The event Friday in Logan was amazing. The Logan Library was awesome getting the word out. 1000 people came! It was so fun to drive up and be on a panel with four fun authors. We kept laughing, and the later it got, the punchier we felt. I signed for four and a half hours. Whew! Everyone was so lovely. Thanks to the Book Table for selling books.
You never know how events will turn out. Sometimes 1000 people come, and sometimes no one does. There's a book called Mortification in which published authors share book event stories that were, well, mortifying. Everyone has them. They are often painful at the time, but become great stories to share with other authors and laugh about later. They are valiant battle scars, like rejections.
After sharing about an amazing event like Friday's, it may seem like that's the life of a published author. But really, it's an anomaly. Let me share a few embarrassing books events. Feel free to laugh at my pain, and know that I don't share to complain. I know how lucky I am to be published at all and have the opportunity to have a book signing no one comes to!
Seven years ago, my very first out-of-Utah book event. I went to a regional trade show where booksellers from surrounding states came to learn about the latest releases. There was an evening signing, where my publisher supplied boxes of the goose girl to give away. Yes, that's right, GIVE AWAY, and they were hardcovers, not even ARCs. Hopefully the booksellers would read this book and then want to order it for their store! Some booksellers came to my table and requested a copy. "Who do you want me to sign this to?" I asked. "Just a signature," they said. The experienced novelist to my right whispered to me, "When they want a signature only, it means they're going to resell it." I didn't know if that was true, but I became very aware that 90% of them wanted signature only. Long before the hour-long signing was over, my line was over. I smiled cordially but was really panicking. My first book! My baby! And I can't even GIVE it away!
What did we learn? At book conferences, booksellers get lots of free books. They have to haul/ship them all home. It's nothing personal, but they just can't take them all.
Six years ago (I think, maybe sooner) I am invited to speak at a large conference in another state. I arrive at the venue: an auditorium that seats 2000 people. Exactly 15 people come, most of whom are from my publisher, the rest are conference attendees I met and begged to come in case no one did. I give my talk. I want to die.
What did we learn? To take pictures! My only regret is not taking a photo of that huge room with thousands of empty seats and those few people in the two front rows smiling awkwardly. That would have been such a funny keepsake.
Five years ago, I fly to a far away state to do school visits. At the first school, no one seems to be expecting me or have any idea who I am. Eventually they put me in the library with a class of about 20 middle schoolers, who are mildly happy to be out of class and supremely uninterested in the random adult in front of them. The librarian introduces me, "Here's Sharon Hall. She writes books." He then goes over to the couch where he reads a magazine during my presentation. A few teachers on break gather nearby, speaking so loudly I have to ask them to please keep it down because the kids couldn't hear me. Not that they really wanted to.
What did we learn? You are not nearly as cool as you'd hoped.
Four years ago, I go on book tour. My publisher hires a car to take me from one city to another, where I am to do a presentation and signing at a bookstore. The car must be expensive. I am already feeling guilty. I hope I sell enough books to make it worth it! I arrive. There's a picture of me on a poster in the window. I enter. There are no chairs set up for a talk. The embarrassed bookseller explains no one has come. She puts me in a chair by the door, where I sit for an hour as customers enter and try not to make eye contact with the leprotic author at the door. One woman comes to me to ask where the DVDs of Curious George are. I'm sorry, I don't know. She sees the sign, realizes I'm a visiting author, and feeling sorry for me, sits in a chair facing me and talks to me about Curious George for 20 minutes. She leaves and buys the DVD. No books.
What did we learn? Well, this example was just one of many. 99% of authors have many such stories to tell. It happens, amigo.
Three years ago, a holiday book signing at a local bookstore. In comes, oh let's call him Alfred. "Alfred!" I cry, giving him a hug. He was a dear friend of mine and my husband's in high school and I hadn't seen him since. We exchange info. What am I doing? Mothering mostly, and I write books. He's a middle school teacher and in fact has come to the store expressly to purchase a graphic novel good for middle schoolers. What luck! I normally am shy to promote my own books, but clearly he'll be delighted with Rapunzel's Revenge, a graphic novel perfect for middle schoolers, written by two old friends. He looks it over. He puts it back on the shelf. He doesn't buy it.
What did we learn? Remember those fantasies about how one day you would show everyone you weren't really a loser after all? They never come true the way you imagined.
Two years ago, a specialty bookstores invites me and Dean as well as another author to speak at an event. There's a nice crowd of about 70 in the auditorium. The other author speaks first. We sit in the audience so we can see his slide show. He's a cool author and we're so pleased to be a part of it! We're peers with this great, accomplished artist. Cool! But apparently he didn't know anything about us, because at the end of the talk, he says, "And now I think we're going upstairs to the gallery for a gallery talk." He leaves. The audience stands up and follows him. Dean and I sit there, stunned. The organizer gapes, unsure what to do. I know what I'd like to do--RUN AWAY! But one girl and her father remain in the audience, apparently the only ones in the crowd who had expressly come for me and Dean. So we remain and give our presentation to two people. After a few minutes, three more people shuffle in. One of them later accuses me of stealing one of my book ideas from him, although I have never met him in my life.
