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In a bit over a week Scott is going on his very first proper book tour. Hooray! I am going along in my wifely capacity. Largely because everyone we know who’s done a book tour solo says it can be total misery. “Don’t do it alone!” they all cried.
FOR the publication in July [2007] of her first book, “The Late Bloomer’s Revolution,” Amy Cohen imagined a promotional tour of bookstores in Sydney, Australia. And Paris. And a few places closer to home, New York City, would work, too.
Then her publicist at Hyperion told her, as Ms. Cohen recalled somewhat tongue in cheek, “You aren’t going to Scarsdale.”
Why, I sometimes wonder, does anybody want a book signed? I have a whole wall of books by friends, and it never occurs to me to ask them to sign them.
My wife, who has an abiding passion for hagiography—we have a surprising number of editions of Lives of the Saints, not one of them signed—has her own theory. As she explains it, a book signed by its author is a second-degree relic, not as precious as a finger bone, but on a par with a pair of cast-off sandals.
I like the explanation, but how long before the bastards start wanting the damned books signed in blood?
I was stuck in traffic yesterday, thinking about how awful book tours were because I had to get up early and not get enough sleep and deal with lots of different people and never get any down time to just relax and I remembered what it reminded me of: working for a living. Not that writing isn’t working for a living, but I used to have to put on pantyhose and go out to teach at 7:30 every morning and I was always on the run and there was never any quiet time and I almost lost my mind. Which is what most people do every damn day. Meanwhile on the tour, I was sacking out in the Hotel Metro eating amazing room service and bemoaning my fate. Tell me again why nobody here threw things at me? Note to self: STOP WHINING, YOU INGRATE.
The folks I know who’ve enjoyed their book tour did it with someone else. Holly Black and Cassandra Clare had a fabulous time on their book tour earlier this year. The way a whole bunch of us did going to DragonCon together.
There are lots of claims that book tours don’t work: That for most authors they don’t increase sales; or contribute to that writer being better known; and that more money is lost than gained from doing them. Others claim that you have to look beyond immediate money returns for the value of book tours.
Although I’ve never been on an official book tour I’ve done appearances back home and in the US of A and mostly I really enjoy them. I love meeting the people who sell and lend and buy and borrow my books. I love hanging out with folks who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about books—YA books in particular—and gossiping and arguing with them. I find signing and talking to folks fun. I enjoy the Q & A sessions. And I love going to places I’ve never been before.
There’s less than fabulous stuff too. I’m not wild about staying in hotels where the windows don’t open, having to eat truly horrendous food cause it’s that or faint, air travel and all the related hassles, but compared to the cool stuff all of that is minor. Also I’m lucky: I’ve never had to do any of it alone. I’ve barely done any events alone. We usually put on the Justine-and-Scott show which we both enjoy heaps and seems to go over better with audiences then when we do appearances on our own.
For the authors who’ve toured—do you like touring? Consider it a necessary evil? And for those—like me—who haven’t do you want to? What are your expectations if you do tour?
I’m also curious to hear from the publishing pros: what’s your take? Does it entirely depend on who’s touring? Do you think blog tours are more useful? Are there authors who, no matter how great they’re books are doing, you would never send on tour?
And the booksellers and librarians who host authors on tour—what do you make of the whole thing?
And those who’ve seen authors on tour doing appearances what do you reckon?
i generally enjoy touring, but then again, I’ve not done a great deal of it. Perhaps it will get old or tiresome at some point, but right now i like it.
btw, it was great to meet you the other night!
Oyce said, on 9/19/2007 11:29:00 AM
Yay! I am selfishly excited because the tour means I will get to see you and Scott!
As a reader I’m now less into seeing authors than I used to be, but I think part of that is because of growing author presence online — I don’t have to drive for an hour and find parking to see what authors think about their books! On the other hand, if I really like an author’s online persona, I’ll be much more inclined to go see them and buy their books in hardcover and get them signed. Also, there are some authors that are just awesome in the flesh, like the Yarn Harlot from the knitting world and Neil Gaiman.
Patrick said, on 9/19/2007 12:12:00 PM
As a reader, I’ve never had an overwhelming desire to see a writer, by the same token, I have no desire to meet actors on my favorite shows. I think readers that do want to meet writers are already fans, so a tour for them would not generate new readers.
I do think that booksellers and lenders *DO* tend to want to meet and hear writers speak. so by that token, I think they are where the opportunity to sell more books come in. they by nature are avid readers and are prone to recommending what they read.
Justine said, on 9/19/2007 12:31:00 PM
Barry: Nice to meet you too.
Oyce: I do think the intramanets has changed everything. When I was a kid it never occurred to me I would ever get to meet a real live writer. When I attended a reading by Angela Carter when I was 21 I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
Patrick: I’ve always wanted to meet my favourite writers but not actors. This is a huge and horrible prejudice on my part but I kind of see actors as automatons animated by the writers thus they do not interest me (except as objects of gossip and mockage) unless like Tina Fay they’re the writer too.
haddy said, on 9/19/2007 1:13:00 PM
where are you closest to florida i would love to meat my favorit authors
Justine said, on 9/19/2007 1:28:00 PM
Sorry, Haddy, the tour doesn’t go anywhere near Florida. We’ll be in Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Lexington.
veejane said, on 9/19/2007 1:34:00 PM
I’ve never attended a book tour event, I don’t think, but that’s what cons are for, right? Anyway, I get a bit of the same effect.
As to authors signing books, I don’t have a strong sense of its importance, except for those funny times that (a) an author signing his/her page in an anthology helps me remember that I met that person (usually late at night, and sometimes involving our friend Al K. Hol) or (b) the time I met Patrick O’Leary and he drew a caricature of himself on the title page of my copy of The Impossible Bird.
That last is something important because he did it for me, you know? Because he was nice and we chatted and I did like the book and liked the person even more.
janet said, on 9/19/2007 1:41:00 PM
Never underestimate the allure of free entertainment, especially for the young. In my relatively impoverished days, this was certainly part of it for me. These days I only go to author events when a) the author is a friend, and/or b) there is a reading or a talk. I would never go just for a signing. Alas, I can no longer take my daughter to readings; when she was younger I could breastfeed her to keep her quiet, but those days are over.
