, meeting readers in real life avoids the incredible awkwardness of navigating dozens of tiny boxes on your screen, weird sound issues, and connection problems that transform readings and other events into hallucinogenic experiences.
Connecting with booksellers. Print books are here to stay . The convenience and flexibility of digital books aren’t going away, but people of all ages still love print books. As a result, the death of the bookstore has been wildly exaggerated. Meeting booksellers and getting to know them—and putting your face to your book titles—is a good step towards ensuring your work is stocked in bookstores. Even when you do readings in bars or other locations, there’s usually a mobile bookseller involved. Making inroads with the folks who decide what books to shelve is huge.
Stocking shelves. If you’re reading in a book store, they’ve more than likely ordered your books for the event, and will likely keep some on the shelves for a while after you’re gone. One local bookstore near me still has my books on the shelves several years after an event. On an online platform, your book is one of several million. In a bookstore, it’s one of several thousand.
Hand selling. There’s a vast difference between someone saying they will order your book from Amazon or another online seller and literally handing someone a physical copy that you just signed. One’s a possibility of a sale, the other’s a sale .
Publicity. No one is writing an article about your virtual blog tour. But if you’re going to be doing a reading at a local bookstore, bar, or library, there’s a good chance a local paper, radio show, or locally-focused blog will cover it, which in turn puts your name and book title into a lot of ears and eyeballs.

Your Guide to a Winning Book Tour

Plan ahead—a lot ahead.

Like any promotional operational, one does not just decide one afternoon that they’ll organize a book tour. You have to do a lot of planning.

Decide the Date

Note the publication date of your book and back up about six months. A mistake many authors make is assuming they can’t start planning until their book is out. On the contrary—you need to start contacting your venues long before then in order to secure event dates around the time your book hits the shelves.

Decide the Scope

Saying you’re going on a book tour is sort of like saying you’re going to eat some cake—do you mean a modest slice, two pieces, or the whole thing (presumably on your way to the hospital to treat the sugar coma)? Book tours can be relatively simple affairs with a few appearances, or they can be epic road trips spanning weeks. They can cost a lot of money, or they can be done on a shoestring. Your first steps should be determining your budget (and zero or close to it is a perfectly acceptable budget—you just have to know that in advance), how far you’re willing and able to travel, and how much time you want to devote to the tour.

Note: You can certainly organize a book tour that has a lot of downtime—you don’t have to do six stops in four days. On the other hand, you want to strike while your book is fresh news, so stretching things out too far might dilute the promotional impact.

Set a Budget

Depending on your plans, you might need to consider gas, transit fares, lodging, meals, and promotional materials. Some of these costs will depend on the logistics of your tour. Keep in mind you may be able to deduct some of these expenses from your tax bill—some travel and meals are definitely deductible. Consult with a tax professional before making any assumptions, though.

How much does a DIY book tour cost? Chris Guillebeau spent about $30,000 promoting The Art of Non-Conformity about ten years ago, and Katey Schultz spent $12,000 promoting her book Flashes of War . You can hire a publicist, stay in swanky hotels, and fly around the country for six weeks if you have the budget for it. But if you don’t have the budget, you don’t have to spend much. In fact, you can organize a book tour where the only thing you spend money on is gas or transit fare—as long as you’re willing to do all the work a publicist would normally do.

If your first budget makes you sweat, here are some tips for cutting costs:

Stay in one area. This doesn’t have to be your home town. You want a metropolitan area with a number of venues, but keeping everything within driving/ transit distance of central point means you can hit a long list of venues without buying a lot of plane tickets.
Couch surf. This one might seem obvious, but if you set up your stops in areas where you have friends and family, you can have a place to crash after the event without splashing out for a hotel or motel.
Use miles. Another obvious tactic a surprising number of people overlook is credit card points or airline miles that can be traded in for hotels, rental cars, and other items and services. If you’ve got such a card, check your points balance and see what you can get.
Keep promotion digital. Posters, invitations, and giveaways are great, but if you’re strapped for cash you can rely solely on free social media to get the word out.
Make it work. If you’re a freelancer, consider how you might get some work done while on tour—maybe building in a few hours with your laptop before or after each event. That way you at least don’t lose income while promoting your book. If you travel for work, think about whether you might set up your tour dates to coincide with work-paid travel.
Team up. Know other authors with books to promote? See if any of them want to go in with you on a tour. This can maximize the crowds you attract, widen the resources you have access to, and allow you to spend a bit more overall because your individual contribution is lowered. Plus you can share driving duties if it’s a carpool situation.

Think Logistics

Unless you have endless resources, when planning a DIY book tour you should consider the locations you’ll visit. There’s one fundamental choice to make: Whether you plan to stay local, or if you’re going to take it national (or, I supposed, international , you fancy thing), you should take a few things into consideration when planning the dates and locations you’re going to hit. If you’re planning to drive, a useful tool is MyRouteOnline , which allows you to input several addresses and then shows you the best driving route to hit them in order, which is a good starting point when trying to nail down dates at each venue.

If you’re looking for bookstores and other venues that you can get to and back within the day, a site like TravelTime can be very useful—it will show you the geographical area you can travel to in 2 hours (or less) by car, transit, walking, biking—or a combination. You can cross-reference the resulting map with bookstores, libraries, etc. to build your list of possible venues. You should also consider who you know near those potential venues. Friends and family near the appearance site can translate to free food, places to stay, and a larger crowd in attendance. Of course, you shouldn’t presume—ask first—but if people are willing to put you up, it can save you huge amounts of money.

If you’ve got a day job (and many professional writers do) you might need to take time off to accommodate your travel and appearance schedule, so keep that in mind as you plan. And know that you can create all the ideal itineraries you want, but much of your tour schedule will depend on the available dates venues offer you, which may not line up with your ideal plans. It’s best to contact book stores, bars, libraries, and other venues as early in this process as possible to make sure they’ll book you—and on the dates you’d prefer.

Make Contact

The most crucial part of any DIY book tour is to contact the folks who manage venues. Whether you’re targeting bookstores, bars, or other places, someone has to actually accept you as a guest and set up the appearance. Well, you could do a guerrilla book tour where you just show up at random spots and start reading from your book, but that’s not an effective or efficient way to promote a book. You really do need to start making phone calls and sending emails.

This might require a bit of research. The simplest way to start is to find the location’s website and look for an EVENTS page, then see if there’s a contact listed. If not, look for the general number and email and start some cold-calling (cold-calling remains the most super of adult super powers; if you can make cold-calls, you can get almost anything done). Don’t be scared! Places that hold events are eager to have events—they want to hear from you. Just give them the basics—who you are, the book you’re promoting, what you’re hoping to do (reading, signing, both), and the dates you’re most interested in.

When I set up a DIY book tour after my first novel came out, I literally just sent out emails to a few bookstores and bars in areas that I could easily drive to and that had some friendly faces nearby. My response rate was probably about 20 percent, but I didn’t have any prior connection with the folks who worked at those places. I just contacted them and asked if they’d be interested in letting me read there, and some of them were. It really is just that simple.

Another strategy is to look for local book clubs or writing clubs and contact them—they very likely have existing relationships with the local stores and libraries. And if you’re a member of the SFWA, RWA, HWA, or MWA, reaching out to the local chapter will probably yield a lot of great information, if not an easy path to booking your appearance. Plus, once you have a reading in the books your fellow guild members can help promote it—and fill out the crowd.

Finally, follow up with your events contact at the venue a few weeks before the event. Make sure they’ve done some kind of promotion—advertising, in-store flyers, a mention in their newsletter—and that arrangements have been made. Mainly you just want to have confidence they didn’t forget all about you. If you get the sense that they have forgotten you, you might have to take matters into your own hands and double down on your efforts to get some local media attention.

Contact Media

Once you have some readings set up, your next step is to contact any media you can think of . Bloggers, podcasts, traditional radio, local television, local papers—literally anyone you can think of. Contrary to popular misconception, you don’t need a publicist for this—a publicist will probably do it better , and might have ideas and strategies that you lack, but can definitely do this yourself. The key is to make contact as early as possible. Journalists, reviewers, and other media folks have really long lead times. They’re more than happy to have content provided to them, but you have to get on their radar in time. Simply email or call with the information: Who you are, where you’ll be, and what you’re doing. In your email it’s a good idea to include any major reviews or past coverage you’ve received. Then, follow up a few weeks later. You won’t hear back from everyone, but you’ll probably get at least a few nibbles.

Also, check to see if there are any local events calendars you can submit to and make sure you get the info over to them. And finally, don’t forget your social media ! Toss the event out to your followers and friends, because some of them might hail from the area you’ll be reading in, or know someone who is. You’d be amazed how far your social media can reach if you give it time—and the opportunity.

Contact Your Audience

While you should expect the venue to do some promotion for you, and getting some media attention will help, you should also promote your appearance pretty aggressively. That means having an EVENTS page on your website, posting the event to Facebook, sending out waves of social media posts and reminders, and including it in every newsletter, interview, and other networking you engage in.

Because here’s the thing: The ratio of social media contacts—that is, the number of people you contact repeatedly via Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms—to actual attendees is abysmal . Think in terms of maybe one person for every 1,000 you reach—and by reach, I mean have meaningful impact on. It’s incredibly easy to like, favorite, or share a post, so if a bit of promotion looks like it’s blowing up, expect approximately zero people to actually show up to your reading.

Then send out another batch of posts, emails, and reminders.

Have a Plan

Now you’ve got some readings set up, you’ve reached out to media, and you’ve got your logistics planned. There’s one last, final detail to deal with: The reading itself.

Choose Material

You might think you can just show up with a copy of your book, flip it open, and start reading. You would be very, very wrong. In fact, authors who do that usually come off as flustered and unprepared. What you want to do is thoughtfully select a passage from your book that will take about 5–10 minutes to read. You really don’t want to go any longer than that, because audiences just don’t do well with longer reading times.

You’ll want to pick a passage that conveys the style and tone of the book but is also dynamic and exciting. Pick a funny section, or a dramatic moment. Resist the urge to do accents—in fact, dialog-heavy passages are a bad idea because all the “he said, she replied” tags get super repetitive. Above all, pick a passage you yourself will enjoy reading, something you can have fun with.

For the love of meatloaf, practice . Sure, you wrote it. But can you read it? Go through it a few times. This will not only confirm your choice isn’t too long (or too short), but will also identify rough spots where your tongue twists. Don’t be afraid to do some light editing—it might feel like cheating, but changing a word here and there is better than stumbling in your delivery.

Think about your remarks, too. Once you’ve practiced your reading, work up some talking points and craft an introduction that leads naturally to the selection. Your audience wants to know a little about your inspiration, process, and the story behind the book. Don’t try too hard to be funny or brilliant (though both are appreciated, of course)—just be natural.

Get in Ringers

Remember checking to see if you knew anyone who lived near the venues you’ve booked? Get them to show up. Cajole, bribe, and beg if necessary, because getting some “ringers” in will accomplish two things: Prevent a thin crowd (or, worse, no crowd) and provide a bed of positive support that will hopefully provide laughs to your jokes, applause to your performance, and maybe a question when no one else has any at the end of the night. You might not need your ringers, but if you do you’ll be incredibly happy they came.

Bring Books

Whatever you do, don’t assume the venue will have copies of your books. Sure, they should have copies, but stuff happens. Bringing a dozen of your own copies just in case could be the difference between selling a dozen books and not selling a dozen books. One of the strengths of IRL events, as mentioned above, is the opportunity to hand-sell books to folks. By the time they get home, that promise to look you up and order a copy may have faded somewhat. Pulling a book out of your bag and offering to sign it right there and then might seal the deal.

Be Prepared

Weird stuff can happen when you set up a reading or other event. I once in fact read to an empty store—I’d set up the reading months before, but when I showed up no one seemed to have been informed of the event. The staff threw together a space really quickly, but no advertising or promotion had been done, and literally no one showed up. I read to my wife, mother, and two friends who’d come with me. The store manager was nice enough to have me sign two copies, which meant they couldn’t be returned and so counted as sales.

You might have disruptive folks who get belligerent or provocative, or who are loudly dismissive of your writing talent. You might be sharing the evening with another writer—who’s more popular than you are and thus dominates the crowd’s attention. The point is that live events are unpredictable, so you should cultivate a flexible mental attitude—and remember that even a crazy, chaotic experience can also be a successful event.

Double Your Impact

We’re discussing IRL book tours, but this is the 21st century—enlist someone to record your event. This can be fancy—I once had a real, actual filmmaker come to a reading and make a nifty short film about it —but it doesn’t have to be. A friend with a smartphone and some patience can record your whole appearance for later editing, and you can whip up a few short videos with the highlights, which means a whole other potential audience can “meet” you and learn about your book

Someone should also handle photos for you—photos are incredibly useful for jazzing up your blog posts about the event after the fact, sharing on Instagram and other venues, and just documenting the moment. If your friend-with-the-smartphone is comfortable with devices, they can do both, snapping photos while they’re recording. If you don’t have any friends who can record things, invest in a cheap tripod for smartphones, set yours up in the back, zoom in and press record a moment before everything begins. It will be static and unexciting, but at least you’ll have a video to work with.

A book tour can be stressful, nerve-wracking, and rarely pays off big in terms of immediate sales and publicity. But it’s also fun, exciting, and plants the seeds of future success. If you decide your next book could benefit from one, there’s no reason you can’t plan it yourself—and for cheap.

Where Writers Win

Marketing, websites, training and tools for emerging authors, how to set up a book tour: part i – preparation.

Our thanks to founder and principal of Book Architecture , Stuart Horwitz, for this guest contribution on setting up the all-important book tour.

“There’s only one thing more frightening than being asked to do a book tour, and that’s not being asked to do a book tour.” —Gerald Petievich

Author Christopher Leibig at a Barnes & Noble reading and book signing. Chris is currently on tour with his new release, Almost Mortal.

Author Christopher Leibig at a Barnes & Noble (Potomac, VA) reading and book signing. Chris is currently on his own book tour with his new release, Almost Mortal, a legal thriller.

This is the first of a three-part series on setting up your own author tour. I almost included the word “offline” in the title because so many tours these days are blog tours where the author participates in question & answer sessions, contributes guest blogs, or publishes an excerpt…and never has to leave his or her seat.

