A Bookseller's lament

Robin Agnew

Recently there's been released a highly touted book set in my very own town.  I won't name names, but I will mention that this book is a mystery, written by a local author who has never been to our store.  This sounds like sour grapes, doesn't it?  And yet, mystery bookstores aren't all that common.  We handsell.  We recommend.  We talk stuff up.  That's what we're good at.  This fellow's lapse is irritating to me, and it makes me not even want to carry the book (though my husband insisted we have a copy on hand).  I refuse to face it out.

I will also say that this author got his start through a contest on Amazon.com.  Are these two things related?  Will all authors - naturally observant types, usually very interested in the world around them - thus begin to create inside hermetically sealed internet bubbles (only to have their work read on the Kindle?)  What do you say, authors, if you are reading this blog?

To add insult to injury, the author's publisher, who scheduled him at Borders, sent me a review copy with a note: "Why not review this for the Ann Arbor Chronicle?"  For a couple of months I've had a mystery column in the Chronicle.  While it's pleasant to think publishers are noticing this outlet, it's beyond irritating to be asked for a review.  She sent a copy to my bookstore after all.

Bookselling, reviewing, handselling - these are are all inter-related activities.  If you're a new author in town, you might want to meet the booksellers around you (if only for the curiousity of viewing a rapidly vanishing breed).  I tend to think we're a knowledgable resource. 

While people from out of town absolutely love our store, people in town take us for granted or often want to sell us books.  I guess this now includes certain local authors, not just customers. I guess this is a question of community.  Why bypass what's under your nose?  Not only is it a little silly, it seems like a waste.

And I'd be remiss NOT to thank the many, many authors who shop with us, sign with us, or in some cases hang out and talk movies or what's up in the world of books.  You all know who you are, and you are all treasures.

Comments

[Maria]

The author may not know you exist. Probably their own fault for not doing the research. These days it is a lot easier to focus on online venues (and I mean to spread the word, not necessarily to shop) because as writers we are at our computer all the time.

Send the author a note. Ask them if they'd like to come in and sign the store copy. I know I'd be thrilled to be asked.

I'm sure that the author feels some...oh, I don't know--links with Amazon for "discovering" him/her. That does create a bit of a bubble. They are probably very new at the whole thing and don't know much about marketing the book at all. A lot of authors fully expect the publisher to do that (because they don't spend enough time researching.)

It's probably ignorance. But you'd know for sure after meeting or talking to them once. :>)

[Robin Agnew]

Maybe true, I agree. However my other issue is that it's being reviewed as the kind of book that "transcends" the genre, which is another bugaboo of mine. Who wants to "transcend" mystery? It's such a fabulous genre, and the list of great writers who have or are producing great books is a long one. I say embrace it.

[Kevin R. Tipple]

How it is being reviewed is not the author's fault.

Instead of taking the opportunity to meet a local author who may have no idea that you exist, it looks to me like you are seeking ways to take offense. It just could be that the local author has been in your store and was treated shabbily and made a decision not to fool with your store. One would hope not. Simply put, you don't know what happened or why.

Hope you break out of that bubble. :)))

[Robin Agnew]

We're pretty nice to people who come into the store. More than anything that sets us apart. Sure, I don't know what happened, but I do know this is a small town. We're not invisible.

[J.L. Powers]

I'm not in Ann Arbor but I am a writer and I do write mysteries (The Confessional, Knopf, 2007) and, though I *love* bookstores, especially independent ones, I'll admit that I don't go very often. Why? Two reasons: Lack of time and fear.

Your argument that local writers should spend more time marketing themselves to the local community is spot on. It's just not as easy as it might seem. Between my daily writing, the small literary press I run, and teaching 4-5 writing classes each semester to pay the bills, I easily put in a 70 hour work week. I am constantly frustrated with how little time I have to market myself (which includes relatively little things, like going to a bookstore and introducing myself...)

To explain the fear factor: I'll admit that going into a bookstore to promote my work *terrifies* me. When I call up bookstores or walk inside, sometimes people there are nice and sometimes they're not. When they're not nice, it sets me back for weeks. I remember trying to set up a reading at a Boston bookstore this past February and the events person was so tremendously rude, my hand was literally shaking when I got off the phone. I haven't called a bookstore since....The thought of it makes my stomach tighten with fear. I don't come across as shy but I guess I am, at least, when it comes to promoting my work. I always feel bad about trying to sell myself, imagining that the bookseller is thinking, 'Yeah, yeah, okay, you're no Robert Parker,' which is absolutely true but also not the point!

Most booksellers are very nice, of course, but the rude ones make it all the harder to approach other booksellers, despite the fact that the large majority have been very welcoming.

The other reaction that terrifies me is what I'll call the "lukewarm reception." That can be just as damaging to my fragile writerly ego as rudeness.

What's interesting is that I'm essentially saying that I, as a writer, feel slighted in much the same way that you, as a bookseller, feel slighted. In most cases, it's probably not intentional or even true--but it doesn't make the emotion any less a problem. :-)

Thanks for sharing your frustrations with the world...

http://www.jlpowers.net

[Robin Agnew]

You've been published by Knopf - there shouldn't be a need for fear. That's something to really be proud of! However I can certainly see your side of things.

[J.L. Powers]

That's what people say! And I suppose it's true...But I guess I'm shy anyway. :-)

[Lynne Patrick]

Robin, I'm with you all the way; I wish more booksellers were like you.
Even if this author didn't know you were there, his/her publishers should have made it their business to know, and make proper use of the knowledge. It's just plain bad manners to ignore a bookshop local to the author. All our authors are supplied with bookmarks and posters for the express purpose of raising their own profile in their own area. And that's how it should be.

[Robin Agnew]

"Buy Local First" kind of applies across the board, doesn't it? Also the fact that he hasn't been here implies that he may not be a passionate mystery reader - if they are passionate readers, eventually they cross our doorstep. And I include Borders employees (including buyers) in this number.

[Kevin R. Tipple]

The fact that he has not been there DOES NOT imply that he is not a passionate mystery reader. Maybe he gets his books from the library--like I do. Maybe he gets books sent to him for review purposes--like I do. (35 LAST WEEK) Maybe he buys his books online becuse he hates people, is secretly building a weapon of mass destruction and likes to run around his place naked---like I.....

Anway, you seem to continue to make a lot of assumptions about this author that you don't know. It might be worth it to track him down, invite him over, and see how right you are.

Kevin
The Carpathian Shadows: Book Two
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