Hearing an author read their work can be very illuminating. I never realized quite how funny Margaret Atwood’s writing can be until I heard her read. One of my favorite author events ever was Alison Bechdel’s talk on how she wrote “Fun Home.” (You can’t really read from a comic book, so she had a slide show when she went on tour.) That was fascinating. On the other hand, there are a few writers that I wish I’d never gone to see, either because they were jerks or because their reading voices were unpleasant.
As for autographs, some people like them for their collectible value; either they’re collectors themselves, or they’re hoping to sell to collectors. But I think for most people having a book signed is their one opportunity for face time with a favorite writer. I remember how thrilled I was, years ago, when Ursula Le Guin said she liked my t-shirt!
Rebecca said, on 9/19/2007 2:10:00 PM
while i like having a favorite author’s autograph in the book, what i like more is actually meeting authors and talking to them. (which is why i almost never buy signed stock copies from a bookstore.) small signings where i get to do more conversing are much more worth my while than gargantuan lines with bouncer-like people who push you through at a dizzying rate and maybe if you’re lucky you get to say, “helloiloveyourbooks” before it’s the next person’s turn.
so basically, the value of a book tour is about making a connection with the person responsible for the story that one loves and asking questions and making comments and hearing cool stories about struggles or “outtakes” or whathaveyou. this sort of interaction is especially valuable to wannabes like me.
marrije said, on 9/19/2007 2:17:00 PM
My big intarweb author crush Neil gaiman is on the road rather a lot. I read his posts on his journal about these travels with a kind of horrified fascination - it would kill me to travel like that and meet that many people.
Didn’t stop me from standing in line for his autograph some years ago, though… I only had a cheap paperback of one of his books, but i do treasure it. It’s a second-degree relic, indeed.
but still i want him to stay put and write more, not dilute himself giving things/autographs/time to people who are not me.
scott and you are going to create an indelible memory for a number of people - but in return you are going to lose writing time that would have made permanent things for (potentially) lots more people. there’s a william gibson novel in there somewhere, i think.
Dess said, on 9/19/2007 2:17:00 PM
When i met maureen johnson, it was amazing. i don’t know why it’s so exciting but meeting the person who writes the fabulous stories you have read countless times in person is just so happy-making. (the coolness of it was probably also due to the fact that maureen johnson is made of awsome.)
hillary! said, on 9/19/2007 3:08:00 PM
I just want to see if the authors are just as cool as their storie, or just as cool as their blogs. But I think that you get more out of reading an authors blog rather than meeting them because it’s their opinion *without* being frazzled by all their adoring fans. But then again I have never met any of my favorite authors so I wouldn’t know.
genevieve said, on 9/19/2007 3:47:00 PM
Whoaa, these comments are amazing. I almost published an article on some of this recently - but it was a bit misshapen so I let it be.
Justine, I saw and heard Alexis wright speaking about her novel Carpentaria at MWF recently, and that was electrifying, not only because her novel is based on the actual struggle of Gulf country people with mining companies, but because there is an intriguing story behind its writing and its place in world literature.
However, I didn’t line up to have the book signed - it’s simply not my thing, and I wonder if I’m a bit strange. For me most author events are non-events, I prefer to spend time with the book, or to read reviews or online material.
Very interested indeed in some of these comments about the effects of the online presence, though.
Dawn said, on 9/19/2007 4:34:00 PM
I went to see Stephenie Meyer in Missouri. Talk about a freakin’ circus. It was like she was a movie star, and I’m not even in the teeny tiniest bit exaggerating when I say this. I have a short movie clip that I took with my camera, and for a solid two minutes when she came out it was deafening screams and blinding camera flashes. I don’t think it’d be fun to do it again, but I did have fun making my Team Edward shirt, and meeting her. She was really nice…and having her autograph in my book is special as well. But I would be this excited to meet ANY of my favorite authors. Orson Scott Card came to my university last week, and that was insane as well. Tickets to his lecture were gone in six minutes. SIX! I was four minutes too late.
My dream would have to be, though, not just meeting you all and getting autographs…but to actually sit down and have a chat with you. Throw ideas back and forth, just…talk. that would be amazing good fun!!! If only, if only.
Rebecca said, on 9/19/2007 5:50:00 PM
orson scott card!!!! i am officially green with envy. ender’s game is one of my all-time favorite books. i’ve pretty much given up hope of actually meeting him, and i’m not much more optimistic about ever even seeing him speak or anything.
and yeah, the insanity to which i was referring above was a stephenie meyer signing. it’s a little better if you go see her at a conference. but then you get broke paying for the conference, and it’s not all that less crowded. damned if you do, damned if you don’t! yeah. and i never even bothered entertaining the idea of meeting j.k. rowling or anne mccaffrey.
Robert Legault: Indeed that’s why I quoted him in my post above.
Dawn said, on 9/19/2007 10:01:00 PM
rebecca: Orson Scott Card gives really hilarious and amazing lectures. Though I didn’t get a ticket to be in the same room with him, they did a broadcast into a nearby concert hall. GREAT, great stuff. He did a signing here the next day. LOVE Orson!!!
Meeks said, on 9/19/2007 10:38:00 PM
I don’t love travel in that as you say, I don’t love to be out of my element, but certainly, if a publisher believed in me enough to send me on a tour, I would pack my bags.
Gabrielle said, on 9/20/2007 4:34:00 AM
I haven’t seen many author appearances. But one thing’s for sure, for the one appearance that I can think of, I bought the author’s whole trilogy (well, my dad did, I wasn’t there).
I think the efficacity of a book tour really does depend on the author. If the author hates the tour in question and keeps whining and doesn’t talk to the attendees, then it sure won’t work. But I know that just reading a comment or a blog post by an author can get me to buy his/her book. Imagine if I meet him/her.
And I think the relic argument is totally true. Let’s say you got Harry Potter 1 signed by JK Rowling 10 years ago in a small bookstore where ten people showed up. You’d be pretty proud of your relic now, huh? Or maybe you’d sell it for 5,000 bucks on eBay.
Nicholas Waller said, on 9/20/2007 4:40:00 AM
As a reader, I realise I haven’t gone looking for authors to sign my books, though I did meet Brian Aldiss at a do in Forbidden Planet in London about 25 years ago.