And you don’t need someone else to set this tour up for you. Since the publication of my first book, Blueprint Your Bestseller: Organize and Revise Any manuscript with the Book Architecture Method , in January of 2013, I’ve been on tour throughout North America. I have covered over 75,000 miles and just completed Tour Spot #72, setting up every venue appearance myself.

You may still be skeptical. That’s okay. Throughout this series, I’ll invite you to ask critical questions such as:

Who is paying for all of this?
How many books do you sell on average?
Isn’t this a lot of work?

In exchange, I’ll ask you to be honest about some of the questions that you might prefer to leave unspoken, like:

What if I’m terrified to present my work in front of other people?
How would I even begin to set up an author tour?
What if no one shows up?

And let us see if we agree on one thing before we begin: There is sometimes a magic that happens from being in front of other people that could never be replicated online, with benefits for both the audience and the performer.

Your Launch Kit

Let’s break up the steps to prepare for your book tour in order to prevent overwhelm, and start with the Launch Kit, which includes:

author bio: long & short
book description (elevator pitch): long & short
notable blurbs/endorsements
presentation or workshop description

Author Bio: I like to have two versions, one that is 200 words long, and one that is 100 words and retains the highlights. Actually, I have (19) bios, but that is not ideal. Bio maintenance isn’t something anybody wants to do, like updating your LinkedIn profile when you’re not looking for a job. But knocking these two versions out and the outset can make your life much easier.

Book Description: Just like the Author Bio it is good to have this in two versions, a longer one that can function as a press release of, say, 600 words, and a shorter one of 200 words that can be taken from your back cover copy.

Headshot: If you are in the writing game for any degree of personal glory you will probably relish having this done. I know I did. But I have also seen a painfully shy author get beautiful photos done because the people taking her photo liked her book. This is not a self-indulgent step you should talk yourself out of doing. Also for this item, I would hire a professional ($). Note: throughout this series I will identify the amount of money you are likely to spend by the number of dollar signs present.

Notable blurbs or endorsements: This can strike fear into one’s heart, because everything is relative, and you never know if the people you know are “big” enough. For Finish Your Book in Three Drafts I solved this by simply going to three people who I knew really understood and appreciated my work. Two of them were published authors in my genre and one of them was an award-winning coach…but you still may not have heard their names (yet!). I went to them for a different reason than their name recognition though. I chose them because of what they would say.

In my opinion, that is the most impactful part of a blurb or testimonial. Whenever someone says something good about you that is called a “third-party recommendation.” Any blurb will have that covered, and then people go on to see what your recommenders had to say. Okay, maybe if I had landed Anne Lamott for my cover page, the needle would have flickered a little more. But as my old editor at Penguin used to tell me, “Blurbs don’t sell books.”

Presentation or Workshop Description: You will need to have a description of your presentation. And before that, you will need to actually have a presentation. Don’t just show up and rely on the skill of your host (or expect that there will be a host) or the good graces of your audience to come loving you and wanting just to ask softball questions. Have something to say; have a beginning, middle, and end; and know who might like to attend.

Also, keep your options open. Be flexible about length, format or content. Communicate that willingness to meet a venue part-way, and they will love you forever.

Customizing Your Outreach

The best thing about creating your launch kit is that you can combine these elements into any of the following, with even basic design skills:

sales sheets

You can also hire a graphic designer ($$) to do some of this work for you. Click here to see a sample of a sales sheet that we put together in-house at Book Architecture, so no $, besides salary. You can also send a fully designed poster to a venue to print for you in advance of your arrival (no $)—and it can be the same poster as last time, just with a few changes to the venue, date/time, and other relevant information which can vary, like whether there is an admission charge.

Your Boilerplate Outreach Email

Now we have climbed to the pinnacle of your preparation efforts: the outreach email. Fortunately, it will be made up of everything you’ve already done, so you are already there. I have put the purpose at the beginning of each paragraph in bold, and followed the sample writing with some additional observations in all caps.

I hope this email finds you well!

connection: As a veteran of the Bay Area where I lived for 5 years in the previous decade I know that if you want to bring an event to writers, aspiring and accomplished both, in the East Bay you start and end at ( Name and address omitted. ) And thus I am getting in touch to see if we might partner on an event on Tuesday, July 29th when I will be on a West Coast leg of my book tour. SH: YOU GOTTA ASK. REMEMBER VENUES ARE LOOKING FOR CONTENT.

book description: In brief, my book, “Blueprint Your Bestseller: Organize and Revise any Manuscript with the Book Architecture Method ” came out from Penguin/Perigee and has been getting raves from both readers and reviewers, including being chosen as one of the best books on writing for 2013 by The Writer Magazine.

event: I am happy to report that my multimedia presentation on revision is totally unique, featuring a series of stop-motion animations to demonstrate some of the aspects with which writers struggle. You can see some of the highlights in this two minute video I have recorded here: Welcome . SH: WE’LL TALK ABOUT TOUR TRAILERS IN THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF THIS SERIES.

notable social proof: In 2013, I completed (20) stops on the first year of my two year North American tour. Some highlights have been solo presentations at the Writer’s Digest Conference in NYC and the Tucson Festival of Books, and standing-room-only workshops in San Diego, Boston, and Taos, NM. The tour is now rolling strong into its second year; more information about it (and about my work in general) can be found on my website: www.bookarchitecture.com/tour .

what you’ll do: As I mentioned in the first graph I have plenty of “peeps” SH: NOTE CASUAL SLANG who will want to turn out to see me at ( Name and address omitted. ) In addition, I will gladly work with you to determine which newspapers (especially arts sections), listings, local blogs, patches, and writing groups (including genre groups), colleges and universities, libraries and other organizations with listserves I should contact – and follow-up exhaustively. My turn-outs have been routinely excellent, and attendees leave inspired and re-dedicated to their craft.

attachments and be polite: I have attached a press kit (READ: LAUNCH KIT) to this email, can you let me know what other information you might need?

Looking forward to the possibility!

I sent this email to the best store in my genre in the entire Bay Area. I actually used to dream of being in their Writing Reference section. Their answer came back in four hours. Sure. Love to have you.

In other cases I received a no, or no answer. In the next installment in this series we’ll go over uncovering leads and locating venues in more detail, but the theme will be this: If you don’t hear no every now and then, you’re not trying hard enough.

Pitching the Indie-Published Book Tour

One word on independently, or self-published, books. This is changing so quickly (just last month, Barnes & Noble announced they would begin carrying self-published books), that my advice may already be out of date. So I will just say, it can be a dance.

Being independently published should not be a deal breaker, if you can demonstrate enough other professionalism and enthusiasm. And always make sure that your book is bookstore friendly: i.e, you offer a 55% discount, not 40%; your books are returnable; and they are available via a major distributor such as IngramSpark and not exclusively on Amazon’s Createspace. My first book was published by Perigee/Penguin, and my second and third books were published by my company (Book Architecture, LLC), and I saw no change in the number or quality of venues who wanted to work with me. In fact, the tour has only grown in the stature of opportunities.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: Getting Dates — types of events, planning ahead, pre-promotion timeline, grassroots efforts to encourage attendance and use of social media.

← Author Marketing Mastery #29: How Instagram Can Create Instant Street Cred for Authors
Author Marketing Mastery #30: Seven Ways to Build Readership Using YouTube →

How to pick the perfect book title

It’s hard to overstate the importance of picking the right title for your book. It is the handful of words people will use to make a split second decision to click on your book or move on to the next.

However, when it comes time to actually make a decision, it’s really hard to figure out the right choice. How can you know that you’re picking the right title? How can you know one title is better than the others?

As I’ve worked with authors, I’m constantly surprised by the methods even top publishers use to make their decisions. It often starts with these two words: “I feel”.

“I feel like X will get people more interested than Y.”

“I feel like X embodies the ideas in the book better.”

“I feel like X will convert better.”

Here’s the problem: Your feelings are probably wrong.

You, your spouse, your friend, your editor and your readers are too close to the project and know too much about you. Anybody that has read your stuff before or is involved in getting your book out into the world is going to make biased decisions based on the fact that they are already familiar with your work.

This would be fine if you were only selling the book to existing fans, but you want this to be a title new people – people who have never heard of you before and don’t know your writing – will click on and buy.

Throw out feelings. Get some data.

The first thing we need to do is stop basing our decisions on everyone’s feelings. This will only steer as wrong. Instead, we need to get some data.

When it comes to book titles, this is the kind of data I’m looking for:

Unbiased . It has to be from people that don’t know who you are. We need strangers.
A/B split . People have to clearly choose one potential title over another.
Numbers . We need more than five or ten people. We need to test titles to hundreds of people.

If we can get a large number of people that have never heard of you to make a split second decision between two different potential titles, then we’ll be able to see exactly what strangers will think when the title of your new book shows up on Amazon, Twitter or anywhere else.

But how can you possibly find these people and run these tests?

How to test and find the perfect book title

When I was trying to choose the title for what would become Your First 1000 Copies , I knew I was too close to the project. My favorite title was Relentlessly Helpful . When I asked a friend of mine if he liked it, he said “Tim, that’s a horrible title.”

I felt (there’s that evil word) like that title summed up the principle in the book nicely, however, as you’ll see shortly, my friend was right. It was a horrible title. But if I had stuck with my gut on the title of my book, I would have made a huge mistake .

Instead, here’s the process I took to pick the perfect title for my book. You can use the exact same method to find your perfect title and skip those wasted nights lying awake wondering if you made a huge mistake.

1. Get lots of suggestions

The first thing you need is a list of potential titles. I recommend at least six, but the more you get the better. Where do you get the titles?

Past Readers . People who already know your work. You can send them a short synopsis of the book and then get their input. This is a great time to use your own website, social media or email list.
Early Readers . Who read early drafts of the work? Get them to provide potential titles as well.

Here’s a few that were on my list of eight titles for testing:

Relentlessly Helpful
The Connected Author
Don’t Be An Asshole

Once I had the title set using this process, I also did it for sub-titles:

Winning in the New World of Book Marketing
The New How-to of Book Marketing
The Breakthrough Guide to Book Marketing

Once you have your list of at least six titles, you move on to step #2.

2. Create a bracket system

If you’ve ever been involved in the March Madness basketball championships, then you know what I’m talking about. If not, here’s what it looks like:

Print that out and write in your titles on the first lines. We’re going to pit the titles against each other to find out which one is the best.

3. A/B split test the titles against each other

If you’re unsure of what A/B split testing is, here’s a simple explanation for our purposes: It’s a method for validating which title out of two options a person is most likely to be interested in.

The reason we’re only testing two titles at a time is this makes the choice simpler for the responders and is more likely to get a split-second decision.

The tool that I use for A/B split testing titles is PickFu . It’s a simple, affordable tool that is exactly what we need to test our titles. In fact, after I used the tool to test my own title, I reached out to the guys that built it and they were kind enough to provide a discount for my readers.

Use this link to get 50% off your first poll .

Once you are signed up, here’s how to use the tool:

Set each poll question to “Which book would you buy?” . You want to keep it purposefully vague in order to get the most unbiased response.
Do a new poll for each of your brackets . So pit TITLE #1 against TITLE #2 and then write down the result. Same for TITLE #3 against TITLE #4 and so on.

I promise, you’ll be surprised at the results. Remember that title Relentlessly Helpful that I loved so much? Here’s what happened.

Which_book_would_you_buy__-_PickFu_Instant_Polls

Not only was the title I liked not the best, it ranked as one of the lowest. Same goes for the the sub-title I liked, The Breakthrough Guide to Book Marketing .

4. Use the title that wins

Trust the data. If hundreds of people keep picking the same title over and over, you know you’ve got a title that will catch people’s attention.

This is about selling books

Selling books is hard. You’ve put a lot of work into your latest manuscript, now it’s time to give it every chance to succeed. Picking a great title – one that will catch people interest and get them to click on your book – is an important part of your book marketing strategy.

Don’t pick a title based on your feelings. You’re too close to the project and will make an extremely biased decision. The only way to make a good decision is to get stranger’s split-second, un-biased feedback.

By using this approach, you’re leveraging the experimental mindset and ensuring you make the right choice for your book.

Share this article

Step 1 of 3

Learn the secrets behind bestselling book marketing

[…] If you’ve published previous books, today’s instant polling may make you wonder about past decisions. For example: Which title is best, Merchants of Virtue (the title I chose for my 2011 book) or Merchants of a New America (the one I didn’t)? A poll four years ago would have told me. If this kind of polling sounds like it would work for you, click here to read Tim Grahl’s description of how A/B voting works. […]

Are you working on the right thing?

How to connect with successful authors

Author platforms: the what, why, and how.

Table of Contents

Why Do Book Titles Matter?

The 5 attributes of a good book title.

Steps To Find The Perfect Book Title

Does Your Book Need A Subtitle?

How To Come Up With The Perfect Book Title [Ultimate Guide]

Don’t Have Time Right Now?

Shockingly, there’s little useful guidance out there about book titling. What advice exists is usually of little help:

Trite (“Go with your gut!”)
Superficial (“Browse bookstores for ideas!”)
Or worst of all, actively harmful (“Don’t spend too much time on it.”)

They’re all wrong.

Just like companies that spend millions on naming new products, and media companies that spend time testing different titles for blog posts , you should spend substantial time and energy finding a great title.

This is a very important decision, one you need to get right to ensure your book has the best possible chance of success.

In this comprehensive guide to picking the perfect book title, I will walk you through how to think about book titles, then tell you how to pick yours, and how to test it.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this Scribe Guide:

Attention Grabbing
Informative (Gives an Idea of What The Book is About)
Easy To Say
Not Embarrassing or Problematic For Someone To Say It

Specific Steps To Find The Perfect Book Title

Step 1: Get Clarity On Your Book Goals

Step 2: brainstorm several potential titles.

Step 3: Make Sure This Title Is Not Already Popular

Step 4: Pick Your Favorites & Test Them

Test #1: Imagine People Saying The Title

Test #2: See What People Click On

Your book title is the most important marketing decision you’ll make. Period.

The title is the first thing the potential reader sees or hears about your book—even before the cover in most cases—and getting it right is the single most important book marketing decision you’ll make. The title forms the basis of the reader’s judgment about your book.

Let’s be clear: A good title won’t make your book do well. But a bad title will almost certainly prevent it from doing well.

The iconic example of the importance of a book title is the title change that led to an obscure book becoming a #1 best seller.

In 1982 Naura Hayden released a book called “Astro-Logical Love.” It bombed.