What did we learn? I'm not sure, but whatever lesson I was supposed to have learned long ago I apparently didn't, since such things keep happening.
This was just a random sampling of the common humiliations authors experience. What makes them hard is this expectation. Someone set up an event believing that I could make a go of it, and yet I couldn't. I feel like I failed the bookstore, the school, my publisher, the organizer. But hey, surely I'm beautifully humbled by now, right? Yay! I am Miss Humility!
I'm going to paste in below links to other authors telling their own tales.
Wow, that's unbelievable! It's nice to hear about, though. I'm always afraid of the reception I might get if I try to publish. Thanks for sharing!
Also, I would stay to see your presentation if I knew you were in town. :)
Posted by: Maya | April 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM
I really wanted to attend the event in Logan. Too bad my parents insisted that we all come home for the holiday.
Your stories really made me laugh. At least you still have a healthy sense of humor.
Posted by: Cindi | April 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Did you take pictures of the 1000 people? :-)
Posted by: Heather Moore | April 25, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Thanks for being there Friday and for bringing the others. Our family had a great time hearing you speak and getting our books signed. We wondered if you got out before midnight.
Posted by: Margie Allred | April 25, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Just one reason I love squeetus--because Shannon is so willing to share her writing failures. As a fan, it's shocking to hear that things didn't just work out perfectly. (The Goose Girl snagged me right away!) But it makes me feel a lot better about my own writing experiences. It's a tough job, even for super talented people like Shannon.
Posted by: Annie | April 25, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Oh my goodness!!! I can't believe these stories. I better not read too many of these or else I don't know if I'll dream of being a published author anymore!
Posted by: megwrites | April 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM
I wish I could've come to the Logan even too. I live in California, and even though I considered driving out, it just wasn't going to work out.
I sent my mom, though, and she said (these are her words) that it was 'delightful.' She LOVED you guys and waited in your line to get some books signed for me.
So thank you! You made our family very happy.
If you ever come to the Bay Area I WILL BE THERE!
Posted by: Emily | April 25, 2011 at 10:39 AM
laughed.out.loud.
Posted by: Bryan Beus | April 25, 2011 at 10:56 AM
The Logan event was awesome and we loved being on the front row with unobstructed views of 5 of our favs! You kept everyone entertained for well over an hour! My 14 yr old daughter turned to me at one point and said "it's better than a comedy show!" She was right.
So glad we had to be up in Logan that day...serendipity! Thanks, Shannon!
Posted by: Blue | April 25, 2011 at 10:59 AM
I was so happy to be at the Logan event...one of the best nights of my life! You were so hilarious and so approachable. Thank you for a fantastic night!
I wonder if people at those other events ever look back at what they missed out on, because they missed a chance to hear a fantastic author!
Posted by: Ems | April 25, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Shannon, THANK YOU for posting these experiences. This will help me keep things in perspective every time one of those "humble author" moments occurs.
Posted by: Stephanie Black | April 25, 2011 at 11:42 AM
So what tips can you share with those of us who want to do this ourselves? What would make it easier to bear? Take a laptop? Always talk to the presenter that precedes you (so he knows you're coming)?
We set goals to get a certain number of query rejections--any similar goals for numbers of low-attended signings?
Awesome post--thanks!
Posted by: Robin_Weeks | April 25, 2011 at 11:56 AM
After having heard stories such as these, I fear I could never handle a writer's life even if I could get past the writing-books part of it. But you make it sound not-so-horrible if one can just keep a sense of humor about it.
Posted by: Myimaginaryblog.wordpress.com | April 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Come to New Orleans or Baton Rouge! My friends and I love your books so much that we are all ready planning a Bayern Feast for Halloween! I know I would be there (dressed as Razo) waiting not only for just your signature but for a personal message as well.
Posted by: Louisiana Kid | April 25, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Fun! I want to play:
http://lindsey-leavitt.livejournal.com/142299.html
Posted by: Lindsey | April 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM
THANK YOU!... for making me realise that I'm not the only one.
This was at my first book signing, and I was so embarrased.
Okay so, book signings rarely take place in my state. When I saw that there was going to be one by an author I really like, I begged my parents to drive me two hours to get there.
I got there early so the author was just talking to random people. I was too shy to talk/ look her in the face. My dad then goes up to said author and annouces that, "We just drove two hours to see you. My daughter is a big fan. She does a book review blog." We said hi. The rest of the signing I pretended to be busy taking pictures of the bookstore. Sigh...
