What You Don’t Know About Design Books (And Why I’m Crowdsourcing My Book Tour)
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to market a design book—especially when you’re doing most of it yourself. This episode is all about doing things with intention, working within limits, and inviting you to help shape this journey with me.
Leave Me A Message! I need your feedback on the ideas from this episode. Go here and hit “record!” https://www.speakpipe.com/SlowStyleHome
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The launch of my book Slow Style Home is finally here—June 17! I wanted to pull together a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s taken to bring this book into the world, especially when it comes to marketing it as a mostly one-woman operation.
If you're curious about how design books go from idea to coffee table, or what it looks like to plan a book tour on a tight budget, this one’s for you.
What Happens After You Finish the Book
Once I turned in the manuscript and photos (almost a year ago now), my publisher, Gibbs Smith, took care of layout, design, printing, and distribution. They’ve been great about getting the book into shops like Anthropologie, gift stores, and furniture boutiques. But here’s the part most people don’t realize: the marketing and events? That’s all on me.
In the past, publishers sometimes covered marketing costs. That’s not the case anymore. I used 90% of my advance on photography, and the remaining 10% went to hiring a publicist. That money’s long gone—but I knew that going in.
Planning a Book Tour That Actually Feels Like Slow Style
So now begins the fun part: sharing the book with you in real life. I’m planning a book tour with events in cities where the designers featured in the book live—Boston, LA, Atlanta, Virginia, and hopefully more to come. Each stop will be in a space that fits the slow style ethos: maybe an antique shop, a plant store, a gallery, or even a bar with a great interior.
These events won’t just be me signing books. There will be talks, Q&A sessions, and a little something interactive. My goal is that you leave with something inspiring—an idea, a new treasure, or even a solution to a design challenge you’ve been stuck on.
Small Retreats, Big Inspiration
I’m also thinking about offering a few small retreats alongside the tour—intimate, design-focused weekends in places like the Berkshires or Santa Fe. These would be hands-on and immersive: visiting shops, touring inspiring homes, staying in beautiful hotels, eating well, and diving into what slow style really looks like in different parts of the country.
I haven’t committed to any just yet, but I’m seriously exploring the idea—and I’d love to know if you’re interested.
I Need Your Help
Here’s where you come in. If there’s a place in your area that feels like a good fit for a book event—maybe a favorite shop, gallery, cafe, or even a small museum—I’d love to hear about it. I’m looking for places that reflect the values of slow style: creativity, care, history, beauty, and thoughtfulness.
You don’t have to organize anything—just tell me the name of the place, and I’ll do the rest.
A Little Something Extra for Book Buyers
I also want to create a thank-you gift for everyone who buys the book. I’m torn between two options:
A design-focused travel guide with my favorite places to stay, eat, shop, and explore in each city on the book tour.
A slow style “black book” of my go-to sources for furniture, wallpaper, fabric, antiques, and handmade pieces.
Both would be living resources that I update over time. Let me know which one you’d love to have—or if you have a different idea entirely.
Stay in the Loop
The best way to follow the book tour and hear about future events or retreats is to sign up for the newsletter. And if you already pre-ordered or plan to buy the book, be sure to save your receipt or snap a photo—you’ll need it to access the thank-you gift once it’s ready.
You can also DM me on Instagram @slowstylehome, email me at zandra@slowstylehome.com, or leave me a voice memo through the link in your podcast app or on the site.
Let's Build This Together
This is not a polished, high-budget marketing campaign—and I think that’s a good thing. It reflects what slow style is all about: making something beautiful and intentional with the resources you have.
Thanks for being part of it. I can’t wait to see you out there.
—Zandra