Graciousness Doesn't Cost
The epitome of humanity is to be gracious and kind. My mother taught me this, more years ago than I care to divulge. As an author, one who loves to read in public and share stories about the work, I meet many people.
I had the opportunity to go to a reading and hear one of my favourite authors. It was more than ten years ago, now. I owned every book she ever wrote, mostly in hard cover, and salivated at the thought of an upcoming release. She was coming to my community and we were lucky enough to purchase tickets. We were told there would be a signing / reception and were encouraged to bring books. My husband was afraid I would lug every book she ever wrote into the reception, for her to sign. I resisted, taking the first book, the last book, and my favourite book.
The reading was fabulous. She is so very funny, hauntingly insightful, and she possessed a very dry wit. The event filled me with excitement. I purchased her next book the minute the reading was over.
At the huge reception, sponsored by a local group who worked for days prior to make it perfect, the author made eye-contact with no one. She spoke with only her spouse and the organizer. When she finally decided to sit at the table provided to sign books, there was a long line. I had waited for thirty minutes. She took each book, scrawled her name, and handed them to me without glancing up. My experience was over.
At the time, I was toying with the idea of writing a book. I made up my mind that no matter what, I would look each reader in the eye - even the ones who didn't buy, but stopped to tell me how much they liked the book they borrowed from a friend.
I recently did a reading where I was approached afterward, albeit cautiously, by a reader clutching a book I wrote many years ago. She asked if she could sit beside me and we talked about writing. I asked if she wanted me to sign her book. She said 'yes', if it was alright. I can only hope I gave this reader more than was given to me so many years ago.
I'll never be as famous as that particular author, but I know my readers will have a better experience whenever they take time out of their busy lives to listen to me read and meet me in person. I will always strive to be gracious and kind.
I had the opportunity to go to a reading and hear one of my favourite authors. It was more than ten years ago, now. I owned every book she ever wrote, mostly in hard cover, and salivated at the thought of an upcoming release. She was coming to my community and we were lucky enough to purchase tickets. We were told there would be a signing / reception and were encouraged to bring books. My husband was afraid I would lug every book she ever wrote into the reception, for her to sign. I resisted, taking the first book, the last book, and my favourite book.
The reading was fabulous. She is so very funny, hauntingly insightful, and she possessed a very dry wit. The event filled me with excitement. I purchased her next book the minute the reading was over.
At the huge reception, sponsored by a local group who worked for days prior to make it perfect, the author made eye-contact with no one. She spoke with only her spouse and the organizer. When she finally decided to sit at the table provided to sign books, there was a long line. I had waited for thirty minutes. She took each book, scrawled her name, and handed them to me without glancing up. My experience was over.
At the time, I was toying with the idea of writing a book. I made up my mind that no matter what, I would look each reader in the eye - even the ones who didn't buy, but stopped to tell me how much they liked the book they borrowed from a friend.
I recently did a reading where I was approached afterward, albeit cautiously, by a reader clutching a book I wrote many years ago. She asked if she could sit beside me and we talked about writing. I asked if she wanted me to sign her book. She said 'yes', if it was alright. I can only hope I gave this reader more than was given to me so many years ago.
I'll never be as famous as that particular author, but I know my readers will have a better experience whenever they take time out of their busy lives to listen to me read and meet me in person. I will always strive to be gracious and kind.
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