I haven’t written any novels, so the situation is academic, but as a one-time publisher’s rep whose daily round was to visit bookstores, if a publisher did want me to go on an author tour I’d do it and be OK at it - and be polite to the long-suffering bookstore staff too. I worked for a college publisher, but it still involves going round bookstores and universities on a regular basis meeting lots of people and building relationships and making friendships (and in one case buying a house and living with her for several years) - and it beats sitting in one place for months on end.
I don’t think I’d have liked to accompany specific authors, though - they’re naturally interested in the promotion of their own books, whereas I was thinking about all the other books too (and since I worked for Prentice Hall there were thousands of them).
But I guess trade publishers have dedicated one-on-one author minders on tours, who can provide the requisite tlc, rather than reps responsible for the whole list, and that might be fun, assuming the author is not some precious prima donna.
I was in a quiet corner of Waterstone’s in Bristol as a customer and a bod came along to sign a pile of his books, presumably after a more formal event. I overheard him chatting amiably and non-prima-donna-ishly about the film version to the bookseller, who carried on doing his own thing putting books on shelves. Curious, when he’d gone I had a look at the book: Starter for Ten, by David Nicholls. I didn’t buy it but I did go and see the film (which he also scripted). So it had some effect… and if he’d come over as a preening tosser I might have given it a miss…
sheryl said, on 9/20/2007 1:49:00 PM
I agree with all of the above about the fun of meeting authors and the impact of hearing them read from and talk about their books. i can also add that while the direct sale of books probably doesn’t ever cover the cost of the trip, i think the point about investing in future returns is true. when you and scott came to our school lit festival, for example, we bought 50 copies of Uglies for the libraray (and there were many times when all of them were checked out). that translates into a whole lot of people reading that book and, presumably, many of his others in the future. making people excited about reading, a book, and/or an author seems like a good investment of time and resources for both the short and long term. but maybe it’s just me hoping that authors won’t stop doing appearances!
Because I have friends who insist on proper con reports I thought I’d talk about some DragonCon panels. Most of which were excellent and peopled by knowledgable and entertaining folks.
First I must rant:
Hey, Author People, yes, you lot, who respond to every question with deeply tedious plot descriptions of your own books and never mention anyone else’s work—I have written down your names and the names of your books. And I will NEVER EVER EVER buy them or recommend them to anyone. You are boring and the death of many a potentially good panel. I am filled with hate for you and your kind.
Okay. I feel much better now. Now onto the good panels which were all part of the YA thread. So many thanks to the folks what ran it: Bev Kodak, Suzanne Chatham, Lydia Watson, Karen Smith, Heather Lauer, Tara Smith, and Mary Moline! You are all deeply awesome.
My favourite was the one I did with Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson and Scott which was excellently moderated by Bev. We nattered about how we write together, swap ideas, critique each other, and how important it is for us to be part of a writing community. This involved sharing anecdotes from those dark days when we thought we were the only ones incapable of finishing a story or ever selling one. Or—now that we’re published—meeting the deadlines from hell. It was a lot of fun and only marred by being cut off before enough people could ask questions. The few we got were dead smart.
I also enjoyed the panel where Maureen Johnson went berko at the two members of the panel who dared to dismiss the “expanding pants” section of YAland. By which they were referring to Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and all the other chicklit YA books. As Maureen writes those kind of books and considers their writers and readers to be her people she was somewhat ticked off. I ably assisted her by pointing out the quality of not only Maureen’s books but also Meg Cabot’s, Sarah Dessen’s, Rachel Cohn’s, Jaclyn Moriarty’s and many, many others.
I find dismissals of whole genres particularly bizarre when they’re coming from lovers of a genre like fantasy and sf which is routinely dismissed as trash. Can we all agree not to trash a genre unless we know it well? Reading one or two or even a dozen examples does not cut it.
My most embarrassing moment was on the YA around the world panel. I was bemoaning how little non-English YA gets translated. Then Cassie Clare pointed out from the audience this little thing called manga. Der! I smack my forehead. How did I forget manga?
My favourite panellists—other than Holly, Cassie, Maureen and Scott—were the librarians. Specifically, Susan Fichtelberg, Bonnie Kunzel and Diana Tixier Herald, who not only have an encylopediac knowledge of the field but are also witty and smart. They kept bailing us out when we’d describe a book then flail hopelessly for the author or title. They knew. Every. Single. Time. They also kept referring to YA books for their examples and not TV shows or movies. I’ll admit I was a little depressed by the folks who only used media examples and seemed not to have heard of even the most famous YA writers.
Fortunately, they were few in number. The vast majority of the audience and panellists were dying to talk about J. K. Rowling, Diana Wynne Jones, Garth Nix, Jonathan Stroud and Stephanie Meyer—an excellent fight broke out about her character Bella Swann—and oodles of others including Holly, Cassie, Scott and me. I also enjoyed the opportunity of telling many more people about the glories of Kathleen Duey’s Skin Hunger, which I managed to mention not just on all my panels but from the audience of many more. Read it!
13 Comments on DragonCon panels, last added: 9/6/2007
I bought ‘Skin Hunger’ the other day! Can’t wait to read it!
cecil said, on 9/5/2007 8:36:00 AM
I’m so glad that you are taking names of authors who do that whole plot thing and never mention anyone elses books on panels. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. I’ve got my own list going…
thanks for the update, sounds like it was a total blast!
xo cc
Justine said, on 9/5/2007 9:27:00 AM
Maggie: Enjoy! Um, well maybe that’s not the right word. I hope you like it as much as I did.
Cecil: Yay that you are with me! I’m forgiving if it’s the writer’s first or second book. But the two writers I saw doing it had pub’d lots of books. They had no excuses. None!
We should compare lists.
Adam Israel said, on 9/5/2007 10:15:00 AM
Amen to your rant!
I’ve seen some potentially great panels ruined by authors like that. They spend more time than the other panelists combined introducing themselves. Every question is answered with a reference to one of their books or one of their websites. Ugh!
Dan Goodman said, on 9/5/2007 1:02:00 PM
“Can we all agree not to trash a genre unless we know it well?” I’m going to continue trashing Nazi utopian fiction. But aside from this and a few other exceptions, I agree.
