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it ain't all beer and skittles
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. :-)
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. :-)
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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...
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...
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...