Using “Out-of-the-Box” Creativity for a Big Debut Win
It’s crucial for debut authors to make personal connections with their target audience to build buzz for a first release. Historical novelist Jeffrey Stayton wanted to make as many connections as possible — and luckily, he had an RV, a taste for adventure and a willingness to hit the road.
We knew a book tour would be the perfect way for Jeff to build a following for his gorgeous and gritty Civil War novel This Side of the River. An epic book deserves an epic tour.
Hitting the Road to Build a Readership
Books Forward designed a 20-stop book tour at venues and festivals across the country. The tour included Southern mega-fests like the Southern Independent Booksellers Association trade show and the venerable Southern Festival of Books, along with a wide range of independent bookstores.
To reach readers deeply invested in the book’s subject matter, we also arranged for Jeff to speak at Civil War reenactment festivals and museums — ideal venues to connect directly with history buffs, who were warmly receptive to both Jeff and his novel.
Celebrating Indie Bookstores Along the Way
As a former indie bookseller himself, Jeff understood the importance of bookstores and wanted to celebrate the people who keep them thriving. We helped create the “Cheer for the Bookstore!” $250 Scholarship Contest, inviting indie bookstores nationwide to enter by sharing how they would use the funds to support their store.
One of the highlights of the tour was Jeff visiting the winning bookstores in person and meeting the booksellers behind them. We were especially grateful to see Shelf Awareness recognize and celebrate this gesture of goodwill.
Creative Collaborations Beyond the Book
Jeff also participated in unique promotions such as SIBA’s TRIO Project, which paired him with a musician and an artist who each created an original song and piece of art inspired by his novel. The resulting TRIO art installation was featured prominently at the trade show before touring throughout the Southern states.