Ally said, on 9/5/2007 1:44:00 PM
There was a fight about bella? haha
Addie said, on 9/5/2007 1:52:00 PM
Sound like you had tons of fun. I am quite curious about this fight, though.
Addie said, on 9/5/2007 1:53:00 PM
I agree with your rant, also. I can’t stand those people.
Justine said, on 9/5/2007 2:32:00 PM
Dan Goodman: Fine! Be difficult then.
Ally & Addie: The disagreement is about whether Bella is an active heroine or not. Some people argue that she never does anything but has stuff done to her. They wish she had a bit more get-up-and-go.
Addie said, on 9/5/2007 2:50:00 PM
it’s kinda hard to fight vampitres……
Robin L said, on 9/5/2007 6:57:00 PM
I bought SKIN HUNGER today on your recommendation. It looks sooo good! Plus, Kathleen Duey seems like a really great person who gives tons back to the writing community.
And yeah, I hate that whole Selve-Serving ‘R Us thing that some authors do on panels. Although it’s even worse when they pretend it’s a workshop, and they’re the only one up there and all they do is use the workshop as an excuse for self-promotion.
Dawn said, on 9/5/2007 8:12:00 PM
I would have liked to hear what they were saying about Stephenie Meyer’s books…heck, I would have liked to hear all of it! That would be so cool to sit and listen to a panel of authors. I don’t care how nerdy that makes me sound.
Lydia said, on 9/6/2007 11:53:00 AM
Just wanted to thank you again so much for coming to D*Con this year! You were such a wonderful addition to our panelists! I must now go out a find a copy of Skin Hunger. You mentioned it so many times, I figured it must be worth a read!
And yes, Maureen going off on those people who where “making fun” of the “expanding pants” section. That was one of the hardest panels to moderate! Every one wanted to say something, plus I was about to fall asleep in my chair… whew! Thanks for kinda jumping in their and making sure Maureen got her words out!
Any way… thanks again! Glad you enjoyed the Con! Any chance you might consider coming again next year? We’d love to have you!
Maureen put together a vid of hers and Scott’s DragonCon footage:
It is fabulous in all ways!
Well, except for one way: Maureen promised me that she would edit me out. She did not. I am unhappy to realise that her promises are WORTH NOTHING.
Other than that everything is good. Watch, enjoy! DragonCon and DragonTrain were teh awesome. When I’m less knackered I’ll tell youse all about it. Especially our dramatic readings from the worst book ever written.
12 Comments on Maureen’s editing skills, last added: 9/14/2007
hee!! awesome. and theo black has a drd too. i am sooooo jealous. the pacman made me laugh. well, the whole video made me laugh actually, but the pacman was pretty hilarious. so was theo’s little accident with the sword.
hillary! said, on 9/4/2007 6:48:00 PM
I know that was so FOOL! He looks all expert then he loses it, which I am surprised you people let MJ hold a sword in the first place. My favorite part thoughis when Justine just sidles out of the video and acts as if she isn’t even there and that little mishap never even happened. HAHAHA!
Mary Elizabeth S. said, on 9/4/2007 7:19:00 PM
That was just about the most wonderful video ever. It made my day! And that’s saying something, because I had a dentist visit this morning and really didn’t think there was anything that could bring me back. Thanks for returning my happy!
~Mary
Cat Sparks said, on 9/4/2007 7:20:00 PM
Love that movie! made me feel like I was there. Fave costumes were Pacman, the alien and the gremlin dude at the end
Justine said, on 9/4/2007 8:18:00 PM
Rebecca: Didn’t he look cool before the little slip? Theo is made of awesome.
Scott was full of joy at spotting the pacman.
Hillary!: Maureen is in big trouble for not editing that out. Very large trouble indeed.
Mary Elizabeth S.: Every vid Maureen does is better than the last. We need to band together to get her a better camera and better editing software and make her do this full time.
Well, not, full time—cause I want more Maureen books—but at least once a month.
Cat: DragonCon was insane. We didn’t even get shots of the best costumes. I’ve never seen such amazing costumes in my life. Insane!
Darice Moore said, on 9/4/2007 8:52:00 PM
Looks like you had fun (even while dodging the camera!).
I’m amazed — the video had none of the scantily clad women costumes I saw when I went to D*Con (lo these many years ago…)! Either they were in hiding, or Maureen’s editing powers are truly mighty. *grin*
Justine said, on 9/4/2007 10:02:00 PM
Darice: Didn’t you notice the Princess Leia in the vid?
There were plenty of scantily clad men and women, but when you’ve got that little on it’s not much of a costume is it? We were all about taking photos of the best costumes.
sally-wa said, on 9/5/2007 8:02:00 AM
ha!!!
marrije said, on 9/5/2007 11:41:00 AM
I think I want to marry Maureen Johnson.
kim said, on 9/6/2007 2:52:00 PM
so much for what happens on the dragontrain stays on the dragontrain.
right justine?
letitia said, on 9/12/2007 5:46:00 AM
why is pennsylvania hell, mr. black? (*warning: the only acceptable answer is “because i lived there and, as a native pennsylvanian, i have the right to say so”).
otherwise, it’s sword twirling to the death!
Justine Larbalestier » Writing is hard said, on 9/14/2007 12:27:00 AM
[…] This is what happens to those who cross me by putting me in videos when they promised they would not. Though I hear that’s exactly what Raymond Chandler used to do. [↩] Posted by Justine […]
The worst thing about DragonCon—other than the way too many people thing—is that it’s on the exact same weekend as the WNBA conference finals. I missed seeing Phoenix sweep San Antonio (woo hoo! Amy—sorry, Rebecca) and will miss all the Indiana-Detroit games (please Indiana win tonight!)
Seeing all those insanely brilliant costumes is some compensation I suppose. Riding on the train with Holly, Theo, Cassandra, Maureen and Scott ditto. Sitting around in a hotel room with them telling ghost stories also not too foul.
Which reminds me what are your favourite urban legends? Feel free to leave a link in the comments if you don’t feel like telling the whole thing. So far we’ve done the finger nails one, the hook, the headless roommate, the evil clown statue, and the finger licker.
8 Comments on DragonCon Blues + Urban legends, last added: 9/4/2007
i mad a mistake. i meant that the little girl aws cute.
the urban leggend i like best is the tonsil one.
