"How's the book doing?"

[C.M.]

People ask me this all the time!

What do they mean, are they asking about ratings, do people like it, what? They never seem satisfied with my answer, maybe they are waiting for me to say, "best seller list baby!", who knows

How many of you have been asked this question and how do you answer it?

[Joe]

I have a real life freinemy who has never actually read my novel, but likes to ask me this same question every time I talk to him. He's extremely competitive about life in general, and I know he knows the answer to his question as he gets a bit smug when I tell him I've yet to reach my personal goals....

I'm also interested to hear how others respond to this question.

[Robin]

Ah, completely understand the pains of a competitive friend. Usually when people ask this question I give a very generalized answer of, "It's doing well!" And if they inquire after that, which means they actually want to know how it's really doing, I'll give more personal details. I just self published my first novel and now this question is a bit more loaded, since people usually are asking about sales. I choose to go the general route until someone earns the right to learn the more detailed bits.

[L.S.]

People don't seem to realise that not selling a lot is the norm. Breaking out and becoming rich is the exception. I tend to say things like, 'it takes a while for a book to break out,' and leave it at that.

[Charles]

"It's doing better than it should be."

:D

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

I don't get asked that all that often. My wife will ask from time to time how things are going and I just tell her. She's pretty realistic about it and understands that it can take a really long time to make it doing this, if it ever happens.

I do have a coworker who likes to tell everyone I write, then he talks as if I'm already famous and rich. He tells people I'm going to have a plaque put up over the booth at the local coffee shop where I do a good portion of my writing. He's a cool guy and when it's just the two of us working, I will tell him how it's really going.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

S.J. wrote: "I get asked that question all the time, and when I reply with, "It's not selling but thanks for asking," all I get is blinking and then, "Oh well, you tried." This makes me smile."

I'm glad it makes you smile, but their response is a bit in error. You're trying. Present tense. Tried indicates you're done.

[Rachael]

Friends and colleagues ask me occasionally; I answer with a shrug. Of course I'd love to be famous and rich but that's unlikely even if you're traditionally published.

My grandad tells anyone who will listen that I'm a writer and encourages them to buy my books. I don't know if they're necessarily my target demographic but hey, free advertising!

[Joe]

Excellent answer Charles. Think I'll add that to my rotation.

[Charles]

Dwayne wrote: "I don't get asked that all that often. My wife will ask from time to time how things are going and I just tell her. She's pretty realistic about it and understands that it can take a really long ti..."

Nice wingman.

[T.L.]

For those of of you with the annoying uber competitive types, I'd recommend setting my personal goal low (sell 1 per year), then you can honestly tell the smug gits "yeah, it's going great. I've smashed my personal goals! How's your life?" :-O

I get asked this question, but generally go with, "sales are still low at the moment, but I'm not EL James."

[A.J.]

Most people ask out of real interest, either because they liked the book, or just wonder how things in the (self)publishing world are going. I inform them about the thousands of books released each months (not to mention the gazillion scammers) and the norm of only selling a few books per year/month/week depending on what genre it is and how lucky you are to get in front of the right people at the right time.

Still the road itself is also interested to talk about. About the challenges and the dynamics of the market. All the stuff amazon is trying to do (and fail or succeed at). :)

All good and in the mean time just keep my head down and write my next book in the series. :)

[Owen]

I don't think I've ever been asked that. That probably says something about my lack of a social life.

[[deleted user]]

Owen wrote: "I don't think I've ever been asked that. That probably says something about my lack of a social life."

lol--same for me.

[Martin]

I get the question. I usually answer, "It amazes me how awesome it's doing. Great sales, great reviews. My next novel is being released soon!" sometimes I add this, "When are you going to write a novel?"

[Mark]

Yep, this is a very difficult question to answer.

I always try and twist the conversation towards an indirect way of asking: 'Have you bought it yet?'

[Missy]

Wow.. I need to not visit the boards until I've had coffee.. I accidentally deleted someone's post in this thread. I don't know who it was. I'm sorry about that! I was trying to delete my own because I quoted the wrong person. If your post was deleted, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm just a bad mod when I haven't had coffee.. Sorry!

[Missy]

Owen wrote: "I don't think I've ever been asked that. That probably says something about my lack of a social life."

