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April 20, 2001 - The physical journey stalled when I got to New York in February of last year. All I’ve done since then is write the book. I’m still in the same apartment planning how I can let the world know that TALES OF A FEMALE NOMAD exists.

I am talking to bookstores, publicity agents, organizations, newspapers. I’m planning to do radio interview shows, fairs, libraries and anyone else who will have me. At this point Crown has not volunteered any money to help me, though they are working to get me "gigs." The publicity agent at Crown, Rhoda Dunn, has been working hard making contacts and connecting me with bookstores and groups. But Rhoda is responsible to lots of other authors and her time is limited.

I’ve been living for two years on the $40,000 I’ve received. That doesn’t go very far in New York City. But I am incapable of putting together the kind of campaign that is required and I’m overwhelmed by the enormity of the organization involved. I’ve hired Diane Glynn and Jennifer Tartikoff, experienced P.R. people, to do the job of contacting public radio programs across the country. I will also be working with Jan Goldstoff who is going to help me organize groups and media on my National Nomad Tour.

The National Nomad Tour is my idea, my expense, and my responsibility. But it’s my book, too, so I’m the one that has to "make it happen." I’m convinced that the popularity of the book will spread geometrically as people read it and call their friends. Word of mouth is what will sell this book. The response among the trade has been very encouraging. Editors, bookstore employees, friends of people who work for Crown, magazine people have e-mailed me to say how much they’ve liked it. Click here for some prepublication comments from inside the trade.

I’m hoping the book buying public will be as enthusiastic.

The list will grow rapidly when I send out my letters and contact stores and organizations. I actually prefer speaking before groups to appearing in bookstores. A group has a membership. A bookstore is a risk. I hate the thought of talking to five people and selling one book in a bookstore signing, which is what sometimes happens. The signings I’ve set up are all are in places where people know me or where I have lots of friends.

When I first thought about talking to organizations, I told myself that I’m a writer, not a speaker. But the fact is that I have fascinating stories to tell.

I’ve actually developed a moving and inspirational talk that I’ve practiced now at the Spa in Ixtapan, Mexico, at my college friend Lisa Kramer’s in Sarasota, Florida, and at my high school friend Susan Lechner’s in Arlington, Virginia. Each time I address an audience, I get a little better sense of how people react to the different stories and how long I can keep going. And I’ve noticed that the talk changes with the audience, my mood, and the looks on the faces of the people as I go on.

I’ve been making lists of the kinds of organizations I think will be interested in sponsoring a talk. Women’s groups, travel groups, book groups. Community groups. Libraries. Brandeis Alumni. Unitarian Universalist church groups. Reform or conservative Jewish organizations. People who are genuinely interested in other cultures, in books, in hearing about alternatives in life. Communities of retired people. The over-50’s. Student organizations.

I’m hoping to find ways to contact these groups………or maybe they will contact me as I and the book become a little better known out there.

When I begin my publicity stuff, I’ll add to this section every couple of weeks, with comments on how things are going and any interesting anecdotes and adventures that happen. See you in a couple of weeks.


 

RITA GOLDEN GELMAN

Introduction - Home Page - A Brief Bio

 

TALES OF A FEMALE NOMAD

The Book - Why I Wrote the Book? - The Proposal - In Search of an Agent

The Writing - The Editing - Cuts - Reviews

 

THE NOMADIC LIFE

More Than One Way - Servas - Trust & Serendipity - Connecting - Family

Practicalities - Physical Challenges

 

ONGOING JOURNEY

Ongoing Journey (Dated Entries from Rita) - National Nomad Tour Itinerary - Discussion Group

 

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

List, Photos, Descriptions & Links to Order - Bio for Kids

 

E-MAIL ME

femalenomad@ritagoldengelman.com

 

 © Copyright 2001 Rita Golden Gelman, All rights reserved.