She then took the exact same book, changed a small amount of the content, and changed the original title to a different title, “How to Satisfy a Woman Every Time…and Have Her Beg for More!”

That book became a massive cultural phenomenon and #1 best seller. Same book, same content, just a different title (I would argue a perfect title).

The takeaway for you is simple and clear: Spend time figuring out the best possible title for your book, because it will largely determine what people think about your book, and thus, your book’s success.

A good title should have all of these attributes:

Attention-Grabbing
Memorable & Searchable
Informative
Easy & Not Embarrassing to Say

1. Attention-Grabbing

There are a million things pulling on people’s attention. The right title helps you stand out and make that important first impression. A boring title is a killer.

There are many ways to grab attention. You can be provocative, controversial, exciting, make a promise, etc. The point is your title should make people stop and pay attention to it.

Here is what #1 best-selling author Tim Ferriss says about titles:

“The 4-Hour Workweek also bothered some people and was ridiculed by others, which I took as a positive indicator. It’s not accidental that Jay Leno parodied the book on-air—the title lends itself to it, and that was by design. You can’t have strong positive responses without strong negative responses, and beware—above all—the lukewarm reception from all. ‘Oh, that’s nice. I think it’s pretty good,’ is a death sentence. “

2. Memorable & Searchable

It’s much easier to get a reaction out of someone and then be forgotten, than it is to get a reaction and also be memorable.

Remember, a book’s title is not only the first thing a reader hears about your book, it’s the one piece of information that a potential reader has that leads them back to the book itself.

If your book is recommended to them by a friend, and they can’t remember the title, then they can’t go find it in a bookstore or on Amazon. Best-selling author Scott Berkun says it well:

“Often [the title] is all a potential buyer ever gets to see, and if they can draw interest the book crosses its first of many hurdles in the improbable struggle of getting noticed. But titles only help so much. Most people hear about books the same way they hear about new bands. Or new people to meet. A friend or trusted source tells them it was good and it was called <NAME HERE>. The title at that point serves as a moniker. It’s the thing you need to remember to get the thing you want to get and little more. “

This also means you want the book title to be easily searchable. In the world we live in, search is how people find things now. If your title does not lend itself to easy memorization and searchability on Google and Amazon, that is very bad.

3. Informative (Gives an Idea of What the Book is About)

This is the least crucial aspect for fiction titles, but very important for non-fiction. The title, including the subtitle , should give the reader some sort of idea of what the book is about.

People aren’t going to do your work for you; the easier you make it for them to understand the subject, the more likely you are to draw in the people who’d find your book interesting.

A good test is to ask yourself this: If you were to tell someone the title of your book at a party, would they have to ask what it’s about?

If so, that’s probably a bad title.

Don’t out-think yourself on your title. A title that is overly clever or unclear signals the book is for people who immediately understand the word or phrase—which makes people who don’t get it right away feel dumb (and less likely to buy the book).

By using a word or phrase that is either not immediately understandable by your desired audience or doesn’t convey the point of the book, you’re putting a huge obstacle in front of your success.

Though your title should be informative and easily understood, it doesn’t need to spell out the entire book. Take Malcolm Gladwell’s bestselling Outliers for example: this title does a great job of cuing the content of the book without describing it outright.

4. Easy & Not Embarrassing To Say

Having an easy to say title is a concept called cognitive fluency. It means people are more likely to remember and respond to words and phrases they can immediately understand and pronounce.

Without going too far into the psychological literature, the point is this: Don’t try to be sophisticated at the risk of being obscure.

It’s a basic fact of human psychology—people don’t like to feel socially awkward. If a book title is hard to pronounce, or more importantly, if it’s a phrase that sounds stupid when said out loud, it makes them far less likely to buy it, and chances are they won’t talk about it to other people.

One of the most important things to think about when picking your book title is word of mouth. Think about how people will feel about saying this book title out loud to their friends. Does it make them look smart or stupid?

The worst possible title is one that makes someone feel silly saying it out loud. For example, if the book title is something like “Why Racism Is Great,” no one is ever going to tell their friends about it, no matter how good the book is, because they have to then face the scrutiny of why they bought that book in the first place. Social context doesn’t just matter some; it matters a lot.

Take this list of bad book titles , and imagine saying any of them out loud to your friends in a serious way—you’d never do that.

Generally speaking, shorter titles are best. A short title is not only more memorable and easier to say for your target audience, it also gives space and flexibility for a better book cover. A one-word title is the best.

People get lured into crafting titles that are exacting and long-winded in an effort to make the title signal the book idea and audience. In the title, stick to the core idea. If you want to get wordy, then leave that to the subtitle.

If you can, aim to keep the main title around 5 words or less. The subtitle can offer context or tell a bit more about what the reader will learn. Cameron Herold’s book Meetings Suck has a pithy title, with a subtitle that helps the reader see why the need the book: Turning One of the Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable.

How To Come Up With A Book Title

Your goals for your book determine what type of title you pick.

If you want to build a brand out of your non-fiction book, your title options are quite different than if you want to publish a racy thriller.

Let’s examine all the functions your book title can serve, and the places for potential use, before we walk you through the precise process of thinking up title ideas:

How A Book Title Can Be Used

To sell the book to readers
Establish the author’s authority in a subject
Be a hook for the author to get media visibility
Branding for a company, author, conference, or course materials
Advertise/market the book
Used in speeches, slides, or other in-person activities
Used in reviews, blog posts, articles, etc.
Something the author has to say in all their press appearances
Become a defining part of an author’s future bio
Decorate the cover
Identify the Amazon/B&N listing
Start a line of books
Use on t-shirts, flyers, or other promotional material
Brand a main character or character’s name (Harry Potter)

The point of this whole list is simple: Know which of these objectives apply to your book, and make sure your title can serve those objectives.

For example, if your goal is to build a brand, make sure your book title is your brand. Dave Asprey’s first diet book is called The Bulletproof Diet , because that’s his brand: Bulletproof. The book is about selling everything around the book, not just the book itself.

If your goal is authority in your field, make sure the book title sounds authoritative to whom you are trying to speak. Whimsical doesn’t work in serious academic fields, whereas serious doesn’t work in comedic fields.

If your goal is to get media attention and raise your visibility, make sure the book title l appeals to media and makes them want to cover you.

Brainstorming for titles is not a specific thing you do for an hour, but rather a long term process. It may take you months and hundreds of book title ideas to finalize your title.

But you start by simply brainstorming titles. Literally start a file and write down every working title you can think of for your book.

I know that telling someone to brainstorm is like telling someone to “be creative.” There is no best way to brainstorm, but there are a lot of best practices.

This is a list of every possible way we know of to find a good book title, complete with examples of book titles (remember, these techniques are not just for your main title, they will be the basis for your subtitles as well). Most of these are for nonfiction titles, though some can be used for novel titles.

Also, don’t be afraid to put bad titles on your brainstorm list. Bad titles actually help you–because they will get you to a good title. Here are some best practices:

Use Clever or Noteworthy Phrases From The Book

This is very common in fiction, and can work well with novel titles. It also works well with non-fiction books where the concept of the book can be summed up quickly or with one phrase.

The Black Swan
Lecturing Birds On Flying
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell

Use Both Short and Long Phrases

We usually start with a really long title and work our way down to much a short title. The goal is the main title be as short as possible—no more than 5 words—and have the subtitle offer the context and put in important keywords.

Use Relevant Keywords

For non-fiction especially, search matters. You want to make sure that when someone searches for the subject or topic of your book, it will come up on Google and Amazon. But it’s a balancing act, because you don’t want to sacrifice the authenticity of the work for what looks and feels like a search string query.

If you are unsure of this, go look on Amazon and see how often subtitles and titles use additional keywords to attract more search engine traffic.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons In Personal Change
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Predictable Revenue: Turn Your Business Into A Sales Machine With The $100 Million Best Practices Of Salesforce.com

Make a Promise of a Benefit

Some of the best titles promise to help readers achieve a desired goal or get some wanted benefit. They specifically call out an end result that people want:

How To Win Friends and Influence People
Getting Things Done
Think And Grow Rich

Be Simple and Direct

Some of the very best titles are just basic statements about what the book is. There is nothing wrong with this, it can work well, especially for strictly instructional books.

Getting Past No
The Power Of Habit

Target an Audience

As we said, people use titles to judge if the book is for them. Part of helping people understand this can be targeting them in your title. You can target specific audiences by naming them or by describing their characteristics. This works especially well if you have a series of books, and then do versions targeted to specific niches.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Physics For Future Presidents

Offer a Specific Solution to a Problem

This is very popular in the self-help and diet spaces.

You tell the reader exactly what problem your book solves in the title. This is similar to the promise of a benefit, but not the exact same thing; a benefit is something additive, like being sexy. A solution to a problem takes away something negative, like losing weight.

Man’s Search for Meaning
6 Ways to Lose Belly Fat Without Exercise!
Secrets of Closing The Sale

Use Numbers to Add Credibility

Specifics, like numbers, add credibility and urgency to your titles. The can provide structure for your information, or they can make hard things seem easier. Specificity enables people to engage the idea in a more concrete way, and gives bounded limits and certainty on time frames as well.

The 48 Laws of Power
The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership

Pique The Reader’s Curiosity (But Withhold The Answer)

Using statements that seem to be impossible, unusual contrasts, or paradoxes can make readers curious about what is in the book. The idea is to make a claim or statement that seems a little far-fetched or fantastical, but promises delivery. This is very popular now with headline writing on sites like UpWorthy and ViralNova.

The iconic recent example of this with books is one we already mentioned, The 4-Hour Workweek. Everyone wants to know how to work 4 hours a week, except it seems impossible, so you pick up the book to see what that guy is talking about.

Networking Is Not Working
10% Happier
Who Moved My Cheese?

Use Metaphors or Symbols Associated With The Themes in Your Book

Humans think in symbol and metaphor. Using these powerful devices can help you create a strong title that really resonates.

The iconic metaphor-based series is “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” The title signals the warm, nurturing feeling that our culture associates with chicken soup and connects it to something else–stories that nurture your soul.

The Untethered Soul

Use Alliteration

Alliteration is the use of the same letter at the beginning of all or most of the words in your title. This makes things easier for humans to remember.

The Mighty Miss Malone
A Storm Of Swords
The Pop-Up Paradigm

Alter a Popular Phrase

This is common in book titles and tends to work well—taking a famous phrase and altering it in a way that makes sense for you book. This works because it’s close to something people know, but not exactly the same thing.

The War of Art
Assholes Finish First

Slang can work really well, especially if it’s used in a way that is non-intuitive but also novel.

Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
No Mopes Allowed: A Small Town Police Chief Rants and Babbles about Hugs and High Fives, Meth Busts, Internet Celebrity, and Other Adventures

Try cliche formats (or reversing them)

There are a ton of book-naming tropes that can work well if used correctly:

The Art of [TOPIC]
The Myth of [TOPIC]
Confessions of [TOPIC]
How to [TOPIC]
The Joy of [TOPIC]
The End of [TOPIC]
The Art of Racing In The Rain
The Myth of Male Power
Confessions of An Economic Hitman
How to Train Your Dragon
The Joy of Sex
The End of Science

Done poorly, these kinds of titles can seem cliched and cloying instead of fresh. This technique is best used when it offers a twist—but isn’t so far out that it confuses the reader.

Consider Coining a Phrase or New Word

This is very helpful, especially if you want to create a brand or company or extended product line out of your book, or brand a character name. The problem with this is that it’s not an easy thing to do. Many authors try to create new words; few succeed, so try this sparingly. The most important element of this technique is that the word is easy to say and understand.

Essentialism

Use Amazon/Goodreads/Wikipedia For Inspiration

If you’re feeling stuck, you can always go look at how other books are named.

Wikipedia’s list of best selling books of all time
Goodreads list of best book titles
Amazon’s current best selling books

Use Copywriting Manuals For Ideas

If you are truly stuck and cannot think of anything, read some books about copywriting. They are not specifically about book titling, but copywriters have to understand the sell triggers, and they will give you tons and tons of examples. These are three of the best out there:

POP!: Create the Perfect Pitch, Title, and Tagline for Anything
The Ultimate Sales Letter: Attract New Customers. Boost your Sales.
Advertising Headlines That Make You Rich: Create Winning Ads, Web Pages, Sales Letters and More

Step 3: Check Copyright, Trademark, Keywords and Popularity

First off, let me very clear about this: you cannot copyright titles.

Technically, you can call your book “To Kill A Mockingbird” or “Lord Of The Rings” or even “The Holy Bible.”

That being said, copying a popular book makes it VERY hard for your book to stand out, and pretty much guarantees a lot of negative reviews from people who are not getting the book they expected.

That being said, you can trademark a title, if it is part of a larger brand. For example, the term “Bulletproof” is trademarked in the health and fitness space by Dave Asprey. You (probably) can’t title a book “The Bulletproof Diet” because it infringes on a trademark (not the copyright ).

If this is confusing, and you have a book title you think might be a trademark infringement, then talk to an IP attorney.

Also, make sure you check that the title and subtitle have the right keywords you want to address your market, and aligns with any domain and brand issues you have.

Step 4: Pick Your Favorites

At this point, you should have a long list of title ideas. Once that’s done, you can move on to the next step: picking your titles.

I cannot emphasize how important this next step is:

Everyone has opinions on book titles. Most of those opinions are stupid and wrong.

Even people who get PAID to come up with book titles (editors, publishers, etc.) are usually bad at it.

Here’s a great test as to whether or not you have a good book title: imagine one of your readers talking about your book at a party to other people.

If you can see them confidently saying the book title aloud, and the people listening nodding and immediately either understanding what the book is about based on that (and perhaps a sentence or two of explanation), or asking for a further explanation because it sounds interesting, then you’ve got a good title.

If you imagine any other reaction than this one, you need to re-think your title, and probably change it.

Remember, so much of book marketing boils down to word of mouth, and word of mouth is all about people signaling things to other people. You want your book title to inspire and motivate the right people to talk about it, because it lets them signal the right things to their friends.

Test #2: (optional) Test Actual Clicks

Here’s one of the keys to testing your titles: test both the main title and subtitle and test them in many different iterations. Usually what you’ll find is most things test about the same, while there will be one thing that clearly tests better as a title and another that clearly tests best as a subtitle.

This is a great piece about the step-by-step process of using Google Adwords to test a title.

