Some of you may know that I went to a book signing this weekend. It was my first. It was held at a local Waldenbooks (Borders). The folks who worked there made me feel very welcome! My kids and husband went along with me, which was awesome. They hung out in the mall while I sat and waited for folks to come along and take a gander at my book. My parents even showed up. How cool is that? My mother-in-law and my niece came as well. I had lots of support and I feel so blessed to have had so many people backing me. Afterwards I took them all to The Olive Garden for lunch as a thank you.
I'm a major introvert, so sitting at a table alone, trying to get people to come over and check out my book and bookmarks was easily the most difficult thing I've ever done. I'd gladly walk over hot coals if it meant avoiding that type of thing.
The good news is, I did manage to attract a few readers, sold a few books, handed out lots of bookmarks, and got a little bit of experience under my belt. I know what I'd do different next time. I gathered lots of mental notes, trust me! LOL The bad news is, I recieved several frowns from customers who happened to look at my smokin' hot Seduce Me cover. Wait, let me explain. It wasn't frowns so much as actual disapproving looks. Nose in the air, tugging their child close, as if to keep them away from the 'riff-raff'. This, I'm learning, is all par for the course in the life of an erotic romance author.
Here's the thing, I don't judge people based on what they read. If you don't read erotic romance that's okay. Truly! I get that. I had a few readers smile, said they didn't read romance, but wished me luck on the signing anyway. They were kind and nonjudgmental. I appreciate that attitude more today than ever!
Of course, this isn't the first time I've gotten dirty, rude looks. It's not the first time parents tugged their child away from the 'freak'. Growing up with skin graphing scars has taught me how to smile through the pain. No one can smile through the pain quite like I can! No one can pretend it doesn't hurt quite like me. I'll never breakdown in public. I'll never let them see how much they can hurt me. Instead, I grin and focus on the nice people. The ones who wished me luck, took the time to say hi and made me feel welcome, rather than unwanted.
In other, happier, news...Taking Chloe, the 3rd in my Vaughn series releases tomorrow at Samhain. Yay! Here's a bit about it!
“Taking Chloe” by Anne Rainey
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60504-575-7
Length: Novella
Price: 3.50
Publication Date: June 2, 2009
Cover art by Scott Carpenter
The only way to keep what he has…is to surrender everything.
The Vaughn Series, Book 3
Merrick Vaughn couldn’t be happier with his life. His business is jumping and his marriage to the love of his life is about as good as it gets. At least, that’s what he thinks…until Chloe announces she wants to separate.
Stunned doesn’t begin to cover it, but it quickly becomes clear that she’s dead serious. And if he doesn’t take action, as in now, he’s going to lose the only woman he’s ever loved.
The last thing Chloe wants is a divorce, but she can’t go on living with a virtual stranger who spends all his time—and hers—behind a desk. It’s tearing her apart, and taking a break to sort out her thoughts seems her only recourse.
Then Merrick offers a wicked proposition: go to Hawaii with him for one week’s vacation. After that, if he hasn’t successfully changed her mind, he’ll let her go. No questions asked. There’s only one caveat. She must agree to give him complete control.
Chloe’s intrigued and scared. One week in paradise might bring them closer—or be their ultimate undoing.
Warning: This story contains graphic language, a touch of voyeurism, anal sex, and husband-and-wife lovin’ in lots of sinful positions. Have your significant other handy!
26 comments:
I forgot your signing was this weekend! I'm glad you made some sales and gave out some of your bookmarks.
Yeah, I get the snob looks and talking down about romance or erotic romance all the time. It's crazy and gets old after a while but there isn't much we can do about close-minded people. They aren't worth our time. We give people escapism...HOT escapism and HEA's. Nothing wrong with that.
Congrats again!
Believe me, you are in very good company. You are not the first to experience the snob factor, nor the last. I've blogged on this subject myself, more than once because as you've seen, the best course of action is to smile through it, then vent on the blog later. You will never change their minds, they are too stubborn and ignorant to be changed. The best revenge for me was the week after a literary snob at the NY Independent Publishers Book Fair told me she didn't read romance, she was a literate, I went to a cocktail reception for the poet laureate of the US who was absolutely fascinated by the fact I wrote romance, took my card, and pulled over the other featured poet to introduce me.
But still, I will always have a love/hate relationship with this industry because of the snob factor. Sad but true.
Cat Johnson
Hey, Anne! If you got a few strangers to buy your books then you did GREAT! Everyone I talk to says most book signings are hard and most of the books you sell are to people you know. So true! And yeah, you'll always get the scandalized looks. You should do a group signing. Those kick butt and bring in more readers.
Congrats on your first signing!!
Anne! I admire you so much. I did my first signing in April, it is a bit daunting to say the least. I am so happy that you were able to smile, you are so beautiful and people sometimes can be so hurtful!
