Do writers generally do book tours/how do I find out?
May 30, 2023 5:22 AM

Lorrie Moore has a novel coming out in I think June. I would really like to get my battered copy of Birds of America that I've read a thousand times signed if she does a book tour but do established writers well into their careers even do that? If so, how do I find out where/when?
posted by less-of-course to Media & Arts (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
Publisher Penguin Random House has tour listings on Moore's "About the Author" page (keep scrolling down).
posted by eschatfische at 5:35 AM on May 30, 2023


Do be aware that when authors do signing events, the expectation is that you will buy their new book. You can also bring older books and have them signed -- but if you only bring older books and don't buy the new ones, some authors and/or venues will be abrupt or impatient with you. It makes sense to me, they are trying to sell the new book, after all.
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:34 AM on May 30, 2023


Novelists published by major houses definitely do book tours. They will almost always have an event in New York or London -- more than one if the author lives in New York or London. Otherwise the itineraries can be short and/or eccentric. Self-published and small press novelists, mileage will entirely vary.
posted by MattD at 6:56 AM on May 30, 2023


Write to her, tell her you love her work, ask if she'll sign your book. If yes, send it with a Self-Addressed USPS Postage Paid mailer. Good chance she'll say Yes.
posted by theora55 at 8:04 AM on May 30, 2023


You could always write her agent (listed in book or website) . You may be able to get a signed copy via mail but hopefully will get to meet. If she still taught at UW, i could’ve told you where she got coffee, but sadly never when I was there.
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:58 AM on May 30, 2023


All the advice here is good - just keep checking back on that list of events because they add new ones pretty often when a new book is coming out.

Also wanted to say that I got to see Lorrie Moore a few years ago and she was great. I hope you get to see her and get your book signed!
posted by dawkins_7 at 11:19 AM on May 30, 2023


Thank you, I saw her ages ago in NYC and if memory serves, she read "Dance in America" which is a favorite, and it was at Three Lives or somewhere tiny like that and a lovely event.
posted by less-of-course at 7:40 PM on May 30, 2023


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