Calling all Bitchery members: I’m looking to put together the bargain book tour, wherein I drive like madness and show up in a host of places. Trouble is, I’m not sure the best way to approach the planning. On one hand, I can start looking for bookstores in major areas and commence flirting, but the peculiar and awesome thing about the Smart Bitch Book is that I’m just as interested in meeting the readers of this here website as I am curious who will be interested in the book, the site, and romance as a genre. It’s like a big sociology experiment and book tour in one!
So rather than aim for the stores and plan around them, I figured I’d ask you: where do you think I should go? Got a splendid romance-friendly bookstore to recommend? A Borders or Barnes and Noble outpost with an exceptional romance selection? Or a library that has very romance-friendly librarians? I want to know about it, where it is, and who to contact. If you don’t want to leave that info in the comments, please email me and put “Smart Bitch Book Tour” in the subject line. (My inbox is the scariest place in the universe, even more freakish than the sink trap after I wash toddler dishes.)
I’m flexible and curious, so I’ll go anywhere. My goal is to meet as many people who read the site as possible, spread the word about man-titty and the marvelousness of romance, talk about our site, and the book, and see some of the outstanding book collections for sale or rent that focus on the Lurrrrrve™. If you’re a romance author and you’d like to team up, please feel free to contact me as well.
I’m located in northern New Jersey, if you didn’t know, and I work in Manhattan, so anywhere in the New York Metro area is totally open. I’m definitely going to be in Doylestown, PA, and in Manhattan somewhere (look for the thigh highs! NOT!), plus there’s a likelihood that Iowa will be graced with my loud and boisterous countenance, but if there’s buses, trains, flights or even car rides in store, I will try to draft an itinerary within my budget and my ability to squeeze pennies out of online flight vendors.
So let me know, and help me plan the Bitch Book Tour. Bring it on!
The selfish side of me is totally seconding that one.
But the altruistic side (I do SO have one!) would like to make a couple of other suggestions:
Think HARRISBURG, PA. That puts you within a do-able driving distance from Cleveland/Pittsburgh/Buffalo, DC/Maryland/Virginia, and the city folk in Philly and NY. Probably a few other population centers too, but I’m feeling geographically challenged today (translation: I can’t be arsed to pull up a map). The idea is that your signing will be more than just a meet and greet with you, it will be a chance for members of the Bitchery to get together.
If Vegas sounds good, consider their library. I was there for a book signing and it’s a wonderful venue with a raised stage and tiered seating but still has a sense of intimacy. They give tickets when you come in so no one has to stand around in line to save their place- in fact there was refrehments being served in the lobby. I don’t remember who the bookseller was that supplied the books for the signing, but the library seemes to have their act together and would probably take care of all the details. Besides, Vegas would be another “hub” city for the bitchery from Vegas/Phoenix/LA and… um… whatever is north of Vegas. ;-D
Wow, why Iowa of all places? No complaints from me, but it seems like an odd choice. The Iowa City Public Library has a pretty good romance selection, and the local Waldenbooks has a big ol’ wall of romances that seems bigger than it actually is (because the store is super tiny).
Antispam: road74
How about the Clinton Book Shop in Clinton, NJ? It’s nearby and independent. They are small, so the romance section is not exactly holy-crap fantastic, but the gentlemen who own the shop are fabulous. I also know that it is the events that basically keep these guys in business, so why not show some love to your fellow North Jerseyans? It’d be an easy location for some eastern PA folk to get to as well.
Definitely sign at the Borders near Wall St. This is the Borders that used to be in the WTC, and it’s the biggest romance section of its kind in the city, I think. (Near man-focused industries, go figure. Also, right near Harlequin.)
I agree with those who supoort the B&N in West CHester, Ohio. I live near this B&N and buy a big portion of my books there. All of the staff are friendly & I have never been given the “oh you read romance” look, I have even had a few staff members show an interest in my book selections.
