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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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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?
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