Book Authors People Promote Showing Respect Disrespect Read

American authors "promote" (advertise) their books in many ways, trying to increase sales and "readership" (the number of people who read something). One common way to promote a book is to go on a "book tour," where the author travels to many different large cities over a few weeks or months, having events in each place. Authors may have "book readings" where they read "excerpts" (small parts) of their book to an audience. People can ask the author questions afterward.

Another common way to promote a book is to have "book signings" where authors sign copies of their books for their readers. Book signings are often held in bookstores. Many people come to the signing, buy a copy of the book, and wait in line for the author to sign it. Most book signings are small events, but sometimes they are very popular. For example, people line up for hours when J. K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter "series" (group of books with the same characters), has her book signings.

Some authors also choose to "appear" (be on a program) on talk shows, either on TV or on the radio. National Public Radio, a radio "network" (station heard or seen in many cities), often invites authors to be on its shows, speak about their books, and "take questions" (answer questions) from listeners who call during the show.

These days, some authors try to use the Iinternet to promote their books. They might offer the first few chapters of their book online for free, either as a PDF file that can be downloaded, or as an "audio book" (a CD or mp3 file where one can listen to the author reading his or her book).