If you have a large audience already, you can also use Survey Monkey .

For real customer feedback, I recommend using Pickfu .

I would also recommend Google Survey . This is real market testing of real people and can be done fairly cheaply.

How Not To Test Your Book Title

Most of the things authors do to test their titles are very, very bad.

For example, posting on social media is NOT TESTING YOUR TITLE. In fact, posting on social media is about the worst possible way to test a title.

Why is this?

Well, your social media friends are probably not your audience, and a tweet about the title won’t help you. And even worse, everyone on your social media has an agenda relative to the author that will often put you off-kilter.

Friends and family don’t work. Generally speaking, they want to make you happy. They don’t want to give you an objective answer. Or they want to make sure you look good, but they don’t know what will actually make you look good.

Furthermore, oftentimes colleagues will be critical—because they are jealous. It happens a lot, and they will give you bad advice , even if only unconscious.

And some authors will go to their marketing teams for title advice, which can often lead you way off-kilter. Do you know the saying that a camel is a horse designed by committee? When you start getting opinions from lots of different sources, you get the “camel effect” hardcore.

If you’re doing a non-fiction book, yes, probably so.

The way we like to frame it is that the title is the hook, and the subtitle is the explanation. The subtitle is the promise of the book.

Books need a subtitle if it’s necessary to contextualize the subject alluded to in the main title. Typically, the subtitle tells the reader some combination of what the book’s central premise is, who the book is for, and what promise the book delivers on or need it meets.

Some examples where subtitles help contextualize the title and deliver the promise of the implied title:

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape The 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join The New Rich: See how the title hooks you by being interesting, and the subtitle explains the premise? Very well done.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead: It’s a bit long, but the same thing is going on here; the subtitle contextualizes and frames the title, which is clear, easy to understand, and say.
Kitchen Confidential: This originally had a subtitle, “Adventures In The Culinary Underbelly,” but it was later dropped. No subtitle was needed on this work of non-fiction, because the meaning is clear, especially when paired with a picture of a chef on the front (and because it became very famous, which helps).
The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11: This is an example of a book where the subtitle is very important. That title could mean many things, but the subtitle quickly signals what the book is about and who it’s for.

The Scribe Crew

How to Pick the Best Travel Guide Books

Ann-Marie Cahill

Ann-Marie Cahill will read anything and everything. From novels to trading cards to the inside of CD covers (they’re still a thing, right?). A good day is when her kids bring notes home from school. A bad day is when she has to pry a book from her kids’ hands. And then realizes where they get it from. The only thing Ann-Marie loves more than reading is travelling. She has expensive hobbies.

View All posts by Ann-Marie Cahill

Travel. I love it. I live it. I breathe it . In my view, it all starts with the rush of exhilaration when I choose the magical destination for my next trip…only to come crashing down when I have to choose a damn travel guide to start my research. Because you don’t want to be lugging around every travel guide. You need to narrow it down to the best travel guide books. And I mean, really narrow it down.

I hate that part.

We’re not talking the travel-inspiring books . We’re talking the more practical side of travel planning. And seriously, there are so many travel guides on the market, it is a nightmare of global proportions to choose only one. Add to that how q uickly the information can date, and you are left wondering if this really is such a good idea.

The thing is, each travel guide has its pros and cons. Some are perfect for the USA, some have a better understanding of the winding roads of New Zealand. There are guides perfect for your architectural adventures through Rome while others take you on a culinary tour of Paris. But unless you have nine months to read up on every travel guide, it’s really hard to know which is the best travel guide books.

How to pick out the best travel guide books, along with 11 of our personal favorites. book lists | travel guides | how to pick a travel guide | best travel guide books

So I did the hard work for you. I narrowed it down to 11 of the best travel guide books and the reasons why (just so you know I didn’t simply accept whichever book was left on the library shelf). And how did I choose the best? Well, I read each of their editions for a city or country I am already VERY familiar with. Now, usually, we would only be reading travel guides of places we want to learn more about, right? What better way to ‘test’ a travel guide than to see if they know it as well as a local!

Before you start buying up on guidebooks, here are a few tips to help you choose your own:

The Best Travel Guide Books

Lonely planet guide.

Great for: Big picture travel across a whole country for most regions but especially Oceania, Asia, and the “Shoestring” range. New Zealand is the best ever.

Not so great : They need to update their South America collection. The most recent edition for Ecuador was lacking in detail and encouragement to try new things, especially for the Galapagos Islands. Really felt like at least two of the white male writers phoned it in from their NY base.

Great for: The best highlights of any city, especially in Europe (e.g. Paris ).

Not so great: Personal local touch, or if you plan to stay in one place for longer than a week at a time.

Recently, they have been changed their focus to a more budget-friendly approach, but I don’t think it is coming through with their local writers.

Great for: Mainstream Travel with an upmarket touch, especially Western Europe (see Frommer’s Europe ).

Not so great: “One block over” travel, stepping away from the regular, e.g. the Melbourne guide did little to entice me into exploring the city’s famous laneways of culture, coffee, and bookshops.

DK Eyewitness

Great for : visually inspiring your holidays. Beautiful for places like Rome or London. Great guide for Italy .

Not so great: Day-to-day travel details. Once I stepped out of the Vatican Museum, it was pretty much useless.

Rick Steves

Great for: First-timers travellers visiting one of the major cities of the world, like London or Paris

Not so great: Anyone looking for a little more depth, e.g. do not use for Venice—that’s a city you need to be lost in at least once.

Rough Guides

Great for : Historic or off-the-beaten-track adventures, like SE Asia, NZ, South America

Not so great: Big cities or glossy photos for visual cues. It was of no help in Kuala Lumpur.

Bradt Guides

Good for: Cultural highlights of countries and regions, especially Macedonia .

Not so great : Asia. The Borneo guide was lacking in details about the various cultures and land issues for the locals.

Blue Guides

Great for : Book Riot, history and literary buffs, that big cultural holiday you were taking through the Romantic History of Europe. The Blue Guide: Greece (The Mainland) is especially lovely to read!

Not so great: The rave scene in Berlin. Not really the Blue Guide style.

Footprint Travel Guides

Great for : transport. Really useful in busy, stretched out places like Bangkok and Thailand

Not so great : Budget details.

Insight Guides

Great for: Giving you an idea in your mind of where you want to go. The Insight Guides Turkey is especially memorable

Not so great: Actual travel. Don’t rely on these books to get you around a city like Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

This is… by Miroslava Saska

As always, I’m open to suggestion and we LOVE suggestions here at Book Riot. So, if I have missed your favourite, please tell us all about it in the comments. Or if you are looking for a suggestion for your dream destination, ask us!

Bon Voyage!

[Ed.’s Note: This article originally incorrectly stated that The Insight Guides is produced by the Discovery Channel; they’re produced by APA Publications, which is not affiliated with the Discovery Channel.]

8 Grim and Gruesome Medical Horror Books

Book Title Generator

10,000+ good book titles to inspire you..

Generate a random story title that’s relevant to your genre. You can pick between fantasy, crime, mystery, romance, or sci-fi. Simply click the button below to get started.

The International Bestseller

The Wintering Veil

How to come up with book title ideas.

Need an original book title, and fast? We got you. Here are 8 ways to come up with book title ideas.

1. Start free writing to find keywords

Write absolutely anything that comes into your head: words, phrases, names, places, adjectives — the works. You’ll be surprised how much workable content comes out from such a strange exercise.

2. Experiment with word patterns

Obviously, we’re not advocating plagiarism, but try playing around with formats like:

“The _____ of _______”

“______ and the _____”

These will work for certain genres, though they are by no means the only patterns you can play around with. Have you noticed how many blockbuster thrillers these days feature the word “woman” or “ girl” somewhere in the title?

3. Draw inspiration from your characters

If your central character has a quirky name or a title (like Doctor or Detective) you can definitely incorporate this into your book title. Just look at Jane Eyre, Percy Jackson, or Harry Potter, for instance — working with one or more or your characters’ names is a surefire way to get some title ideas down. Equally, you can add a little detail, like Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure, to add a little color to a name and make it title-worthy.

4. Keep your setting in mind

Is your book set somewhere particularly interesting or significant? Even if your title isn’t just where the action takes place (like Middlemarch by George Eliot), it’s something to have in the back of your mind. You can include other details, like The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum or Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay, to give your readers a sense of action and character, as well as setting (which tend to be linked).

5. Look for book title ideas in famous phrases

Think Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird here — this is a central symbol and significant piece of dialogue in the novel. It’s enigmatic (what does it even mean? Is it a warning? An instruction?) and makes us really sit up when these words appear in the text itself. Try and think of your inspiration for writing your book or sum up your central theme in a few words, and see if these inspire anything.

6. Analyze the book titles of other books

You might be surprised at how many books refer to other works in their titles ( The Fault in Our Stars by John Green comes from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar , and Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men takes its inspiration from a Robert Burns poem). Going this route allows authors to use an already beautiful and poetic turn of phrase that alludes to a theme in their own book. From Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials , so many books have used this technique that might also work for you.

7. Don’t forget the subtitle

In non-fiction publishing, there’s a trend of evocative or abstract titles, followed by a subtitle that communicates the content (and is packed with delicious keywords that the Amazon search engine can’t resist). This is also another way to get around long titles — and to add a little panache to an otherwise dry subject matter. In the United States, it’s also quite common to have “A Novel” as a subtitle (if, you know, it’s a novel). In the United Kingdom, this practice is much rarer.

8. Generate a book name through a book title generator

If you’ve gone through all of the above and are still wringing out your brain trying to come up with the golden formula — fear not! There are other ways to get the cogs whirring and inspiration brewing, such as title generators.

And speaking of cogs whirring, let us present you with the...

15 best book titles of all time

Witty, eye-catching, memorable — these famous book titles have it all. Without further ado, here are 15 best book titles you can take inspiration from.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton

Looking for even more story title ideas?

If you’re agonizing over your book title, you’re not alone! Some of the best book titles today emerged only after much teeth gnashing. The Sun Also Rises was once titled Fiesta ; Pride and Prejudice was once First Impressions . Then there was F. Scott Fitzgerald, who reportedly took forever to think of a good title. He ultimately discarded a dozen ( Gold-Hatted Gatsby , The High-Bouncing Lover , and Trimalchio in West Egg included) before reluctantly picking The Great Gatsby .

So it’s tough out there for a novelist, which is why we built this generator: to try and give you some inspiration. Any of the titles that you score through it are yours to use. We’d be even more delighted if you dropped us the success story at [email protected] ! If you find that you need even more of a spark beyond our generator, the Internet’s got you covered. Here are some of our other favorite generators on the web:

Fantasy Book Title Generators : Fantasy Name Generator , Serendipity: Fantasy Novel Titles

Sci-Fi Novel Title Generators : Book Title Creator , Story Title Generator

Romance Book Title Generators : Romance Title Generator

Crime Book Title Generators : Tara Sparling’s Crime Thriller Titles , Ruddenberg’s Generator

Mystery Novel Title Generators : The Generator .

Or if you think that generators are fun and all — but that you’d rather create your own book title? Great 👍 Kick off with this post, which is all about how to choose your book title . And once you've got the words down, make sure you capitalize your title correctly .

Find the perfect editor for your next book

Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Find the perfect editor for your book.

Learn more about Reedsy

Reedsy | Editors working on manuscript | 2021-10

Submitting your manuscript?

Professional editors help your manuscript stand out for the right reasons.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Work With Us
Blogging Bootcamp

Van Conversion Academy
Campervan Shop
Campervan Rentals
Plan a Trip
Itineraries
Destinations
Responsible Travel
Family Travel
Budget Travel
Scuba Diving
Travel Credit Cards
Digital Nomad
Teach English Abroad
Blogging Resources
Income Reports
Travel Shop
Meet Katie & Ben
About Two Wandering Soles
Personal Stuff
Portfolio & Press

65 Books for Travelers: Curing Your Wanderlust One Page at a Time

Home » Blog » Personal Stuff » 65 Books for Travelers: Curing Your Wanderlust One Page at a Time

Books for Travelers | Two Wandering Soles

You don’t need a plane ticket or a packed suitcase to escape on an adventure… All you need is a good travel book. With a bit of imagination, you can be on a wild journey in a matter of moments, all from the comfort of your living room (or seat on a train…).

We’ve curated a giant list of books for travelers including titles we’ve read (and loved!) ourselves, as well as some books that are on our personal to-read list.

We’ve done our best to round up a variety of different kinds of stories — from funny fictional tales to heart-wrenching memoirs to historical accounts of epic adventures – you’ll find ‘em all on this list: education, inspiration, and just a good old fashioned escape from reality!

Whether you’re stuck at home and need a little “armchair adventure” or you’re looking for a good book to bring along on your next trip, we hope you’ll find something on this list that speaks to you.

Types of Travel Books

Jump to the type of book you prefer and see all the options we’ve gathered just for you!

Travel Stories and Memoirs

Travel Books for Foodies

Books about travel adventures, tales of romance & travel, books about travel & history, self-help style guides based on travel, fictional books about places around the world, coffee table books about travel, read these books for free.

If you don’t already have a library card, now’s the time to get one (especially if you have an e-reader ). Not only is it free, but you can rent the digital versions of books and have them sent straight to your Kindle without even stepping foot in the library.

You can do this through the free app, Libby . It’s kind of amazing, especially when you’re traveling and not able to physically go to your local library.

Our thoughts on e-readers: We love real, hard-covered books with actual paper pages you can – gasp! – flip! But while physical books will always have our hearts, the convenience of a Kindle has won over our practical minds… especially when it comes to packing books for travel. I mean, you only need to pack one slim device, and the options are limitless — you can read 100 books if you want. Packing even one “real” book becomes a bit of a bulky burden if you travel light like we do.

Have you ever tried Audio Books?

When I was young, I loved renting audiobooks from my local library. They were just cassette tapes, usually with a semi-boring narrator, but I loved that I could have someone read the story to me.

Funny story: One of my favorite books wasn’t on audio book yet, so 12-year-old me decided to record myself reading the story (with voices for each character!) so my family could listen to it on our spring break road trip. Oh, what I would pay to listen to that “audio book” now!

Lucky for you, you don’t have to listen to 12-year-old Katie or a boring narrator! Within the Libby app, you can switch your preferences to search for audiobooks, and again, you can borrow them for free to your phone!

