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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.)

[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.