Some Book Tours and Launch Parties Canceled Due to Volcanic Ash

Posted on April 19, 2010

The London Book Fair will continue despite the fact many people cannot get to the book fair because of the air travel disruptions caused by the volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano Mt. Eyjafjallajokull. The air travel restrictions also mean some authors can not leave Europe for planned book tours and book launch parties in other countries. Publishers Weekly lists a few author book events that have been canceled.

W.W. Norton is canceling its planned party for author Martin Stannard. The event, to celebrate the release of Muriel Spark: The Biography, was supposed to happen on Wednesday night in New York City. Now, with Stannard stuck in England, Norton, which was co-hosting with Sterling Lord, says the party's off. Similarly, Henry Holt has canceled its planned publication party and tour for John Banville, which was to promote the author's newest Benjamin Black novel, Elegy for April.

There is a second volcano that could create an eruption 100 times as large as Mount Eyjafjallajokull. Hopefully, the second volcano will not erupt.

There's a big, obvious lesson in this for writers. If possible, your book marketing plans should include multiple venue types and backups because you just never know when a volcano might erupt.