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!
Yep! This wasn't the first time for me and it won't be the last! But this time, for me anyway, it was at a bookstore I love and was happy to just get to spend time with people I enjoy, regardless.
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.
Yeah, life can make it hard to attend events! And that's what authors are always competing with when it comes to signings -- real life. I think most authors understand that pretty well.
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.
This was not my first time having a no-show event, so it actually didn't faze me that much. And I know it won't be my last time, either! My bar is pretty low: no one threatened my life at this event, so it's still not the worst one. :)
But honestly, I am okay with how this one turned out. I mean, it stinks, but it's not the first time this has happened and it won't be the last! I wrote about it because I was in an okay place to share. Otherwise I would have just sat with my feelings until the end of my days. :P
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. 🤞🏻
Right, soooo, my next event is Saturday. And Jonas Brothers are playing free to the public in a nearby town. It's rude of them, if you ask me, but I'm pretty sure I know what's going to happen. :D
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!
Thanks! I am truly okay with it, or I wouldn't have written about it. While it's always disappointing, it's definitely not the worst thing that can happen. Perspective!
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 think once you've been through it, it's a lot easier to deal with it again. It's disappointing and it can feel SO hard the first time it happens, but it's definitely not the worst thing that could happen with an event! (Right before my first no-show event ten years ago, I had an event where the police were involved. My bar got reset REALLY fast. That first no-show event barely fazed me, heh.)
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.
Yeah, it's definitely nothing personal, even when it feels like it! I have an event this weekend . . . and Jonas Brothers are playing in town, for free to the public. And I'm just like, well, that's how it goes sometimes. Guess I'll just chitchat with my bookstore friend and eat cupcakes alone. :D
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!
Yep! This wasn't the first time for me and it won't be the last! But this time, for me anyway, it was at a bookstore I love and was happy to just get to spend time with people I enjoy, regardless.
Exactly, that's the spirit!
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.
Yeah, life can make it hard to attend events! And that's what authors are always competing with when it comes to signings -- real life. I think most authors understand that pretty well.
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'm sorry, but that last part made me laugh.
Like yours, it's one of those better laugh than cry moments.
This was not my first time having a no-show event, so it actually didn't faze me that much. And I know it won't be my last time, either! My bar is pretty low: no one threatened my life at this event, so it's still not the worst one. :)
🖤🖤 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
I would have loved to see you!
But honestly, I am okay with how this one turned out. I mean, it stinks, but it's not the first time this has happened and it won't be the last! I wrote about it because I was in an okay place to share. Otherwise I would have just sat with my feelings until the end of my days. :P
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. 🤞🏻
Right, soooo, my next event is Saturday. And Jonas Brothers are playing free to the public in a nearby town. It's rude of them, if you ask me, but I'm pretty sure I know what's going to happen. :D
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!
Thanks! I am truly okay with it, or I wouldn't have written about it. While it's always disappointing, it's definitely not the worst thing that can happen. Perspective!
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. :/
Yeah I can’t imagine it’s easy for booksellers either! You work so hard to put together a fun event and then... 🦗
I think we will figure it out, though! Maybe multi-author events will become the new normal.
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.
I think once you've been through it, it's a lot easier to deal with it again. It's disappointing and it can feel SO hard the first time it happens, but it's definitely not the worst thing that could happen with an event! (Right before my first no-show event ten years ago, I had an event where the police were involved. My bar got reset REALLY fast. That first no-show event barely fazed me, heh.)
Now that sounds like a story worth telling! 👀
LOL! One day. Probably. It’s been ten years and I don’t feel it’s appropriate to tell in public, but...maybe one day.
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.
Yeah, group events are fantastic. And that way, even if you don't have many people coming, you still have folks to chat with!
[or hide among]
;-)
Definitely been there. It’s all about making the best of it, at a certain point, for sure 🫀
Absolutely! An author can still form a great relationship with the booksellers even if no one comes. And those relationships are so special.
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.
Yeah, it's definitely nothing personal, even when it feels like it! I have an event this weekend . . . and Jonas Brothers are playing in town, for free to the public. And I'm just like, well, that's how it goes sometimes. Guess I'll just chitchat with my bookstore friend and eat cupcakes alone. :D
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 ;)
Ahh, best of luck with your queries! I'll be crossing my fingers for you!
thanks so much! it's definitely a grind. I wonder if I could pick your brain about the process at some point. Would be eternally grateful
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!