Episode #277 Connecting Beyond the Page

[Janet]

Catching up on some podcasts I missed and wanted to comment on author events. I love author events and would go to more if it was done differently. Both of the independent bookstores in my area require you to buy the book in order to be guaranteed a seat for the event. This seems backwards to me. The reason I want to hear the author speak is so I can decide whether I want to read their book or not. Also I'd like to attend more author events than I have money to buy books. Anybody else experience this?

[Linda]

Janet wrote: "Catching up on some podcasts I missed and wanted to comment on author events. I love author events and would go to more if it was done differently. Both of the independent bookstores in my area re..."

Books & Co. in Beavercreek (Dayton area) requires a receipt showing the book was purchased there. Usually this wouldn't seem a problem, and I understand why they are doing it, but it was just announced on Thursday that Hillary Rodham Clinton will be there next Friday. What if you bought the book there before the tour was announced. Had I bought the book, my receipt would have been in recycling either right after I got home or as soon as my checking account balanced.

[Pamela]

I see your issues, but I also see things from the bookstore's perspective. They are small businesses struggling to survive and if they don't require customers to buy something, they can't afford to keep bringing in authors. Maybe you could suggest to your bookstores that as long as you make a minimum purchase ($20 or $25 might be fair), then you can have a seat and/or get your book signed, even if you didn't buy it there.

[[deleted user]]

At the bookstores where I've attended events they generally only require purchase of the book if you want to have it signed; I think that is fair.

[Janet]

I agree with both your suggestions Pamela and Suzanne...both those make much more sense to me. I understand that most indies have limited space and there is an element of society that sucks up anything free. It just seems to me that requiring purchase of that particular book, the indies are kind of shooting themselves in the foot, and doing a disservice to both the author and the publishing industry by keeping otherwise interested readers away. I'd like it if Ann and/or Michael would weigh in on this. I wonder if they ever discuss bookstore policies with the owners or if that is considered none of their business.

[Tracey]

My experience has been that for most author events I've been to the bookstores don't require you to buy the book to hear the author speak but you need to buy the book at that store if you want it signed. The other scenario I think is more common is if the author is a big name and space is limited or the author has agreed to only sign a certain number of books (it's usually a huge number and they are usually gracious enough that they will stay later than planned).

I love going to author events as well but can't always afford to buy the hardcopy of the book so it can be a bit disappointing if that's a requirement to even get into the event.

[Janet]

I went to a huge talk with Brandon Sanderson at a will not be named chain bookstore last year and was able to attend the talk no questions asked and waited in line with my husband to get his book signed. He had the same issue as the Clinton book though - he had already bought his copy to have it on the release date, then we found out the author was coming into town. He bought a nice hardcover of a different book he enjoyed and the bookstore allowed you to bring 2 additional books to sign not from the store.

I have heard so many author stories of poorly attended book events that it surprises me to hear they are driving out interested potential customers. If it's a book store you normally patron, I would probably just explain my situation to the store owner, maybe buy something else on good faith, or call the day of and see if there are any cancellations or open seats.

[Linda]

About 10 years ago, before the impact of Amazon, I went to a book signing of Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. I swear the women who attended the signing cleared off their bookshelves. Women had tote bags full of books written by these two. The talk started at 8 p.m. and it was almost 11 p.m. before my friend and I had our measly 3 books signed (I was sending one to a friend). I could not believe the audacity of the attendees, but decided that The Clarks were the epitome of grace for they legibly signed and smiled all the books presented.

[Esther]

In my experience as a librarian I know that even small author events cost more and take up more time than you would imagine.
If space is limited then a small bookshop has to find the balance between good publicity and not having the space too crowded for comfort.
Also from the other point of view as a regular customer I get annoyed being pushed out by new comers who grab at anything free.
The best idea I have encountered is charging a small fee for tickets which are in fact vouchers that can be redeemed against future purchases.

[Janet]

Esther,
That is an excellent idea....that way you're not strong-armed into buying something you don't want but at the same time, those looking for free events are discouraged from overwhelming the house.
We have the same issue at the Tucson Festival of Books...I really do wish they would charge a small admission fee as the author panels are so heavily attended and you have to wait in some really disheartening lines with no guarantee you'll get in.