How to meet an author

If you are going to a book signing or a conference where you will meet authors, here are some tips for how to do it well:

1. Always begin with, “Hi. I’m Name Name.” Never EVER assume that an author will remember you, even if you’ve met several times before. I’m sorry to admit this, but for years I was great about remembering names and faces, and I can’t do it anymore. I meet so many people, it’s impossible to keep track of them all and I am so embarrassed about it. If you pity me at all, just reintroduce yourself and if you’re really kind, give me a heads up about where we’ve met before.

2. “I am a huge fan of yours. I think I’ve read everything you’ve ever written.” If this is true, feel free to say it. Authors never tire of hearing this kind of thing. I promise.

3. “I follow you on twitter/facebook/tumblr/lj and I really love what you have to say there about x.” This gives a context for your acquaintanceship. Sometimes it’s useful for authors to know that you’ve already heard what they have to say on line so they don’t repeat stuff. Also, it’s really helpful to know that the author hasn’t met you before, so they don’t feel weird.

4. “I loved your book x.” It’s always appropriate to start here. If you haven’t read the book, though, don’t say this. The author might ask you a follow up.

5. Instead say “I really appreciated your panel/presentation.” You can add possibly, “I’m excited to read your book.”

6. You can even say, “If I am starting to read your books, could you recommend which would be the best to begin with?” This allows you to open up a conversation while still maintaining enough distance so that the author doesn’t think that you already know anything.
A few other tips:

1. Feel free to chat with an author for 2-3 minutes after a panel or presentation. After that, let the author go. The author may be like me and desperately in need of a break after a stressful social event. Or the author may actually have to get to something else.

2. Bathrooms are neutral space. Don’t strike up a conversation with an author you see there. Pretend you have no idea who they are until the bathroom door is closed.

3. At a signing, limit your conversation to 1 minute or less if there is a line behind you. Keep looking back to check, just to be sure. If the line disappears later, you can come back.

4. Emailing an author after you have met is fine, but don’t necessarily expect they will be able to respond. Also give a few helpful hints about who you were/what you look like.

5. Don’t ask an author to read your manuscript. You can talk about it and if the author is willing, the author will offer (but this will only very, very rarely happen and even then it is unlikely the author will get to it). You can ask the author if they ever do manuscript critiques for a fee (which I do, by the way: mette@metteivieharrion.com $1 per page). But time is money here.