Eagles or turkeys - What sets an author apart?

PJ Nunn

I have a friend who’s a motivational speaker who often teaches in corporate settings. He titles one of his most popular topics Eagles or Turkeys, and he talks about the basic things that either help or prevent employees from making their way up the corporate ladder. Every now and again someone will ask me if I can tell those who are destined to ”make it” in the book biz from those who won’t. I can’t swear I’d always get it right, but there are some qualities (or lack thereof) that seem to have predictive powers.

Obviously, individuality is desirable and there are no hard and fast rules, really. But the following generally raise a flag to me, good or bad:

Positive impressions:

1. A photograph taken by a talented photographer in a professional appearing press kit. You’ve heard me say it before, and you know a picture’s worth a thousand words, right? HOWEVER if the photo was taken 20 years ago and you no longer look like that, get a new one.
2. A pleasant, confident attitude that lets people know you’re comfortable with who you are, and even like yourself. But beware the fine line that crosses over to arrogance. It’s a balancing act.
3. Someone who laughs easily without making self-deprecating remarks. Speaks highly of others and never has anything negative to say about anyone in a public setting. Asks questions more often than offering opinions. Listens well. Shows interest in the work of others and speaks knowledgably about the industry.
4. A person who presents a professional, attractive appearance, true to brand.
5. Someone who enjoys his/her work but obviously sees it as the business it is and doesn’t take things personally. Pays more attention to advice of industry professionals than to other writers/authors who are not yet well-established in the field. Popular opinion, especially in internet circles, isn’t always accurate.
6. Someone who is as charming at a signing event with one person in attendance as at a signing event with one hundred adoring fans.

Warning signs:

1. Unprofessional materials including fuzzy snapshots and incorrect spelling in letters or promo information. Press kits and business cards that look “home made.” There’s a fine line between quirky and irky. Creativity is a plus, but you want to present yourself as playing in the league in which you really want to play someday. If you can get professional appearing business cards from Vista Print for $20, why run them on your inkjet printer?
2. Likes to gossip; talks too freely about bad experiences with others.
3. Failure to communicate, particularly about scheduling issues. Changes mind frequently and vacillates back and forth about how to proceed.
4. Crosses the line from persistent to pushy. The old adage says the squeaky wheel gets the grease but in this business it’s very easy to burn bridges by pushing just a little too hard. Choose your battles carefully whether following up with an agent or a TV producer if they’re slow to give you the “yes” you’re seeking. Calling once too often can result in a “no” when waiting until they were ready might have brought a more favorable response.

So the moral of this story is, the eagles will soar above others, while the turkeys stand on the ground, drowning, looking up into the rain.

Till next time!

Comments

[Sharon Wheeler]

PJ, your blog entries should be required reading for every writer, would-be or established!

I can never quite understand why people won't shell out on good business cards, letter heads and the like -- after all, you can claim it back against tax. I had an email from Vista Print this morning offering a good deal on start-on paperwork for a business for a pretty low price (all my business cards and such like are from them). And there must be others offering similar deals.

[Lorraine.]

Hi, Would you clarify #4 positive?
After a working lifetime of go-to-business clothes, suits, pantyhose, etc. I thought one of the pluses of being a writer was the freedom to dress casually. Clean, neat, of course, but sans the pantyhose, fussy makeup, etc.
What is true to brand?
Thanks.

[Bill Peschel]

If I may jump in with a possible example. Take a writer who pens mysteries set in Key West. Professional appearance to him would be Hawaiian shirts and casual wear. (I'm thinking this was a signature look for Laurence Shames, but I can't be sure enough to say so.) That's being true to brand.

But otherwise, a professional appearance can be pretty wide ranging, just so long as you don't look like you were just arrested for vagrancy. Neil Gaiman prefers wearing all black. Not because it's so Goth, but, as he explains on his site, it makes it easy for him to get dressed. His black T-shirts are by Armani, however.

Hats could also make a brand statement. Look at Terry Pratchett and Kinky Friedman. They sport black headgear.

I suppose, if you write books about Navy Seals, that combat fatigues, boots and weaponry would be a wee bit outre at a signing.

[Lorraine.]

Oh. Thank you.
I write historical but have no plans to ever appear with a corsetted waist and wearing crinoline skirts.
L.

[Jeff Cohen]

Posting for PJ, who is having a computer glitch:

Sharon,

Amazing, isn't it? The hardest part of dealing with things like that is that it's so often the nicest and most talented people, but you've got to look the part on paper as well as in person!

Lorraine,

Good question! I'm certainly not pushing for business suits, unless they'll do for you what they did for Robert Palmer when he got such notice as the only rock star in a suit and tie. C'mon, talented though he might be, would it have really been the same sensation if he'd been in dockers?

I think the point is that when we're looking for a mentor or someone to admire in a particular field, we'd like them to be a little bit better than we are. Otherwise, what can we learn from them? And since it's hard to judge that sort of thing visually, we rely on what we see to help us.

I like to think that clients and friends who've been around me a while will have the same respect for me whether I'm in my jeans and sandals or full convention attire (which, for me, will rarely include pantyhose if anyone cares), BUT I also know that when I'm called upon to speak or meet people in a professional setting, if I look too casual and comfortable (maybe even look just like one of them) some of them will have a hard time seeing me as the professional that I am. As I tend to be a sort of laid-back personality anyway, it's all the more important that my visual presentation give me a bit of a more professional air. Does that make sense?

As to branding, it doesn't change the basic rules of attire if there are such things, but it gives leeway for individuality. Think Bob Crais and Hawaiian shirts. And what Bill said.