Travel Stories & Memoirs

Travel vicariously through the stories and lessons these authors have written. From entertaining short stories to lesson-filled memoirs, this list is a great place to start for any traveler looking for their next read.

At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe

By: Tsh Oxenreider

Uprooting their lives to go on a 9-month family “gap year” of sorts, author Tsh Oxenreider chronicles her family’s adventures as they discover what life is like all over the world. This one is near the top of our to-read list!

The World | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story

By: Tony & Maureen Wheeler

Written by the founders of Lonely Planet, this is the autobiographical story of their personal journeys and how the business was born.

The World | Autobiography/Travel Literature | Buy on Amazon

Books for Travelers | A Woman Alone: Travel Tails from Around the Globe

A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the World

Edited by: Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick and Christina Henry de Tessan

Solo female travelers tell their funny and sometimes terrifying, albeit ultimately transformative tales of navigating some of the more unusual destinations around the globe.

The World | Short stories/Humor | Buy on Amazon

What I was Doing While You Were Breeding

By: Kristin Newman

Sitcom writer, Kristin Newman, takes readers along on a hilarious journey through her many solo vacations and the romances and blunders she’s faced along the way.

“Equal parts laugh-out-loud storytelling, candid reflection, and wanderlust-inspiring travel tales, What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding is a compelling debut that will have readers rushing to renew their passports.” – Amazon

The World | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon

Hold the Enlightenment: More Travel, Less Bliss

By: Tim Cahill

Author Tim Cahill presents a hilarious and insightful collection of essays about his far-flung adventures in unique places around the world, from diving with great white sharks in South Africa to staving off enlightenment at a yoga retreat in Jamaica.

The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca

By: Tahir Shah

After uprooting his family from London, author Tahir Shah shares a highly entertaining account of his family’s adventures in renovating an abandoned mansion by the sea in Casablanca.

Morocco | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Marching Powder

By: Rusty Young and Thomas McFadden

This memoir is the account of a British man sentenced to time in the world’s most bizarre prisons in La Paz, Bolivia (which was once a tourist attraction). As a reader, you’ll get a glimpse of the drugs, crimes and humanity inside the prison. While not exactly a book about travel , this memoir encapsulates what it’s like for an outsider to be locked up abroad (in South America’s strangest jail, nonetheless).

Our personal thoughts: Right after quitting our jobs in 2014, we headed to South America on a 3-month backpacking trip. And I can’t count the number of people who recommended this book along the way. Once I downloaded it onto my Kindle , I couldn’t put it down. The story is absolutely crazy (and kind of hard to believe it’s true!).

La Paz, Bolivia | Memoir/True Crime | Buy on Amazon

Books for Travelers | The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russel

The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country

By: Helen Russell

Given the opportunity, author and Londoner Helen Russell, packs up her life and moves to the Danish countryside where she discovers the secrets to the happiness of Danish people and where that happiness comes from.

Denmark | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide

By: Peter Allison

In his collection of essays, author Peter Allison recounts hilarious and sometimes terrifying tales of his life living in the African bush as a safari guide, coming face to face with some of the fiercest wild animals, and managing the hordes of camera-toting tourists. If you like this one, be sure to check out Don’t Look Behind You, his other book.

Botswana | Short Stories/Humor | Buy on Amazon

In a Sunburned Country

By: Bill Bryson

In a Sunburned Country is popular travel writer Bill Bryson’s account of his personal adventures in the hottest, driest country on earth filled with the friendliest people and the most dangerous wildlife.

Australia | Memoir/Guidebook/Humor | Buy on Amazon

Epic Solitude: A Story of Survival and a Quest for Meaning in the Far North

By: Katherine Keith

Katherine and her husband create their idyllic life of solitude in northern Alaska. But after suffering a tremendous loss, Katherine must push on with her infant daughter. She finds a new purpose when she enters the world of long-distance dog sledding.

USA | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

We strongly believe that one of the best ways to learn about a country and its culture is to learn about its cuisine. What ingredients are important can tell you a lot about a place and its people. If you love food, eat your way around the world with these culinary delights.

A Moveable Feast: Life-Changing Food Adventures Around the World

Features stories by: Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, Mark Kurlansky, Tim Cahill, Jan Morris and more. Edited by Don George.

Featuring stories from a variety of well-known writers, A Moveable Feast celebrates food from all over the world and how it nourishes humanity physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

The World | Short Stories | Buy on Amazon

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook

By: Anthony Bourdain

A follow-up to his best-selling memoir Kitchen Confidential , Medium Raw focuses on Anthony Bourdain’s rise to fame as he takes aim at some of the biggest names in the foodie world.

“If Hunter S. Thompson had written a book about the restaurant business, it could have been Medium Raw.” – Amazon

Cuban Flavor: Exploring the Island’s Unique Places, People & Cuisine

By: Liza Gershman

A photojournalistic journey through the streets of Cuba, its paladars, and its flavorful cuisine. More than just a cookbook, this volume is an introduction to a revolutionary era of Cuban cuisine.

Cuba | Cookbook/Memoir/Travel Literature | Buy on Amazon

A Fork in the Road: Tales of Food, Pleasure & Discovery on the Road

Features stories by: James Oseland, Madhur Jaffrey, Frances Mayes, Padma Lakshmi, Marcus Samuelsson and more.

Featuring stories of life-changing food experiences around the world from a variety of food-obsessed writers and chefs.

“The dubious joy of a Twinkie, the hunger-sauced rhapsody of fish heads, the grand celebration of an Indian wedding feast; the things we eat and the people we eat with remain powerful signposts in our memories, long after the plates have been cleared. Tuck in, and bon appetit!” – Amazon

Under the Tuscan Sun

By: Frances Mayes

Discover the beauty and simplicity of life in Italy along with the author when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the Tuscan countryside.

“This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy, loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it’s so delicious, read it first yourself.”— USA Today

Italy | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Books for Travelers | A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain

A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines

Another one from everyone’s favorite food and travel writer, Anthony Bourdain. This New York Times bestseller chronicles his culinary adventures around the globe in search of the perfect meal.

Books for Travelers | An Embarrassment of Mangoes

An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude

By: Ann Vanderhoof

Canadians Ann Vanderhoof and her husband Steve decided to leave their 9-to-5s in pursuit of cultural and culinary discovery in the Caribbean. Their two-year journey living on a sailboat brings them to drop anchor in 16 different countries where they explore local cuisine and record the dishes they encounter along the way.

Our personal thoughts: This book was recommended highly to us by a good friend.

The World | Cookbook/Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Bon Appetit: Travels Through France with a Knife, Fork & a Corkscrew

By: Peter Mayle

A retired schoolmaster from Provence, author Peter Mayle believes that the religion of France is food… and wine of course! This hilarious and witty memoir brings to life the culture of food in France.

France | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

For our fellow outdoor adventure lovers, this list of books will transport you on some epic journeys around the world. From through-treks in the USA to mountaineering feats in the Himalayas and African safaris, your heart will beat a little harder while reading these adventurous tales.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

By: Cheryl Strayed

After losing her mother and her marriage crumbling, author Cheryl Strayed makes the impulsive decision to hike over 1,000 of the Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington, with no experience or training, completely solo.

Our personal thoughts: This is the story of a transformative journey, and being that we currently live very close to the PCT, this book is making us itch to hike a (short!) portion of it soon.

Pacific Crest Trail, USA | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Books for Travelers | A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryerson

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

This funny account of one man and his ill-prepared companion’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail.

Our personal thoughts: A humorous and adventurous quick read, Ben and I both loved this book and even got my parents hooked on it too. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at several points of this story.

Appalachian Trail, USA | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon

A Fortune Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East

By: Tiziano Terzani

After being warned by a fortune teller not to risk flying for an entire year, author Tiziano Terzani travels by every other means possible across the continent of Asia, consulting soothsayers, sorcerers, and shamans to receive advice and ultimately gain an understanding, respect and even fear for the older ways of life that are now threatened by modernity.

Asia | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

By: Jon Krakauer

Making it to the summit was the easy part. In this thrilling personal account of the 1996 catastrophic storm that hit Mt. Everest and claimed 5 lives, Jon Krakauer provides a detailed picture of the people and events he witnessed on his disastrous descent.

Our personal thoughts: We actually read this book as we did the trek to Everest Base Camp , which made our hike seem like a cake walk!

Mt. Everest | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town

By: Paul Theroux

“In Dark Star Safari the wittily observant and endearingly irascible Paul Theroux takes readers the length of Africa by rattletrap bus, dugout canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry, and train. In the course of his epic and enlightening journey, he endures danger, delay, and dismaying circumstances.” – Amazon

Africa | Memoir | Free for Kindle

Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road

By: Kate Harris

A born explorer, Kate Harris sets off to pedal the Silk Road by bicycle, chronicling her journey while examining the importance of personal boundaries, the stories behind physical borders, and a meditation on the longing to explore.

China | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Turn Right at Machu Picchu

By: Mark Adams

Follow along on this fascinating and funny account of adventure writer (but real adventure novice) Mark Adam’s journey to recreate the original 1911 expedition to Machu Picchu.

Psst! If this book has you inspired, why not look into planning your own trip to Machu Picchu .

Peru | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon

Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains

By: Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent

In this transformative tale, Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent shares her journey traveling through one of the least explored regions in India. Along the way she encounters shamans, lamas, hunters, opium farmers, fantastic tribal festivals and discovers a way of life that is soon to be changed forever.

India | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

Marrakech Express

By: Peter Millar

Inspired by the 1969 Crosby, Stills & Nash anthem ‘Marrakech Express,’ author Peter Millar decides to reverse engineer the train journey from the song through the country of Morocco.

Morocco | Memoir/Guidebook| Buy on Amazon

Honeymoon in Purdah: An Iranian Journey

By: Alison Wearing

“Peppered with accounts of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and political analyses of the country, Honeymoon in Purdah is a departure from our conventional perception of Iran. Alison Wearing give Iranians the chance to wander beyond headlines and stereotypes and in so doing, reveals the poetry of their lives.” – Amazon

Iran | Memoir | Buy on Amazon

If you’re looking for something a little lighter with a splash of romance, browse through this list of stories that combine two of life’s biggest adventures: love and travel.

Love With a Chance of Drowning

By: Torre DeRoche

City-girl Torre DeRoche is determined to keep the man of her dreams by joining him on a sailing adventure around the world, even though she is terrified of deep water.

“I was positively swept away by this large-hearted, hilarious story about how deeply and unexpectedly a person can be transformed by love.” – Suzanne Morrison, Yoga Bitch

Crazy Rich Asians

By: Kevin Kwan

This is the hilarious and heart-warming tale of a New York City girl who agrees to spend the summer with her boyfriend in Singapore, only to discover he is not only crazy-rich but one of the country’s most eligible bachelors.

You’ll want to check out the rest of the trilogy after you’ve read this first installment.

Singapore | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

My Summer of Love and Misfortune

By: Lindsay Wong

Iris is having a rough time coping with a breakup and her identity when her parents decide to send her to Beijing for the summer to stay with family and reconnect with her roots. There she gets swept up in the glamorous lifestyle of Beijing’s elite leading her to discover romance and a little bit about her herself along the way.

China | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Eat Pray Love

By: Elizabeth Gilbert

Leaving behind her comfortable life and a marriage she was no longer happy in, Elizabeth Gilbert takes readers on her journey of self-discovery eating her way through Italy, practicing meditation in India, and finding love in Bali, Indonesia.

Our personal thoughts: About as much of a “cliché travel book” as you can get, this memoir from Elizabeth Gilbert is still an entertaining read that both inspires and tugs at your heart.

Love & Gelato

By: Jenna Evans Welch

Lena spends the summer in Tuscany to honor her mother’s dying wish to get to know her father. After discovering a journal her mother kept when she lived in Italy, Lena follows along in her mother’s footsteps exploring the magical country, uncovering secrets about her family, and finding love.

Italy | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

If you’re a history buff and prefer your books to be somewhat educational, this list is a great place to start. Each book in this section has ties to history, whether a memoir or a historical fiction piece, these stories will bring you around the world and back in time all at once.

Seven Years in Tibet

By: Heinrich Harrer

After being imprisoned in China during the second world war, Heinrich recounts his escape and journey across the frozen Himalayas to finally be one of the first Europeans to enter Tibet and the Forbidden City of Lhasa where he befriends the Dalai Lama.

Tibet | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon

The Great Railway Bazaar

First published over 30 years ago, Paul Theroux gives a humorous and engrossing account of his early adventures on an unusual journey across the continent of Asia by railway, from London’s Victoria Station to Tokyo Central and back.

Asia | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon

The Signature of All Things

Spanning the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this story follows the extraordinary Whittaker family in a tale that crosses the globe —from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond.

The World | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Homage to Catalonia

By: George Orwell

Author George Orwell was meant to travel to Spain in 1936 to report on the Civil War. Instead he joined the army and fight against the Fascists. This is his personal account of the war and Orwell’s own experiences.

Spain | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon

The Road to Oxiana

By: Robert Byron

“ The Road to Oxiana is the brilliant account of Robert Byron’s ten-month journey to Iran and Afghanistan in 1933–34. This classic travelogue is considered by many modern travel writers to be the first example of great travel writing.” – Amazon

Afghanistan | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon

The Mountains Sing: A Novel

By: Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

This is the multigenerational tale of the Trần family during the Vietnam war and the following conflicts that lasted for generations.

Vietnam | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon

On the Road

By: Jack Kerouac

Inspired by his own adventures with Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac tells the story of two friends whose cross-country road trips are a quest for meaning and experience.

Our personal thoughts: My favorite professor in university was obsessed with this book. He taught creative writing and is a NYT best selling author himself, so I trust his taste in books and this one is near the top of my list!

USA | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Pocket Atlas of Remote Islands: 50 Islands I Have Not Visited and Never Will

By: Judith Schalansky

Using historic events and scientific reports, author Judith Schalansky paints a picture of remote islands, whose histories are largely based on speculation and lore, with a poetic romanticism.

The World | Atlas/Travel Literature/Historical Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon

The Island of Sea Women

By: Lisa See

A story that spans decades, beginning during Japanese colonialism in the 1930’s, this is the tale of two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective.

Psst! Wondering what the island of Jeju is like in real life? We tell you all about it in this article .

South Korea | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon

A little travel, a little self-reflection… these books weave travel and life lessons all into one package.

