Ah - another great newsletter :) Thank you! How do you feel when other lesser known writers gift you with their book? Is it in appropriate? I once joined a signing queue to get an author's book signed and also gave her my latest book. She accepted it gracefully and put it on top of a small pile of books other writers had also given her haha. I do cringe about that moment and my book might end up in the charity box...
I think it depends - it's tricky if, for example, you're on a foreign tour and moving city to city. I confess when someone gives me a book then my first thought is: "Oh, extra weight to carry.". But I have also been given books over the years that I've very much enjoyed. I'm not sure there's a definitive answer (and it probably varies depending on who you talk to)
I’m always alert for that cringy moment when I spot my own books on the shelf at the charity store … embarrassed to say I swapped one with another author (by mail) once and am pretty sure the copy I sent them ended up in a thrift. How do I know? Because a former student in that country (where the book had not been published) emailed me about a month later to say how surprised they’d been to find my book at the Goodwill.
Book tours/press junkets are such a whirlwind and a total energy black hole. I always feel I have to amp up my personality by 150%. I’m surprised you only took a week. I would have needed at least two.
P.S. I now say no when people ask me to write or record video messages saying stuff like 'I love you' or 'Marry me' - yeah, I've actually been asked to do that before!
When I used to read writers' interviews talking about the solitary act of writing (some loved it, some a bit less), I always thought that as the introvert that I am that would be my ideal lifestyle: spending time on my own, putting words together. But that was probably the way things worked pre-social media as I can see how much pressure artists of any kind are under these days to self-promote their work and get out of their solitary writing shell to engage with audiences. I can only say that I admire the dedication and work that goes into that other aspect of the writer's job as it requires extra amount of energy to be present and focused when one is used to spending most of their time alone.
You are speaking my language as an introvert novelist who has had to speak about my work before dozens of people many times, even hundreds once or twice. The first time I realized (eons ago) I would have to do this I was stunned. I had envisioned little fireside chats with me sitting in a cozy armchair surrounded by a few gentle souls. Silly me. Thanks for sharing. It's always good to hear that you're not the only one.
It’s the unexpected that fills you with fear lol. I wrote and self-published a children’s book, for fun more than anything else. It was picked up by a local primary school who, to my absolute horror, asked me to come in and talk to the children… dozens of them. The children were lovely until ‘any questions’ when a small boy asked me, “What my favourite pronoun was?” (Eeek what’s a pronoun time) I still remember the sweat trickling on my scalp 😅
Love hearing about your journey! Thank you for sharing. Being an author is a hard job. These days you are a writer and a performer; you have to be a dual introvert/extrover and switch like a light switch! And I'm really enjoying your new book. I find it wildly comforting and wish I could move into Lila's house with all her zany family members!
It's toe-curlingly frightening to think I'd ever have to speak to a room full of people. Sweatpants (or 'Trackies' as we call them in Australia) are to die for and should be allowed at an author talk. Although perhaps we should draw the line at the accompanying slippers and 'I'm at home' hair.
Great post, as always. I love reading your recountings on what life is like for prolific authors like you! Amazing that you shared a stage with Jodi Picoult and Ann Patchett, too!
Great post! This is such a great look at life beyond publishing. I’d like to think, as a teacher, I’ll be a little prepared for some of what you describe. But it sounds like your level of fame comes along with certain expectations that you know how to entertain a crowd. That seems intimidating, for sure. I’m happy to see that you’ve made peace with it and developed a healthy appreciation for how it brings you in connection with your audience.
Thank you for this entertaining and so honest post, Jojo! And welcome back to your solitary desk, with offsprings and dogs for company... and all those great ideas coming into your creative head! :-)
Ah - another great newsletter :) Thank you! How do you feel when other lesser known writers gift you with their book? Is it in appropriate? I once joined a signing queue to get an author's book signed and also gave her my latest book. She accepted it gracefully and put it on top of a small pile of books other writers had also given her haha. I do cringe about that moment and my book might end up in the charity box...
