Filed under: Letters of Opinion, Misc
Over at the Smart Bitches, a controversy is raging over the appropriateness of the outfits worn by Marianne Mancusi, Liz Maverick, and Sherrilyn Kenyon at the Literacy Signing. The Literacy Signing was attended by over 450 authors. It is open to the public and the goal is to sell as many books as possible to fund literacy. Over $56,000 was raised. It is the only event open to the public but not the only event open to the press. There is a press room at RWA and it has a table full of books for press people to take.
Many things were bandied about such as dressing in costumes leads to greater disrespect for the romance genre to the costumes being unprofessional to some very distasteful. One commenter, Author Deborah Smith, accused the women dressing as pedophile luring schoolgirls. One of the last of the 100+ comments was made by Corrina, an aspiring author.
I think what we're discussing is the balance between them and where the line is drawn and if we can choose that line for ourselves or if the publishers will decide its so important that they'll choose it for us.
This was what the real crux of the argument is. When publishers spend so little on the promotion of their books, the onus is on authors to create their own buzz. To be not only writers, but marketers and publicists. To be personalities so that their books sell enough to actually be able to write another book rather than go back to accounting or underwriting or the law or whatever it is.
In my interview with Jane Dystel, of Dystel & Gooderich, she wrote:
Yes, I believe the industry is run by sales and marketing and business types – no editors. This means that there is a strong likelihood that the quality of the books will decrease. I fear that eventually the only things that will be published are currently well known bestselling names and commercial fiction.
Books to publishers are interchangeable widgets. Some publishers do not value their writers. They don’t foster growth within the writer’s career. They don’t give marketing dollars nor do they give marketing assistance except to the big names. This is not the editors fault or the publicity departments fault. It is the vision of publishing that is handed down by the presidents and vice presidents who are so far removed from the grind and glory of writing that publishing is nothing more than a factory line of paper and glue.
Part of why I continue this blog, not why I started, but why I continue it is that we can promote the books that we love. So that I can natter on non stop on how much I liked Eve Kenin’s Driven, Elizabeth Hoyt’s The Serpent Prince, Claudia Dain’s The Courtesan’s Daughter. I promote these authors’ books because I am selfish and want them to keep writing and I fear for these books that if they don’t find an audience, I will be left with one bland Regency historical after Navy Seal after Vampire book after another.
Nora Roberts commented that authors are not their fictional characters and dressing as them blurs that line and leads to a disrespect of the genre. I hear where you are coming from, La Nora. I do. I understand that after striving for respectability, the big ass swan hat being featured in the news the next day is not the image you want of romance. But what are authors to do?
Some authors don't want to be pushed into that. Some authors want to be able to write the best book and just have their work stand on its own. In today's market with a burgeoning publishing schedule, a decreasing market, and increased entertainment avenues, authors cannot simply write a good book and have success come to their doorstep.
A good book, on its own, will not sell itself. A good book with a gimmick might.
The fear is that if Mancusi and Maverick succeed with their marketing strategies, to become successful the burden for creative marketing becomes exponentially higher and more terrifying, particularly the more introverted the author is.
It is not Maverick and Mancusi's fault for dragging romance down to the point that they need to a gimmick to sell their books. It's the publishers fault and their failure to properly fund marketing for the books.
Romance and respect is something I long for as well. If anyone would read the 100+ comments at the Smart Bitches, they couldn’t help but be impressed at the level of discourse. The criticism of Maverick and Mancusi seem to stem from the fear that this is what will be demanded of an author to be successful, that their work cannot stand alone.
I believe that, except for a tiny few, this is true. It is not enough to write a good book.
An author historically has adopted a persona. think of Lord Byron. Think of Oscar Wilde. Flamboyant, out there, full of props.
I once saw Joyce Carol Oates creep out onto a stage, dressed entirely in white. She was promoting her novel Zombie. It all worked.
Anne Lamott used to bring her dog places. And her kid. Both were featured in Operating Instructions.
This all might be annoying (especially if you have to get water for the dog while Anne was on stage), but is it demeaning to their work? These are “literary” writers, and no one takes them to task.
For the literacy signing, I put on a dress and put on makeup. that might be the same thing as a big ass swan hat, but slightly more subdued.
anyway, it doens’t make me feel any one way or the other. I was rather jealous of Liz Maverick’s fine form in thigh highs.
Jessica Inclan
I was actually quite pleased with the coverage RWA National got in the Dallas newspaper — it was all in all a positive article, and the accompanying picture did not take anything away from that, imo. It showed Sherrilyn Kenyon (with the black-swan head) and Julie Kenner and her daughter. The little one is obviously transfixed by funny black bird on the other woman’s head and leans over as if to touch. For me this picture spellt “fun conference, fun signing, good entertainment”. Yes it was a big hat, but Sherri pulled it off beautifully. And there are few people who are better than her at making readers feel at ease and special.