The Art of Travel

By: Alain de Botton

Follow along on the author’s personal travels as he considers everything from the anticipation to the exotic allure. This witty book is not going to tell you where to go, but why you should travel and how to do it well.

The World | Memoir/Travel Literature | Buy on Amazon

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Place in the World

By: Eric Weiner

In a unique mix of travel stories, psychology and humor, author Eric Weiner takes his readers on a journey around the world to find out not what happiness is, but where it is. Answering questions along the way like: Is the King of Bhutan a visionary for his initiative to calculate Gross National Happiness?

Laws of the Jungle: Jaguars Don’t Need Self-Help Books

By: Yossi Ghinsberg

Yossi Ghinsberg was lost in the Amazon jungle for twenty-eight days, alone with no food, supplies or weapons, and against all odds, he survived. In this book, Ghinsberg shares the profound truths the treacherous Amazon taught him.

Check out his personal account of his time in the Amazon next in his book Jungle.

Amazon Jungle | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

By: Rolf Potts

In this one-of-a-kind handbook, travel writer Rolf Potts teaches readers how to discover and experience the world on their own terms with steps for achieving the dream of long-term overseas travel.

“One incredible trip, especially a long-term trip, can change your life forever. And Vagabonding teaches you how to travel (and think), not just for one trip, but for the rest of your life.”—Tim Ferriss, from the foreword

Psst! We have a wealth of other articles for aspiring digital nomads !

The World | Auto-biography/Handbook | Buy on Amazon

Be swept off your feet (or couch!) as you journey across the world with these fictional stories that take place all around the globe. These books will bring you on adventures that don’t require any packing!

By: Alex Garland

This story starts with an American backpacker in Thailand who hears of an island paradise. When he reaches this idyllic community on a remote Thai island, he finds people from all around the world living together in what appears to be a utopia. But the longer he stays, the more dark secrets are revealed… And yes, you may know this book from the 2000 thriller starring none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.

Our personal thoughts: This is one of those books that it seems all backpackers have read and can be found dog-eared in those hostel book exchange “libraries”. It’s kind of like a “rite of passage” for backpackers, and while some readers aren’t all that enthused, we both really liked the story and the themes of this book.

Read about our real-life experience visiting “The Beach” in Thailand.

Thailand | Fiction/Thriller | Buy on Amazon

If I Had Your Face

By: Frances Cha

“A riveting debut novel set in contemporary Seoul, Korea, about four young women making their way in a world defined by impossible standards of beauty, after-hours room salons catering to wealthy men, ruthless social hierarchies, and K-pop mania.” – Amazon

We spent a year living in South Korea while teaching English and while our experience was quite different than the main characters, the descriptions of living in Seoul felt very familiar.

Korea | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Black Sunday

By: Tola Rotimi Abraham

This story follows the fate of twin sisters Bibike and Ariyik and their family as their comfortable life in Lagos unravels with a series of unfortunate events and over the following two decades.

Nigeria | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

The Garden of Burning Sand

By: Corban Addison

Set in Zambia, an American lawyer and local policeman uncover a crime against a girl who was attacked and left for dead. Despite cultural differences and radically different upbringings, they need to work together to help the girl recover and ensure that justice is served.

Zambia | Fiction/Thriller | Buy on Amazon

By: Gregory David Roberts

Shantaram is the story of an escaped convict who flees a maximum security prison in Australia, fleeing to Bombay with his guide and companion, where they can disappear forever in the criminal underworld.

India | Fiction/Crime Thriller | Buy on Amazon

The Alchemist

By: Paulo Coelho

A classic traveler’s tale, this is the story of a young shepherd who follows a vision that promises he will find treasure and good fortune. His journey takes him through the deserts of Egypt and is full of metaphors and beautiful prose. The underlying themes of forging your own path and seeking your destiny speak to people from all walks of life.

Our personal thoughts: This is a book I’ve read a couple of times, and each time I read it, I find new lessons that resonate. Ben loves this one too!

The World | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Sharks in the Time of Saviors

By: Kawai Strong Washburn

After being miraculously saved by a shark while on vacation with his family in Hawaii in his youth, Nainoa and his family drift apart in their separate corners of the country. Nainoa it seems has also inherited strange new abilities. Supernatural events revisit the family in adulthood in Hawaii and force them to face each other and test their bonds.

USA | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

What We Were Promised

By: Lucy Tan

After years of chasing the American dream, the Zhen family returns to China to live a luxurious existence with Shanghai’s elite. When younger brother Qiang resurfaces in Shanghai after years on the run with a local gang, the family is forced to confront their past and what this means for their future.

The Tusk That Did the Damage

By: Tania James

A story set in southern India about the moral complexities of the Ivory trade, told through the eyes of a poacher, a documentary filmmaker and a notorious elephant known as the Gravedigger.

India | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Once Upon a Sunset

By: Tif Marcelo

After suffering loss and heartbreak, a forced sabbatical leads DC OB/GYN Diana to discover family members in the Philippines she never knew existed. Determined to reconnect, she sets off on an adventure that will change her life forever.

If you are looking for more armchair travel inspiration, check out our articles on the Philippines .

Philippines | Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Angels & Demons

By: Dan Brown

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon finds himself in the middle of a plot to take down the Vatican. With a mixture of historical truths and modern fiction you’ll learn more about the secrets of Rome than you ever thought possible.

Afterwards, you’ll want to pick up the rest of the Robert Langdon series for similar glimpses into Paris, Washington DC, Venice and Barcelona.

Italy | Fiction/Thriller | Buy on Amazon

Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences

The book is a collection of all sorts of experiences — from epic hikes to festivals to wildlife encounters — it is packed to the brim of things to add to your bucket list.

Our personal thoughts: This book was one of our first purchases together and was a way for us to daydream of all the adventures we’d take together around the world. We used to open this book and circle the adventures we’d take someday, and now it’s fun to look back on some of the adventures we’ve been lucky enough to experience for ourselves and mark the book with the date of our own experience. If you look at the photo above, you’ll even see our notes!

The World | Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon

Books for Travelers | Vanlife Diaries by Kathleen Morton, Jonny Dustow & Jaren Melrose

Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom on the Open Road

By: Kathleen Morton, Jonny Dustow, and Jaren Melrose

“Step into the world of a new generation of modern gypsies: a range of professionals and creatives who have ditched conventional houses for the freedom of the road and the beauty of the outdoors.” – Amazon

Vanlife Diaries is a a collection of imagery, interviews and advice celebrating this community of nomads who have embraced vanlife.

USA | Non-Fiction/Self-Help | Buy on Amazon

She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild

By: Gale Straub

“For every woman who has ever been called outdoorsy comes a collection of stories that inspires unforgettable adventure.” – Amazon

This book combines incredible photography with the fascinating personal accounts of 40 diverse women and their unforgettable journeys in nature.

100 Dives of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Underwater Destinations

By: Carrie Miller & Brian Skerry

“Explore 100 breathtaking scuba diving sites around the world–from the cenotes of Mexico to the best wreck in Micronesia–through stunning National Geographic photography, expert tips, and cutting-edge travel advice.” – Amazon

If you are looking for more diving inspiration, we’ve rounded up the sites for the best scuba diving in the world in one article.

The Bucket List: Places to Find Peace and Quiet

By: Victoria Ward

“Explore hard-to-find quiet spots in urban jungles, ultimate wilderness hideouts, the world’s best mindfulness and meditation retreats, and ancient centers of spiritual succor and artistic solace – perfect for whether you want to find yourself or get completely lost.” – Amazon

Life From Above: Epic Stories of the Natural World

By: Michael Bright & Chloe Sarosh

Created after the hit PBS Docuseries: Life From Above , this book compiles over 200 spectacular images using advanced satellite technology to view the earth’s surface — from its megastructures to its natural wonders — in breathtaking detail.

Books for Travelers | Destinations of a Lifetime by National Geographic

Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places

Published By: National Geographic

Take a photographic tour of the world’s most exciting and visually alluring destinations that will inspire you to get started planning your next trip .This book features spectacular images from hundreds of locations — from ancient wonders to electric cityscapes to deserted beaches to architectural feats — taken by the world-class National Geographic photographers.

Save this article on Pinterest for later!

We want to hear from you!

What travel books are on your to-read list? Did we miss one of your favorites? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!

Comments (12) on “ 65 Books for Travelers: Curing Your Wanderlust One Page at a Time ”

This post was truly worthwhile to read. I wanted to say thank you for the key points you have pointed out as they are enlightening.

I recommend this blog in general, it has always something worth following up and even if there are books you are not going to read, you will learn something new and may find books you never thought of reading

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

Love this. Such an extensive list. Some total classics are on here, like Eat Pray Love, but also love seeing some books I’m not familiar with like Whatever You Do Don’t Run. Thanks for a great lizt.

Thanks! We tried to have a pretty well-rounded variety for all types of readers (or people like me who prefer all different types of reading depending on their mood!).

Oh also, Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places is another I’m going to get my hands on!

Ohh, good tip!

I love this post! I have read some of the classics like The Year of Living Danishly, In a Sunburned Country, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Whatever you Do, Don’t Run. I have been looking for a post like this for a while, because I really want to start reading the classics and getting to know their writing styles. I’m definitely going to buy What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding: A Memoir!

That book is super high on my list too! I’ve heard great things, so I can’t wait to read it myself 🙂

I love to read and this list just made me so happy! Perfect timing to order some books online! There are so many that look interesting!

Happy you liked it! There are lots on this list that I’ve been meaning to read for a while! Trying to make it a priority now 🙂

AP Style Composition Titles

Home » AP Style » AP Style Composition Titles

The following guidelines are rules set out in the AP Stylebook for AP style book titles, computer game titles, AP Style movie titles, opera titles, play titles, poem titles, album titles, AP Style song titles, radio and television titles, and the titles of lectures, speeches, and work of art.

In AP Style, magazines names and titles are governed by their own rules. See AP Style Magazine Names .

How to Capitalize Composition Titles

Capitalize the principal words, including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters.

Capitalize an article (a, an, the) or words of fewer than four letters if it is the first or last word in the title.

Put quotation marks around the names of all of the aforementioned types of works except the Bible and books that are primarily catalogs or reference materials. Items of reference include almanacs, directories, dictionaries, encyclopedias, gazetteers, handbooks, and other such similar publications. You should not include quotations around such software titles such as Adobe Photoshop or Windows.

You should translate a foreign title into an English one unless the specific word is commonly known by its foreign name. There is one exception to this and that is for reviews of musical performances. In such instances, you should generally refer to the work in the language that it was sung in, so as to differentiate it for your reader. However, musical compositions in Slavic languages are always referred to in their English translations.

For other classical music titles, use quotation marks around the composition’s nicknames but not compositions that are identified by their sequence. For example,

Beethoven’s “New World Symphony,” but Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

Below are a number of examples for composition titles in AP Style,

AP Style Book Titles

“To Kill a Mockingbird”
“The Magician’s Nephew”
“Of Mice and Men”

AP Style Movie Titles

“Saving Private Ryan”
“Trouble With the Curve”
“The Dark Knight Rises”

AP Style Song Titles

“Stairway to Heaven”
“Good Vibrations

AP Style Videogame Titles

“Call of Duty”
“God of War”
“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell”

AP Style Opera Titles

“A Night in the Chinese Opera”
“Nixon in China”
“The Lighthouse”

AP Style Play Titles

“The Sound of Music”
“The Book of Mormon”
“Fiddler on the Roof”

AP Style Poem Titles

“The Road Not Taken”
“A Pretty a Day”
“Seeker of Truth”

AP Style Album Titles

“Appetite for Destruction”
“And Justice for All”
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

AP Style Television Titles

“How I Met Your Mother”
“The Tonight Show”
“Good Morning America”

AP Style Website Titles

Most websites and apps are capitalized without quotations. For example,

“Farmville” and similar computer games apps are an exception and should be in quotes.

For classical compositions, use quotation marks around the composition’s nicknames but not compositions identified by its sequence. For example,

Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.”
Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

ADMIN AREA MY BOOKSHELF MY DASHBOARD MY PROFILE SIGN OUT SIGN IN

Seen & Heard

Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals Book Title, Tour

BY Michael Schaub • June 29, 2023

Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed the title of her upcoming memoir and announced a book tour, People magazine reports .

The actor and talk show host’s Worthy will be published this fall by Dey Street. The press describes the book as “a gripping, painfully honest, and ultimately inspirational memoir.”

Pinkett Smith first rose to fame as an actor on the sitcom A Different World and has since starred in films including Menace II Society, The Matrix Reloaded , and Girls Trip . She was the co-host of the recently canceled Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk with her daughter, Willow Smith, and mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris.

She was thrust into the spotlight last year after comedian Chris Rock made a joke about her shaved head at the Academy Awards ceremony; Pinkett Smith has alopecia areata, which causes bald spots. After the joke, Pinkett Smith’s husband, Will Smith, walked on stage and slapped Rock, shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth.”

In an Instagram post about her memoir, Pinkett Smith wrote , “This fall, with deep humility and respect, I will take back my narrative. My memoir starts at the beginning, offering an unvarnished and revealing account from my challenging upbringing in Baltimore into a controversial life in Hollywood. It’s a harrowing ride of reclaiming my self-worth while unraveling unspoken truths.”

Pinkett Smith will embark on a nine-city tour behind her book, starting on Oct. 16 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York. Other stops will include Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Worthy is slated for publication on Oct. 17.

Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.

Philosopher Daniel C. Dennett Dies at 82

In the News Philosopher Daniel C. Dennett Dies at 82

Yvonne Orji Will Adapt ‘Transcendent Kingdom’

Book to Screen Yvonne Orji Will Adapt ‘Transcendent Kingdom’

Photo Memoir by Shirley MacLaine Coming This Fall

Seen & Heard Photo Memoir by Shirley MacLaine Coming This Fall

Essay Collections That Expand All the Boundaries

Perspectives Essay Collections That Expand All the Boundaries

Our Take On This Week's Bestsellers

Our Verdict

More Seen & Heard

Michelle Obama Goes Incognito To Sign Books

Featured Interviews

podcast Episode 369: Guest Host David Levithan

podcast Episode 368: Darcie Little Badger

podcast Episode 367: J. Drew Lanham

Episode 366: Best April Books with Julia Alvarez

podcast Episode 366: Best April Books with Julia Alvarez

podcast Episode 365: Nikki McClure

The Magazine: Kirkus Reviews

Featuring 346 industry-first reviews of fiction, nonfiction, children’s and YA books; also in this special Indie Issue: a celebration of the rich diversity of indie publishing, interviews with indie authors, and more

The Kirkus Star

One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

The Kirkus Prize

The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.

