From one writer to another, how are you enjoying the publicity? Are you having to foot the bill for the expense of travel to places in CA? Or is your publishing company paying your expenses? Are you enjoying the process of going to bookstores and doing readings?

Frankly, even though Random House put me up in 5 star hotels across the country, I found the experience draining (I had a 15-city tour); the readings sort of false. I haven't done many readings since then. I find the whole experience surreal. A handful of people flock to a bookstore to get autographed books and listen while the author reads a certain section of their book. There is, to me, something artificial to the whole process. I don't like doing readings, and I don't like sitting through them.

That's just me. Some authors really thrive on the experience, and while I loved the hotels, meals on Random House, escorts in every city, etc., I decided at the end of my tour, in Philadelphia, that that would probably be my one and only book tour. After 14 other cities, I was exhausted. The travel (coach) was a bit brutal, and while everyone along the way was wonderful to me, I could tell readings just weren't my thing.

So, I am interested in your feelings on the matter. (And best of luck with your readings in S. Cal.)

Cathryn