As to Liz’s and Marianne’s costumes: it’s certainly an unusual marketing strategy, but it’s something that seems to work for them. Indeed, it’s something that’s used by other authors / publishers, too: for several years members of the Beau Monde, RWA’s special interest chapter for Regency romances, have appeared in Regency costume at the signing and handed out Beau Monde bookmarks. And when the new German edition of Dorothy Dunnett’s House of Niccolo was launched last year, somebody in costume handed out info material at the publisher’s booth at the Frankfurt book fair.
Yes, it’s no longer enough to write a good book. But we’ve known that before haven’t we? After all, why do authors do all that self-promotion otherwise? Why do we build websites, send out newsletters, put together a blog, podcast, MySpace page, booktrailer, website banner; pay money for advertisements in print and online media; and send out dozens of ARCs, bookmarks, teaser booklets? Why did I spent the last three evenings before I went to the US with burning 100 CDs? Because we want to get people to talk about our books, we want to stand out of the crowd.
I wholeheartedly agree.
But it’s not about having a gimmick. It’s about getting noticed. It’s about getting noticed by your publisher, so they see you’re a team player. It’s about getting noticed by the booksellers, because there’s nothing more important than having a bookseller hand-sell your book. And it’s about getting noticed by the readers, because without them, what the hell are we doing this for?
I think that authors in romance today are starting to get hit with the reality that’s hit the other genres: publishers may not give you three or four books to hit your stride (read: rake in the sales) before politely not renewing your contract. Sound paranoid? Ask Marianne Mancusi about her YA vampire series, and she’ll tell you otherwise. Authors get dropped if the numbers aren’t there.
Of course, it’s easy to play the blame game and point at the publisher for not being supportive, while we lament over a lack of publicity, etc. But I think that it’s better for authors to take their careers into their own hands and do what they can to self-promote their work. It’s hard. It’s scary. It’s time-consuming. But in the end, it could be what makes a difference.
I’m not going to enter the debate or anything, but I just wanted to say that the first time I saw on this blog pictures/posts of Sherrilyn Kenyon, Liz Maverick and Marianne Mancusi wearing outfits like that, I thought it was normal… I mean, did you ever go to an anime convention? Do you know the word “cosplay” where basically, fans dress up as their favorite anime/manga characters? some of these costums are AWESOME!… I mean, you don’t see that very much in romance, since well most characters wear normal clothes and there’s no real images for the readers to base themselves on… but yeah, just to say that I thought Maverick and Mancusi were cosplaying as their characters and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.
And thank whatever deity applies for that, Jane!
re. marketing, as I commented in response to your post at SB’s, I think it’s shameful that editing and publisher support for the vast majority of authors is absent from publishing. I hope for more small publishers with interest in making the *fiction* and the *books* primary. But truly I do not believe that creative marketing has to involve a conflation of characters and authors as it so often has in Romance. Yeah, it’s well-tried, and I certainly can’t blame authors for utilizing it, but it still frustrates me, especially if it seems that authors feel compelled to spend more time marketing than writing.
Nath, I thought that too. Cosplay is huge in anime and manga and that is what the Shomi line is all about. Look at the covers. They are trying to draw in a younger crowd who may not read romance. Yes, it might alienate existing romance buyers, but heck, manga and anime buyers are huge and manga and anime are love stories.
Since I’ve been in the business, it’s never been enough to write a good book. This is nothing new. It is the most important thing, the priority, the crux and the holy grail, but it’s not enough and never has been.
I dragged my butt to the mall and signed stock when a new book came out, and did signings where three people wandered by. And did it all again for the next book, and the next. I made connections with booksellers and librarians. I went to RWA, and to lots of regional conferences. I did bookmarks and paid my boys to help me stuff envelopes. I did interviews with local media, and whatever else I could get where they snickered at Romance at every opportunity.
I took ads that I paid for myself. I answered every reader letter that came my way. My first publilc speaking appearance was at a nursing home. And I’ll tell the story of THAT one some time. If I was asked to speak or appear anywhere, I went–and nearly always, virtually always, at my own expense.
And while I was doing that, I was trying to write the very best books I could, raise two boys and do the stupid laundry. And I never wore a costume.
a controversy is raging over the appropriateness of the outfits worn by Marianne Mancusi, Liz Maverick, and Sherrilyn Kenyon at the Literacy Signing.
Not exactly. Or that’s not how I see it (or maybe that’s just not the part of the huge trail I as following). The discussion is more about the wearing of the outfits OUTSIDE the literacy signing. If they had been limited to just the literacy signing I doubt many people would have said much beyond “That was one big swan on her head!”
