Author Behavior at Book Events

Teresa and I have been to several events over the last month. The Chocolatetown Book Festival was great fun, and we’re looking forward to seeing it grow in years to come. There were also several bookstore events, and as a result authors get together and share stories.

Yes, authors gossip. Who knew?

In fact, everyone talks at the events, and at writers’ conferences, classes, craft festivals, and so on. We talk about each others’ books, the events we’ve been to, the events we’re considering going to, and the progress of our latest book.

And other writers, particularly what other writers have done to put themselves on someone’s naughty list.

And as someone who published a book about the bad behavior of writers (“Writers Gone Wild,” now out of print and to be republished in an expanded edition by Peschel Press), I collect and relish these stories. If for no other reason than as object lessons on how not to misbehave in public.

Ben Franklin advised: “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” But after meeting a few writers, he would probably add, “But don’t be a dick about it.”

For the most part, I don’t think writers intentionally misbehave in ways that hurt them. It can be brought on by emotion. Or fatigue. Or alcohol (“the cause and solution of most of our problems.” — Homer Simpson).

So here’s the behavior I’ve noticed that’ll get yourself talked about, and in a bad way.

Fronting Too Hard

Standing out is one way to make yourself memorable to readers. Authors wear distinctive clothing that align with their genre or public personality. Just like we judge books by their covers, we judge authors by the shell of their clothing.

This can also extend to their personality. Gore Vidal, with his patrician upbringing, wide reading, and family background, gave the impression of a man whose time you didn’t want to waste with silly chatter or inane questions. Mr. Rogers, on the other hand, was friendly and approachable and forgiving of your foibles. Neil Gaiman appeared dark and a little mysterious, perfectly in keeping with his books.

But there is such a thing as trying too hard. Thinking so well of yourself that you project superior vibes in your behavior can be incredibly off-putting. And acting as if you deserve star billing when your book sales and reputation don’t earn it makes you look foolish.

Over-Egging Your Reputation

A.k.a. bragging. There’s a fine line between describing your latest triumph and making sure everyone knows every success in your whole life. Or worse, making your accomplishments seem bigger than they are.

Here’s my personal example: Did you know I have a Pulitzer Prize?

I do. I have the paperweight to prove it.

Now, I mention it, but I try to take care not make it appear it’s bigger than it is. After all, the prize was awarded to the newspaper I worked for, on a series of breaking investigative stories that I copy edited.

It’s like in the navy, you get a medal for a military campaign, even if you were nowhere near the fight. If you’re deployed in the theatre of war, you get the award no matter how far from the front you were posted.

In the case of the Pulitzer, I contributed, but I was not in the fight. (Just to make sure, I emailed the group awarding the prize and ask if this mean I could say I won the prize. They said yes.)

So whenever I mention it, I say something like “a share of the prize” or “as a member of the newspaper.” I try never to imply that I was the sole winner.

Criticizing the Event

So the event isn’t going the way you think it should be run. You don’t like where your table was placed. You don’t like your neighbor. And where are the book buyers? And why aren’t they buying your books?

The time to complain is not at the event. Save it for later, in the ride home, to your spouse. Or if you must, to your fellow friendly writers away from the event. There’s it comes off as the usual kvetching.

But don’t do it at the event. You never know who might overhear you, and there’s a good chance it’ll get back to the organizers.

So What If I Get Caught Out?

Now for some people, getting a bad reputation doesn’t faze them. They have a rhino hide impervious to the slings and arrows from the little people.

So if that doesn’t faze you, how about these four consequences?

1. Not being invited back: If there are more authors applying than author slots, dumping you is an easy decision.

2. Not being invited to headline: If you want to build your readership, this is especially crippling. Headlining gives you credibility. It exposes you to readers who are interested in the next big thing.

3. Not being invited to bookstore events: If any of the event’s organizers run a bookstore, you can forget hearing from them about a booksigning. Even if you’re selling a fair amount of books, they don’t need to overlook your toxic behavior for the sales. Running a bookstore is hard work without the added stress you bring.

4. Not being handsold: Sure, they’ll still carry your books, but will they recommend your books over someone else who writes just as well in the same genre? This has happened to one best-selling author, a name you’ll recognize. Without going into details, his high-handed behavior annoyed one bookstore owner so much that he no longer handsells him. Without realizing it, the author lost several hundred sales a year and possibly more to those newly created fans.

A successful author career is built out of a combination of good writing, good marketing, creating an attractive author persona, and good luck. With all that, why make it harder on yourself with your behavior?