AFTER the years we writers spend toiling on our books and working to get them published, the moment they finally enter the world is beyond exhilarating. When my first book was released I, like many authors, assumed local indie bookstores—those bastions of literary activity, ideal venues for book events—would be lining up to celebrate my success along with me. But events coordinators and bookstore owners are often inundated and spread thin, so the better we can catch their attention and the easier we can make their work, the stronger our chances of success will be. To secure those coveted spots on an events calendar, we have to hustle. Fortunately, some of the skills we’ve acquired to build rich worlds and compelling narratives, to show up and create day after day, can help us with the marketing tactics and tenacity necessary to get bookstores to say yes to our book events.
Over the past few years I’ve had two books published with Motina Books—my memoir, (2021), and my story collection, (2023)—and my book launches could not have been more different. The second time around I had built relationships, found community, and better understood what indie bookstores look for in the authors with whom they work. Because of this I was able to make events happen at venues that had once eluded