Kalen - I didn’t see Kenyon dressed up anywhere outside the literacy signing. After the LS, she was dressed completely like anyone else (better than some who though business appropriate was jeans and a sweatshirt). M&M dresssed up on another day but that was because (I believe) that they were being interviewed on romancenoveltv.com. Other than that, they wore what I believe to be business appropriate attire.
Nora - I stand corrected. And I have said before that it seemed clear that some people, such as yourself, got to be bestsellers because of your devotion to your fans that you still display today.
I know this isn’t meant to be the topic of this post, but can we all lay off sales people in publishing houses please? I’m a sales rep, and everyone else I know in this industry is in it because they love books, and they love selling books. Books are not widgets, and I don’t know anyone who believes that. We work our asses off to make sure as many bookstores as possible get the books their customers want and need. End rant.
Ah, but I suspect that’s where the breakdown comes in here. What if it had been “fans” or rather readers who’d been the ones dressed up at the author’s tables and not the two authors? Would the situation have then been viewed differently? Or the same? Would this still be about “promoing” the books as Jane is talking about or just having “fun” with the product? Would we be crossing the line from professional to fandom as some have suggested elsewhere?
Happy dance, happy dance. I can post here. Miracles do happen. :D
That’s evidenced by so many authors who are missing today that it’s not even funny. As a reader I know it is not enough to write a good book. A good book without an audience leads to a short writing career or a career in a different genre altogether. Very fustrating.
Oh, good; you’re the perfect person to ask about this. Why is it that I keep hearing about how for publishers it’s all about “the bottom line,” and about how other forms of fiction are financed on the back of Romance and how authors have to pay for and perform their own marketing and are pestered constantly about their numbers until or unless they break or are dropped and that there aren’t enough editors to do all the necessary work because editing isn’t a priority? I know that’s a lot of questions, but I’ve been saving them up, lol!
Wow, not only is my writing process the same as Nora’s, we have the same ideas about building a readership as well. I’m a long way behind in the journey, but it gives me some hope that I’m not as clueless as I feel most days.
I do this also. My volume isn’t overwhelming, but I think it’s important to show people it matters that they took time to write.
~I mean, did you ever go to an anime convention?~
This was not an anime convention. Different culture entirely.
Nora Roberts said:
And I never wore a costume.
Perhaps the costume thing is simply a matter of personality and can be seen as an extended version of putting cutsey stuff on one’s table when signing.
Robin said:
. . . I think it’s shameful that editing and publisher support for the vast majority of authors is absent from publishing.
For the Booksellers Tea Dorchester staff, too, dressed manga-style in order to hand out teaser booklets for the Shomi line. And I’d be quite happy, Robin, to send you one of the very long letter with revision requests from my editor. :) All in all, I don’t think publisher support is really absent from publishing and they often support their authors in ways that are not necessarily visible at first glance. E.g., for my May release Dorchester sent out ARCs, included the book in their group ad in RT, and our PR person helped with submitting an article to RT. In addition, copies of the book were handed out at RT and at the Book Expo.
And when you look at other publishers you can see similar things happening: e.g., there were huge amount of ARCs for “Garden Spells” to be found in the goody room at RWA National, and Sherry Thomas was signing ARCs of a book that will be coming out in April 08!
So publishers do spend money on author and book promotion, however, there’s simply a limit to what they can spend on indivdual authors.
(I hope I’m still making sense: it’s half past one in the morning …)
Nora Roberts said:
And I never wore a costume.
Perhaps the costume thing is simply a matter of personality and can be seen as an extended version of putting cutsey stuff on one’s table when signing.
I guess I don’t think so, because if SK had been giving out little black swans, no big.
As for M&M–and GOD I feel like Mother Superior picking on free-spirits. They were in costume at other times than the Literacy event. Their choice, their deal.
I liked the swan hat.
Would I wear one to sell books? No. I would wear it for fun, though :)
Would I ever dress up as a character from my own book? Absolutely not.
That said, I still very much like the swan hat.
When did professional, respectable and bland become synonyms? I know high powered professionals who go to work every day dressed like Bela Lugosi, and polite presentable people I wouldn’t trust to plant sit.
I think it is time romance got over its cultural cringe and learned to love the kitch, striped nylons and heaving bossoms included.
According to some very reputable psychologists the sign of real maturity is the ability to play. It is self-conscious teens who are always worrying about the what everying thinks and how they are being judged.
I really love reading romance and erotica because I want to be entertained and forget the fact that the real world can SUCK.
I love fantasy play, so if I ever have the chance to go see one of my favorite authors at a book signing, I would like it to be fun and not boring with a plain, dull, and boring author just sitting there signing books.
That’s just me..why can’t it be FUN?
~I would like it to be fun and not boring with a plain, dull, and boring author just sitting there signing books.~
I like to think I’m fun, not boring, plain or dull. But I’m still not wearing a costume.
