Are You Going on A Book Tour? And Other Thoughts on How to Make a Living as a Writer

Last updated on: August 25, 2011 at 11:36 am by Amy Julia Becker

Are You Going on A Book Tour? And Other Thoughts on How to Make a Living as a Writer 2011-08-25T11:36:30-04:00 Amy Julia Becker

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I’ve always assumed that if I ever wrote and published a book, I would then embark upon a cross-country book tour. Peter envisioned a Winnebago with the kids in the back, stopping in every major city from Boston to Seattle, down the West Coast, and back again. We’ve abandoned the Winnebago idea, and I’ve realized that my touring abilities are rather limited. First, we’ve got three young children, and they can’t adjust their lives too much to accommodate their mom’s career. I can travel a few times a month, presumably with Marilee, but I certainly can’t be on the road for weeks on end. Then there’s the financial piece of it all. For every book sold, I receive somewhere between $1.00 and $2.00, and that comes only after I “outearn” my advance, which is to say, only after I’ve sold enough books to cover the money Bethany House paid me up front to write it. Do the math of travel, time, and babysitting costs, and you’ll pretty quickly realize that a book tour is not a wise financial option.

And yet I LOVE being able to interact with people about the words and ideas in the book. One reader of Penelope Ayers, my first book, once commented that there are three stages–living it, writing it, and then giving it away, particularly in the form of book readings and question and answer sessions with readers. It energizes me, and I hope and trust it blesses others, to be able to talk about the book and the story it contains, in public.

So what do I do?

I asked a few other writers how they handle this question. Andy Crouch, author of Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling, responded to my query with an email, and then he turned it into a blogpost. Andy is a much more accomplished speaker and writer than I am, so I won’t be charging $2500 per day any time soon, but his words nevertheless offered me a framework to consider my own needs when it comes to speaking engagements. Andy writes,

I have a pretty standard reply when I receive speaking requests that require travel outside the Philadelphia area. It starts this way: “My speaking fee is $2,500/day or partial day, plus travel expenses, which I work hard to keep to a minimum.” If I have reason to expect that they will be taken aback by that number, I add: “I realize this may be out of the reach of some academic or nonprofit budgets.” (Note that I don’t offer to reduce the amount. 🙂 ) I sometimes also emphasize: “I’m all yours during the time I’m with you—please feel free to pack my schedule! I’m happy to wash dishes if that would be helpful.” (That’s true! I actually like washing dishes. Not many groups take me up on the dishwashing, but a lot sure do take advantage of the packed schedule, and I love it.) And I often add: “My family and I have decided to focus my volunteer speaking time on the Philadelphia area, where I never charge at all. However, this means that when I do travel, I have to charge my full fee.”

He goes on to explain exceptions he makes to his own rules, which tend to arise due to his desire to honor relationships–whether that be the relationship with his publisher or with individuals he wants to visit. He also explains his decision to give lavishly of his time in his local community.

I’m starting to receive invitations to speak about A Good and Perfect Gift. I’ll post an events calendar next week on my website, and I’ll keep you all updated with details in hopes of meeting some of you in person. This fall I should be traveling to Philadelphia, Richmond, Raleigh/Durham, and Boston, not to mention more local events in New Jersey and Connecticut.

I haven’t fully formulated my own “policy” yet. I’m working on it. But I’m thankful to Andy Crouch for giving me some places to tether my thoughts. I hope I’ll come up with something that honors God, recognizes my own human limitations, and serves my family, my local community, and the ministry that might come through this book.

Books

a good and perfect gift

andy crouch

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