Let me give you the real story behind this book’s creation. It all goes back to when I was just a kid. I was one of the ones who would have happily gone to the library every day. That being ultimately impractical, I’d go once a week and try and check out 20 books at a time. I got to know my librarians well, and my love of reading extends to this day.
But how does that relate to this book? Fast forward to my thirties, where fate guided me to a different path, one that intertwined my professional endeavors with the enchanting world of music. Running an entertainment agency alongside a group of talented musicians, our mission was to bring joy and education to communities through performances in libraries and schools. In those years, I didn’t just learn about managing artists and organizing events; I rediscovered the magic of libraries and the remarkable souls who inhabit them – librarians.
But like all good things, our gig came to an end when the recession hit. So, I did what any hustler would do – I went back to the grind, nine to five style. But the itch to share what I’d learned never left me.
At that point I had been working with nearly 40 different performance groups ranging from historical impersonators, to musicians, to educational speakers, booking up to 400 shows a year, primarily with libraries. I learned a lot during that time, and when I had to close it down officially, I wanted to put together a guidebook for other entertainers trying to find ways to improve their livelihood.
Now, nearly a decade since the inception of the first edition of “Booking the Library,” I find myself returning to its pages, armed with fresh insights and a renewed sense of purpose. It’s not just about imparting wisdom; it’s about fostering connections and kindling the spark of creativity in a new generation.
The new edition is coming May 2nd. Keep an eye out here and on my social media pages for announcements, cover reveals and tidbits from the book.