I honestly don’t see what the brouhaha is about. Is it because I’ve celebrated my 29th birthday only three times? I thought Marianne and Liz looked really cute. And if I had a Shomi book, I’d join them and have a ball.
Nora put on a mean leather jacket for her J.D. Robb books, while in her other books she wears Armani. I think Marianne and Liz are just taking it a bit further.
Nora, if you would come and smite me for my insinuations, it would be an honor, ma’am. But is there anyone else feeling that this might just be a generational thing, that the younger writers and readers, more used to out-of-the-box promotion, read much less into it?
The leather coat and the jacket–both mine. I wear them in my real life. I would wear both to a conference if the weather called for it.
I would NOT wear the long leather coat indoors at a booksigning or event. Silly. And I’d get sweaty.
The Armani. Mine, too. I don’t wear anything for promo I wouldn’t wear IRL–and in fact that I don’t already own. That’s my choice.
While it may be a generational thing–I’m OLD compared to these young women–I saw LOTS of young writers at the convention. I only saw two in costume.
An observation from a PAN workshop I attended:
Shannon Aviles, Karen Rose’s publicist/media specialist, mentioned the swan hat. She pointed it out as an excellent means of author branding. SK’s readers like that stuff at a booksigning. She said, “Whatever comes out of your books, if you want to live that, live that.� The point behind author branding is name recognition.
Ms. Aviles said, “Nora Roberts is an icon like Coca Cola. Everyone knows Nora Roberts and Coca Cola.�
I thought it interesting in the light of the recent Book Expo conference. The Christian Science Monitor had an article on how the trade show had several costumed characters trying to draw bookseller attention, including a man dressed like God. The writer thought all the costumes silly, but they drew bookseller attention. Costumes seem to be a growing trend in publishing conventions. I liked the swan hat for the booksigning. Not sure about running into God, though. Too much Catholic guilt. :-)
I think I’m more in the age range of the “younger readers,” and I don’t see this as a matter of professionalism (or not). I think out of the box promotion is fabulous. But I’m still suspicious of any marketing that capitalizes on the IMO over-personalization of Romance authors. I’m open to being talked out of seeing M&M’s strategy as part of that long-time trend, but as of yet have not been. And FWIW, I don’t like suggestive author photos either. There’s already such an IMO mis-perception that Romance is simply fantasy fiction for women, that forging a visual link between authors and their characters just seems to perpetuate this image (and I’m talking internally and externally here).
I understand that Bantam Dell is one of the very best publishers for author support. And you are obviously having a great experience too, Sandy, at Dorchester, which makes me extremely happy for you. But I hear other stories (from trustworthy sources and in significant numbers) that all is not well across Romance publishing, and that talented authors in some BIG houses are paying for and printing their own ARCs, barely being edited, and otherwise carrying the burden of their own publicity. And, of course, being dropped when their numbers are down. It’s good to know not every publisher is following a factory farming model, though.
I side with Ali, the sales rep, here. I used to run an sf&f bookshop and the reps were the nicest, most enthusiastic people I ever had the pleasure to meet. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to snag *some* big names for signings at my indie store. I was always happy to have the reps around, sharing their opinions about future releases.
HOWEVER…once that rep gets promotions up the ladder to VP, then things start to change. The questions become: which books sell, which ones can we drop? Will changing the cover help sales or should we just let the book go oop? I can’t tell you the number of times I spoke to reps about the unbelievable frustration in having only books 2, 3 and 5 of a series in print. (Having complete series available in the shop was of particular importance to me.) The reps were sympathetic, but they couldn’t really help. And no amount of shouting that I did to anyone else further up the chain resulted in any change.
Off-topic, I know, but just wanted to let Ali know that people do appreciate reps! :)
Ali and KS - I apologize to you if you thought I was railing on you but I wasn’t. I was more talking about the leadership of publishing houses because its the leadership that makes a difference. As a sales rep, you can only do what you can with the tools and resources you’ve been given. As a reader, I completely appreciate the job you do.
I do appreciate publishers too, but I feel like it could be less of a numbers thing with them. I heard alot about this at the conference - that you are only as good as your last numbers, even if your previous numbers had been high. It’s like no slumping is allowed and that seems tough.
I just wanted to pop in and say thank you to everyone who’s shared an opinion about wearing costumes to a professional event. I’ve learned quite a lot about the business of marketing by reading your comments.
I don’t have a book published. But when I do, I will be considering some of the comments that were made, especially those made by Nora Roberts. If you want to learn how to market a book, then study from someone who is successful at it. I think the idea of wearing a costume may draw attention, but in the end, it takes a lot more than that…
Nora Roberts said:
I dragged my butt to the mall and signed stock when a new book came out, and did signings where three people wandered by. And did it all again for the next book, and the next. I made connections with booksellers and librarians. I went to RWA, and to lots of regional conferences. I did bookmarks and paid my boys to help me stuff envelopes. I did interviews with local media, and whatever else I could get where they snickered at Romance at every opportunity.