This. LOL!

But if I was asked, I'd probably take it to mean that the person asking has an interest in my work and is trying to open up conversation about it. I'd probably tell them about my reviews, and about the next book I'm working on. I think it's a friendly question. If it's meant sarcastically, then you don't need to be talking to that person, anyway!

[Safa]

no one asked me, because no one knows that I'm writting a book.

[Wally]

My in laws always ask. And they offer to help in any way.
Some even buy. I doubt they read, but it's nice of them.
Just keep going on.

[Joe]

My friends usually ask to keep up on how things are going. Sometimes I tell them, "Don't worry, if I strike it rich, you'll know"!

[Jasper]

My book has attained immortality thank you and my next book is rushing hard to be at its side.

[April]

I get this question a lot, mostly from people at work who really are genuinely interested. I appreciate them asking, because I love to talk about writing and publishing. I tell them, "It's going really well" and leave it at that, unless they ask more questions and are interested in knowing more.

Pretty much everyone I know personally where I work knows I published my first book nine months ago. They know the second book comes out March 28th. A lot of them have actually read the first book and/or bought it. I keep paperback copies in my office to lend out to folks who don't do e-books. Fortunately, everyone's very supportive and rooting for me at work. They ask me when I'm going to quit my day job - LOL.

[Charles]

I have a couple of friends that like the genre I've written in, and have spoken loudly and often about writing their own book someday...however, now that I have published two, I get the cold shoulder from them, and I take that a bit personally.

[Christina]

My reply is usually "Which one?" ;p

In all honestly, I don't get asked that question often because people know me well enough to know that talking about book sales is the same as asking, "So what was your paycheck last week?"

Admittedly, I've had coworkers in the past who didn't understand why that was in inappropriate question as well.

[Ben]

I get it a lot from friends and family. I honestly don't know exactly what they mean either. I just give a noncommittal nod and say "pretty good". For me, I don't think they really want to get into it anyway. It's small talk, and I'm not a fan of small talk so I try to push past it as quickly as possible.

[C.M.]

Love the myriad of responses!

I have added a few sarcastic responses to my repertoire, and gained perspective. Based on the answers and the types of people who ask me, I'd say all of the above applies in my world.

When asked I shall respond appropriately depending on if they are being supportive, competitive or conversational:

"Better than it should be"

"Amazing! Give me a high five."

"It's making progress."

"Hug me."

Oh, uh...

Seriously. Thanks!

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

We thought it was doing well... the colour on the cover had been improving steadily all day... but... I am afraid last night... *holds back tears* that... we realized... in the middle of the night... that... it... that it... it... squeak... *Eyes tell everything that needs to be told*

*The entire waiting room explodes into blubbering tears*

"But it was so young!"
"Oh, the humanity!"
"I just read a page... yesterday... at lunch."

Okay being serious now... uh... hmm... I actually had a real thing to come and say, but I have completely forgot what my original point was.

[G.G.]

C.B. wrote: "We thought it was doing well... the colour on the cover had been improving steadily all day... but... I am afraid last night... *holds back tears* that... we realized... in the middle of the night...."

ROFL! Love that!
We have another Jester, don't we? Now I can see the masculine version of Ann, the Jester, with an elf head lol

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

G.G. wrote: "ROFL! Love that!
We have another Jester, don't we? Now I can see the masculine version of Ann, the Jester, with an elf head lol "

Someone has to fight against the stuffy Lord of the Ring Elf stereotypes!

[S.J.]

C.B. wrote: "We thought it was doing well... the colour on the cover had been improving steadily all day... but... I am afraid last night... *holds back tears* that... we realized... in the middle of the night...."

LMAO. The funniest thing I've read in a while.

[Joe]

'how's your book doing?'
'it died'

That's funny stuff, C.B.

[Christina]

Oh my gawd, CB! This could be a terrible and wonderful marketing campaign. Every day, post the cover of your book. Fade the colors and then adjust the vibrancy based on the number of likes you get.

#PrayforElfbutt

[Noah]

I don't really get that question. The question I get the most right off the bat is:

"So how much money have you made so far?"

For some reason, all my family and all my friends think that success is defined by the money you rake in for your book. I believe it's more about the reviews you receive that help catapult success. If you don't have anyone talking about your novel, you're dead in the water.

