Rant Alert.
A few months ago, I met up with my critique partner at the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport. We were on our way to North Carolina for the Writer's Police Academy. She was traveling from San Antonio, and my flight originated in Denver. Since there are no direct flights from either of our cities, DFW was where we could catch a connecting flight. (Either Dallas or Chicago. What???)
Kelly and I have become friends over the years, but still spend most of our time talking about books and writing and everything else related to it. Our friendship is a gift, but the writing discussions are like breathing. And when you only get so much time to breathe, well . . . that's what you do.
We were sitting in the boarding area, talking about our recent reads. I was telling Kelly about Tim Hallinan when I noticed a woman across from us perk up and follow the conversation. Turns out she was an author from a state west of mine, and north. I'd never heard of her, but then there are a lot of us. She had a nice smile and seemed interesting. New friends are always nice.
We exchanged cards (hers was really cool) and we moved on to the next stage of our journey as we boarded the flight. When we landed in North Carolina, the three of us regrouped a bit and talked some more.
That's when she found out that we weren't 'big name' authors. From that point on, she never said a word to either one of us. Not one. Except to quickly inform us we couldn't join her at her table that evening because she was expecting someone else. Not a word of regret. Not a word of kindness.
Fine. Be that way. We made our own table.
Now, here's the deal. I know what it is to have someone attach themselves to me. Not only is it not a growth experience, it's not fun. But I'm here to tell you that neither Kelly nor I look like a leech. We're writers. Heck, we crave solitude from time to time. So I'm not buying that argument.
Was 'pleasant' too much to ask?
I went online and checked out this author. Turns out she's written a LOT of books. Turns out some of them sound interesting. Turns out she could have been on the list of authors I want to check out. Turns out she won't be.
I'm just sayin'.
It's all better with friends.
Most writers have to build their readership one book and one reader at a time. I certainly have. Treating any potential reader with anything less than courtesy is both rude and foolish. So it still surprises me to hear stories like this. I'm glad she's the exception though.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Peg! What LJ said - and let's hope this author's attitude is the exception! And I'd say in this case, it was definitely her loss, as from speaking to you on a number of occasions, I know you're a very intelligent person with a great personality and all kinds of interesting things to say! Which is why she was drawn into your conversation in the first place.
ReplyDeleteL.J. and Jodie, you're right. She is the exception—at least in my experience. What's that old marketing advice? Happy customers will tell a couple of people, but unhappy customers will tell ten times that amount. And with the Internet, multiply that again and again.
ReplyDeleteOne reader at a time. I like that.
I had a similar experience with another author. As soon as I mentioned that I was an indie, her whole attitude shifted and she went into the deep freeze. I didn't like it, and I don't understand it. Nobody is better than anyone else--maybe more fortunate in some ways, but that's where grateful comes in, not arrogant or dismissive. I love meeting other writers almost as much as I love to write-- I don't much care with whom they publish or even if they're published at all. Like you said, it's like breathing. There's so much we, as writers, have to give to one another. It's a shame, really, because she doesn't know what she's missing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why this kind of behavior still surprises me, but it does. I discovered a new author not too long ago. I liked their page on FB because I liked their books and I was looking forward to reading more. Then, the author posted something like, "To my many fans: Please do not contact me through FB, Twitter or email. If you want to read more of my books, you're all going to have to leave me alone and let me write them." Guess what? I don't want to read any more of their books and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. I'd never contacted this particular author before and I definitely won't now.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this comment really fits here, but it's what came to mind. :)
Drew, people are really feeling threatened. We both noticed it at LCC. Change is scary. Old attitudes die hard, but they're dying.
ReplyDeleteNissie, I love what you're saying here. My gosh, when I'm published, and when someone takes the time to find me? Zowsters. Musicians and actors seem to understand that the reason they can afford to do the thing they love is because of people who support their efforts. Maybe the solitary life of writing causes some to lose their social skills. (And why do I have this little niggling thing in my brain that I experienced the same words from an author . . . huh.)
I agree with Peg, Nissie. I'm amazed that an author would have that kind of attitude toward people who buy her books. Success has obviously spoiled her to the point of arrogance. I'm grateful and amazed that people find me among the giant sea of authors today and feel like I can't thank them enough when they do. I mean that. They don't owe me a thing, but I sure as hell owe them for my success. The least I can do is give them my respect.
ReplyDeleteDrew and Peg, fortunately, I haven't seen a lot of that. Most authors seem very appreciative of a line or two telling them you enjoyed their work. I'm sure when one reaches a certain level of success (authors,actors,musicians), they're bombarded with messages and can become a little overwhelmed. It still doesn't excuse slapping down the people who support what you do, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteThe ones like y'all who respect and appreciate your readers will never have a problem selling your books.
From your lips, Nissie. From your lips.
ReplyDelete{{hugs}}
{{hugs}} back, Peg :D
ReplyDeleteWriters are too wonderful a bunch to waste time on petty competition. It's not about ranking, it's about sharing. What a loss for that author, Peg! She could've made friends with you and Kelly.
ReplyDeleteNot only could have made friends, she could have made some sales.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people get an Attitude about the Great Unwashed Unpublished. Doesn't matter if your skills are good or not--they assume they are not, and that you are an irritant. They scrape you off their shoe like a wad of chewed bubble gum. You are as nothing to them. It's endemic.
ReplyDeleteNow, let's look at someone who does a good job with fans. Micky Dolenz is far more "famous" and well-known (and loved) than most of these Big-Time Authors. Does he treat fans poorly? On the contrary. He acted as though he had nothing else on his mind but autographing our CDs for us . . . he welcomed fans into his recording studio . . . he has a Facebook presence that is friendly. Now, I ask you--if someone who would be justified in rebuffing fans can be that nice, why can't authors?
Unfortunately, I find this attitude endemic, even among people whose works I commented upon before they got their big breaks. Suddenly the person who told them what to do to make their manuscripts better is no good. Isn't that interesting? "No sale" on the register here. Life's too short.
For some reason, the system says I will be listed as "anonymous." Once again . . . I'm nobody. Are you nobody, too?
--Shalanna Collins
May 28, 2011 8:48 PM
A lot of people get an Attitude about the Great Unwashed Unpublished. Doesn't matter if your skills are good or not--they assume they are not, and that you are an irritant. They scrape you off their shoe like a wad of chewed bubble gum. You are as nothing to them. It's endemic.
Now, let's look at someone who does a good job with fans. Micky Dolenz is far more "famous" and well-known (and loved) than most of these Big-Time Authors. Does he treat fans poorly? On the contrary. He acted as though he had nothing else on his mind but autographing our CDs for us . . . he welcomed fans into his recording studio . . . he has a Facebook presence that is friendly. Now, I ask you--if someone who would be justified in rebuffing fans can be that nice, why can't authors?
Unfortunately, I find this attitude endemic, even among people whose works I commented upon before they got their big breaks. Suddenly the person who told them what to do to make their manuscripts better is no good. Isn't that interesting? "No sale" on the register here. Life's too short.
For some reason, the system says I will be listed as "anonymous." Once again . . . I'm nobody. Are you nobody, too?
--Shalanna Collins
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Shalanna, thanks for your thoughts. You are definitely not anonymous!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have been used in the past and feel unappreciated. I hope you soon find that those narcissistic individuals you've been involved with, finally become the exceptions to the rule.
Life is also too short not to risk again. Not to put yourself out there and get a huge return for doing so. Yeah, maybe you chose the wrong people to help before, but not choosing anyone ever again only lets them win.
Thank you for taking the time and sharing some things we should all be aware of.
Hugs.