I think it depends - it's tricky if, for example, you're on a foreign tour and moving city to city. I confess when someone gives me a book then my first thought is: "Oh, extra weight to carry.". But I have also been given books over the years that I've very much enjoyed. I'm not sure there's a definitive answer (and it probably varies depending on who you talk to)
I’m always alert for that cringy moment when I spot my own books on the shelf at the charity store … embarrassed to say I swapped one with another author (by mail) once and am pretty sure the copy I sent them ended up in a thrift. How do I know? Because a former student in that country (where the book had not been published) emailed me about a month later to say how surprised they’d been to find my book at the Goodwill.
“being interviewed by people who have read the book (you will be surprised how many haven’t, and we can always tell)” – that is so true! Always!
Book tours/press junkets are such a whirlwind and a total energy black hole. I always feel I have to amp up my personality by 150%. I’m surprised you only took a week. I would have needed at least two.
P.S. I now say no when people ask me to write or record video messages saying stuff like 'I love you' or 'Marry me' - yeah, I've actually been asked to do that before!
When I used to read writers' interviews talking about the solitary act of writing (some loved it, some a bit less), I always thought that as the introvert that I am that would be my ideal lifestyle: spending time on my own, putting words together. But that was probably the way things worked pre-social media as I can see how much pressure artists of any kind are under these days to self-promote their work and get out of their solitary writing shell to engage with audiences. I can only say that I admire the dedication and work that goes into that other aspect of the writer's job as it requires extra amount of energy to be present and focused when one is used to spending most of their time alone.
Thanks for writing this. Big introvert here, and gearing myself up for a tour in April. Big love to you Jojo
There are a lot of us out here Emma! Courage xx
You are speaking my language as an introvert novelist who has had to speak about my work before dozens of people many times, even hundreds once or twice. The first time I realized (eons ago) I would have to do this I was stunned. I had envisioned little fireside chats with me sitting in a cozy armchair surrounded by a few gentle souls. Silly me. Thanks for sharing. It's always good to hear that you're not the only one.
As ever a warm and lovely post. Thank you x
It’s the unexpected that fills you with fear lol. I wrote and self-published a children’s book, for fun more than anything else. It was picked up by a local primary school who, to my absolute horror, asked me to come in and talk to the children… dozens of them. The children were lovely until ‘any questions’ when a small boy asked me, “What my favourite pronoun was?” (Eeek what’s a pronoun time) I still remember the sweat trickling on my scalp 😅
Very nice piece to read while struggling with a bit of stage fright, waiting to go into a courtroom for the first time. Calming.
Love hearing about your journey! Thank you for sharing. Being an author is a hard job. These days you are a writer and a performer; you have to be a dual introvert/extrover and switch like a light switch! And I'm really enjoying your new book. I find it wildly comforting and wish I could move into Lila's house with all her zany family members!
It's toe-curlingly frightening to think I'd ever have to speak to a room full of people. Sweatpants (or 'Trackies' as we call them in Australia) are to die for and should be allowed at an author talk. Although perhaps we should draw the line at the accompanying slippers and 'I'm at home' hair.
Great post, as always. I love reading your recountings on what life is like for prolific authors like you! Amazing that you shared a stage with Jodi Picoult and Ann Patchett, too!
Great post! This is such a great look at life beyond publishing. I’d like to think, as a teacher, I’ll be a little prepared for some of what you describe. But it sounds like your level of fame comes along with certain expectations that you know how to entertain a crowd. That seems intimidating, for sure. I’m happy to see that you’ve made peace with it and developed a healthy appreciation for how it brings you in connection with your audience.
I'm sure teachers have a head start on the 'holding the attention of an audience" thing....
I’d like to think so, but you have reached a whole different level of public speaking. It sounds really exhilarating!
🫶🏻
Thank you for this entertaining and so honest post, Jojo! And welcome back to your solitary desk, with offsprings and dogs for company... and all those great ideas coming into your creative head! :-)
"...the kind of tired that comes with having been ‘on’ for extended periods of time..." I felt this in my bones!
Great insight into book tours and the difficulties introverts face, Jojo.