Would you turn down a $175,000 prize to avoid having to do promotional activities?
That’s exactly what US writer Helen DeWitt did in April. It made the news.
I’ve been reading through her blog posts about this, and, without passing any judgement, she seems highly stressed by a series of recent events, and even just the thought of talking to people.
Publishing a book is an exposed activity, like any work of art. You put yourself onto the ‘paper’ – not literally, but a piece of your soul – in words that you hope people will like. DeWitt gave a very intimate look at what she’s been going through on her blog, but there’s still separation between what she types and having to face fans in person.
The question for all authors now, in this age of social media and guest appearances, how much further must we put ourselves out into the world to sell our stuff?
Well, quite a bit. Even traditionally-published authors are expected to promote their books personally. Fans want to go beyond the printed/electronic interface and actually see – and even better, talk to – their favourite novelists. If companion events are added – such as the Winter Ball the night before December’s Pages & Pleasures Romance Convention in Hamilton – the appeal is irresistible.
I completely understand it. Imagine being able to sit down for a spot of tea with J.R.R. Tolkien to discuss his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, or with Stephen King on a stormy night to trade horror stories. Of course, King is in the literary stratosphere, so he doesn’t have to worry about making personal appearances to promote his books, but the rest of us, to my mind, might as well embrace the landscape we’re in.
When fans are able to meet authors, it creates an energy and a bond that transcends the books themselves. I look forward to each and every one of my live appearances. If a year were to go by without any, I think I’d be heartbroken. In 2025, I launched my third novel at Niagara Falls Comic Con, and dang, it was so much fun!
My hubby (my constant roadie, salesman and all-around greatest supporter) and I had a fantastic time from the vendor perspective – we enjoyed walking around while everyone was setting up and even got a few free samples of boozy chocolates, got to meet some of the celebrities and costumed performers behind-the-scenes, chatted with our neighbours and other vendors during breaks, and had a blast talking with many of the convention visitors. Some of my small-business group came out to support me, and had such a great time that they stayed all afternoon. I spoke to everyone from children to cosplayers to Daleks, and honestly, the weekend went by far, far too quickly.
At other appearances, I’ve been approached by budding writers who were eager to talk with someone published. The ability to possibly inspire other people to take up the pen isn’t something I ever envisioned, but it’s wonderful.
I held a draw at the Niagara Falls con to be able to name a character in my next novel, and you’ll be able to read all about the new character in my upcoming horror novel, The Summer Door, this October!
Once upon a time I was very shy, and in those early days I might have shrunk from some types of promo. I still won’t make videos of myself, but that has more to do with not being very photogenic than anything else. (If you’re thinking of arguing about my professional photo, I had a fabulous photographer who was skilled enough to capture a few good shots.)
But over the years, I’ve gradually stepped out of my shell and learned the art of small talk. I also spent several years in Toastmasters®, the program that teaches you how to be a public speaker. During that time, I started giving travel talks and tea workshops – it stood me in good stead at last year’s dReadCon dark fiction convention, where I made more sales after a workshop I held on world building.
Fans crave immersive experiences.
The annual Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England, is huge! (It’s coming up this September, by the way.)
Reese’s Book Club is inaugurating a four-part, in-person fan festival, beginning today and continuing on July 21, August 18 and September 26. It will include conversations and signings with Reese’s Book Club authors, as well as other interactive programming. Book Club EVP Kristin Perla said they’ve been seeing “a growing appetite for experiences that bring people together around shared interests”.
My hubby and I have noticed this at my event appearances. Conventions and book festivals are built on that very premise – especially conventions, which have been enabling fans to get together in a supportive space ever since they first began in 1964 (in Greenwich Village, where a younger George R.R. Martin, later to be the author of the Game of Thrones juggernaut, bought the very first ticket!).
If you’ve ever hosted a movie night, a sports-viewing event, a themed party, or a Canada Day celebration, you can understand the conviviality of sharing something fun with other like-minded people.
Never slow on the uptake, Amazon Prime Video has launched Obsessed Fest, an in-person fan event scheduled for June 27 in Los Angeles that will feature a “literary lounge”. A companion event to three of their series – Every Summer After, the hockey romance series Off-Campus, and Elle, based on Amanda Brown’s Legally Blond. There will be author signings, cast appearances and workshops. Fans will be able to “step into recreated scenes from key titles and capture personalized photo and video moments”. Sounds like a lot of fun!
I binged on the tv series Castle in reruns whenever the day-to-day drudgery of a ‘9-5’ job got me down. It was the appeal of having a career that allowed one to wander around whenever one pleased. Turns out, that’s not always possible when a book draft is due, but the one episode of that show which inspired me the most was Season 5, Episode 6, The Final Frontier, where author Castle is signing books at the fictional San Diego Comic Con-equivalent ‘Supernovacon’.
At the time I thought that was the coolest thing ever, and 10-plus years later, having been in that position myself several times, I haven’t changed my mind.
I think authors who shrink from doing public appearances are missing one of the best parts of being an author: getting to meet the fans who love us, and repaying them for their undying support.