Faith
NOW you know why I never do book signings! Instead, I make contact with my readers through my newsletter and we set up a time/place/bookstore where we can get together and just chat. Seeing an author talking with other women tends to draw people in, and I always end up with a small crowd of very positive people who are genuinely interested in my books. When you weigh the value of your time against the negatives of sitting and feeling like the red-headed stepchild, a signing like you mentioned is a waste of time and it's not fair to you. I'm sorry you had a negative experience, but it's unfortunately more the norm, from what I've discovered. The few really good signings just don't outweigh the sense of discouragement that one pissy person dragging their child away as if you're unclean can leave you with! They're not snobs, they're just plain rude!
Kelley--Yeah, I'm hoping at the very least folks will google me and maybe see something they like. Never can tell!
Cat--is it wrong to be glad that I'm not the only one? I had this strange feeling this weekend after the signing, like it was all me. Like I somehow deserved the attitude thrust at me...
Shelli--I definitely want to do a group signing. I can see the potential in that! :)
Faith--I'm so glad to see you over here! :)
The worst part was that my daughters had to see the attitudes of some of these people. It makes them feel they have to protect me. But, like we mothers tend to do, I just try and provide them with a good example. Kids look to their parents as their role models. Smiling and letting it slide right off my back makes an impression on them.
Kate--I love this idea! Very wise!!I also noticed on Erin McCarthy's website that all her signings in 2009 are at events, not individual signings. Yet another wise lady!
Congrats on the book signing - and go you for not letting the closed-minded snobs get you down!
Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com
Congrats on your first solo signing! Don't let the closeminded people get you down. Butt heads.
You'll feel the love from 300 of us at Lori's on Friday and Saturday!
:D
Valerie
I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've pretty much experienced the same thing just saying I write romance. And one time I joined some self-published authors who were selling their books at a local fair. I was trying to push my e-book which was also coming out in print in another month. One lady told me that if I would only try harder I could have a 'real publisher' just like them (she indicated the self-pubbed authors at the table with me) Sometimes you just have to let the comments and attitudes go.
Their attitudes and behaviors indicate more about them and their fears than about you and what you write! I only do book signings at my local Borders where I sell most of my books to my friends, acquaintances, co-workers, etc. I'm usually having too good a time talking with them to notice any looks that might be directed my way. Last book signing I did, I got an honest-to-goodness fan! We had a great chat and she bought three books. Book signings are tough - congrats for making it through.
Elle--Thanks! And as they say, 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!'Valerie--I SOOOO can't wait for the get together! I'm really looking forward to kicking my heels up! :)
Kathy--Amazing how rude people can be, huh? I'm nearly 42 and it still just boggles my mind.
Carol--Thanks, Carol. The ones who did buy Seduce Me were ultra friendly and I'm excited to have (hopefully) gained a few lifelong readers out of them!
Anne,
I've experienced the snob factor and I'm not even published yet! Some people will smile condescendingly, as if I were wasting my time, when they hear that I write (or even read) romance. They, of course, are planning to write something much more important--like political articles etc.
I agree with Carol's first sentence about them revealing their fears. Congratulations on your success---smiling through it, distributing your information, and even selling a few books. That's really sweet that you took your family out too. The great thing is that you know they'd have been there for you whether you took them out or not.
Thanks for sharing your pain with us as well as your success. For those like me who have yet to undergo this Rite of Initiation, this knowledge is very helpful---sort of like arming yourself first!
Julie
Oh, meant to say when I first read your article, Metallica's "Holier than Thou" was running through my head. Sheesh, those kind of people just bug me. I'm mad for you!
Think I need to go listen to it now.
Julie
I've done a couple of signings and by far, the most fun was a multi author thing. I've never made money at a booksigning but I think it's all about getting your name out there a little bit more than anything. Personally, I don't like doing them. They make me very uncomfortable and YES, I know what you mean about those snobby people who turn their noses up.
Gosh that's why I dread doing something like a book signing. Good on you for giving it a go and smiling in the face of the snobs!
The snobs need to see their shrinks more often. Really.
My son Adrian is 12. He knows I read 'adult' books but he's never been told any of it is bad. He would laugh if anyone tried to tell him I was bad for reading it, either that or deck them.
I'm working hard for on him learning that people have a right to be who they are. I feel sorry for the kids of the sobs and only hope they see past their parent's prejudices sooner rather than later.
I admire the fact that you did a booksigning. I've never done one.
The fact that you had a few people look down on you shouldn't overshadow the accomplishment itself. You did great. You met some folks and sold some books. I'd say it was a success!
Julie--Great idea about arming yourself first. I went into this thinking it would go well. I never imagined I'd get dirty looks. No one ever talks about the downside to book signings.
Regina--Yeah, I'm looking foward to doing a group signing. Not sure I'll ever fly solo again.
Sami Lee--I think group signings are more successful. Go with a group, that way you have backup, as it were. LOL
Connie--The funny thing is, my kids and their friends are TOTALLY supportive. I love the younger generation, they're much less judgemental!!
N. J.--Thanks a bunch. I figure the first is the hardest. It's bound to be easier next time, right? :)
I so wished I was near by and would of been at your signing! (I'll behave :D Congrats on your release Anne!
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