Great Books & News Curated For You

Be the first to read books news and see reviews, news and features in Kirkus Reviews . Get awesome content delivered to your inbox every week.

Discover Books Fiction Thriller & Suspense Mystery & Detective Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Nonfiction Biography & Memoir Teens & Young Adult Children's
News & Features Bestsellers Book Lists Profiles Perspectives Awards Seen & Heard Book to Screen Kirkus TV videos In the News
Kirkus Prize Winners & Finalists About the Kirkus Prize Kirkus Prize Judges
Magazine Current Issue All Issues Manage My Subscription Subscribe
Writers’ Center Hire a Professional Book Editor Get Your Book Reviewed Advertise Your Book Launch a Pro Connect Author Page Learn About The Book Industry
More Kirkus Diversity Collections Kirkus Pro Connect My Account/Login
About Kirkus History Our Team Contest FAQ Press Center Info For Publishers
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Reprints, Permission & Excerpting Policy

Popular in this Genre

Hey there, book lover.

We’re glad you found a book that interests you!

Please select an existing bookshelf

Create a new bookshelf.

We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!

Please sign up to continue.

It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!

Already have an account? Log in.

Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.

Almost there!

Industry Professional

Welcome Back!

Sign in using your Kirkus account

Don’t fret. We’ll find you.

Magazine Subscribers ( How to Find Your Reader Number )

If You’ve Purchased Author Services

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up.

AI Title Generator
Poem Title Generator
Book Title Generator
YouTube Title Generator
Essay Title Generator
Title Rewriter
Title Capitalization
Sentence & Paragraph Rewriter
Essay Writer
Book Title Wizard
Character Name Generator
Name Generators
Pokemon Name Generator
Character Backstory Generator
Song Generator
Poem Generator
Word Search Puzzles
Ideation Articles
Random Topic Generator
Writing Prompt Generator
Random Essay Title Generator
Writing Articles
Online Word Counter
Online Grammar Checker
Headline Analyzer
Best Book Writing Software and Book Writing Apps
150 Best Resources for Writers
Productivity
English Language
Grammar Tips
Headline Analyzer Tool
Title Capitalization Rules
For WordPress
Publishing Articles
Email Marketing
Book Articles
How to Get A Book Published
Best Literary Agencies
How To Self Publish a Book

The Tour Books in Order

1. The Tour Box Set: The Tour, Safe at the Edge of the World and The Story of Grenville King (2018) 2. The Tour Series: Books 4-6 (2020) 3. The Tour (2013) 4. Safe at the Edge of the World (2017) 5. The Story of Grenville King (2017) 6. The Homecoming of Bubbles O'Leary: Large Print (2020) 7. Finding Billie Romano (2019) 8. Kayla's Trick (2020)

The Tour Series Books in Order

1. The Tour: A feel-good Irish springtime read. (2021) 2. Safe at the Edge of the World: A feel-good Irish summer read. (2021) 3. The Story of Grenville King: A feel-good Irish summer read. (2021) 4. The Homecoming of Bubbles O'Leary: The Tour Series - Book 4 (2021) 5. Finding Billie Romano (2021) 6. Kayla's Trick (2021)

The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour (2021-) Books in Order

1. Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour #1 2. Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour #2 3. Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour #3 4. Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour #5

Author Biographies and Other Books

Jean grainger biography, tee franklin biography, table of contents.

Accessibility

Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login

Emily Henry talks upcoming novel 'Funny Story,' 'Book Lovers' casting rumors

The author dished on what to expect from her upcoming novel.

Emily Henry is dishing on her upcoming book "Funny Story" and which rom-coms have inspired her the most.

The New York Times bestselling author appeared on "Good Morning America" Monday to chat about the new novel, out April 23, and some of the upcoming big-screen adaptations of her recent books.

"'Funny Story' is about Daphne Vincent, who is this kind of this uptight librarian who is engaged -- she thinks her life is perfect," Henry said on her new novel. "She's just moved to this new town to be with her fiance and then he breaks up with her for his childhood best friend Petra, and her whole life is thrown into chaos."

MORE: 'Fourth Wing' author Rebecca Yarros announces title of 3rd book in The Empyrean series

She continued, "To kind of find her footing, she has to move in with Petra's ex-boyfriend, so it's a mess ... and we love mess, at least at the start! And they kind of figure out that maybe it's not worst thing in the world because they could kind of lead their exes to think that maybe they're together now -- make 'em a little bit jealous. It's really fun."

Henry, who said she draws inspiration from rom-coms, among other topics, when writing her novels, was also asked about which films have inspired her writing process.

Pointing to Nora Ephron's catalogue, Henry shared, "'You've Got Mail' specifically -- and actually 'Desk Set,' which her parents made way back when, is one of my favorites -- and I think those two have been so significant for kind of finding my own voice."

Henry has three of her bestselling novels headed for the big screen -- "Beach Read," "People We Meet on Vacation" and "Book Lovers" -- which she said is "surreal."

Editor’s Picks

Emily Henry talks new book, 'Funny Story'

Emily Henry talks about new book, ‘Happy Place’

Authors Kiley Reid and Emily Henry share their top reading picks for summer

She said that's not on her mind when she's writing though: "Honestly I'm not thinking, 'Oh, this could be an adaptation,' but I'm such a visual person, I see it all play out, so there's a piece of me that is like, yeah, it's a movie in my head already."

When asked about the rumored casting of Paul Mescal and Ayo Edebiri for "Book Lovers," Henry shared her thoughts.

"I think my readers are so smart and have such good taste," she said. "So obviously if they think it's a good idea then I'm like, yeah, that would be amazing. They're very talented actors."

Neither of the actors have publicly commented on the rumors.

What witnesses said about Trump's handling of classified info while president

3 hours ago

Trump is unindicted co-conspirator in Michigan fake elector case, hearing reveals

Apr 24, 3:05 PM

Airlines required to refund passengers for canceled, delayed flights

Apr 24, 11:06 AM

Secret Service prepares for if Trump is jailed for contempt in hush money case

Apr 23, 4:16 PM

Plastic bags from Walmart US recycling tracked to facilities in Southeast Asia

Apr 23, 9:48 PM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Nelly Korda ties LPGA Tour record for consecutive wins with Chevron Championship triumph

Korda earned her fifth straight victory and second career major, by kristie rieken | the associated press • published april 22, 2024 • updated on april 22, 2024 at 8:27 am.

Nelly Korda couldn't have imagined the incredible run she's put together this season while at home recovering from a blood clot that required surgery in 2022.

“Because obviously then I was just more scared for my health,” she said. “Competing was kind of on the back seat. I was not thinking about competing at all. But I think all of the sad times and the health scares that I have gone through have made me who I am today.”

Fully healthy now, Korda is seemingly unstoppable. The world's No. 1 player hasn't lost a tournament since January, and now she's a two-time major champion.

Korda etched her name in the LPGA Tour record books Sunday, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a two-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship.

Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.

Korda joins Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five consecutive LPGA events. Her previous major victory was in 2021 at the Women's PGA Championship.

“It’s been an amazing feeling these past couple weeks knowing that I can go on this stretch and that if I stay in my bubble and I keep golf in a sense simple and let it flow, then I can have so, so much fun out here,” she said.

Korda shot a 3-under 69 in the final to outlast Maja Stark of Sweden, who birdied her final two holes to shoot 69 and pull within one. Korda stayed aggressive on the par-5 18th, easily clearing the lake in front of the green and setting up an easy up-and-down birdie for a two-shot victory.

Scottie Scheffler extends dominant run with RBC Heritage win

Rory McIlroy debunks LIV Golf rumors: ‘I'll play the PGA Tour the rest of my career'

She had a four-day total of 13-under 275 at Carlton Woods.

Korda nearly aced the par-3 17th , with her tee shot hitting the hole and hopping in the air before settling within 10 feet. She settled for par to maintain her two-shot lead.

Korda wowed the large crowd, which followed her throughout the day, by chipping into the wind for birdie on the par-4 10th hole to take a four-stroke lead. The 25-year-old raised her club above her head with one hand and pumped her fist after the ball rolled into the hole.

Her parents — former Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova — beamed as she was presented with the trophy.

“She had a difficult ’22 and ’23 in certain ways,” Petr Korda said. “She did not win a tournament in ’23 and some things probably made her humble and (she) put a lot of work into where she is right now. Without the work and commitment, she would not be here. So seeing that, I’m very happy.”

Korda’s older sister, Jessica, is a six-time LPGA winner who’s taking a break from golf after giving birth to her first child.

Korda took home $1.2 million from a purse of $7.9 million, a significant increase from last year’s purse of $5.2 million. That brings her season earnings to $2,424,216 and her career earnings to $11,361,489.

Winners had been jumping into Poppie’s Pond off the 18th green at Mission Hills since 1988, and Korda became the second to do it in Texas by doing a cannonball off a small dock into brown-tinged water. World No. 2 Lilia Vu was first to jump into the pond here after her win last season. Vu withdrew from this year’s tournament before the first round after experiencing “severe discomfort” in her back during warmups.

While still shivering from her post-win plunge Sunday, Korda confirmed she'll be competing in the JM Eagle LA Championship next week in Los Angeles. She was then asked about the possibility of becoming the first to ever win six straight LPGA tournaments.

“I’m going to enjoy this right now and then I’ll think about that,” she said. “But yeah, it’s been an amazing time. Hopefully keep the streak alive. But I’ve been so grateful to compete week in and week out and get the five in a row, too.”

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is on a similar tear, on his way to a fourth victory in five starts until rain interrupted the final round of the RBC Heritage . He couldn’t help but check in on Korda.

“I actually was checking the scores this afternoon when we were in the rain delay,” he said. “I’m extremely happy for her and proud of her. That’s some pretty special stuff. It’s been a treat to watch.”

Korda entered the last round one shot off the lead after completing the last seven holes of the weather-delayed third round early Sunday morning on a windy and unseasonably cool day. She was wiped out after her big win because she’d been up since 4 a.m. to prepare for the end of the third round.

She birdied two of her first four holes to take the lead. Lauren Coughlin birdied Nos. 13 and 14 to get within two strokes, but bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes put her four behind. She shot a final-round 68 to finish tied for third with Brooke Henderson.

Coughlin got emotional when discussing her best finish in a major.

“It’s really cool to see all of the work that I’ve put in, especially with my putting and my short game, and putting specifically showed off this week, as well,” she said.

Henderson was tied with Korda for second to start the last round after she shot a 64 in the third round to set a scoring record for the tournament since its move from Mission Hills, California, to Texas last year. But the Canadian, who has 13 LPGA wins with two majors, also faltered early in the final round, with a bogey and a double bogey in the first four holes.

Haeran Ryu of South Korea shot a bogey-free 67 to enter the final round leading Korda by one. But the 2023 Rookie of the Year bogeyed the first two holes of the fourth round. She closed with a 74 and finished fifth.

Eighteen-year-old amateur Jasmine Koo provided an unlikely highlight on the 18th hole. Her second shot bounced off the advertising board in the water and back into play. She ended up with a birdie to shoot 71.

AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

This article tagged under:

Nelly Korda ties LPGA Tour record with 5th straight victory, wins Chevron Championship for 2nd major

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Nelly Korda couldn’t have imagined the incredible run she’s put together this season while at home recovering from a blood clot that required surgery in 2022.

Fully healthy now, Korda is seemingly unstoppable. The world’s No. 1 player hasn’t lost a tournament since January, and now she’s a two-time major champion.

Korda etched her name in the LPGA Tour record books Sunday, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a two-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship.

Korda joins Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five consecutive LPGA events. Her previous major victory was in 2021 at the Women’s PGA Championship.

She had a four-day total of 13-under 275 at Carlton Woods.

Korda nearly aced the par-3 17th , with her tee shot hitting the hole and hopping in the air before settling within 10 feet. She settled for par to maintain her two-shot lead.

Her parents — former Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova — beamed as she was presented with the trophy.

Korda’s older sister, Jessica, is a six-time LPGA winner who’s taking a break from golf after giving birth to her first child.

While still shivering from her post-win plunge Sunday, Korda confirmed she’ll be competing in the JM Eagle LA Championship next week in Los Angeles. She was then asked about the possibility of becoming the first to ever win six straight LPGA tournaments.

Coughlin got emotional when discussing her best finish in a major.

“It’s really cool to see all of the work that I’ve put in, especially with my putting and my short game, and putting specifically showed off this week, as well,” she said.

AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

an image, when javascript is unavailable

site categories

Actors access latest target in class action lawsuit over its pay-to-play service, breaking news.

‘Two Idiot Girls’ Podcast Host Drew Afualo Sets Dates For ‘The Loud Tour’ To Continue “Terrorizing Awful Men”

By Armando Tinoco

Armando Tinoco

Night & Weekend Editor

TikTok Star Drew Afualo Makes Case To Be Cast In ‘Moana’ Live-Action Film: “I’ll Play Moana’s Dad If That’s What It Takes”

Senate Passes Bill To Force TikTok Sale; Legislation Is Part Of Aid Package To Israel, Ukraine And Taiwan

Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve is her first book and is set to drop on July 30, the day her tour starts in NYC.

Afualo’s comedy tour is just the latest effort in the digital media creator’s “agenda,” saying on Instagram, “I promised yall a hot girl summer fueled by terrorizing awful men with this book, and this tour is gonna help push that agenda. IKDFR LMFAOOOOO SEE YALL THERE!!!”

The Loud Tour Dates

• July 30 — New York, NY • July 31 — Boston, MA • August 1 — Philadelphia, PA • August 2 — Washington D.C. • August 3 — Columbus, OH • August 4 — Chicago, IL • August 6 — Nashville, TN • August 7 — Atlanta, GA • August 8 — Orlando, FL • August 9 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL • August 10 — Clearwater, FL • August 13 — Houston, TX • August 14 — Austin, TX • August 15 — Dallas, TX • August 17 — Denver, CO • August 18 — Salt Lake City, UT • August 20 — Seattle, WA • August 21 — Portland, OR • August 23 — San Jose, CA • August 24 — Los Angeles, CA • August 25 — Phoenix, AZ

Must Read Stories

Actors access is latest target in class-action suit over pay-to-play service.

