Uncommon sense

PJ Nunn

In the process of discussing some sort of ordinary mishap, my daughter made a remark about someone who failed to exercise common sense. Further discussion led her to the conclusion that perhaps common sense no longer exists. Maybe, just maybe, what was once considered common sense has now become so rare that it would more properly be called uncommon sense.

 

After mulling that over for a few days, or maybe weeks, the discussion resumed over dinner and we wandered from the topic of common sense to common courtesy. That too, upon reflection, was determined to have achieved a more uncommon status in today’s society. What with frequent bursts of profanity that would never have happened back in the day, or the colorful gesturing with single digits that is prone to happen in fits of road rage or just about anywhere at any given time these days.

 

As so often happens in my world, my thoughts eventually tried the concepts in the context of book promotion and the authors involved. I recall that one of the first things I learned in my initial market survey was that a strangely large number of authors are apparently ill-behaved toward booksellers. Of course I realize that those few who’ve been offended generally speak a lot louder than the many who have not, but it didn’t take long to figure out that so many booksellers couldn’t be wrong. Somewhere out there in book promotion world, there have been a number of authors who failed to exercise either common courtesy or common sense. The few that I’ve had the misfortune to represent over the years have since vanished into the ether, not to be heard from again.

 

What can we learn from this? Aside from the fact that authors behaving badly does happen, we can and should learn that it doesn’t take all that much effort for a common author to become uncommon in a positive way. You be the judge.

 

A common author might arrive for a book signing event making demands and generally expecting the bookseller to do something to sell his or her books.

 

An uncommon author might arrive for a book signing event with a helpful attitude, having already planned a few activities that are designed to help bring more customers into the store.

 

A common author might grumble and complain about placement, whether or not drinks or refreshments are provided, inadequate (in their opinion) or absent signage, or any other number of things.

 

An uncommon author probably contacted the event planner well in advance of the event and coordinated those details with him or her and offered to help.

 

A common author might measure everything in terms on a parallel with projected book sales.

 

An uncommon author certainly watches the numbers, but sees the big picture and understands that some savvy business moves are long term investments that can’t always be measured in numbers.

 

A common author might show up for every event scheduled by her publisher or publicist then move on to the next, never looking back and taking it as all in a day’s work.

 

An uncommon author looks back and pauses long enough to send a note or call and say thank you.

 

What are other ways you think a common author can elevate himself or herself to uncommon?

Comments

[Dana King]

Bring a pizza or a dozen doughnuts or something for the staff at the bookstore. They're being inconvenienced with no benefit to themselves. Make them feel appreciated. It may not help with your hand selling, but it sure won't hurt.

[Keli Scrapchansky]

Your point about saying thank you was right on. It's always appreciated.