I also recommened the Lane Public Library in Hamilton, Ohio. They have a nice selection of romance, and usually do a large romance give away in February, and have had many romance authors stop in, including Sherrilyn Kenyon.
I second Portland—just to show Powell’s that romance readers are a Force With Which to Be Reckoned. They can’t keep us down, baby!
And, while you’re here, Annie’s Books in Multnomah Village—just a skip down the pike from Powell’s City of Books.
Sarah—You may want to check with your in-house—in Publisher’s house, that is—publicity person, as they like to set up the chain store signings themselves (and apparently some of the chains require them to do so). For that matter, she may want do the whole thing for you, once you pick the area(s) you want to visit.
BTW, the captcha on this post is toward53, which clearly indicates you should stop at 53 stores. Or follow Highway 53. Or gain 53 pounds from road food. Or…
I have to totally second the Twin Cities area! And especially the Roseville B&N because it’s the one I frequent most. It seems to me to have a pretty good romance section, although I wouldn’t say it will rock anyone socks off.
But MN! come to MN!
Sarah, it’s a long way via car, but you MUST come to the Pacific Northwest, namely the Seattle area. There are a TON of romance authors here. (Names. Let me see. Cherry Adair, Julia Quinn, Susan Mallery, Elizabeth Boyle, Jane Porter, Jayne Ann Krentz, Stella Cameron, Susan Anderson, Christina Dodd, Lisa Kleypas and so many more live in the area.) Plus, we have the most kick-ass romance section in Western Washington in sleepy Redmond, WA, home of Microsoft. If you make your way to the Borders in Redmond Town Center, you’ll meet Andrea, the goddess of romance. To say that Andrea does a great job is a criminal understatement. If you walk into her department, you’re walking out with some great books!
We’d love to see you. If you need some more enticement, Seattle has more bookstores per capita than any place else in the United States,and of course, we love the Bitchery!
If you need more info, drop me an e-mail.
-S
Since Nora’s quote is on your cover, how about a signing at Turn the Page with the great one herself?
I third Minneapolis/St Paul. Plus, it’s on the way to Iowa, sort of, depending which part of Iowa. Wouldn’t you like to have a to-do at the Mall of America or throw up your cap by the Mary Tyler Moore statue?
Unfortunately I can’t think of a great romance-friendly bookstore. We do have a lot of readers and a fabulous downtown library with a nice hall w/an overflow/crying room.
Check out the B&N in Vestal, NY (Binghamton – Junction of I-81 and 17/86). There are a number of published romance writers in the Southern Tier area and several have had readings, signings at this store.
I’ll third the nomination for Portland. Maybe Candy could do a talk/signing here between terms? Besides Powell’s, Jan’s Paperbacks (used bookstore) in Aloha has a large romance section.
Me too, Jill S—NORTHERN California by choice, but hey—I’d come to L.A. for the Bitchery.
Okay, yeah, I’m still pouting that the “meet the bitches” get-together at RWA last year conflicted with my son’s wedding.
Yes Yes Yes to Washington DC area! And then you could run just up the road to Turn the Page. You could spend the night in the Westley/Buttercup suite at the Inn BoonsBoro and give us a review. Okay, so it’s not right up the road, but I would totally drive you. I’m an excellent driver.
I’ll let you know how my cross country road trip goes before you head out!
Spendid idea! That’s less than an hour’s drive for me. I bet The Nora would let you do it! 🙂
It’d be great for her new inn, too.
Regarding Portland, OR—Besides Powell’s and Jan’s, there’s also the Borders in Beaverton, home to past RWA Bookseller of the Year Marcy Dodge. A trifecta, in a town of about 600,000. Besides, it’s a straight run down the West Coast: Vancouver, Seattle (Redmond), Portland, and then if you want you can keep going to Salem, Eugene, Medford, Sacramento, SF, LA. How about a loop of the whole country: Across the northern tier, down the left coast, across the bottom, and back up the right side?
