it ain't all beer and skittles

[lagilman]

I try to remain upbeat and forward-thinking, because to do otherwise in the Creative Arts (such as they are) is to fall into a Slough of Despond that can hold you the rest of your life/career. But sometimes things happen that make you wonder if maybe the Slough wouldn't be less ow-ful.

I'm setting up drive-by signings when I'm in California, to supplement the two formal events (one in Southern Coastal California, one in Northern Coastal California) and a fellow writer rec'd a bookstore out there that supposedly does really well with SF/F. So I e-mailed them, using my fellow writer's name (she's signed there before) and asking if I could come by and sign stock, as I knew that they'd probably already be booked for anything formal.

And I got back this rather curt "we don't have your book, we don't even have it on pre-order, I see it's not coming out until mid-October, so why don't you call us back then and see if maybe we got in a few copies" [implied: but don't hold your breath].

Ow. So much for my ego.

Seriously. If a book's coming out in seventeen days? You already know if you're going to order copies or not. The budget sort of demands that kind of planning.

I know that I'm neither Big Fan Favorite nor a National Bestseller. I've gotten "sorry, we're not carrying your book," before, and "we're only ordering a few copies/can't do anything formal, but do stop by and see us when you're in the area." I'm okay with both of those responses -- that's the way it crumbles, sometimes.

But the "who are you, why do you think we should want you in our store" tone of this e-mail really put me off. I was polite and friendly in my approach, and asked, acknowledging that it was a late request. Even if they hate my work, or didn't see anything in their database [I guess they don't order the Retriever series, either], there was no need for the tone of the response.

But all is not nolove. If you're in Southern California and would like a copy of FLESH AND FIRE that's been signed, I'd point you toward Mysterious Galaxy's signing October 17th @ 2pm. The staff is fabulous, the location is great, and There Will Be Cookies [and I bet they'd hold a copy for you until you could pick it up/send it to you, too]. If you're in Northern California, then come to the Clayton Books signing on October 25th @ 3pm (there will be Cookies! And Music!)

EtA: and this is why pre-ordering a book you're interested in can be so important. Even with my publisher's support behind this book, there are stores that aren't ordering even a single copy. It may be YOUR bookstore. Telling them "I like this author, I want the next book" is something a well-run store listens to, and ensures there's at least a copy on the shelf for when you come in. All the authors out there, present and future, thank you for your proactivity. :-)

Comments

[6-penny.livejournal.com]

If I lived in California I'd ask for the name of the store so I could don multiple disguises and tromp into the shop in each one to be shocked SHOCKED AND ABSOLUTELY APPALLED that they didn't have your books.
Even panic at the state of the current economy doesn't excuse that kind of rudeness.

[lagilman]

*laugh*

I treat bookstores/booksellers as I did agents, back in my editorial days: gripe as needed, but never ever name names.

[sabriel-0405.livejournal.com]

MaryJanice Davidson had a similar experience, in person, not too long ago. What you should, unfortunately, take into account is that not everyone who works in a bookstore actually reads or has any clue about authors. Same is true for libraries. A lot of people, some of whom are degreed librarians, don't read. I don't get it. I'll admit that before I met you, I didn't know your work. But if an author emailed me, I'd do a heck of a lot of research before I blew them off. You may not be a Big Fan Favorite, but you sure as hell aren't a flash in the pan writer. You have a substantial body of work. They were idiots.

In weirder news, you were in my dreams last night. You were quite amusing. And hungry. Though I don't remember why. All I do remember is that you used all my eggs.

[lagilman]

You may not be a Big Fan Favorite

*wistful* maybe someday /*wistful*

All I do remember is that you used all my eggs.

How rude of me! I hope I at least turned out something good to eat, and shared it!

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Yeah, The Tattered Cover in Denver was about that polite to us. Pfft! to you, Tattered Cover.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Not fun. Never fun.

[lagilman]

Wow. And you guys ARE Big Fan Favorites.

Once I got over the sting, I was pretty much "okay, whatever." Signings are fun because I get to meet people, and I'm good at getting people who haven't read me before to at least talk to me [as many of you here can attest], but I've had enough signings where only two or three people showed up to think it's a make-or-break situation.

It was just the 'who are you, we don't know you, we don't care to know you" attitude of the e-mail -- from a store that apparently does handle SF/F -- that made me blink and step back.

[debg.livejournal.com]

This is one reason I got blunt with Indiebound. Christ, I've signed at Keplers as part of an anthology reading, I get starred reviews and have done for twelve novels, I'm a local author - and they can't be bothered to return a phone call or answer an email? I told Indiebound that I'd rather throw whatever weight my name or endorsement carries to a store that supports me and my work - and if that store is the local Barnes & Noble, that's who gets it, period.

And in this economy, it's trickier than ever. I don't blame them for not wanting to carry anyone but the top five sellers, but that doesn't mean I have to cheer them on or tell them they're wonderful.

Support your authors, guys.

Um, not to hijack the thread...

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

but -- how can one be a local author for Indiebound? A local Indiebound affiliated store (like Mysterious Galaxy), yes, but not the whole organization?

And I see you on the Indiebound web site -- maybe a dozen titles, including
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780312590963

:: puzzles ::

Re: Um, not to hijack the thread...

[debg.livejournal.com]

Not a hijack - perfectly valid question, methinks. Especially since I wasn't clear.

Indiebound had a conversation going on Facebook, in which the "support your local indie bookstore!" was the theme, the urge, and the point. My only point is that, as an author, I expect my local indie bookstore to support me right back.

My two favourite local (in NorCal terms, that's 100 miles in any direction) both happen to be indies. I sign at both places every time I have a new book out.

But when the larger, more well-known local indies won't carry a local authors' stuff, asking said local author to wave pompoms for them seems disingenuous, to say the least.

The poor economy works both ways.

Re: Um, not to hijack the thread...

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification. Glad you have good experiences with the two locals who support you, if not all the local indies.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

I really don't get that. When I worked in a small indy bookshop, we would never have treated an author like that. We might've had to decline because of the last minute nature of the thing, but dammit, we would have been polite and professional about it.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

I love going to booksignings, and I have been from just me and the author showing up, to big ticketed events. I try to purchase my book at the event, to support the store having it, or at least some other books if I do already have the book being promoted.

Which is why I am lucky to live in the Portland (OR) area, where there is Powells and other bookstores.

And I do ask if a store is going to have specific books, they know my need to read.

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

i LOVE mysty G. i have to see if i'm free that weekend. wooot! i can haz stalk.

i'll be good.

[lagilman]

Come stalk! We will haz cookies!

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

i have it on the calendar. and please... let us feed you! ♥♥♥♥♥♥

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about that.

Are you planning on doing any signings that are somewhat closer to the interior? Say, the Midwest?

Or will we have to wait until WFC in 2010 before we see you out this way?

[lagilman]

Alas, I tried to get the Midwest included but it fell through due to cash and time-crunches. But yes, I hope to be out thataway for WFC next year.

[isabeau.livejournal.com]

Ooh. *ponders whether Clayton is close enough for me to come*

...oh wait, that's a Sunday, isn't it? bother. (I have a thing Sundays 3-5.)

[lagilman]

Drat. But, y'know, the owner's a nice guy, I suspect he'd let me scribble in a book for you and have you pick it up later....

[strigine.livejournal.com]

Yay MG! I hope to be there. :D \o/

Sorry to hear about this...

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

and, frankly, yes, inventory decisions are tighter everywhere -- from the local drugstore to the local grocery to the local bookstore -- but this kind of response seems counter intuitive to generating more business in stressful economic times.