Now it's just a good story :D
Posted by: Bethany | April 25, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Well, I so LOVED hearing you at the National Book Festival! I think this is similar to your laminated rejection letters. If I ever do get published (an agent is looking at my full manuscript right now!), I am sure that these stories will encourage me hugely -- that even the brilliant, talented, and fabulous Shannon Hale could suffer such mortification, then maybe it's not such a disaster if it happens to me.
Posted by: Sondy | April 25, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Is it better, do you think, if you're signing in a group? Maybe only one person sells something, but if you're all there, at least you don't FEEL so alone??
Posted by: Rose | April 25, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Wow, I bet that makes what happened on Friday, even more sweet. Those experiences must have been really hard. Equally hard would be to share them. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Bonnie Childress | April 25, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Wow. I've been looking forward to Friday for a month--it was my birthday and the best present ever (I'm 32 :-) I had no idea that everyone in the world and their dog didn't know who you are!!! After all, you are the queen of Logan! My husband and I had a wonderful time, and I think you are adorable. And awesome. I even blogged about it.
Posted by: Aneesa | April 25, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Oh, my gosh! My first book isn't coming out until July 2012, but suddenly I'm terrified. *grins*
Posted by: Linda G. | April 25, 2011 at 01:08 PM
What is your book?
Posted by: Louisiana Kid | April 25, 2011 at 01:10 PM
These are horrible stories! And so surprising to me that things like that could have happened to you. But I have to admit I did think they were a little funny too. :)
Posted by: Holly Thatcher | April 25, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Wow. Sad!
Well, I was glad and privileged to see you when you came to Naperville one year!
Posted by: Linda W | April 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Funny, funny stories! I wanted to come to your book signing so much! But, unfortunately, I am on semi-bed rest and wasn't able to get out that day. It did make me happy to know that some of my neighbors went and were able to meet you. Next time.....
Posted by: Liz | April 25, 2011 at 02:01 PM
Sad stories. And anyone who has ever done author appearances can probably tell at least one.
I was once part of a book-signing event at a library conference with several other authors. I was seated at a table beside a wonderful woman who had just won an award. Her line snaked all the way down the hall, and everyone who approached her had another story about how her books had changed their lives.
Five or six people came to me. When I had signed their books, I wasn't sure what to do, so I just sat there smiling gamely and listening to the testimonials people were giving my table mate. After a while, some of the other authors who had been signing their own books started taking pity on me and came over to buy mine.
That was many years ago. Then just this weekend my husband and I were in a bookstore shopping for a book of poems to send his mother for Mother's Day. A clerk eagerly approached us with a collection of political essays. The author was right there in the store! Her reading would start in five minutes!
We didn't go to her reading. But the poetry collection was right next to the place where the empty chairs were set up. Exactly one person had shown up for the reading, and as we shopped for just the right poetry collection, I could hear the awkward, embarrassed small talk between the author, the store people, and the one audience member. I knew exactly how they felt, and my heart went out to them. I even considered going over and helping to swell her audience. But I didn't.
What's the lesson there?
Posted by: Ruth Horowitz | April 25, 2011 at 02:18 PM
for the record, when I ask for just a signature, I don't give it away. I keep it... it seems egotistical to have a book signed to me!! For me, it's about the author, not about me.
Posted by: sharon | April 25, 2011 at 02:58 PM
Yay! I'm sooooooooo glad you shared those stories with us, Shannon! I almost DIED laughing!! It's really healthy to know this kind of stuff.
Posted by: gracie | April 25, 2011 at 03:12 PM
Well, I guess everyone has their embarrassing moments. I would be so humiliated if something like that happened. Golly.
Posted by: Alexandra Wood | April 25, 2011 at 03:13 PM
For the record, the Logan event was the awesomest part of my week. I didn't expect so many people, but I was so happy to find out I wasn't the only one craving to listen to the genius of five, seemingly normal, yet obviously extraordinary people. Thanks again for coming! It was a much closer drive than I've made before. :)
Posted by: Laina Ru | April 25, 2011 at 04:18 PM
I would love to come to an event where you would be signing! Even if I was the only one! (Which I wouldn't be because I would bring my friends too!) I hope your publishers send you to St. Louis! Or maybe Oklahoma would be better, since that's where I'll be next year for college...
Posted by: Mindy | April 25, 2011 at 05:29 PM
I wanted to come to Logan so much, but my best friend was getting married in Portland! She knows I love you, but I don't think she would have understood me ditching that. :-) I would try to come any time I could to meet you (again). I'm sure some of cousins and nieces would, too! You're one of our very favorites. And I still brag about my autographed book from you--addressed to me! I can slightly understand your "pain." I'll put in all kinds of planning for library programs, only to have no one show up. I like the lessons you learned. Maybe I can apply them to me somehow.
