Two perspectives on book tours
Twelve years ago, when I published my first book, it seemed easier to get book tours. I got toured with my second bookan experience which you can read here. There were more newspapers, for one thing, which might write a review of your book a few days before you came. Radio and TV shows had more local programming that might feature you.
One thing I've never considered is the bookseller's perspective. "Most publishers use event grids as a way for all stores to request touring authors. The grid is a massive Excel spreadsheet that needs to be filled out in with lots of in-depth detail about what you can do for the event: how many books will you order, what size crowd do you expect, what is your marketing plan for the event, etc." And this article in Publisher's Weekly says that when it comes to a national tour, a 20-person event is a disappointment.
One thing I've never considered is the bookseller's perspective. "Most publishers use event grids as a way for all stores to request touring authors. The grid is a massive Excel spreadsheet that needs to be filled out in with lots of in-depth detail about what you can do for the event: how many books will you order, what size crowd do you expect, what is your marketing plan for the event, etc." And this article in Publisher's Weekly says that when it comes to a national tour, a 20-person event is a disappointment.
I'm not sure tours ever really pay off. Although I saw Alison Noel when she was in town and every person in that audience seemed to be buying 10 books. It was amazing!