When I published my book, "Opera for People Who Don't Like It," I held a couple of book signings, one of which included a reading. Both events ended up being embarrassing. Nobody wanted to buy my book. I was under the semi-illusion that if you went to a book signing you were expected to buy a book, but that idea didn't reach any of my audience.
Yeah, I've had the same experience. You've got to put on a show and hopefully you get paid for showing up. Libraries usually offer an honorarium, so your time is compensated even if you don't sell any books. It's a rude awakening though, we don't discuss it enough. Your book sounds interesting, I'll add it to my list!
This essay is spot on. I am a writer, and I'm actually pretty happy that I'm not famous. I've had my 15 minutes of fame through various media outlets, and that's enough for me. I have been lucky to have had a career as a writer/editor for a variety of trade magazines. It was always a charge to see my name in print, but, like you say, I prefer just being at home spending time on the craft that I love.
Yes, I'm about at the level of notoriety I want (although I could make just a little more money). But there's no way I want to walk around and be recognized. I agree with you. I do like seeing my stuff in print, but at the end of the day, I'd rather be writing :)
"When it comes to professional football teams, the Packers are unique. They’re the only community owned major league franchise. It’s a weird little quirk which means the NFL’s smallest market will never have to worry about losing its team."
That situation used to be commonplace in sports leagues, but far less so now. Still, in some situations, it exists. In the Canadian Football League, for example, my hometown team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, is owned and operated by an alliance of local business interests. Single-person ownership in that league can be disastrous; Ottawa lost its original CFL team because of the financial duplicity of the owners, and had to wait several years before it could get a new one.
It's good to know other teams adopt that model. Reverence for local sports teams makes a lot more sense when those teams actually bring in revenue for the community.
Not completely worthless. Not if you go into it with the right approach.
Greeting people with something like, "Hi! Do you like [your genre book]?" Catch their interest and tell them about the book in less than 30 seconds. The main story only.
I've sold lots of books that way.
I didn't expect a huge crowd. I'm an unknown author. Why would there be a huge crowd?
I was just glad to actually meet readers and sell a few books.
When I published my book, "Opera for People Who Don't Like It," I held a couple of book signings, one of which included a reading. Both events ended up being embarrassing. Nobody wanted to buy my book. I was under the semi-illusion that if you went to a book signing you were expected to buy a book, but that idea didn't reach any of my audience.
Yeah, I've had the same experience. You've got to put on a show and hopefully you get paid for showing up. Libraries usually offer an honorarium, so your time is compensated even if you don't sell any books. It's a rude awakening though, we don't discuss it enough. Your book sounds interesting, I'll add it to my list!
Thanks!
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Walter,
This essay is spot on. I am a writer, and I'm actually pretty happy that I'm not famous. I've had my 15 minutes of fame through various media outlets, and that's enough for me. I have been lucky to have had a career as a writer/editor for a variety of trade magazines. It was always a charge to see my name in print, but, like you say, I prefer just being at home spending time on the craft that I love.
Yes, I'm about at the level of notoriety I want (although I could make just a little more money). But there's no way I want to walk around and be recognized. I agree with you. I do like seeing my stuff in print, but at the end of the day, I'd rather be writing :)
"When it comes to professional football teams, the Packers are unique. They’re the only community owned major league franchise. It’s a weird little quirk which means the NFL’s smallest market will never have to worry about losing its team."
That situation used to be commonplace in sports leagues, but far less so now. Still, in some situations, it exists. In the Canadian Football League, for example, my hometown team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, is owned and operated by an alliance of local business interests. Single-person ownership in that league can be disastrous; Ottawa lost its original CFL team because of the financial duplicity of the owners, and had to wait several years before it could get a new one.
It's good to know other teams adopt that model. Reverence for local sports teams makes a lot more sense when those teams actually bring in revenue for the community.
The CFL doesn’t make nearly as much money as the NFL, but each of the teams has a very loyal fan base that sustains them immensely.
Not completely worthless. Not if you go into it with the right approach.
Greeting people with something like, "Hi! Do you like [your genre book]?" Catch their interest and tell them about the book in less than 30 seconds. The main story only.
I've sold lots of books that way.
I didn't expect a huge crowd. I'm an unknown author. Why would there be a huge crowd?
I was just glad to actually meet readers and sell a few books.