Writers as Entertainers - Mutually exclusive?

[Julie Lomoe]

As writers, we need to entertain and engage our readers - but what about our in-person appearances at conferences, panels and signings? My query about who's going to Bouchercon has drawn quite a few replies, and there's been a good discussion about the purpose of the conference, and the fact that selling books shouldn't be the main goal.

People advise us to be "entertaining" - funny and interesting, but not overly focused on self-promotion - at these events. But what if we don't come across as instantly fascinating in person? I consider myself an introvert, although I can rise to the occasion and project an extroverted image when I psych myself up sufficiently. I can even get a fair number of laughs. It takes a toll, though. Some successful writers divide their time between months (or years) of writing and months of touring and promoting - it's hard to switch gears in the same day or even the same week or month.

Sad to think that writers have to hone their skills as stand-up comedians or entertainers. It reminds me of the way pop music has evolved. Since the advent of MTV, successful rockers have to be gorgeous, skinny and sexy - it's not enough to produce wonderful music. I long for the days of Janis Joplin (my generation - I once danced next to her at a party at Robert Rauschenberg's loft on the Bowery.)

[Julie Lomoe]

Excellent reply, Dan - though a bit scary. Another alternative is to show up and concentrate on getting as much as you can out of it by focusing on the panels and the people you meet rather than on ego. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Sandra Ruttan]

There's a publisher & editor I know who's actually told their authors that if they aren't good with public appearances, they're better off not doing them.

Most authors are introverts by nature. We live in our heads. I find it both baffling and amusing that the champions of sell-sell-sell talk about 101 ways to stick your book in someone's face and talk about yourself, but never talk about taking a public speaking course. (Something I've done.)

But think about it - if someone's got the guts to go up to you in a bookstore, inform you that you must buy their book and stick it in your shopping basket or in your arms, are they really that introverted? I do remember this B'con story vividly. A reader was talking to an author about their book, and said something to the effect that they thought their sister-in-law might like it. The author asked the sil's name, grabbed a book, signed it, and put it in the person's hands and walked away.

The person hadn't said they wanted the book or planned to buy it, and they were left with a bad taste in their mouth about that author. The person went on their 'never to buy' list.

Readers are often introverted too.

I hate door-to-door sales and telemarketing. I hate being confronted with someone who gets up in my face. I'm remarkably passive-aggressive about it at home. I'll just hang up or won't answer the door. I'll cross the street and go three blocks out of my way to avoid an in-your-face hawker. And I haven't encountered too many people who love door-to-door sales and telemarketers. If I don't like that kind of pushy sales approach, why would I think others would like it?

And I also think that people who constantly talk about themselves are arrogant. Think about it - when people are always "Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!" what do you think of them?

I learned my lessons about cons at the feet of readers, as a reader.

I'm moderating a panel. I have my instructions, from the organizers, and they include the moderator's manifesto. In fact, when I moderated a panel 18 months ago at LCC I was also given a link to the moderator's manifesto. For three years now I've had the good fortune of getting advice from Jon & Ruth Jordan, who are organizing this Bouchercon, and will be doing it all over again for B'con 2011. They know the business. And they listen to people after the panels, to which authors did well and which ones didn't, and why. They've been on this con circuit longer than I have and bring years of experience to the table. When they talk, I listen.

And while we say "be funny" it's just one facet of it. You might not be funny and still be incredibly effective. Be funny where appropriate, if you're comfortable with it. I think the main thing is, consider what warms you to someone else. An awareness of the world around you (speaking generally, not to you specifically) that extends beyond just the one (or two, or three) book(s) you've written has more appeal.

You can sell as many books in the long term just hanging out with readers in the bar and being an interesting person as you can on a panel.

[Julie Lomoe]

Hi Sandra,
Good comments on telemarketing - I hate aggressive sales people too.

Public speaking courses are a good idea, though I've never taken one. But as a creative arts therapist, I've had a lot of experience teaching and leading workshops. I've also belonged for years to the mental Health Players, a group that does improvisatory theatre about the stigma of mental illness and related topics. I've played everything from suicidal schizophrenics to over-the-top manics. These kinds of non-sales public speaking opportunities are a great way to get over fear of speaking before an audience - they definitely help develop one's public persona.

[I. J. Parker]

Sandra is right to put herself in the reader's shoes. I also don't like aggressive sales tactics. Fans who attend conventions go to meet their favorite authors. Those lucky folks don't have to do anything but smile and be themselves. Fans also sample unfamiliar authors by attending panel discussions. Even for an introverted author, a panel discussion can be great if the moderator is good. Bless moderators! They devote themselves to letting panel members show off to their best advantage. They do this by setting topics and posing questions and giving everyone a chance to speak. All authors love to talk about their work, and if you love your work, it will come across effectively. Enthusiasm is catching.
I have been to Bouchercon twice. The first time was dreadful, primarily because of very poor panel moderation. The second time was great, and I'll always be grateful to our moderator.

[Julie Lomoe]

Thanks for your thoughts. I've been on both kinds of panels, and you're right, the moderator makes an enormous difference. I was on an excellent panel last week for our local chapter of Sisters in Crime. The moderator e-mailed us a list of probably questions in advance. I did a "save-as" and then wrote out some possible responses. I didn't refer to it during the panel, but having thought about it in advance made a big difference in being able to come up with interesting responses "on the spur of the moment."

[Dana King]

I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from "entertaining;" no one really expects you to be a one-man band/juggler/mime. There's a wide range of what's entertaining between Robin Williams and Dick Cavett.

To build off what Sandar and IJ have said, put yourself in the readers' position. Is it safe to say you can be enganged, interested, and entertained in a presentation, even if you're not laughing? I've done a fair amount of public speaking, and the best advice I can think of is to be yourself. Speak up when you have something to contribute. Don't try to push your envelope too hard. People will sense if you're too far outside your comfort zone, and will tend to become uncomfortable themselves. The key may be to have some fun yourself. Trust the audience members make up their own minds about you. Some won't like you; there's no way around that. Thise who do will respond to your enthusiasm and ability to convey your thoughts well.

One last thing: I can't agree enough about hard sells at a conference. Readers come to have fun, meet favorite authors, and learn about new ones. If they wanted to listen to relentless pitches all day, they could stay home and go to a car dealer.

[Julie Lomoe]

More excellent advice - thanks!

[Julie Lomoe]

OK, I've digested all the replies that have come in so far. Now, two more questions:

To those who've commented so far - does it annoy you when I thank you and make comments about your reply? Do you like the acknowledgement, or is it overkill?

So no one likes in-your-face marketing. What about handing out brochures or fliers about your books as you're talking to people between events? Is it too pushy? Does it do any good?

[I. J. Parker]

I like it, but I don't expect it. Sometimes I think posters try to jump through hoops trying to thank everybody. I would just summarize thanks and comment when you feel like commenting.

As for the flyers and brochures: at conventions, there are tables where you can leave them. And when you are sceduled to sign, you can add whatever you have to the book you've signed. And at panels, you can offer them to people who come out to talk to you afterwards. I wouldn't do any more than that.

[Julie Lomoe]

Interesting you should mention tee shirts with book covers - I plan to make a couple for Bouchercon, for me and my husband to wear. (I did the cover illustrations for both my books, so I'm especially partial to them.)

I will always have fond memories of going to a Norman Mailer signing for his last book, THE CASTLE IN THE WOODS. He was obviously not well, and people were instructed not to stop and chat or to ask for personalized inscriptions. However, when my turn came, I pointed to my chest and said, "This is my first novel." He gave me a truly radiant and beatific smile (and I know it wasn't my chest that got that reaction.)