The Bookseller carried this small item about an innovative way to market books and help make people aware of the remaining independent book stores:
"Vicki Erwin, owner of Main Street Books in St. Charles, Mo., welcomed customers to the St. Louis Independent Bookstores Alliance's first Indie Book Cruise last Saturday, May 7. The "cruise"--a bus tour to three stores, including lunch, visits with authors, and giveaways--sold out a month before the date and there is a waiting list for a second cruise. St. Louis's independent bookstores banded together earlier in the year in an effort to promote independent bookstores and literary events in the area."
Great idea and one that could be set up by a few authors in conjunction with a few independent book stores. You wouldn't necessarily even need the bus, it could be set up as a walking tour or using public transportation. Yes, it would take some organization, but I bet your local press would pick up on it, too.
(If you're interested in innovative marketing ideas that don't cost much, get my book, "Do Something Different," published by Virgin Books with a foreword by Sir Richard Branson. It's available from Amazon and other online and offline book stores.)