Posted by: ldsjaneite | April 25, 2011 at 05:30 PM
Oh my goodness...published author-hood, here I come! I can't wait :)
Posted by: Clare | April 25, 2011 at 05:54 PM
so nice to know I'm not alone in book event disasters!
This is just one of the reasons I love you so much, Shannon!
Shelley
Posted by: shelley moore thomas | April 25, 2011 at 05:55 PM
My kids and I had a great time at the Logan, "book concert" You guys are rock stars. Thank you for signing my books. My daughter got to play with your baby and was in heaven. I just needed $$$$ because I really wanted to buy a book form everyone. I hope one day to have friends like all of you.
Posted by: Amanda | April 25, 2011 at 07:28 PM
I am so sad! We were not able to go to the Logan event and I have heard all about how wonderful it was. Will anything like this happen again? Me and my girls have read all but 2 of your books. You are fantastic!
Posted by: jenny | April 25, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Dear Shannon, You make me smile. If only our dreams came true like we planned them out! Humble is nice too though. I have often wondered what the life of an author is like, thank you for sharing a little glimpse. Love your work!!
Posted by: Jenn | April 25, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Wow. Just reading those made me blush...
Posted by: Christen | April 25, 2011 at 09:49 PM
I think I would have caved and crawled in a hole. You are my new hero when it comes to perseverance. :)
Posted by: MelissaPete | April 25, 2011 at 11:59 PM
This post just made me groan because I want SO BADLY to go to one of your events. Don't people know how lucky they are to live close to these places at which you present?? Grumble, grumble. I know these experiences happened several years ago, but I would have loved to attend then as well!!!
Posted by: Christy Grigg | April 26, 2011 at 07:17 AM
Me too, me too! Following Wendy Toliver's fine example, my fiasco post is up at Books, Boys, Buzz... today. Funny how all these stories have common threads... I think that's the true lesson. :)
Posted by: Tera Lynn Childs | April 26, 2011 at 07:17 AM
I went to Markus Zusak's talk and signing last month and he shared a similar story about doing a reading for one person. And an event where only his rugby team showed up. If I ever publish, I hope I remember these things. :)
Posted by: melissa @ 1lbr | April 26, 2011 at 07:45 AM
I've had many similar experiences, Shannon. Thanks for sharing your humiliation - it makes me feel a little less like a loser to know that it's happened to such a talented writer like you.
Posted by: Loretta Ellsworth | April 26, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Someone accused you of stealing his book idea?! God, what an nightmare! How do you even defend against that? What a kook.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 26, 2011 at 09:47 AM
We drove 200 miles from a little town in Wyoming to see you. Oh my gosh, it was super fun and my sister, who loves your books but is really shy, had a blast. Thank you sooooooo much. My whole family came and you inspired us all in our personal writing. My mom thinks it's so cool you write everyday. I went home and wrote a short story after hearing you. Thanks a ton.
Posted by: Emily | April 26, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Teeheehee...these are hilarious, Jessica Day George has funny ones too.
Posted by: Ruth | April 26, 2011 at 03:21 PM
I'm just so glad YOU FINALLY CAME TO LOGAN. It was fun to meet you , Allie, and Brandon (I already knew Dashner and Jessica).
I got their an hour early so I'd have a good seat. Loved your panel. Then I waited in line for 3 hours (mostly I read and kicked my rolling luggage full of books along).
And BTW, I'm most certainly NOT reselling your books. I just didn't feel good about making you personalize that huge stack of books when the line was so long.
Posted by: Amber Argyle | April 26, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Well, clearly it's Alfred's loss. My 10-year-old daughter has read Rapunzel's Revenge probably a dozen times. She loves it!
Posted by: Chris | April 27, 2011 at 08:13 AM
Your Mortification Monday was well worth it. The students here at Mt. Logan Middle school feel like rock stars have visited their school. Almost as good as if Justin Beaber and Usher came. Thanks for sharing your "awesomeness" and your enthusiasm even with a babe-in-tow. Since I am the School Librarian here, we have been having book talks all week about your visit. Those who went love talking about their experience and those who did not still are benefiting from Brandan Mull saying his favorite fruit is pizza and James Dashner saying he bases his villans on his mother-in-law. Thanks for being our Queen and giving us such a treat. Yes, your visit is better than the Royal Wedding!
Posted by: Julie Barlow | April 27, 2011 at 02:22 PM
COME TO DALLAS! I want confirmation that I didn't buy almost all of your books, follow your website, and worship you for years, all in vain!
(Sorry for the melodrama. But please come, so I can tell you how my friend and I secretly read Princess Academy during class and passed notes to each other the whole time, like "OMG! Marda just broke her leg!!!" We were never caught...)
Posted by: Dassie | April 27, 2011 at 04:29 PM