Like most things in life, there's the official list, then there's the real list. In working with poets -- whose ability to find a port to read their work in any storm is unparalleled-- Mr. Obie Joe says an author can do a lot to scope out places for their next appearance.
Try these steps to success:
• Once you decided upon the city, get the zip code(s) for a range of neighborhoods.
• Go to Booktour.com, type in the zip code, and see a wide range of venues for authors, including the local V.F.W. Hall (really).
• For finding those more traditional book-oriented venues, check out the Events sections of the city's newspapers. Ms. Obie Joe is a big fan of the listings in the alternative newspapers, both for breadth and address details. Good search terms include: Literary Events; Spoken Word; Book Festivals; Readings; and Politics/History.
• Definitely stop the by the MeetUp for the zip code you're scoping, 1) to find a standard book club, or 2) to find one centered on a subject matter matching your book. We've found authors who've gotten dozens of sales in niches like cooking, military history, and politics.
• Stop by that city's Main Library web site, and see what type of events they like. Do note, though, that libraries often require the longest lead time for a booking; a year is not unheard of.
• If your book has a subject matter that matches with a retail store -- cooking, fashion, toys, anime, alternative healing -- make sure to call the stores and see if they'd be interested in a presentation for their customers. Anime stores are famous for welcoming these kind of events.
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