NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a publishing climate without Borders, Barnes and Noble frantically searching for a buyer, and many independent bookstores closing their doors, most authors have given up on the traditional book tour in exchange for online campaigns. Todd Ritter, author of Death Notice and the upcoming Bad Moon, has decided to take the old-fashioned approach: visiting bookstores and meeting his readers in person.
The Magical Mystery Tour, named for his genre and a nod to his favorite band, kicks off October 11th with the launch of Bad Moon. Ritter will sign copies at 25 bookstores across the country, primarily in Pennsylvania, where his mystery series takes place.
He says, "While I've lived in New Jersey for more than a decade, I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, so the state means a lot to me. That's the reason I set my books there. Pennsylvanians have a can-do spirit and sense of community that you can't find in other places."
It's that can-do attitude that has kept many independent bookstores in business and authors like Ritter in print. To complement the tour, Ritter is sponsoring a giveaway for Magical Mystery Tour participants. Readers who buy Bad Moon from a bookstore that Ritter has visited will be eligible to win 1 of 3 gift certificates to the bookstore of their choice. Each signed copy will include a bookmark with a QR code. Readers simply have to scan it and enter their email address. Participants who don't have a smartphone will be able to visit his website to enter. Stores that Ritter is unavailable to visit personally are not excluded. Copies of Bad Moon can be drop-shipped, which Ritter will sign and resend with the bookmarks.
Bad Moon, about the present-day search for a boy who vanished in 1969, is already earning acclaim. Kirkus Reviews says "(It) draws you in irresistibly and doesn't spit you out till the very end, your head spinning with surprising revelations." (Starred review)
Ritter, a journalist with more than 15 years of experience, works at The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's largest daily newspaper. He started his career as a film critic while attending Penn State University. He is a proud member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers.
Online shopping cannot replace the bookstore experience, and Ritter hopes the Magical Mystery Tour will tear readers away from their computers and bring them back to the brick and mortar stores. For more information, visit www.ToddRitterOnline.com.
Publicity Contact: Dana Kaye, Dana@KayePublicity.com, 773-878-0722
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