Monday, June 19, 2006
Exercising Author Etiquette
I know I'm a little late, but I was just thinking about how there should be some ancient scroll that states certain rules and regulations that need to followed by authors. With that said, I've come up with a few things that I think may be helpful.
1. First and foremost, at multi-author booksignings DON'T come over to another authors table and remind a potential customer to stop at your table because you wrote such and such! They will eventually make their rounds to you, besides this might get the left side of your face slapped by that other author.
2. DON'T stand there with a frown on your face and your arms crossed and then wonder why ain't nobody stopping at your table.
3. AT NO POINT EVER IS IT OK TO CHEW GUM! Get a mint or have your bottled water handy in case your mouth gets dry.
3(a) And if you're behind me and you're popping your gum, please expect "The Look" and don't be surprised if I walk up to you with a trash can. I ain't gon' say a word just hold the trash can up - you'll know exactly what I'm trying to say from the look.
4. DON'T think that every event is going to be the event that you sell out all your inventory. Sometimes you don't sell one book but you network and meet other people that can help you in another way. Don't stalk off with your 300 books, with an attitude talking about "I ain't never doing this again. I didn't even make my table fee."
5. DON'T attend another author's workshop and set up shop with your books, on the same subject and while the workshop is going on you are passing out your literature distracting everyone from their real purpose for being there. Damn! If you're so damn smart and the "real" expert - do your own damn workshop. Don't piggy back on theirs!!
I'm getting heated so I'm gonna close here! Please feel free to add your tips because this is insane. I'm trying to be good these days, you know, cleaning up my karma and all. Help a sistah out ya'll!
www.ericanmartin.com
www.2ndtimeonline.net
1. First and foremost, at multi-author booksignings DON'T come over to another authors table and remind a potential customer to stop at your table because you wrote such and such! They will eventually make their rounds to you, besides this might get the left side of your face slapped by that other author.
2. DON'T stand there with a frown on your face and your arms crossed and then wonder why ain't nobody stopping at your table.
3. AT NO POINT EVER IS IT OK TO CHEW GUM! Get a mint or have your bottled water handy in case your mouth gets dry.
3(a) And if you're behind me and you're popping your gum, please expect "The Look" and don't be surprised if I walk up to you with a trash can. I ain't gon' say a word just hold the trash can up - you'll know exactly what I'm trying to say from the look.
4. DON'T think that every event is going to be the event that you sell out all your inventory. Sometimes you don't sell one book but you network and meet other people that can help you in another way. Don't stalk off with your 300 books, with an attitude talking about "I ain't never doing this again. I didn't even make my table fee."
5. DON'T attend another author's workshop and set up shop with your books, on the same subject and while the workshop is going on you are passing out your literature distracting everyone from their real purpose for being there. Damn! If you're so damn smart and the "real" expert - do your own damn workshop. Don't piggy back on theirs!!
I'm getting heated so I'm gonna close here! Please feel free to add your tips because this is insane. I'm trying to be good these days, you know, cleaning up my karma and all. Help a sistah out ya'll!
www.ericanmartin.com
www.2ndtimeonline.net
# posted by Erica N. Martin @ 7:59 AM 
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Great tips. You'd think that these would be common sense or at least common courtesy ... guess not, huh?
If you are traveling with another Author, make sure you let them know you'll be bringing extra "guests" and not just show up and expect them to accomodate you.
When a reader walks up to an author beside you and begins to discuss their book, don't push your promotional materials in the reader's hands and say, "While you're buying their book, buy mine too."
When a reader walks up to an author beside you and begins to discuss their book, don't push your promotional materials in the reader's hands and say, "While you're buying their book, buy mine too."
I don't know but this may be own personal pet peeve. I think people that walk over to your table should actually want to talk about YOUR book. I'm getting sick and tired of folks e-mailing me about their own books and could care less about mine. Now that drives me nuts!
Shamontiel - Tell me about it! I try my hardest to support everyone I come in contact with, which can be pretty costly. But yeah, it would be nice if we could talk about my project and THEN yours.
Sylvia - You are a fool! You know what I'm talking about!
Sylvia - You are a fool! You know what I'm talking about!
Good tips. For aspiring writers, if you come to an author's booksigning, please don't bombard them with "how do I get publish" type questions?" Buy a book and slip them your contact information or better yet, get their's. It's okay to mention you want to be a writer too and have questions...but a booksigning is not the place to ask those questions.
D-Diva, Gurl you almost took me to pulpit on that one!! I don't understand it for the life of me the hating that goes on in the "D". I get so much love in other cities it's unreal. I consider Indianapolis my second home because the readers there have just embraced me. But it's that crabs in a barrel mentality here. But I don't let it worry me though because I set my sights bigger than just being a local celebrity - I'm nationwide girlfriend!! Whoo! I got hyped up on that one.
Mo- don't be hiding your tips! I know you got something to share!
Mo- don't be hiding your tips! I know you got something to share!
Thanks for sharing Ladies. As a soon-to-be published author, I appreciate the heads up. And um, for the already published authors, don't try to get another author or aspiring author to buy your book & in the same breath declare that YOU don't read. WTH?
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