The RWA Literacy signing has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for to benefit literacy programs over the years it has been in existance.
No other writing org has anything quite like it.
I want to say thank you to all the authors and publishing houses and rwa members who make this event happen!
You rock!
~“Whatever comes out of your books, if you want to live that, live that.� ~
I don’t understand this one tiny bit. Live what comes out of your books?
No thanks. I think I’ll live my actual life and WRITE books.
If I’m a brand like Coke (and how could I object to the comparison?) it’s not because I wore costumes or lived something that came out of my books. This is NOT how you become a brand-name author.
So again, I don’t understand what she meant.
Rebecca: I think you should put the rest of your post back.
Okay Nora, I’m old! I think all authors must do what they feel they have to promote their books. You did what you felt you had to do and the costumed ones did what they felt they had to do. I like your books. I like their books. If the fans felt comfortable with it and no one has addressed that yet, I guess maybe it worked.
So late to this costume party! And because everyone is heading out the door, I’ll be brief. IMO a costume or swan might sell one book–or even two. But after that it’s all about the writing. Even Nora’s early hard work managing her career would have been for naught if her books weren’t what they were. Fabulous.
But costumes at pro events? Nah . . . I don’t think so. But I was wrong once before. 1901, I think.
Just one question, if somehow we managed to turn the tide, and get the respect we so desire from outside the genre, what would we actually gain?
As I just posted on the SB site, SK’s fans weren’t the only ones there. 450 authors. It wasn’t her signing.
What we gain if we gained respect outside the genre? Myriad opportunities we’re routinely denied. Certainly in the media. Do you think it’s because they don’t like my face that I’ve been on The Today Show once in 27 years? No, it’s because I’m a Romance writer. We’ve discussed reviews and solid attention in national media–reviews–before. We’d get those–and good or bad, reviews garner attention for an author and the book. Perhaps in some bookstores or retail venues Romance novels wouldn’t be hidden in the back, or the section condensed or eliminated. Many of us would find it the exception rather than the rule to be dismissed callously and casually as froth or porn for women. Libraries would be more open to stocking us.
There’s more, but that’s a solid start.
Plus we’d have to find something else to complain about, which would make a nice change.
I am a little confused… Isn’t it appropriate for some attendees to be a little different at this conference? As people who love this genre, we realize that there are many different ways to tell the HEA story. And it seems to me that there are many different personality types who create these stories. So, a little fun, a little non-conformity seems normal.
Now, if they were REQUIRING everyone to wear costumes, that would be silly…
It seems to me as if the issue this question keeps coming back to, both here and on Smart Bitches, is whether an author is responsible for supporting the genre or her own books. That is a very weighty responsibility for most authors, to put the good of the genre before what they consider (whether right or wrong) to be the good of their own books.
I keep thinking of the Sweet Potato Queen. Her books are hilarious, of course, but she has used her persona to draw even more attention to them: always showing up in her outrageous Sweet Potato Queen costume or, lately, sometimes somewhat more subdued versions of the same. It probably wouldn’t work for me–I don’t have that kind of personality. But it works very well for her.
If she wrote romances, it’s clear she would draw considerable flack. But she doesn’t. So–because you write romances, is it fair to say you are responsible for how your image affects an entire genre?
An enormous black swan on your head is a little different? We have different gauges.
If this had been the wardrobe for an individual signing by the author, I’d still think it was silly–but that’s about it.
It wasn’t.
You ARE a representative of the genre when you agree to sign at RWA’s literacy event with hundreds of others. It’s not all about you and your particular readers. You are a representative of the genre when you give interviews during the RWA’s national conference, which very likely the RWA’s press room had set up for you. You are a representative of the genre if you agree to speak at national in a workshop promoted by RWA and given in a venue RWA has arranged.
If you don’t choose to be a representative of the genre, no problem at all. None of us are required to be. But don’t use RWA as the platform for your promotions.
No offence taken AT ALL, Jane! :) Just wanted to share the lurve with Ali.
Have you been to Sherrilyn Kenyon’s myspace page? Her website? Seeing how she portrays herself on various sites, I am not surprised that she showed up dressed how she was.
I can’t say whether it was right or wrong. The costume did turn me off enough that I wasn’t interested in getting in her line. We all know that this is a genre that doesn’t get the respect it deserves. If I was an author, having a fellow author dressed in what is essentially a Halloween costume would most likely bother me.
This wasn’t a signing on a book tour for Kenyon only. This was a signing that represented the entire genre. While her readers might think it was fun to see her dressed like that, I don’t think that they’re looking at the bigger picture.
