New Kid in Town: Five Ways to Develop a Local Readership 

New Kid in Town: Five Ways to Develop a Local Readership 

by Elizabeth Sumner Wafler

A year ago, my husband and I moved to Greenville, SC. How could I make bookish friends in this burgeoning Southern city and garner a readership for my women’s fiction? I got to work. 

1. Begin with a landmark bookshop. An indie author, I aimed for the most well-known independent bookstore in Greenville, M. Judson Booksellers, located on our thrumming Main Street. Vogue Magazine voted it “the most prized bookstore in the South.” The women owners purvey not only novels and non-fiction, but clever, thoughtfully curated gifts like dishtowels and mugs with outrageous quips, cocktail ware, and even funky vintage chairs for the bookish home. One can browse with a frothy coffee/tea confection in hand (puckishly named for a book title) from their in-house café. My fave? The Color Purple. 

Ask. I showed up and introduced myself to the super nice owners. I asked if they would consider carrying autographed copies of my books. They said yes. I browsed the events calendar and asked if I might be included in an author signing. I’ve participated in a book and wine pairing evening and a pop-up Derby Day author signing. I’ve chatted with some great readers and sold a lot of books. 

Participate as a reader. M. Judson features a community readers challenge urging folks to leap into a different category book each month of the year, then publish a review on social media, tagging the shop. Check off all 12 books, 12 months, and be invited to a private party in December. That evening, one breath-held reader’s name is drawn from the pool of others. That winner will receive a Himalayan stack of new books! This year? I’m in it to win it. 

2. Pound the pavement. I prepared an author sheet–the sort you’d hand to an agent at a writer’s conference–with my photo, bio, book descriptions, and social media and personal contact info. On nice cardstock. Matte. On a brilliant-edged fall morning, I set out to visit shops I thought might be interested in hosting an author signing for me. They politely accepted the flyers and welcomed me to town. And though it was a pleasure talking with them, no one “bit.”* 

Then the unexpected happened. One toad-strangler of a rainy day, I arrived for a haircut appointment at a salon/spa. A colorful children’s book on an easel beside the register asserted itself. Oh, that’s by a client of ours, said the uber-personable manager, who also sang out Hi, friend! to every person who walked through the door, He wrote it for his son.

Another ask had the temerity to come burbling up. Would you consider putting my book on a shelf somewhere,” said I. By month’s end, I found myself perched behind a five-foot table laden with my books, fresh flowers, and author swag–right smack in front of a brigade of shampoo bowls. Met a slow trickle of sweet women. Sold four books, two of them to bored stylists who probably felt sorry for me. 

But I made one lasting friendship. Next week, I’m speaking to her feisty, fourteen-member book club and bringing the wine. Psst . . . are you getting this?

3. Find the coolest local publications. I’ve been through breast cancer and two surgeries this year, and thus did time in a many a waiting room. There, two hip and glossy local magazines captured my attention. I emailed the editors and learned that both are owned by the same parent company. The editor-in-chief kindly responded to me. Though I’d just missed the annual issue touting Greenville women-in-business (I created my own publishing entity, Evocative Publishing, LLC) she’d be happy to consider including an article of mine. Again, I got to work. I sent her a piece about my career pivot from teacher to author at age fifty-five and about my recent fave reads by other authors. Weeks later, she got back to me and suggested they turn the piece into an interview with a new local writer. 

 I got bumped for several issues for lack of space, but it’s official now: my interview will appear in the January VIVE Magazine, which has a wide women’s readership. Persistence. Patience. I also plan to hit her up again in the spring and ask if I might write for one of the magazines again.

4. Light out for the libraries. This should be a no-brainer, but there’s more here than meets the eye. At the main branch, I obtained a Greenville County Library System card and completed an application to have my books added to the shelves. I also took novels to each branch and asked if they would add them to their collections as well. Then I took fun library selfies and posted them on social media. Picked up lots of likes, follows, and potential readers.
5. Subscribe to local online newsletters. It was through GVL Today I learned that a fabulous Charleston-based restaurant is headed for our foodie city. And that the Southern Writers Expo will be held here in January! I applied and was accepted. Can’t wait to greet more Southern bookworms and introduce them to TOPANGA CANYON (May 2022.)

*I’ll be updating that flyer with compelling bio information. 

I read that locally-owned coffee shops are great about welcoming indie authors . . .

It never hurts to ask. 

 —

Elizabeth Wafler Author Bio

The author of four novels, Elizabeth Wafler writes evocative women’s fiction and is an active member of the South Carolina Writers Association. She enjoys working with other writers through her editorial side hustle Four Eyes Editorial. Elizabeth hosts The Evocative Author Podcast. Last year she established her own publishing entity Evocative Publishing LLC. 

Elizabeth resides with her husband and a pair of puppers in South Carolina. She can be found reading, working at her blue desk, at a farmers market, poking through a book or vintage consignment store, taming her garden into submission, or enjoying a pretty cocktail.

Website: elizabethsumnerwafler.com

Twitter: @elizabethwafler

Instagram: elizabeth_sumner_wafler

Four Eyes Editorial: https://elizabethsumnerwafler.com/editorial-services/

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: How To and Tips