Ryan Gosling-Hosted Episode Draws Show’s Biggest Audience In Years

Ari emanuel pinned $65m pay package last year as tko group ceo, saturday’s contenders lineup: gypsy rose blanchard, ‘quiet on set’ team, more.

Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

Sport Nelly Korda wins Chevron Championship for an historic fifth straight LPGA victory

Nelly Korda kisses a large trophy after winning a golf tournament

Nelly Korda has etched her name in the LPGA Tour record books, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a two-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship for her second major title.

Korda joins Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five consecutive LPGA events. Her previous major victory was in 2021 at the Women's PGA Championship.

The top-ranked Korda shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to outlast Maja Stark of Sweden, who birdied her final two holes to shoot 69 and pull within one. Korda stayed aggressive on the par-5 18th, easily clearing the lake in front of the green and setting up an easy up-and-down birdie for a two-shot victory.

Korda had a four-day total of 13-under 275 at Carlton Woods.

Her parents — former Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova — beamed as she was presented with the trophy.

“She had a difficult ’22 and ’23 in certain ways,” Petr Korda said.

“She did not win a tournament in ’23 and some things probably made her humble and (she) put a lot of work into where she is right now. Without the work and commitment, she would not be here. So seeing that, I’m very happy.”

Korda entered the last round one shot off the lead after completing the last seven holes of the weather-delayed third round early Sunday morning (local time) on a windy and unseasonably cool day.

She birdied two of her first four holes to take the lead. Lauren Coughlin birdied holes 13 and 14 to get within two strokes, but bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes put her four behind. She shot a final-round 68 finish tied for third with Canadian Brooke Henderson.

Korda nearly aced the par-3 17th, with her tee shot hitting the hole and hopping in the air before settling within 10 feet. She settled for par to maintain her two-shot lead.

Haeran Ryu of South Korea shot a bogey-free 67 to enter the final round leading Korda by one. But the 2023 Rookie of the Year bogeyed the first two holes in the fourth round to fall out of the lead. She closed with a 74 and finished fifth.

But the Canadian, who has 13 LPGA wins with two majors, also faltered early in the final round, with a bogey and a double bogey in the first four holes.

Korda took home $US1.2 million ($1.8 million) from a purse of $US7.9 million, a significant increase from last year's purse of $US5.2 million. That brings her season earnings to $US2,424,216 and her career earnings to $US11,361,489.

Winners had been jumping into Poppie's Pond off the 18th green at Mission Hills since 1988, and Korda became the second to do it in Texas by leaping off a small dock into brown-tinged water.

World number two Lilia Vu was first to jump into the pond here after her win last season. She withdrew from this year's tournament before the first round after experiencing "severe discomfort" in her back during warm ups.

X (formerly Twitter)
United States

IMAGES

Pin by Keith McCallum on Design Ideas-Brochures, Books, Magazines
Taylor Swift Speak Now tour book cover
The Tour
It’s A Midnight Sun Book Tour Announcement!!!
AAA FLORIDA TOUR BOOK, Travel
A Photo Tour of Las Vegas (Photo Tour Books (Paperback))

VIDEO

Book Title Reveal // Owlbound by Winter's Beak #books #selfpublishing
Sketchbook Tour Book 1
Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2)
Book Review : Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships by Tristan Taormino
The Best Way To Book Travel Independently
bookshelf tour 📖🤍✨ 400+ books

COMMENTS

How to Choose a Bestselling Book Title for Fiction or Nonfiction
Here's the basic process we go through when choosing a book title. 1. Do Book Market Research. Find the top comparable book titles in your market. Create a list of their book titles and subtitles, and take careful note of: The words and phrases they use in their book titles and subtitles; The words and phrases used in their book descriptions
20 Things Every Author Should Know Before Starting a Book Tour by
So here are some book tour best practices and must-do's I've picked up (and stole from veteran authors) that you might find helpful if you're a book tour rookie, too. ... Your candy dish might empty before you can say the title of your book. Order a Square reader. People don't always carry cash. And if your book is worth more than 20 ...
Everything You Need to Know About Book Tours
A book tour is a fantastic way to continue to build upon the momentum of your book launch, reach new readers, and grow the visibility for both you and your book. Written by Greenleaf's Marketing Strategist, Madelyn Myers. Madelyn is responsible for the execution of marketing strategies to increase visibility and readership for Greenleaf authors ...
Creating a Successful Book Tour: Five Tips from an Indie Author
When your book has the word "naked" in the title, it doesn't hurt to include a cute dog and a family-friendly topic like pet rescue in your pitch. 5. Keep on top of your tour dates and publicity.
How to Plan a Book Tour for Independent Authors
10 Important Parts of a Book for First-Time Authors. Joe Yamulla-July 14, 2023. 1. Set your book up for success by knowing the important parts of a book — front and back matter and everything in between.
13 Lessons From an Epic Book Tour
Months before my book, Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean, came out, I teamed with several publicists to build a twelve-month, 100-event tour.Yes - 100! We targeted the coastal regions of North America, including Canada and Alaska. We booked events at universities, book stores, grammar schools, breweries, museums, aquariums, libraries, Audubon Societies, surf shops, outdoor stores (L ...
How to Set Up Your Own Book Tour
Consider a virtual book tour. If you don't have the money to do a regular tour, you can consider a virtual tour. You connect with book bloggers around the country and agree to write guest posts, run some giveaways, do a podcast, and/or take questions from readers. You can also do virtual chats or readings through Skype or similar.
How to Organize a Successful DIY Book Tour ⬩ SiteArcade
Like any promotional operational, one does not just decide one afternoon that they'll organize a book tour. You have to do a lot of planning. Decide the Date. Note the publication date of your book and back up about six months. A mistake many authors make is assuming they can't start planning until their book is out.
15 Travel Books That Will Change The Way You See The World
Here are the 15 must-read travel books, according to experienced globetrotters. Prepare for a serious case of wanderlust. "The Rings of Saturn" by W.G. Sebald. 1. "The Rings of Saturn" by ...
The DIY Book Tour: How to Organize a Tour Yourself
Shop there. When you have an event there, bring your friends and ask them to shop there. If an appearance makes the store money, and you connect with the owners/manager on a personal level, your chances of being supported for your next appearance increase tenfold.". Know Before You Go.
How to Title a Book in 4 Simple Steps (With Free Checklist!)
Without a book title, your book can't exist. Having a title in place before you start writing can help inform or reinforce your themes and motifs as you plan your novel. To learn more about the planning process, go here for a complete guide and a free book outline template. Secondly, if you don't already think of the title of your book as a marketing decision, start now.
How To Set Up A Book Tour: Part I
Let's break up the steps to prepare for your book tour in order to prevent overwhelm, and start with the Launch Kit, which includes: author bio: long & short. book description (elevator pitch): long & short. headshot! notable blurbs/endorsements. presentation or workshop description.
How to pick the perfect book title
If not, here's what it looks like: ( Click here to download an empty PDF version to print) Print that out and write in your titles on the first lines. We're going to pit the titles against each other to find out which one is the best. 3. A/B split test the titles against each other.
How To Write The Perfect Book Title [Examples Included]
People get lured into crafting titles that are exacting and long-winded in an effort to make the title signal the book idea and audience. In the title, stick to the core idea. If you want to get wordy, then leave that to the subtitle. If you can, aim to keep the main title around 5 words or less.
Travel Titles
June 11, 2023. Discover the perfect travel titles to use for photo captions and mini albums. Over 200 Travel titles specifically for scrapbook pages and journals. Now, wherever you go you may create stunning layouts of your travel photos using these quotes. Countless memories are made during family trips and Summer vacations.
How to Pick the Best Travel Guide Books And 11 Of Our Favorites
Bonus note: LP has a whole extra range of books like The Not-For-Parents Travel Book and The Solo Travel Handbook. But that's a whole other series. Great for: Big picture travel across a whole country for most regions but especially Oceania, Asia, and the "Shoestring" range. New Zealand is the best ever.
Book Title Generator • The Ultimate Bank of 10,000 Titles
15 best book titles of all time. Witty, eye-catching, memorable — these famous book titles have it all. Without further ado, here are 15 best book titles you can take inspiration from. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. East of Eden by John Steinbeck. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.
Book tour
Book tour. A book tour is a promotion for a newly published book in which the author tours a region to do bookselling, present to the media, and meet the people who would read the book. Three objectives of any presentation on a book tour are to entertain the audience, serve the interest of whichever institution is hosting the presentation, and ...
60 travel photo book title ideas
Travel photo book title ideas Short trip. 1. 24 hours in Brighton 2. Our short and sweet escape 3. A weekend in Paris 4. No annual leave required. Beach holiday. 5. Sun, sand and sea 6. Splash! ... Lads on tour 58. The travel tribe 59. Sol mates 60. Friends who travel together, stay together.
65 Books for Travelers: Curing Your Wanderlust One Page at a Time
A Fork in the Road: Tales of Food, Pleasure & Discovery on the Road. Features stories by: James Oseland, Madhur Jaffrey, Frances Mayes, Padma Lakshmi, Marcus Samuelsson and more. Featuring stories of life-changing food experiences around the world from a variety of food-obsessed writers and chefs.
AP Style Composition Titles
Beethoven's "New World Symphony," but Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Below are a number of examples for composition titles in AP Style, AP Style Book Titles. "To Kill a Mockingbird". "The Magician's Nephew". "Of Mice and Men". AP Style Movie Titles. "Saving Private Ryan". "Trouble With the Curve".
Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals Book Title, Tour
Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed the title of her upcoming memoir and announced a book tour, People magazine reports. The actor and talk show host's Worthy will be published this fall by Dey Street.The press describes the book as "a gripping, painfully honest, and ultimately inspirational memoir.". Pinkett Smith first rose to fame as an actor on the sitcom A Different World and has since ...
The Tour Books in Order
Books by Jean Grainger. 1. The Tour: A feel-good Irish springtime read. (2021) 2. Safe at the Edge of the World: A feel-good Irish summer read. (2021) 3. The Story of Grenville King: A feel-good Irish summer read. (2021) 4. The Homecoming of Bubbles O'Leary: The Tour Series - Book 4 (2021)
Emily Henry talks upcoming novel 'Funny Story,' 'Book Lovers' casting
Emily Henry is dishing on her upcoming book "Funny Story" and which rom-coms have inspired her the most. The New York Times bestselling author appeared on "Good Morning America" Monday to chat ...
Nelly Korda ties LPGA Tour record with Chevron ...
Korda etched her name in the LPGA Tour record books Sunday, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a two-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship. Korda joins Nancy Lopez (1978 ...
Nelly Korda ties LPGA Tour record with 5th straight victory, wins
Nelly Korda etched her name in the LPGA Tour record books, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a two-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship for her second major title
'Two Idiot Girls' Podcast Host Drew Afualo Sets Dates For 'The Loud
Drew Afualo and her Two Idiot Girls podcast co-host, Deison Afualo, are embarking on a summer comedy tour.The Loud Tour will travel across the U.S. and make stops in 21 cities, supporting her ...
Check the yardage book: TPC Louisiana for the PGA Tour's 2024 Zurich
TPC Louisiana - site of the PGA Tour's 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans - was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 2004 in Avondale. It was built with consultation from PGA Tour players Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson. The course ranks No. 2 in Louisiana on Golfweek's Best ranking of top public-access layouts in each state.
Nelly Korda wins Chevron Championship for an historic fifth straight
Nelly Korda etches her name in the LPGA Tour record books, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a two-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship for her second major title.
Fucsovics triumphs in Bucharest for first title since 2018
Marton Fucsovics is back in the winners' circle.. The Hungarian earned his second ATP Tour title on Sunday when he defeated rising Argentine Mariano Navone 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the Tiriac Open.. Former champions at the Bucharest ATP 250 event, which was played for the first time since 2016, include David Ferrer, Gilles Simon, Grigor Dimitrov and Fernando Verdasco.

20 Things Every Author Should Know Before Starting a Book Tour by Stephanie Steinberg

About The Author

Stephanie Chandler

Best Practices for Nonfiction Authors Using Newsletters to Market Your Book by Roger C. Parker

How to Effectively Use Social Media without It Becoming a Time-Waster

How to Write Sales Copy for the Back of Your Nonfiction Book

Coauthor, Ghostwriter, or Contributor: How to Get the Right Help Writing Your Book by Roger C. Parker

Leave a reply Cancel reply

THE NONFICTION WRITERS CONFERENCE RETURNS MAY 8-10, 2024

NEW BOOK! The Nonfiction Book Marketing and Launch Plan – Workbook and Planning Guide

Download Our Popular Free Reports

ONLINE COURSES FOR NONFICTION WRITERS

Upcoming Events for Nonfiction Writers

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE REPORT: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BETA READERS

JOIN THE NONFICTION AUTHORS ASSOCIATION

New Nonfiction Book Club site

Recent Posts

Book Marketing

Book Launch Event

Touring Local Bookstores

Cross-Country

Podcasts/Virtual Events

Creating a Successful Book Tour: Five Tips from an Indie Author

Before contacting bookstores

Create a sell-sheet

Scaling your tour

How can I find suitable venues for my book tour?

Schedule way in advance

Collaborate with other writers or influencers

Create promotional campaigns

Adapt to the ambiance

Rehearsal and dry runs

Day of the event

You need books for your tour!

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Recent Articles

How to Set Up Your Own Book Tour

Establish a budget

Send out copies

Consider teaming with another writer

Don’t limit yourself to bookstores

Think beyond a standard reading

Consider a virtual book tour

Go where people know you

Practice efficient scheduling

Practice your pitch

Alert the media

Pay attention to the logistics

Popular Posts

Recent Comments

How to Organize a Successful DIY Book Tour

IRL for the Win

Your Guide to a Winning Book Tour

Decide the Date

Decide the Scope

Set a Budget

Think Logistics

Make Contact

Contact Media

Contact Your Audience

Have a Plan

Choose Material

Get in Ringers

Bring Books

Be Prepared

Double Your Impact

Further Reading

Where Writers Win

Your Launch Kit

Customizing Your Outreach

Your Boilerplate Outreach Email

Pitching the Indie-Published Book Tour

How to pick the perfect book title

Throw out feelings. Get some data.

How to test and find the perfect book title

This is about selling books

Share this article

Learn the secrets behind bestselling book marketing

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Are you working on the right thing?