As to TTP, you’ll need to ask BW, Nora’s DH—he’s the one who owns the bookstore and does all the organization for the signings. ;o)
If you are heading out to Las Vegas and points further west, it would only be polite have a layover (heh, heh) here in Denver! Not only are there any number of good Indies and large chain bookstores (tho alas, most with anorexic romance sections), there are also three very active RWA chapters in the greater metro/Rocky Mountain area.
Diane :o)
would happily play taxi if you need a driver
I’ll bring the Brooks Barbque!!!
oohhh. where?????
Not that I would stalk her or anything like that. LOLOL
Australia? Anybody? No?
…. worth a try anyway….
How about a “southern swing”? You could visit Asheville’s marvelous Malaprops, Wordsmiths in Atlanta (Decatur), and Daedalus Bookshop in Charlottesville.
I agree with Diane/Anonym2857. Denver is a wonderful place and I know that a few years ago, Nora came to the Tattered Cover Book Store and had a very strong turn-out.
Sam
Come to Birmingham…it’s already in the 60s here. By March the azaleas will be blooming. Definitely worth the drive.
Come to Naperville (suburban Chicago) at Anderson’s Bookstore! Independent, and awesome. Jennifer Crusie signed there once, though I missed it. Doh!
I third that, though prefer Northern, please. I’m in Berkeley, but will travel from San Jose to Santa Rosa…
You could come to State College, PA. We have a small Barnes & Noble with a very respectable romance section…and a large university filled with
corruptiblepotentially open minds. And it’s only like four hours from NJ! Plus, I know I could totally round up a group of people—grad students, mostly—to come andgawk atviewworshipadmire you.We have two BNs and a Borders in the Toledo metro area. Come on over! I’ll even put you up. 🙂
Come to San Francisco, although I’m not very knowledgeable about which bookstores or libraries are particularly romance-friendly.
U definitly need to come to Sudbury, ont.
Heh… from what I understand, her new inn is in close proximity of TTP bookstore. So.
But! No stalking. And no wire hangers. Ever!
Adding another vote for Denver!
I still have no clue. See I really don’t stalk. I just wondered if it is anywhere on my trip to CA. I am always so not in the know. LOL
Hey, how about a Smart Bitches Trashy Books Retreat, held in Nora’s hotel? It could be like a book lover’s convention, only funner. Like a giant Smart Bitch pyjama party. Ook, that image just scared me. Never mind.
So. Living way out in the wilds of Northern Alberta, where everybody comes but nobody wants to, and the trip is really not fun, I won’t beg you to come to my home town. Especially since we only have 1 small, suck-ass chain bookstore.
Instead, check out Margaret Atwood’s method of avoiding exhausting and expensive book tours. I’m not really clear on how it works, but you could spread the joy that IS: SB Sarah over more of the world.
Another vote for somewhere in Metro DC! Baltimore MD, even. The train service is supposed to be good & a bunch of us could get together somewhere and have fun!
I second the vote for Washington state! We’ve got a TON of romance authors up here! Redmond has a great Borders (Sherrilyn Kenyon was there not-so-long-ago) or there’s another one in Bellevue that is awesome (Jane Porter has a booksigning there with every new release). We really do have a TON of authors up here, both published and unpublished. There really couldn’t be a better location! I’ll definitely show up if you travel over to our side of the country!
Long-time lurker here…
Snarkhunter, I totally agree – except, why go to a chain bookstore when we’ve got Webster’s? It’s a locally owned cafe bookstore. They sell primarily used books, however they’re increasing their selection of new titles. And they’re already established not only as a small-event venue, but as a gathering place for the slightly out-of-the-box types.
It’s right across the road from Penn State University, and receives an awful lot of traffic. Also, it’s just a sweet place to hang out. So, if you swing up in the Central PA area, I highly suggest you try Webster’s!
P.S. Last Sunday’s Washington Post travel section published a list of cheapo bus lines that have regular runs between metro DC & Metro NYC. Can’t find the link right now.
Just in case buses are ok & someone can chauffeur you where you need to go. 🙂 Happy planning!