I am writing a book about the death of the ninth President of the United States, William Henry Harrison, in 1841 after only 32 days in office. I am self-publishing the book, so selling it is going to be a real challenge. I am no PT Barnum, but I figure it is going to take some gimmick marketing to get any kind of attention or buzz for my book. As some of you probably know, President Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address in U.S. history, 8,444 words. He delivered the one and a half hour address in a cold northeasterly wind without wearing a coat or hat. Historians disagree on whether or not that is what caused him to get sick and die one month later. I plan to release my book in the winter months-either December, January or February. I live in Louisville, Kentucky, and it is usually cold during those months. At my kickoff event, I plan to read President Harrison's epic inaugural address in its entirety while standing outside and wearing no coat or hat. I plan on renting a local community center on a major thoroughfare, and while I am delivering the 1 1/2 hour address, my wife and kids will be inside the community center selling autographed copies of my book. For people who don't want to buy a book on the spot, they will give them one of my business cards with my website address on it. I will promote the event by sending press releases to all local media outlets. Since I am an unknown, previously unpublished author self-publishing my book, I figure I need something eye-catching to get my book out there. I hope that the off-beat nature of the event, a man reading a 1 1/2 hour inaugural address of a long-dead U.S. president in the winter cold without a hat or coat, will grab some media attention. If the idea works, I will hold similar events in other cities in the region. My wife says I'm crazy and I'll probably get sick and die like William Henry Harrison did. I say I need some publicity to promote my book and get some sales. Am I crazy like she says, or am I on to something?