What Mancusi and Maverick decide to do is their own business. But dressing up as their characters should not be compared to anime cons, or comic cons. Ever gone to those? The creators don’t dress up. The creators are the LAST people you ever see dressing up. They’re too busy writing and networking to even think of it!
When did it become a crime to be a ‘character’? Remember the days when your parents would say, “Oh that Bill, he’s such a character.” Quirky is good - embrace it.
Nora wrote: You ARE a representative of the genre when you agree to sign at RWA’s literacy event with hundreds of others.
I respectfully disagree with you, Nora. I am a representative of my work, not my genre. That’s the same as saying that every computer programmer is a rep of their line of work and they must wear pocket protectors and have duct tape on their glasses. It’s the uniform ya know. :)
I don’t dress in costume for signings - the readers are lucky if I don’t show up in my pajamas! I think its fabulous that Sherrilyn continues to dress up - she’s been doing it for many years and no one can argue with her success. If Stephen King were to dress up like a vampire for a signing, everyone would be pointing out his individuality - not pointing fingers at him for being a poor representative of his genre.
Your Uncle Bill being a character is one thing. He can wear the lampshade as a hat at the party. But if he wears it while he’s in a professional, public arena, I bet there’ll be a much different reaction.
And again, WHY does it come down to–either we’re quirky and free or we’re in uniforms with pocket protectors? Has the great in between just gotten sucked into a vacuum?
If you’re using the platform of a professional conference, and benefitting from all the work done to organize one, getting the press generated from that conference, then it’s NOT just about your work and yourself.
If that computer programmer went to the Dell equivilent of RWA national (if they had such a thing) and wore an enormous black swan on his head to meet customers, I don’t think anyone would find it fun and quirky.
And maybe ask yourself why King doesn’t dress in costumes for public events. And he’s still, well, the King.
Okay, so now readers are responsible for the big picture of genre respectability? Then we have to stop buying, en masse, all books with man titty on it. Refraining from dressing up like characters or enjoying a NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR (which so many people seem to forget) in costume isn’t going to make a blip in the respectability map.
This isn’t too much about costumes, but I wanted to stick up a little for editors here:
The numbers game starts with the booksellers, not the publishers. For the most part, their buying is based on the previous book’s sales. And with consolidation of the wholesale market, stores going out of business, and more competition within the genre all the time, it can be tough even for an author deemed successful to grow. Bleak, I know. Many of the buyers do see the books as product, though there are also very supportive folks who will go against the numbers if they feel the book itself is strong. It’s our job here on the publisher’s end to present the best possible package (both editorially and cover-wise) to the buyers and come up with ways to keep enhancing those numbers.
As for promotion and marketing, keep in mind that publishers spend a lot of money that isn’t necessarily directly visible to the author. Yes, ads and ARCs are fantastic - and we try to do them whenever possible. But even more importanly sometimes is front-of-store placement, special incentives and discounts to the booksellers (sometimes to help overcome previously poor sales numbers or grow an author who seems to be plateauing), advertising directly to booksellers in publications from Baker & Taylor and Ingram or programs like Booksense, or RT’s Booksellers That Care. Ads to the reader won’t be at all effective if the books aren’t visible in the stores in the first place–and that’s our number-one priority.
And one last thing. Of course publishers want to work with authors who are willing to help out with promotion. But everyone goes about it different ways. There are those who are incredibly media-genic and those who aren’t. But the successful ones manage to find their own way–whether it’s through really savvy Internet marketing (like Katie MacAlister - who rarely ever goes to conferences or signings), by following up fabulous word-of-mouth buzz with directly responding to readers and doing outreach with booksellers (like Christine Feehan, another one who didn’t do signings for a long time) or finding their own niche and really working that target group (like Debbie Macomber’s knitting series). Some people dress up. Some people don’t. Everyone has their own thing, and we respect that.
Ok, end of rant! This somehow ended up much longer than the quick little comment I’d planned on.
I don’t get this.
I don’t see anything wrong with what Mancusi, Maverick and SK do.
It’s not for every author. Some authors are simply way more introverted than others. That may mean that they are unable to do certain types of promo. Therefore authors who can have an advantage.
It’s ridiculous to expect them and their publishers to not use this advantage, even if it means that in the long run, better written books don’t sell as well and their authors can’t get more contracts.
You know, the way everyone is going on about this, one would think they had been dressed in full battle armour a la Trekkie conventions. Instead of just a couple of rather innocent outfits that one might’ve passed on the street without even noticing.
So, okay, the swan hat, which I have yet to see a picture of, might’ve been a bit much, but is this really the first and only time anyone has ever dared to darken the hallowed halls of the RWA convention with costuming of any kind as a promotional gambit? Ever? I find that very difficult to believe.
And just as a matter of reference and curiosity, what the heck does a swan have to do with her books anyway? I’ve been scratching my head over that one for two days and still haven’t figured it out. I will give you that a promotional item that has to be explained to someone who should know what it’s there for is decidedly odd choice, people, i.e. I read her books. Just saying.