Rebecca said, on 9/3/2007 10:32:00 AM
*sniff*
Elisabeth said, on 9/3/2007 10:58:00 AM
The vanishing hitchhiker is one of my favourites, partly because it’s infinitely adaptable–and because I think it’s cool that the earliest recorded version goes back to ancient Rome.
Nicholas said, on 9/3/2007 2:07:00 PM
The Vanishing Hitchhiker, because it scared me when I was a teenager/in my early 20s… there’s a particular point on a road near Frome in Somerset said to have had a vh and when I had to drive that bit of road very late at night I was properly spooked. Any real hitchhiker or walker or local messing about might have got run over in panic if there’d been one about… lucky I didn’t see anybody.
On another, bigger stretch of road nearby I had an odd moment at about 2am one night, when it was slightly foggy. Backlit by a distant car’s headlights coming my way, I could make out lots of skinny legs and big gleaming eyes in the middle of the road. Looked like the end of Close Encounters, and I couldn’t make it out - till I got closer and saw it was a herd of cows that had escaped from their field and were milling about in the road looking confused.
Perry Middlemiss said, on 9/3/2007 4:55:00 PM
I’ve always been a fan of the travelling garden gnome story.
A family gets up one morning to find that a favourite garden gnome is missing from their front yard. Over the following weeks they receive a series of postcards and photos showing the gnome on the beach, by the pool, at the casino and so on, having a damn good time on holiday. Some time later the gnome reappears in the front yard, none the worse for wear, surrounded by little presents for the family. First heard this one in Adelaide when I was at university, which would make it the mid-70s. And, given the presence of the gnomes in the story, may make it a particularly Australian urban myth.
hillary! said, on 9/4/2007 11:19:00 AM
I like the babysitter one, because I am always sitting for my family. I hate it when the phones ring, so I unplug then all and make the little ones sleep in the living room with me. They love it when I start getting really paranoid.
Lewis said, on 9/4/2007 8:23:00 PM
My favorite: there are alligators in the sewers of New York City.
Then again, I love all legends dealing with NYC.
[Paul Dickson and Joseph C. Goulden. 1983. There are alligators in
our sewers and other American credos: a collection of bunk, nonsense,
and fables we believe. (New York: Delacorte Press)]
I’m not quite sure what to make of DragonCon. It’s way bigger than any other con I’ve been to ever and, I gotta be honest, large crowds of people freak me out. And this place is nothing but huge crowds. On the other hand, the costumes are incredible.
Say hello to Mr Resident Evil 2:
Photo by Scott
6 Comments on Still at DragonCon, last added: 9/6/2007
People do seem to put a lot of work into costumes over there. Less so at SF cons here in Oz, I think… I guess the cosplay crowd is mostly at anime cons. Also, seems like all Australian SF cons have this rule about “no weapons, not even toy ones”, which is understandable up to a point, but so many sf costumes call for ray guns and swords and such.
Ally said, on 9/1/2007 7:54:00 PM
holy cow thats scary, i would have turned around and walked very slowly in the other direction
I like the use of a belt for a shoulder strap. or at least i think its a belt.
haha
Gwenda said, on 9/2/2007 5:59:00 AM
The year I went, there was a Southern Baptist convention across the street, nearly of equal size. That part was awesome, watching them watching our hotel.
Justine said, on 9/2/2007 8:21:00 AM
There are a lot of non con people who stand and stare. But I’m trying to imagine a Baptist convention staring. I boggle.
What I’m finding weirdest is that every time we go out to dinner someone comes up to our table to ask us if we’re all from the big sci-fi convention. How can they tell? We’re not in costume! We’re just out and eating like normal folks . . .
Patrick said, on 9/2/2007 10:00:00 AM
I want to see that guy go through airport security dressed like that.
And Theo Black is some peace keeper person from Farscape. He tried to get me to teach him an Australian accent. But, ya know, you’re either born with one or you’re not.
As usual Scott Westerfeld took the photo.
7 Comments on Maureen Johnson is Wonder Woman, last added: 9/2/2007
My uncle is Theo Black and has an Australia accent (a Melbourne one, though). All the two Theo Blacks need to do is swap identities.
Karen said, on 9/1/2007 9:28:00 AM
maureen’s red eyes suit her costume.
Patrick Shepherd said, on 9/1/2007 9:53:00 AM
When I first came to Australia I had a pronounced British accent. When I left, my accent was strongly Australian. These accents did not help me any with my classmates at each new school. Now I don’t have any.
hillary! said, on 9/1/2007 1:51:00 PM
It looks like MJ is having waaaaaay! too much fun! Are you though?
Dawn said, on 9/1/2007 3:58:00 PM
LOVE IT!!! Go MJ! Thanks for posting this, Justine!
Rebecca said, on 9/1/2007 6:22:00 PM
omg you must ask theo where he got that pulse pistol!!!! i need one! *jumps up and down* and the boots. how did he make those boots? or did he buy those? i must know these things. they are of the utmost importance. i wanna be aeryn sun for halloween. *squeal*
and maureen looks so amazing!!!! those are the most awesome wonder woman boots ever!! did she do the spinning? i hope she did the spinning. hehehehe.
Patrick said, on 9/2/2007 6:00:00 AM
Does this mean next DragonCon, Theo will join the cast of SG-1 as a former Goa’uld host? (Just like Claudia Black)
The train trip was fun. Biggest difference between travelling by air in the US of A and travelling by train is that the staff are happy and relaxed and like to talk to you. We heard all sorts of stories about train life (includuing gruesome stuff about what happens when someone throws themself under one).
Although the cabins are kind of on the squalorous side—especially compared to first class sleepers in Europe—it was fun hanging with Holly and Theo and Cassie and Maureen while kudzu covered forests zipped by. We dissected the YA publishing world, described the plots of our next five books, and planned collaborations that will never ever happen but would be amazing if they did. I could live on a train with those guys forever!
Except that would mean not staring at the beluga whales at the Georgia aquarium. We were the first people into that part of the aquarium this morning. It was just me and Scott standing in front of Nico as he pirouetted and somersaulted over and over again in front of us. Staring back at us as intently as we were staring at him. We could see the texture of his skin. Every scar, every pore. I have never been so close to such a large mammal in all my life. I could have stayed there for hours.
