You’ve booked your hotels, confirmed with bookstores and venues, and are set to go on your author tour. But as you unzip your suitcase to start packing, you realize an important question: what do you really need to bring on tour?

This depends largely on the schedule. How many events do you have? How long will you be away? Are you flying or driving? What types of venues are you going to? What kinds of weather will you be in? There’s a lot to consider. We’re here to break it down for you.

Absolute Musts
No matter what, you’re going to need these items.

• Pens or Sharpies

You’re going to be signing books, and you need something to sign with! It’s a good idea to have a couple, because chances are you’ll lose one or it’ll run out of ink.

• Toiletries

When travelling anywhere, you’re going to need the essentials. Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, and any other products you use on a daily basis.

• Wallet

Obviously, your ID, some spending money and/or a credit card, your phone and charger, business cards (if you have them!), and a small bag or purse.

• Snacks

You can buy this when you get there if you’re crunched for space, but it’s always a good idea to have a healthy snack and a water bottle with you to help you power through the day.

Consider the Weather
Besides considering how casual or dressy you want to appear, as well as any themes you might be following for your own book (i.e. dressing for a historical novel or a character in your children’s book), you need to consider where you’re going.

For colder weather

• Warm clothes

Think layers—if it’s cold outside, it’s probably warm inside. Do you need gloves? A hat? A coat? A scarf? A sweater?

• Boots

Is it going to snow? You’ll need to keep yourself warm and dry.

For warmer weather

• Light clothes

Make sure you’ll be able to survive the heat by wearing lighter fabrics.

• Layers

If it’s hot outside, it’s probably cooler inside. Just in case you get chilly, keeping a sweater on-hand is wise.

Consider the Venue
Where you’re having an event can largely impact on what you’re going to need.

For a Bookstore
A bookstore will likely have what you need; they do this regularly. However, consider creating and bringing a range of promotional materials: bookmarks, post cards, stickers, posters, etc.

For a different venue

• Your books

If the event is not at a bookstore, you may need to provide the books. Confirm this with the venue beforehand. And if you’re travelling by plane, you may want to ship these ahead of time.

• A cashbox and change

In that same vein, you may be selling your book directly. If so, you’ll need a way to store the cash and money to make change with. The other option, if you’re providing the books, is that they’ll but them from you on consignment to sell themselves. Make sure you know what the plan is.

• A buddy

If you’re selling the books directly, it may be too much to handle all on your own. Asking a friend to be in charge of sales may be wise.

• Anything else they don’t have

Confirm with the venue what they’re doing for set up. Do they have what you need, whether that be a table, microphone, podium, projector, etc.

Consider your Mode of Transportation
It’s all about the journey, right?

If you’re travelling by car

• A spare tire, jumper cables, and your AAA card

Just in case. Assume that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, and you’ll never find yourself unprepared.

• A car adapter

For charging your cell on-the-go.

If you’re travelling by plane

• A sandwich bag and smaller toiletries

Don’t forget that TSA has that 3-1-1 rule now. All of your liquids have to be smaller than 3 oz and fit into 1 sandwich bag.

• An empty water bottle

You can fill up once you pass security.

• Your tickets

Don’t want to lose those!

• A backpack with the absolute essentials

This is your personal item that goes under the seat. That way, you have easy access and there no way the airline can lose it.

Have you been on a book tour? What other essentials do authors need? Let us know below!