I think everyone has made their position clear. And from what I’ve read I think Mancusi and Maverick have responded very professionally.
Actually, at SIGGRAPH, etc., I’m sure if any company thought it would benefit its sales and image, black swans would appear on employees’ heads. They probably wouldn’t benefit sales & image (which is a separate question), so instead lots of T-shirts, baseball caps, and flashy onscreen graphics are the rule. Emphasis on the product seems to them smarter marketing.
Which might be true in this case, too, but that isn’t the debate, is it?
And no one in question is an employee of the RWA. I guess that’s the central point of this debate, as far as I can tell. What is owed by individual authors to the RWA collective, within the confines of the conference?
Booksellers often talk about how authors need to put on a show, do something special to reward readers for making the effort to come out. Nora, I don’t think this need applies to you at all! Not anymore. For almost everyone, just meeting you is pleasure enough, and that’s a really wonderful tribute to all your work.
But for the others–I know this has been reiterated many times, the need to put on a good show. And it IS true that sales on one or two books can make or break most authors’ careers now. I think you got more chances to build an audience when you started. (Maybe not? You can correct me if I’m wrong there.) VELOCITY of sales (how fast an author’s first book flies off the shelves in the first six weeks, with complete indifference to the long term overall sales) can make or break it, from what I’ve heard and seen. So if people want to put on a show…I still think more power to them.
But if it bothers enough authors at the RWA, then the conference organizers could establish rules against this, I guess. I thought it was fun, though.
A show? Like a song and dance? Or a fun and interesting Q&A at a signing event. I certainly am called on to give the latter, and am happy to do so–sans costumes.
I’m not going to give a workshop–which it would amount to–on the Romance Wars of the early ’80’s, and how hard it was to stand out, to build a readership, to compete–and how many lines and authors came and went. Just let me say it was just as hard then as it is now.
My husband’s a bookseller. I’ve never heard him advise an author to put on a show.
Nora wrote: And again, WHY does it come down to–either we’re quirky and free or we’re in uniforms with pocket protectors? Has the great in between just gotten sucked into a vacuum?
In some ways it has. We exist in a society that is so worried about their kids being made fun of or if their feelings will get hurt - where unpublished became pre-published and politically correct is the norm. What is new and different is pushed down so that it doesn’t ‘offend’ anyone or rock the boat. Anything in between is now seen as being morally wrong.
Nora wrote: If that computer programmer went to the Dell equivilent of RWA national (if they had such a thing) and wore an enormous black swan on his head to meet customers, I don’t think anyone would find it fun and quirky.
I take it you haven’t been to very many computer conferences / conventions. :) I worked in the IT world for many years and on the rare occasion I managed to convince any developer to dress up they invariably showed up in polyester pants, a clip on tie and lovely white sweat socks with their tennis shoes. No one notices this because the salespeople who meet with the public invariably know nothing about software design - that’s why they were hired - to be that public face.
I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this. If you choose to wear a leather jacket to a signing and that’s how you feel comfy - good for you. Because I wear a velvet blouse and vampire teeth, that does not make me any the less of a professional - I’m simply not a leather jacket kind of girl. Now suede, that’s another story! :)
Like the Sweet Potato Queen, Jill Conner Browne. :) She’s often held up as an example. She IS amazing at it, I have to say. But a fun Q & A works, too. It doesn’t HAVE to be a costume; it’s just good to make it somehow special to the readers. I remember SEP’s last signing with the Charms candy and just her pure energy and enthusiasm, which all made it a lot of fun.
It’s just–everyone’s show is different. For some people, costumes work. They probably wouldn’t for me, but then I always worry my students will show up anyway. No costumes for me! But something very Parisian in style, maybe yes. That’s not too different, is it?
But the real issue I think you’ve said is whether it should be at RWA. I don’t know! It seemed fun to me. I thought it was a smart idea on Mancusi & Maverick’s part, and I feel bad for them now.
The pictures are linked here. If you click on Liz Maverick up at the top of the post, you’ll see Maverick and Mancusi. If you click on Kenyon, you’ll see the hat.
~Mancusi & Maverick’s part, and I feel bad for them now.~
So do I. I didn’t like or agree with their choice, but they didn’t deserve some of the very harsh comments I’ve read.
My greatest interest is that this was a literacy signing; reading is on the decline; and genre fiction, which is the only growth area, gets no respect. That larger background gives the signing and its press coverage far greater significance.
Obviously I think we all should be concerned for the greater good. But we also should be concerned for selfish market reasons.
Jane’s quote from the Jane Dystel interview:
I fear that eventually the only things that will be published are currently well known bestselling names and commercial fiction.