Tomorrow DragonCon begins. We’ve already seen our first klingons. I suspect there will be photos. Lots of them.
6 Comments on Beluga whales, last added: 8/31/2007
Alice has a book called “Baby Beluga,” based on a song by Raffi. Here name for the book is “Baby Doodah” which, of course, we find amazingly cute.
vicky said, on 8/30/2007 8:46:00 PM
that reminds me of this one time we went on a boat trip somewhere inland, and passed a whole pod of whales swimming in sync not far from us. they weren’t close enough for us to see them in much detail, which would have been nice, but in retrospect i think it was even cooler to watch them together from far off.
cecil said, on 8/30/2007 9:48:00 PM
oh to be on a train with you guys!
Thank you for posting about it. I’ve been thinking of you all this past day!
xo
jenny d said, on 8/31/2007 5:59:00 AM
whales and klingons! a delightful start to the day!
hillary! said, on 8/31/2007 8:10:00 AM
I used to use trains all the time, travelling betwixt N. Oregon and SoCal. Now the only time I use trains is when I go to visit the pater’s ‘rents. But back when I was 6, I was enthralled with how fast the trees flew by, or beautiful the mountains were just as the sun rose or set. Now, all I see is naked people in their pools. Not good for my brain.
Justine, it sounds like you had a good time, is MJ gonna post? And thank you for the Aya clarification, and for spelling my name correctly this time.
I love whales! They’re so gorgeous! When we were in Mexico, we saw some dolphins; but the whales were up north, so I was a little sad.
In not that many hours we—Holly Black, Theo Black, Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson and Scott and me—get on the train and head to Atlanta, Georgia for DragonCon. Is it bad that I’m more excited about the train than the con? And I’m vastly excited about the con.
I plan to blog from Atlanta but much depends on the outrageous internet charges of our hotel. I will do what I can.
My schedule of events at DragonCon can be found over on Scott’s blog.
In other news I finished the first round of editorial rewrites on The UFB today. I am knackered but really looking forward to not thinking about that book for at least a week or so. Yay!
14 Comments on Train train train, last added: 8/31/2007
there should be video documentation of this event. there absolutely must be. you should film it, since you know all about camera angles and such. :D
Justine said, on 8/29/2007 7:15:00 AM
Good God! What a hideous suggestion. If I have anything to do with it there will be no video shot on the train! Some things have to be private. What happens on dragontrain stays on dragontrain.
Celia said, on 8/29/2007 8:53:00 AM
Awesome! I didn’t know you were going to Dragoncon. I’m even going down early (well, early-ish), because we’re going to the AQUARIUM! on friday. I secretly *love* dragoncon because it’s so totally comfortable with its very very weird self.
hillary! said, on 8/29/2007 10:37:00 AM
I wish I could go to one of these *con* thingies…Justine, you are so lucky! and especially to be going in such great company! Can you at least film some of the Con, not the train?
Rebecca said, on 8/29/2007 10:47:00 AM
*pouts*
but i was actually referring to the con, not the train. i wanna see maureen’s wonder woman costume.
kim said, on 8/29/2007 4:28:00 PM
i agree. video the con.
Rebecca James said, on 8/29/2007 4:50:00 PM
I can understand your excitement ovet the train - LOVE train rides!
Isabella said, on 8/30/2007 12:16:00 PM
“what happens on DragonTrain stays on DragonTrain”. teehee
But yeah, I think that filming the con would be a great idea!
Rebecca said, on 8/30/2007 12:20:00 PM
ha! 5 votes to 1.
i went on a train in kindergarten once. twas fun.
hillary! said, on 8/30/2007 1:21:00 PM
I have a question about Scott, well about *Fine Prey* and *Extras*, the school in *Fine Prey* is called Aya and the main character of *Extras* is named Aya. Is this a coincidence, or does he just really like the name, or did he forget?
Patrick said, on 8/30/2007 3:58:00 PM
TAKE THE LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE AND I’LL MEET YOU AT THE STATION
hmmm…
What was that I read the other day about good bloggers who don’t blog everyday even when they are at huge conferences in Atlanta?
Justine said, on 8/30/2007 7:06:00 PM
There will be no videoing of anything. I threw Maureen’s camera out the window of the train. It was swallowed by the kudzu.
Hillary!: He says he just really likes the name. When he finally gets the pet monkey he longs for it will also be called Aya.
Patrick: Whatcha talking about. I’m blogging, ain’t I? Haven’t missed a day in two months.
Patrick said, on 8/31/2007 4:01:00 AM
I’m now beginning to realize that I must have too much time on my hands…
Scott and me are gunna be guests of honour at ConFusion 2008 in Detroit in January. This is the first time either one of us has ever been a guest of honour at a science fiction convention (or any con for that matter) and we are dead excited. And to add to the joy—lots of other splendid people will be there, including Mr John Scalzi who is toastmaster. What bliss he will have saying mean things about me and Scott. That bastard!
I can’t wait!
We also get to suggest panel topics. We’ve come up with a few cunning and provocative (wink, wink) ones like “Originality is Overrated” and “Science Fiction is Not Dying”, but if you guys can think of any panels you’ve seen at cons that you thought were particularly excellent, or have some ideas for panels that have never been used, let me know. It will be a lot of fun to do some that aren’t your bog standard “Women in Science Fiction” or “Fantasy versus Science Fiction” or “I’m so bored I’ll eat my own eyeballs”.
La la la! I’m going to be a guest of honour!
8 Comments on Guests of honour, last added: 7/11/2007
You and Scott were sort of guests of honor for the Bologna SCBWI Conference!
Steve Buchheit said, on 7/11/2007 8:32:00 AM
saw that on the whatever the other day and think it’s excellent. Unless the river rises and the damn breaks I hope to be there. They had a panel last year on something like “new writers talk with editors about getting published.” Something like that. It was the best panel. At least for me.
Gabrielle said, on 7/11/2007 8:54:00 AM
Congratulations! I don’t really have ideas for panels right now, but I’ll think about it.
Nichole said, on 7/11/2007 10:17:00 AM
Yay! I’m so proud…sniff, sniff.