Like me! I'm actually a ghost right now. I died from having no reviews and no sales. Feel sorry for me. Buy a violin and play it.

[Justin]

Yes!! It depends on my mood. Sometimes I'll simply say "it's doing alright" or I'll go over every waking detail with how many I've sold, the reviews, ratings, what I'm doing for it currently, etc. No one rolls their eyes so their asking and wonder is legit lol.

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

The jokes are already writing themselves Christina!

[Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger)]

My sincerest condolences C.B. May I please refer you to the "I Need A Hug," thread.

{Hugs C.B. and gently pats shoulder} Sue

[Lisa]

I was actually surprised at the number of people who outright just asked me how much money I had made from the book so far. My responses varied from "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" to "Well, I'm no EL James/JK Rowling (depending on the person asking or the book they were asking about, lol)....yet" I guess publishing a book is more like having a baby than I thought. People seem to think they can ask the most inappropriate, personal questions about both.

[Ian]

My goal, when I set out, was to see if I could write a novel. Done that, so I'm already well ahead in the game. If anyone actually chooses to read it, well, that's a bonus :)

[Teagan]

Glad to see these replies. When I get asked, it's in the same tone as asking what the weather's like, and eyes have been known to glaze over if I start to talk about my WIP. I have to say, I've gotten used to it, and generally nod in an agreeable way, because at least they've remembered I write!

[Noah]

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I'm hanging out with a friend at some restaurant and they say that I'm not "talking like I did in the book" with a straight face. I mean, seriously. I've gotten that multiple times. So you know what I like to do with that?

I begin to speak in a disgustingly eloquent kind of way constantly...regardless of how mundane the situation at hand is, it doesn't matter. I love to go full-on professor mode.

When they finally get annoyed by what I'm doing, I then point out that writers don't have to "talk like their book" all the time. They can be NORMAL PEOPLE, too.

It is absolutely ridiculous what we have to deal with on a daily basis.

[Kathi]

I get the eye glaze too, because I always assume they really want to know about my WIP so I perk right up and think "ahh, fresh meat!" and immediately launch right into the whole thing. About five minutes in, their expression resembles someone pulling a shade down over a window. But I never let that deter me, I just ask more questions to keep them awake, "do you like the name Tonna, or Tara better for my MC?" "I was thinking of creating an alternate universe for the setting, do you think I should go with sci-fi or old world?" "I was thinking of starting the story in past tense first person, and switching to present tense third person, how do you feel about that?"
You know, because dammit, they asked. :)

[Luciana]

My first books were a trilogy. Horror, paranormal, romance. I've become famous in my neighborhood ;) nothing else. And now I'm writing a teen/Y/A mystery series. Nothing to do with nothing if compared to the first ones. Guess the last comment I received. "Is it really yours?" What can you do with that? I make mine Noah's comment : "It is absolutely ridiculous what we have to deal with on a daily basis. "
Team Noah!

[K.P.]

I get asked instead about how my video games are doing (I'm a coder monkey for a video game company now yay). my goofy friends rather play stories on the screen not read them #^_^

[Hákon]

I get some comments about my books, but I think I've never been asked how they are doing.

[T.R.]

I don't think I've ever been asked this either. I might bring it up to friends and family how I'm doing, or ramble in my blog about my status on an in-progress work, but people don't really come up to me asking what my book is up to.

[Owen]

C.B. wrote: "We thought it was doing well... the colour on the cover had been improving steadily all day... but... I am afraid last night... *holds back tears* that... we realized... in the middle of the night...."

Genius! Pure genius!

[C.M.]

C.B. wrote: "We thought it was doing well... the colour on the cover had been improving steadily all day... but... I am afraid last night... *holds back tears* that... we realized... in the middle of the night...."


lol

[Tyler]

This thread makes me want to try some reverse psychology on people. I think I'm gonna go up to one of my friends and ask, "Hey, how's my book doing?" or just "How's my book?" I wonder if that will bring interest to it or convince them to read it.

[Christina]

Oh! Nice idea Tyler! I think I'll try the blank look and saying something like, 'book? What book? What on Earth are you on about?' I wonder how long I could keep a straight face. ;D