I'm in Raleigh, North Carolina, staying with my sister and launching my first book tour - which isn't at all what most people assume.
First of all, my publisher isn't sending me on this book tour. I'm sending myself. Only bestselling authors - those publishers know will generate large audiences in major cities, and for whom they can therefore justify the enormous expense - get the all-expense paid book tours. The rest of us either hope for the best, from home, or send ourselves on the road, as I'm doing.
So...gas, flights, hotels - you name it. I'm paying for it. I consider it a worthy investment, though.
"But aren't the publishers responsible for marketing your book?" friends ask.
Yes, and they do market the book. They market it very well. They have hard-working sales representatives who sell my book to all the bookstores, who in turn make it available to the public. Publishers also have large, in-house publicity teams who help the authors publicize those books.
But note the key words here: help the authors.
Because, as any successful author knows, if you don't get out there and publicize that book yourself, it probably won't sell more than a few thousand copies. And that is the worst thing that can possibly happen - worse even than not getting a book contract at all.
Why? Because, with some 50,000 books published every year, no publisher wants to take a risk on a second book that might fail - especially on the heels of an unsuccessful first book.
So, I'm on the road. After all, it's been ten years since I started working on my first book (which isn't the one in bookstores today, by the way - first books rarely are) - and I want to be an author.
Of course, I couldn't do it without the help of my publisher, who has generously provided me with an in-house publicist. Not only that, but I happen to have the best publicist in the business. Her name is Lisa Mondello and she has worked her fanny off, night and day, to get the word out there about my book. I owe this gal big time - and I don't mean just the basket of chocolate I sent her for Christmas.
Together, Lisa and I have been working since early September to publicize THE SOUTHERN GIRL'S GUIDE. We've generated media lists and sent out galleys (early copies of the book that do not have a final cover) to long-lead publications. We've drawn up personalized pitch letters, press releases and tip sheets and sent them out. We've pulled together press kits, made phone calls, sent emails and contacted everyone we know who might possibly be interested in reviewing or doing a feature on this book.
I've created content and input for my website, along with press materials like postcards, stationary and business cards (all designed by my brother, graphic design artist extraordinaire). I even shot a two-minute promotional DVD, with the help of a friend who owns a video production company, so that web visitors and reporters could see what I look like in person.
All in all, it's been four months of fulltime work toward publicity. Has it paid off? We'll see. I'm not exactly on the front page of USA Today. However, the book didn't go on sale until January 2, yet almost two hundred copies were sold before that date. My editor says this is a very good sign of early interest.
"Buzz," they call it. And they're saying my book has it.
This is a good thing.
Then there was my first book signing, which took place last night at a large bookstore in Raleigh.
"I came here for you," said an adorable blond named Christy who's been married for three years. "I bought the book earlier this week, for my sister, but I had to come back to get one for myself! It's hilarious! I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face!"
That was wonderful to hear, especially as I looked at all the empty chairs in front of me, and the mic that I clearly would not be needing. Bookstore patrons were milling around, trying to avoid my eyes. It was hard not to be discouraged, especially after being interviewed on a popular radio talk show that morning, during rush hour. With an audience of more than 300,000 listeners.
Suffice to say, the overwhelming majority of those listeners did not come to my booksigning.
"It's not just for newlyweds!" I said, to a couple in their 60s looking at cat calendars. That is true. Despite the title, my book is for anyone who's ever been married - and who wants to stay that way. In fact, the longer you've been married, the harder you'll laugh.

"It's not?" answered the wife.
She wandered over and we talked for 30 minutes. She bought two books. Of course, so did my girlfriend, Amanda Hutchens, an adorable high school classmate from Raleigh who came to see me. Thank goodness, too. She made up 50 percent of my audience last night.  (See above picture of all my "fans.")
I sold a few more books, of course - and some had even come to the store specifically to buy the book and have me autograph it. They just didn't stay for my talk.
Ah, book tour. It's not what you might expect.
No suites at the Ritz-Carlton.
No first class flight.
No limo rides.
No fans, waiting in line for you to autograph their books.
Nevertheless, I do have the satisfaction of knowing that, after ten years of dreaming, learning, practicing, hoping and praying, my book has finally been published. And that, I am happy to report, is no small thing.
With Southern love,
Annabelle
www.SouthernGirlsGuide.com