The Washington Post cites a study that found “In 1994, over 70 percent of total fiction sales were accounted for by a mere five authors.”
I found some scary statistics on the decline in reading. Romance looks like the only bright spot, but overall there’s a shrinking market–that can’t be good for ANYone, authors, readers, lit fic, sci fi, romance.
A recent NY Times article asked if too many books are published:
the demand for trade books is dispiritingly flat. For authors, are better chances at being published eventually canceled out by the likelihood that their books will get lost in the crowd?
another editor… protested that there’s a place in the world for so-so books — minor works by major writers, for example — most worry that too many readers feel burned after taking a chance on an unfamiliar title and getting stuck with a dud.
“So many books,” said one editor… “And in three weeks, they’ll be replaced by a whole new batch.” The chains… “have been cutting back on the midlist”.
“Everyone is reading the same 20 books”
Having read these comments, and about 65% over at SBTB, I have to say that the only thing I’m seeing is the same ol’ BNF vs LNF arguments you see in fandoms transfered to the romance genre. It’s the exact same argument you see every day, down to the extreme examples. And like those times, it makes me lose respect for people that I admired before. Pity, too.
Actually, it’s a straight throwback to the Claire regime of Potterdom. Something tells me that this might be my last visit here for a long while. That’s an even bigger pity, because blogs like this remind me about my favorite authors books coming out. I tend to forget when my personal life gets crazy, so it’s a nice little sunshine moment.
What do these mean?
BNF vs LNF and Claire regime of Potterdom
I’m scared to google anything Potter–not because I’ll be spoiled; because I’d get 99999999999 hits.
I don’t think this argument is something to lose respect over. People feel strongly about what romance, and its image, are all about, and they’re willing to talk about it. The only comments that make me queasy are the ones that sound jealous or personal, but I find the discussion overall pretty interesting.
I see both sides of this debate. How that hat didn’t compress SK’s neck is a bit of a mystery.
But I have a question for Nora. I always thought the author pic of you on the back of your JD Robb books was you in costume, wearing Eve’s long black coat, which I found to be ridiculously awesome. Am I the only one who thought that?
Am I the only one who thought that?
No, because I’ve gotten this once or twice before.
It’s J.D. Robb–just a different spin on me, for the more urban, grittier series. I don’t get the other, honestly, because I look NOTHING like Eve. It’s my coat–and I gave her a long leather coat in the series. For me, beginning and end of similarity.
The clothes I wear in my book cover photos are always my clothes–and usually worn a lot long before any photo session.
In that case you’re just badass for owning that coat without it being an intentional pull from the book.
I wish that there was more ‘wrap up’ about what actually went on at RWA. I’m e-published, lost my ‘in’ as a PAN member when they yanked Samhain’s recognition, and I really wish someone were reporting what was going on now.
Several people have reported how supportive the whole event is, especially the publisher parties, and it would be great if there were more reports on that. I feel like Jane and Candy and Sarah were all doing that before this latest drama broke.
I doubt I’ll be going to RWA anytime soon, as I dislike putting myself in a situation where I will be treated poorly, and do not have the self control not to confront someone who talks down about ebooks, so I want to know more about the good stuff, I already hear plenty of the bad.
Addressing the argument that it’s not enough to write a good book, I’d just like to say that no, it isn’t enough. A writer needs to write lots of good books, year after year, and based on those books, develop a following. A book isn’t a widget to me, or to my readers, or for that matter, to my editor and agent, who both have impressed me with their love and respect for romance as a whole.
Even if it were a widget to some publishing big-wig, I’m not putting on a clown suit to sell it. I’ll pass or fail on the merit of my books, thanks very much.
As a writer with only two books beneath my belt and another two on the way, I know what it is to feel like a tiny speck in the industry, and I understand the nearly desperate feeling of wanting my books to find the right audience and not quite knowing how to make that happen.
The fact of the matter is: no one here knows who I am, but they won’t soon forget who wore a swan hat or a manga outfit. So for what it’s worth, I feel that costuming isn’t professional and doesn’t reflect well on the genre, but I can completely understand the temptation to try to generate buzz.
The issue raised that good books aren’t enough is what I am concerned about, because that’s the only thing I have control over.
Opinions about their outfits aside - are the books good? Because if they are, the buzz is nice but it’s only so far-reaching. And as for branding, that’s something created by consistency, not by an outfit or a gimmick.
To date, no one has ever asked me if I’m going to write a real book, and no one has ever said anything derogatory to me about romance. However, I know that this is because of the women who have been fighting this battle for thirty years with professionalism, intelligence, and pure grit - and buzz and publicity aside, it wouldn’t have worked if they’d been wearing a costume.
Opinions about their outfits aside - are the books good?
I have Liz’s book, Wired, tbr. FWIW, I know it received a starred review from Publisher Weekly.
Tracy, will you marry me?