Definitely been there done that! Not a great feeling but it's definitely vital to stay friends with the bookshop and keep things light.... nice idea to buy a treat too!
From a reader point of view - I live in Chicago, you'd think there would be book signings all over the place, right? Except not. Barnes and Noble no longer have any stores left IN the city and I don't drive. There's obviously the indie book stores, but usually if there's someone in town, it's on a day where I'm at the job that pays the bills.
I once spent weeks preparing a display of international, traditional textiles for a local art center show. I was scheduled to give a talk about the collection. Talk time came. The audience was one of the art center volunteers, and my parents. Well, let me tell you, they got all of their personal questions answered.
We were definitely like-minded this week with our posts. (A byproduct, perhaps, of writing about what's currently happening in our own lives/careers.) Here's hoping both of our next events are much better attended. 🤞🏻
I am so sorry. I feel this as a former bookseller and an aspiring author. I definitely agree with you that it has gotten harder, that people don't seem to care as much about in-person events as they did four years ago. I have no answers, only thoughts, unfortunately. But also virtual hugs for you!
As a bookseller, it has been like pulling teeth to get people to show up, no matter what incentives we offer or marketing we do. I’m not sure what would attract readers, honestly, but it makes me so sad for the authors and the impact it has on our store to offer future events. :/
It's why I loved doing an event in Germany - everyone there is so punctual! Twenty minutes out, everyone had arrived, and I didn't have to dread an empty event.
I hope when it happens to me - and I'm sure it's "when," not "if," for all the reasons you mention - I can handle it as gracefully as you wrote.
I did a book launch a few weeks back in Bangkok. We got a pretty good turnout - for a rainy Wednesday night...
My limited experience is that it helps to do launch events at a conference (for example), where folks have come along not only for one's brilliant book, but for other reasons besides.
I did a library tour (as a children's storyteller). One town had zero people show up... because the circus was in the next town over that same day. Can't take it personally-- what small town kid wouldn't choose acrobats and elephants?
I found that since I was doing quite a few shows in a row (and paid for the vent regardless) it felt like a nice break, and as impersonal as a rainy day when I'd expected sun.
Nov 15, 2023·edited Nov 15, 2023Liked by Jodi Meadows
Hi Jodi, I love your work and I'm a big fan of fantasy and comedy just like you. I'm currently querying my first novel, hopefully one day I will be lucky enough to have this problem ;)
Thank you for sharing this! It was such a cool coincidence to see newsletters in my inbox showing that you and Erin both shared on this topic.
The humour when you said "you're not alone", well, in the bookshop yes, but not, I felt and enjoyed that humour.
It's a tough topic, and you helped really share some supportive feelings and suggestions with some helpful insights. Thank you for the great newsletter!
Definitely been there done that! Not a great feeling but it's definitely vital to stay friends with the bookshop and keep things light.... nice idea to buy a treat too!
From a reader point of view - I live in Chicago, you'd think there would be book signings all over the place, right? Except not. Barnes and Noble no longer have any stores left IN the city and I don't drive. There's obviously the indie book stores, but usually if there's someone in town, it's on a day where I'm at the job that pays the bills.
I once spent weeks preparing a display of international, traditional textiles for a local art center show. I was scheduled to give a talk about the collection. Talk time came. The audience was one of the art center volunteers, and my parents. Well, let me tell you, they got all of their personal questions answered.
🖤🖤 I know of several authors this has happened to. Please know if I could have dropped everything and jumped on a plane to be there, I would have
We were definitely like-minded this week with our posts. (A byproduct, perhaps, of writing about what's currently happening in our own lives/careers.) Here's hoping both of our next events are much better attended. 🤞🏻
I am so sorry. I feel this as a former bookseller and an aspiring author. I definitely agree with you that it has gotten harder, that people don't seem to care as much about in-person events as they did four years ago. I have no answers, only thoughts, unfortunately. But also virtual hugs for you!
As a bookseller, it has been like pulling teeth to get people to show up, no matter what incentives we offer or marketing we do. I’m not sure what would attract readers, honestly, but it makes me so sad for the authors and the impact it has on our store to offer future events. :/
NGL, this is my worst nightmare.
It's why I loved doing an event in Germany - everyone there is so punctual! Twenty minutes out, everyone had arrived, and I didn't have to dread an empty event.
I hope when it happens to me - and I'm sure it's "when," not "if," for all the reasons you mention - I can handle it as gracefully as you wrote.
Sound advice!
I did a book launch a few weeks back in Bangkok. We got a pretty good turnout - for a rainy Wednesday night...
My limited experience is that it helps to do launch events at a conference (for example), where folks have come along not only for one's brilliant book, but for other reasons besides.
Definitely been there. It’s all about making the best of it, at a certain point, for sure 🫀
I did a library tour (as a children's storyteller). One town had zero people show up... because the circus was in the next town over that same day. Can't take it personally-- what small town kid wouldn't choose acrobats and elephants?
I found that since I was doing quite a few shows in a row (and paid for the vent regardless) it felt like a nice break, and as impersonal as a rainy day when I'd expected sun.
Hi Jodi, I love your work and I'm a big fan of fantasy and comedy just like you. I'm currently querying my first novel, hopefully one day I will be lucky enough to have this problem ;)
Thank you for sharing this! It was such a cool coincidence to see newsletters in my inbox showing that you and Erin both shared on this topic.
The humour when you said "you're not alone", well, in the bookshop yes, but not, I felt and enjoyed that humour.
It's a tough topic, and you helped really share some supportive feelings and suggestions with some helpful insights. Thank you for the great newsletter!