Showtime at the Bookstore
This week I attended a book reading- just one more step in my endless series of research to author stardomship. I’ve been to several of these previously of course (it’s always a good idea to keep up with the competition), but I usually limit my forays to fiction authors. This one was non-fiction, but on the recommendation of my hairstylist I went anyway.
Normally these events tend to average about a dozen or so people, but I thought this author must have had a killer publicist because I entered into a packed house with lights, a camera… the works. I thought it was kind of ridiculous considering this was the author’s first book and the topic was about her experiences with men, but we soon learned that the audience was filled with friends, family, members of her writing group, etc. and on went the light bulb. I hope she has a bunch of frequent flyer miles at the ready because it’s going to get expensive hauling that entourage around on a book tour.
I had mixed feelings about the author playing with a loaded deck as she did:
1) false advertising and the “Well, I never!” that goes with being an aspiring, but still unknown author
2) “Do what you gotta do to get your name out there, it’s a tough business.”
Let me take a moment to expound upon that last statement. “Do what you gotta do,” should be used with discretion. The world abounds with publicity whores and I am in no way encouraging more of them. If you’re Jim Carrey showing up in costume on American Idol to promote a movie, well, it’s questionable though not fatal on the dignity scale, but if you’re leaking naked pictures of yourself to get people’s attention and then complaining about not being taken seriously, I mean really. If you’ve got talent, forget the Polaroids and surround yourself with creative people instead. Your grandchildren will thank you.
Sorry, back to the reading. Before I go to these things I like to know something about the book to determine if it’s worth my time. I read a few excerpts I found online and was not impressed. Needless to say, my expectations for the evening were low. I was pleasantly surprised however, when the author began speaking. She actually brought some life to those olive drab pages. I believe she would be better served turning that book into a one-woman show rather than sticking to her written format, but somehow I didn’t think she would welcome my opinion and thus I didn’t offer it. Yes, yes, how magnanimous of me. No, you may not kiss my ring.
Okay, so the author had some charisma, unfortunately her audience did not. I felt like I was surrounded by the Stepford clan. Everything that sprang forth from the authors lips: irreverent, insightful, irrelevant or those God awful puns she’s so fond of, was consumed with smiles, nods and bursts of left field laughter. The hero worship was all pervasive and bordering on scary. I was in a room with pod people and couldn’t understand why. I finally gave up and reaffirmed my commitment to never joining a writing group.
Before the hate mail comes in, I will concede that perhaps there are some fine writing groups out there that do help aspiring writers; if that is true in your case, great, wonderful, congratulations. Speaking for myself, group sessions just aren’t my thing. An honest appraisal of one’s work can only be effective when the source is deemed trustworthy. “Yes” people are not my idea of trustworthy; trust must be earned.
All right kids, what have we learned today? That’s a good question, what have we learned? Oh yes, a good publicist is a smart investment and maintaining your dignity is a good thing. Hopefully the first will facilitate the second, but your path is always your own so good luck with that.