Anytime you want to come to Austin and be a guest of honor here, we’d love to throw a party for you guys! Of course, that’s not as exciting as Confusion 2008. More like a cozy (as many people that we can stuff into our apt) gathering of librarians (awesome ones, though) and their friends (me) that adore you (a lot). And we’ll have booze.
I can tell that you are excited beyone words. It’s okay. You can take a minute to absorb the awesomeness of it all before you go book your ticket to austin.
Deban: Are you there? Stop being a lurker and comment!
Ariel Cooke said, on 7/11/2007 3:19:00 PM
What about How to Build a Successful SF/Fantasy World? What are the elements that go into it? What is to be avoided at all costs? Are there things they all have in common? Something like that.
Ariel Cooke said, on 7/11/2007 3:23:00 PM
Re, Confusion, I once had to go to Detroit on a business trip and my brother nagged me into going to the local art institute to see the Diego Rivera mural, The Birth of Industry. It’s a strange scene because there is this gorgeous Beaux Arts museum in a deserted city (Detroit being the classic example of urban flight) but the panels are weird and wonderful and well worth the trip.
jenni said, on 7/11/2007 6:11:00 PM
Try on coming to Hawaii for a time we don’t get much excitment here
jenni said, on 7/11/2007 6:29:00 PM
sorry i didn’t mention myself
i’m from hawaii obviously
and was web surfing and saw this site.
Your the author from Magic or Madness right?
The wonderful speech that David Levithan gave at Reading Matters is now available as a podcast. You all should listen to this passionate, galvanising call to arms that left most everyone wanting to go out and slay vampires right that very minute. Or, you know, get the books that kids need into their hands.
I’m still mulling over my response to David’s call to arms. On the one hand, I think he’s totally right. On the other, it’s so annoying to have a foreignor come in, spend a few minutes in the country, and then tell us Aussies what to do! We hates it, we do. Especially when they’re right . . .
5 Comments on David Levithan: Vampire Slayer, last added: 6/21/2007
Yeah, he’s absolutely right. But don’t feel too bad. He could make that same speech in the UK and be just as right.
Penni said, on 6/20/2007 6:12:00 PM
I know. I so want him to be wrong. He so isn’t.
foreignor? foreigner? I am all discombobulated.
Read Alert » Blog Archive » Stuff said, on 6/21/2007 9:47:00 PM
[…] how people are responding to David Levithan’s provocative podcast, you can try Penni Russon, Justine Larbalestier or Maureen Johnson. (and, in case you want more, here, here, here, here, here and […]
You mentioned it so many times, I figured it must be worth a read!
i generally enjoy touring, but then again, I’ve not done a great deal of it. Perhaps it will get old or tiresome at some point, but right now i like it.
btw, it was great to meet you the other night!
Yay! I am selfishly excited because the tour means I will get to see you and Scott!
As a reader I’m now less into seeing authors than I used to be, but I think part of that is because of growing author presence online — I don’t have to drive for an hour and find parking to see what authors think about their books! On the other hand, if I really like an author’s online persona, I’ll be much more inclined to go see them and buy their books in hardcover and get them signed. Also, there are some authors that are just awesome in the flesh, like the Yarn Harlot from the knitting world and Neil Gaiman.
As a reader, I’ve never had an overwhelming desire to see a writer, by the same token, I have no desire to meet actors on my favorite shows. I think readers that do want to meet writers are already fans, so a tour for them would not generate new readers.
I do think that booksellers and lenders *DO* tend to want to meet and hear writers speak. so by that token, I think they are where the opportunity to sell more books come in. they by nature are avid readers and are prone to recommending what they read.
Barry: Nice to meet you too.
Oyce: I do think the intramanets has changed everything. When I was a kid it never occurred to me I would ever get to meet a real live writer. When I attended a reading by Angela Carter when I was 21 I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
Patrick: I’ve always wanted to meet my favourite writers but not actors. This is a huge and horrible prejudice on my part but I kind of see actors as automatons animated by the writers thus they do not interest me (except as objects of gossip and mockage) unless like Tina Fay they’re the writer too.
where are you closest to florida i would love to meat my favorit authors
Sorry, Haddy, the tour doesn’t go anywhere near Florida. We’ll be in Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Lexington.
I’ve never attended a book tour event, I don’t think, but that’s what cons are for, right? Anyway, I get a bit of the same effect.
As to authors signing books, I don’t have a strong sense of its importance, except for those funny times that (a) an author signing his/her page in an anthology helps me remember that I met that person (usually late at night, and sometimes involving our friend Al K. Hol) or (b) the time I met Patrick O’Leary and he drew a caricature of himself on the title page of my copy of The Impossible Bird.
That last is something important because he did it for me, you know? Because he was nice and we chatted and I did like the book and liked the person even more.
Never underestimate the allure of free entertainment, especially for the young. In my relatively impoverished days, this was certainly part of it for me. These days I only go to author events when a) the author is a friend, and/or b) there is a reading or a talk. I would never go just for a signing. Alas, I can no longer take my daughter to readings; when she was younger I could breastfeed her to keep her quiet, but those days are over.
Hearing an author read their work can be very illuminating. I never realized quite how funny Margaret Atwood’s writing can be until I heard her read. One of my favorite author events ever was Alison Bechdel’s talk on how she wrote “Fun Home.” (You can’t really read from a comic book, so she had a slide show when she went on tour.) That was fascinating. On the other hand, there are a few writers that I wish I’d never gone to see, either because they were jerks or because their reading voices were unpleasant.
As for autographs, some people like them for their collectible value; either they’re collectors themselves, or they’re hoping to sell to collectors. But I think for most people having a book signed is their one opportunity for face time with a favorite writer. I remember how thrilled I was, years ago, when Ursula Le Guin said she liked my t-shirt!
while i like having a favorite author’s autograph in the book, what i like more is actually meeting authors and talking to them. (which is why i almost never buy signed stock copies from a bookstore.) small signings where i get to do more conversing are much more worth my while than gargantuan lines with bouncer-like people who push you through at a dizzying rate and maybe if you’re lucky you get to say, “helloiloveyourbooks” before it’s the next person’s turn.
so basically, the value of a book tour is about making a connection with the person responsible for the story that one loves and asking questions and making comments and hearing cool stories about struggles or “outtakes” or whathaveyou. this sort of interaction is especially valuable to wannabes like me.
