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bookstore struggles
Generally I don't read a lot of medical thrillers. Just not my cup of tea, with a few exceptions. It's actually rather odd of me, as I've always been interested in medicine and almost went in that direction in school. And then there's my life-long, inexplicable interest in medical clerking. I know, it's nuts.
Tess Gerritsen writes medical thrillers. I've read one or two of them and liked them quite a lot. I like her blog too, as I've mentioned here on occasion. Now she has a really painful, wonderful post about what it's like to be an author on a bad day. The weblog is here, but there isn't a way to link directly to the post, which is dated 8/24.
Here's what happened: While in Hawaii she went to various bookstores to sign stock of her new novel (Vanish), and she got a really awful reception almost everywhere. Unless you are Stephen King (you're not, I assume, but do check the photo to the right to be sure) or somebody else so high profile that your name and face are immediately recognizable, this kind of thing will happen. No doubt it happens to Alice Munro and John Updike too. The list of people it doesn't happen to is short -- I can think of maybe three authors. Of course, that's small comfort when you're crawling away with your tail between your legs, I know. One small thing you can do: Don't tell them you're there. Just sign all the damn stock they've got on the shelf. Returns, my ass.
My own worst experience along these lines has to do with our local Barnes & Noble. When we first moved here I went in two or three times to sign stock, and I got the same kind of treatment Tess did. Even after I introduced myself, it would happen again the next time. Of course, I wasn't just passing through town -- I live here. But I don't shop at B&N, so I didn't get too upset about it; I just stopped going in to sign stock.
Then about two years ago Susan Wiggs, who writes great novels and is also a good and thoughtful person, contacted me to say she was going to be at our B&N to do a panel on romance writing, and would I be there too? Well, no. I hadn't been asked. The B&N store had invited four people who write romance from all over the western side of the state, but not me. I was, I admit, a little affronted. So Susan asked the B&N person about all this, and the next thing I got was an email, which said something like this: "We understand you'd like to participate. We can make room for you." Of course Susan did not put it to them this way. It was their less than charitable interpretation. She sez: did you realize Sara Donati lives in your town? And they say: well, gee, sure, if you insist. Not the most diplomatic way to invite an author to spend an hour at your store.
I responded. Okay, I responded a little testily. The person in charge of organizing got all affronted and insulted and the exchange did not end well. Just as well that I don't shop there. I think they might have put up my picture behind the counter. I imagine they've written on it in black marker: crazy author of insignificant novels with delusions of grandeur. confiscate all writing instruments. call the cops.
However, whenever I have a new novel out, I do call them. I block my caller ID, and I ask them if they have the new novel in stock, and how many copies? I do that a couple times. And then I have my friends do it, too. You could call them, if you like. When the next novel comes out I'll post their phone number. Just in case you're curious, and want to know.
September 8, 2005 10:55 AM
Comments
I promise to call twice! ;)
Posted by: sara g at September 8, 2005 12:45 PM
Actually, I recently read a blog entry from the other point of view. I still think your local store is run by a buncha wankers, though.
Posted by: Beth at September 8, 2005 04:19 PM
Hi! Check out my blog update on my bookstore visits. I have a comment about that advice to "call the store ahead of time."
Another reason not to call ahead is that you want to see where your books are displayed before anyone knows you know!
Posted by: tess gerritsen at September 9, 2005 10:24 AM
I'll let you in on a secret: at the big stores I'm often surprised at the people who get hired on to do promotions and events. I truly do not understand the choices they make, the people they shut out and the “me vs. you” mentality that they sometimes have (even if you all work for the same company). Your comment on my blog regarding a "Courteous Bookseller" making no comments like "Huh? We've got a lot of your books" and other such thoughtless remarks was a perfectly legitimate response to my (admittedly) one sided rant, and something I planned to address (right before my life went to hell in a calendar filled hand basket). I think the problems that you (and Tess Gerritsen) highlighted in your posts are indicative of a greater problem caused by the corporatization of bookselling where books are no longer an art, but a product that is completely interchangeable and faceless. I'd address this more, but I don't want to hijack your comments. I still think life would be easier for all if people just called ahead (and a lot of these problems could be circumvented), but I also can't guarantee that there won't be a jackass on the other end of the line. Thanks for your thoughts,
L
Posted by: L (bookseller chick) at September 9, 2005 10:45 AM
L and Tess, too: You're both right about the calling ahead to avoid some of this institutionalized misery, I should have highlighted that.
But then of course you can't sign the stock on the shelves on the sly. Or, as Tess points out, get a realistic view of how things stand regarding your books.
L-- so why don't you take on promotions? It sounds as if you'd be good at it.
Posted by: sara at September 9, 2005 11:18 AM
My store is so small that I am promotions, institutional sales, and all-knowing clerk in one geeky package. We don't have a place where we could do signings any justice (for both the author or the reader), plus we compete with some major heavy hitters (a super large independent, a Borders, and B&N; all within 15 blocks along with several smaller independents). The best I can hope for is the occasional drop-in signing from a traveling author, which may be why we bend over backwards (perhaps I should add human pretzel to my list) for those who spend the time to come by. Of course, the call ahead issue backfires regularly in that I have a publicist call and say author "X" is coming by, we pull out all their books, only to never have them show (and never receive a call why they didn't show, or a "Please put my books back on the shelf" courtesy call). Imagine pulling forty copies of an author's frontlist and backlist (hardback and paperback), letting them clog your counter for several hours, and then never have the person come by the store. It does not a happy bookseller make.
Posted by: L at September 9, 2005 09:43 PM
excellent point: the Courteous Bookseller has every right to expect a Courteous Author and a Courteous Publicist. That's just rude, not calling to let you know.
Posted by: sara at September 10, 2005 02:31 AM