What I have learned about being a writer and a human being is this: you have to show up.
This is the second day of my book tour for “Talking To Animals: How We Can Understand Them And They Can Understand Us.” So far, the sales figures are promising, my publisher thinks there’s a good chance we’ll go to a second printing soon. (Today, on Amazon, I bumped “Secrets Of A Pet Nanny” out of No. 1 and into the No. 2 slot in the Animals and Pet Care category. It’s every man for himself out there.)
The only indication of sales I have is the Amazon sales ranking, and the book is moving down the list a bit, it was around 15,000 this morning, it started out at 250,000. If this book really works, it will mostly be on word of mouth, there is no big publicity hit to move it, Donald Trump is the only thing filling the air waves and Internet these days.
And publishers don’t do much promotion any longer.
So we’ll have to wait and see.
I guess I touched some nerves and hearts when I wrote last night about my first reading, about seven people showed up in my hometown. People don’t need to feel sorry for me, I certainly don’t feel sorry for myself. I have been fortunate in my writing life, five New York Times bestsellers and 25 books. More than I dared to dream about when I was a kid.
And there are all kinds of reasons why people do or don’t come out at night. Some of them even have to do with me.
Readings should not be a guilt trip, or a sign of loyalty and fealty. Or of success and failure. There are more readings to come, and we’ll see what happens. As I wrote, I feel this is much bigger than m. Readings are part of a social culture that appears to be dying out, pushed aside by the Internet and social media.
Every since TV arrived in mass, Americans have been spending more and more time with screens, less time with people. And that was before the Internet and Facebook.
That is where people are spending their time at night.
Hometown readings always have a special cache to them. I’ve opened my book tours at Battenkill Books for nearly 15 years. I usually show up a couple of minutes before the event, (I don’t like to hang around and chit-chat before talks, it is distracting.) I come in the back, usually behind a dog or two. I let the dogs loose and follow them in, they love to in and greet everyone.
(Maria wrote a beautiful piece about the reading last night, it teared me up a bit.)
My dogs have always understood book readings, they come tearing into the bookstore, and as I enter, I hear the oohs and aaaahs of people greeting Lenore or Izzy or Rose or Red, and yesterday, even the rambunctious Fate. Once, I even brought Frieda there, she was calm and regal and dared anyone to touch her.
Every time I have ever been at the Battenkill, Connie had to bring out extra chairs to handle the crowds. She always has a big stack of books ready to sign. Every reading was always SRO, it was always a nice lift to book tours, which can be unpredictable and unnerving.
Last night, I didn’t hear the “oohs” and “aaaahs,” I didn’t hear much of anything. I did see the look on Maria’s face and Connie Brooks face, it was almost reading time and there were only four or five people in the store. I feel strongly about being a professional, you always have to show up, even if you are looking in the mirror.
I saw that Maria looked concerned, but then she relaxed. I greeted the people who came, and looked at Connie, and winked, and the show went on. I am nothing but lucky to be working on behalf of my 25th book, another due out next year. I thank the Gods for that, and for sharing the experience with someone I love so much.
I’m used to this, I’m on my 25th book tour, the worst part of small crowds is that everyone feels sorry for me. I don’t.
There was an awful storm the day before, and I also know that Americans are drifting away from public gatherings, they are home, watching TV or trawling on Facebook and Twitter. Readings are part of a changing culture, and I am not into being an old fart, I am changing with it. I started my blog ten years ago, and it is the main source of my inspiration and creation.
One or two more people drifted in, and we had a good time. It was intimate, easy and comfortable. I got to work out a few kinks in my talk.
Books are important to me, but they are now, due both to necessity and choice, a part of what I do, not the only thing I do.
Books are not dying, they live on, and even prosper. The same is true of independent bookstores. It isn’t black and white, it isn’t all one thing or the other. People can love books and buy books and read books they don’t have to come out and sit and listen to the writer talk. Since I post on my blog every day, usually more than once, people get to read me every day. It isn’t that big a deal any longer.
A number of close friends had vowed to be there, but only one friend showed up. Several were apologetic this morning, but honestly, that is not necessary, any more than pity. I would never want anyone to come and see me at a reading who didn’t want to be there.
Friendship and family are not about obligations to me, but choice. People do what they want to do and need to do.
I think book tours are important, and I think meeting my readers face-to-face is important. One day soon, there will be no readings, just video conferences on social media. I will be there, too. Meanwhile, I will show up for my book tour, and am lucky to have one.
I used to be a big shot, good riddance to that. I sometimes daydream about it, but I don’t miss it. i have never been so happy or engaged. This is my time.
The next reading will be a library association in Connecticut, people have no choice but to come and listen to me. Then, this coming Saturday I will be at the Chatham, N.Y., Public Library at 3:30 p.m. Margaret Greer organizes wonderful readings there. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were two people there, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were 100. Life is full of crisis and mystery.
Either way, I will show up.
And oh yes, I almost forget. You can order my book right here from Battenkill Books and I will sign and personalize it and you will get a free and classy tote-bag. They take Paypal and credit cards
(This afternoon, I will be on Northeast Public Radio (wamc.org) out of Albany from 2 to 3. The broadcast will be streamed live. Come and listen if you wish, or call in.)