My big intarweb author crush Neil gaiman is on the road rather a lot. I read his posts on his journal about these travels with a kind of horrified fascination - it would kill me to travel like that and meet that many people.
Didn’t stop me from standing in line for his autograph some years ago, though… I only had a cheap paperback of one of his books, but i do treasure it. It’s a second-degree relic, indeed.
but still i want him to stay put and write more, not dilute himself giving things/autographs/time to people who are not me.
scott and you are going to create an indelible memory for a number of people - but in return you are going to lose writing time that would have made permanent things for (potentially) lots more people. there’s a william gibson novel in there somewhere, i think.
When i met maureen johnson, it was amazing. i don’t know why it’s so exciting but meeting the person who writes the fabulous stories you have read countless times in person is just so happy-making. (the coolness of it was probably also due to the fact that maureen johnson is made of awsome.)
I just want to see if the authors are just as cool as their storie, or just as cool as their blogs. But I think that you get more out of reading an authors blog rather than meeting them because it’s their opinion *without* being frazzled by all their adoring fans. But then again I have never met any of my favorite authors so I wouldn’t know.
Whoaa, these comments are amazing. I almost published an article on some of this recently - but it was a bit misshapen so I let it be.
Justine, I saw and heard Alexis wright speaking about her novel Carpentaria at MWF recently, and that was electrifying, not only because her novel is based on the actual struggle of Gulf country people with mining companies, but because there is an intriguing story behind its writing and its place in world literature.
However, I didn’t line up to have the book signed - it’s simply not my thing, and I wonder if I’m a bit strange. For me most author events are non-events, I prefer to spend time with the book, or to read reviews or online material.
Very interested indeed in some of these comments about the effects of the online presence, though.
I went to see Stephenie Meyer in Missouri. Talk about a freakin’ circus. It was like she was a movie star, and I’m not even in the teeny tiniest bit exaggerating when I say this. I have a short movie clip that I took with my camera, and for a solid two minutes when she came out it was deafening screams and blinding camera flashes. I don’t think it’d be fun to do it again, but I did have fun making my Team Edward shirt, and meeting her. She was really nice…and having her autograph in my book is special as well.
But I would be this excited to meet ANY of my favorite authors. Orson Scott Card came to my university last week, and that was insane as well. Tickets to his lecture were gone in six minutes. SIX! I was four minutes too late.
My dream would have to be, though, not just meeting you all and getting autographs…but to actually sit down and have a chat with you. Throw ideas back and forth, just…talk. that would be amazing good fun!!! If only, if only.
orson scott card!!!! i am officially green with envy. ender’s game is one of my all-time favorite books. i’ve pretty much given up hope of actually meeting him, and i’m not much more optimistic about ever even seeing him speak or anything.
and yeah, the insanity to which i was referring above was a stephenie meyer signing. it’s a little better if you go see her at a conference. but then you get broke paying for the conference, and it’s not all that less crowded. damned if you do, damned if you don’t! yeah. and i never even bothered entertaining the idea of meeting j.k. rowling or anne mccaffrey.
Mystery writer Lawrence Block has the best take on book tours I’ve read.
Robert Legault: Indeed that’s why I quoted him in my post above.
rebecca: Orson Scott Card gives really hilarious and amazing lectures. Though I didn’t get a ticket to be in the same room with him, they did a broadcast into a nearby concert hall. GREAT, great stuff. He did a signing here the next day. LOVE Orson!!!
I don’t love travel in that as you say, I don’t love to be out of my element, but certainly, if a publisher believed in me enough to send me on a tour, I would pack my bags.
I haven’t seen many author appearances. But one thing’s for sure, for the one appearance that I can think of, I bought the author’s whole trilogy (well, my dad did, I wasn’t there).
I think the efficacity of a book tour really does depend on the author. If the author hates the tour in question and keeps whining and doesn’t talk to the attendees, then it sure won’t work. But I know that just reading a comment or a blog post by an author can get me to buy his/her book. Imagine if I meet him/her.
And I think the relic argument is totally true. Let’s say you got Harry Potter 1 signed by JK Rowling 10 years ago in a small bookstore where ten people showed up. You’d be pretty proud of your relic now, huh? Or maybe you’d sell it for 5,000 bucks on eBay.
As a reader, I realise I haven’t gone looking for authors to sign my books, though I did meet Brian Aldiss at a do in Forbidden Planet in London about 25 years ago.
I haven’t written any novels, so the situation is academic, but as a one-time publisher’s rep whose daily round was to visit bookstores, if a publisher did want me to go on an author tour I’d do it and be OK at it - and be polite to the long-suffering bookstore staff too. I worked for a college publisher, but it still involves going round bookstores and universities on a regular basis meeting lots of people and building relationships and making friendships (and in one case buying a house and living with her for several years) - and it beats sitting in one place for months on end.
I don’t think I’d have liked to accompany specific authors, though - they’re naturally interested in the promotion of their own books, whereas I was thinking about all the other books too (and since I worked for Prentice Hall there were thousands of them).
But I guess trade publishers have dedicated one-on-one author minders on tours, who can provide the requisite tlc, rather than reps responsible for the whole list, and that might be fun, assuming the author is not some precious prima donna.
I was in a quiet corner of Waterstone’s in Bristol as a customer and a bod came along to sign a pile of his books, presumably after a more formal event. I overheard him chatting amiably and non-prima-donna-ishly about the film version to the bookseller, who carried on doing his own thing putting books on shelves. Curious, when he’d gone I had a look at the book: Starter for Ten, by David Nicholls. I didn’t buy it but I did go and see the film (which he also scripted). So it had some effect… and if he’d come over as a preening tosser I might have given it a miss…
I agree with all of the above about the fun of meeting authors and the impact of hearing them read from and talk about their books. i can also add that while the direct sale of books probably doesn’t ever cover the cost of the trip, i think the point about investing in future returns is true. when you and scott came to our school lit festival, for example, we bought 50 copies of Uglies for the libraray (and there were many times when all of them were checked out). that translates into a whole lot of people reading that book and, presumably, many of his others in the future. making people excited about reading, a book, and/or an author seems like a good investment of time and resources for both the short and long term. but maybe it’s just me hoping that authors won’t stop doing appearances!