A Brief Interruption for Book Tour
Kate Elliott October 16th, 2006
I am on a short book tour, west coast only, with fantasy writer Melanie Rawn. As all writers know, book signings can be wonderful or horrible - that is, depending if people show up enthusiastic about your books, or if no one shows up.
I can’t be the only writer who has frequently been asked by customers at book signings “Where are the cookbooks?” because they think I am a staff member.
If you live in California, Phoenix AZ, Albuquerque or Santa Fe NM, or Austin TX, please check the link to see if there is an event close to you, and come say hello! I have macademia nuts with me, free to interested parties. And books, of course.
http://kateandmelanie.typepad.com/tour_date/
Usually we do a reading and then answer questions. Borderlands Books in San Francisco, a terrifically well run establishment, has a routine they use: the author reads a short excerpt, then one of the bookstore staff (in our case the inestimable Jude) asks a few questions to break the ice, so that the people in the audience who might otherwise feel reluctant to ask the first question but who do have questions to ask get over that awkward transition.
And speaking of Borderlands and the book business, here is a good article about the success of niche bookstores in these days of the chain behemoths:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061009/ap_en_bu/genre_bookstores
And as a later update:
Alternative Reality Web Zine is conducting an online and ongoing interview with me this week, and you can reach the forum here .
I am sorry that I didn’t know about your reading/signing at Powells or I would have made the trek. darn….Good luck on the tour.
I often feel that if I post more than once about a book or public appearance or interview, that I am stepping over the line of flogging the thing to death.
Then I remember that I myself - like many others - need to see or read or recognize something at least three times before it registers; or that I might miss the first or second alert but notice the third.
I’m sorry I missed you.
Thanks for the good wishes.
Kate, Is there any chance you two will make it to the East Coast, say Boston? I promise not to ask you were the cookbooks are!
We East Coasters do seem to get left out - or maybe I’m just not sure how best to keep up to date on the various tours.
As a random aside, I accidentally stumbled into a book signing by Fabio in Denver about 10 years ago. The bookstore was full to the brim with women and I wondered just what the heck was going on. Then the screaming and the running started and I nearly got trampled! I managed to get out of Dodge without injury, fortunately, but it was a near thing.
Please do post, so I’ll know if you ever come up to Seattle. Hope your tour is fun!
tsk. I’d go to your ‘Burque appearance if I lived anywhere in the state; I’m originally from there and know exactly where the bookstore is that you’re appearing.
Have fun! (as much as all that travelling can be)
I once did a signing in London where tourists of various nationalities thought I was an information desk. “Where is Westminster Abbey?” was the most frequently asked question, with the British Museum coming in second. Fortunately I knew where both were and so told them. They were always surprised at my American accent.
That -was- a good signing yesterday. I like Borderlands a lot. Oh, and you guys were pretty good, too.
And the signing in Portland was good as well. You and Melanie each sold a number of books that evening.
I really appreciated the interplay between you and Melanie — not just about The Golden Key, but about why you write (I loved your line, “No, it really is all about ego.”), and some of the insight into the writing process.
I just wish there had been more time to visit. If I can figure out how to post the pictures I took on my livejournal site, I’ll let you know.
Oh MAN, three events within driving distance of me and I’ve managed to miss all of the ones except the strictly book-signing event? *mopes*
Lyssabits - and we missed you, too!
Dani, yeah, it was great to see you guys.
Vivian, I’m surprised we didn’t do University Bookstore in Seattle, but I guess it didn’t work in the schedule.
Laurie and Erin, I’m not sure why no East Coast dates, but they were never even discussed. I think they have a pretty good idea of where the best sales are, and focus tours on the areas where they figure they can get the most response for their dollar.
Laurie - I loved your story of the Fabio signing. So glad you didn’t get trampled!