The Walker Family books have distinct four word titles which make them long to write out. Hence Dance of the Bones is now DOTB for blogging purposes.
Book tours are planned by publicity folks in New York. I have two brand news publicists. I’ve spoken to both of them on the phone but have yet to meet them. They sound young. Twenty-somethings or thirty-somethings at the outside. I turn 71 next month. So there’s a tiny disconnect in terms of age and relative energy levels.
They are in New York. From there? Maybe. Don’t know. They are always perplexed by the fact that some things that seem, to them, to be so close by, are simply not doable. (Sun City and Mesa? They’re both in Phoenix, aren’t they? They’re in the Phoenix AREA, but they’re 50 miles apart. So maybe those events doable, but not for the faint of heart. Tuesday’s opening day with three events, an interview, and a photo shoot was a corker!
Yesterday, there were only two events—one in Poulsbo, WA, and the other in Des Moines, WA. If you Google those spots, the distances may not look that bad, but in order to be in Poulsbo for a noon signing, we had to leave the house in Bellevue at 8:45 and drive through rush hour traffic to catch a 9:30 ferry, do the event and the signing, and catch another ferry back to Seattle. We arrived at the ferry terminal at 3:00 PM and were due in Des Moines at 5. There was no point in going back home. Any delay in heading south would have put us in the midst of rush hour traffic, so we just drove to the venue. My plan was to get out and walk for a few minutes. I didn’t. We parked in the shade, put our seats back, and took naps. Yesterday, for the first time in two and a half months, I didn’t make my 10,000 steps. Nope, 2400 was the best I could do.
When I needed some encouraging words, my daughter told me, “Mom, don’t worry. You’re taking steps to see your fans.”
This morning I received a lovely note from a woman who said how much the presentation in Poulsbo meant to her. So taking those fan steps is worth it.
Today it’s Puyallup at noon (1 hour drive from here); fly to Spokane. (Arrive at the airport and hour and a half before a 4 PM flight.) Do the Aunties event at the Bing. Fly back after the event so I can be at an event in Redmond by 11:00 tomorrow morning. Then we’re supposed to drive to Port Angeles for an evening event. But wait, is the Hood Canal Bridge still broken? It was yesterday. If it’s still broken tomorrow, going to Port Angeles by way of Olympia will make for a very long trip.
This is not whining. This is reporting. This is the reality how book tours are. I don’t know how many times people say, “Book tours must be SO exciting!” They are, but they are also draining and tiring. Drive, fly, eat, sleep, walk, and see the people. On day after another. For the better part of a month!
So here’s the deal. If any of my blog readers see me somewhere along the way in the next several weeks, please do not tell me that I look tired. I WILL be tired! And there’s only so much makeup and lip gloss can do.
Later ‘gators.
Wish you were coming to Florida. It’s not that far … on a two page map in a Walmark atlas. Travel safely and get rest. You still have many books in you that are yet to be written … and I want to read them all.
I’m only 67, but driving ceased to be pleasant for me about a decade ago. I truly admire your Bill’s fortitude — and yours. Thank you for all your “drive” to give us great reading and to reach out to us.
We so appreciate you doing all these tours! I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it to your signing in Centralia Sunday; but I know my Mom and Best Friend will be trilled with the day.
Hang in there and enjoy your fans who love you!
Thanks for doing what you do, writing great books and taking the time and making the effort to see your fans. We do appreciate it. Take care of yourselves, too.
I think your new public relations people or tour planners haven’t a clue of the distances involved out West. Most of those living in NYC don’t have any idea of what is west of the Hudson. They know that LA is out there somewhere, but aren’t really how sure. You may have cut down on your personal appearances.
See I goofed in my message. Sentence about location of LA should read, “but aren’t really sure where.”
THANK YOU for appearing at the Bing in Spokane last night! We laughed, we cried, we each felt like we were having a one-on-one conversation with you the entire evening. You have perfect comic timing.
DOTB is proving to be yet another treasure — the interweaving of the Indian stories in a wonderful enrichment. Prior reading of Stand Down really does enhance the enjoyment of DOTB.
Glad you flew to and from Spokane–even though we are only an inch apart on the map. Best of luck for the rest of the tour–your attendees are in for a treat and your readers are grateful.
Wish I could come see you in Oregon again this year, but I’m taking a little trip to California. [Only the 3rd time ever] Just finished The Dance of the Bones. I give it 6 stars. As a retired elementary teacher who taught Oregon history and Native American coyote stories, I loved the legends. You mixed it well with the thriller mystery.
See you in sunny Az!
I am constantly amazed at how many people do not understand topography of the west, especially CA. My brother used to tell the easterners who drove, it was 17 hours long and 5 hours wide. I think if you are older and have some $$, that you can do a bit more. However, the young have their constraints as well. Someone needs to sit down with these publicists and explain driving/transportation times and distances. Real distances. They can google or use map quest to find out the distances between cities and travel times. No excuse for putting you in this position. No one looks at paper maps any longer and they could be an enlightenment. Loved the new book. Donated to the library already.
I totally empathize with you. There is no glamour in being on the road. There are short snipets of laughs and meeting adoring fans.
Working in television on was on the road for most of my career. The good part is you get to be with your husband.
When I traveled other people scheduled flights and hotels. I would phone in and say I’m not staying there–it’s a dump. The response was its only for one night. My life then was a long series of it’s only one night.
Time for you to put your foot down. At 71, you deserve the right to say no.
Howard
Judith.
You will always be young at heart! Your travels, meets & greets, are truly amazing and appreciated.
I’m just about finished reading DOTB on my Kindle. I love when you blend your novels. The Native American research you include, whether real or created, is mesmerizing. The stories easily produce videos in my mind.
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of J.P. Beaumont! Maybe it’s just me but I see much of your personality and character instilled in him.
Thanks for keeping so many fans happy and informed. It makes me feel like you are my next door neighbor. ?
Thanks for reminding us that not everything in a book tour is a barrel of laughs. I am glad that I have been able to attend a couple of events at Village Books in Bellingham in the past. I haven’t seen one on your schedule recently, but I hope you will continue them in the future. It’s been enjoyable n the past and I’m looking forward to seeing you again.
Thanks again for being so available and consistently entertaining.
Lynn Baker
“This is reporting.” I will have to remember that phrase. I, too, am 71 years and active but some things are just not worth it. I picked up Dance of the Bones this morning from the library – LP – am very glad the library got the LP first. There are great things the younger generation do but using capitalization and punctuation are not among them. Pulling public buses to the curb so you can mount the steps is another. Yes, the buses have steps that lower but not low enough if you stop in the middle of the street. This is just reporting – ha, ha. I love your books and am also glad I can hear them as audiobooks from the library website!! I can make greeting cards and listening to a book at the same time.
Well, I’m very glad that you do find the energy to give so many public talks about your books and your fascinating personal history. My husband and I very much enjoyed your talk about DOTB at the Puyallup Library, and the song was a special treat. I’ll be taking DOTB with us to Spain in a few weeks, and it’ll remain behind in the library of the Benalmadena American Club for others to enjoy.