Behind the Scenes: The Life of an Author

Me at the Kreutz Creek Local Author Event.

A couple of updates to report in the life of an author. First the good: the local author event at my library was a roaring success. I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time selling my books in person, and while it’s not exactly a small-town library, it’s far from a library you’d find in a bustling city.

I brought seven copies of my first book and five copies of my second book, and I completely sold out. The author next to me, who was selling MG fiction based on his personal experience growing up on the autism spectrum, also sold out, so the community showed up ready to buy. (If you’re interested in his book, you can find it here.)

Connecting with the Public

I was able to connect with several readers in my target audience for teen/YA fantasy. They were quiet but seemed eager to meet an author and check out my books. I was honored to meet two young girls who told me of their aspirations to write. One had even had a short horror story published. A few people seemed more than happy to buy a signed copy as a gift for a grandchild or niece.

Of course, not everyone was part of my target audience. There were plenty of people who listened respectfully as I talked about my book but ultimately didn’t read fantasy or YA. That was fine by me.

Some people were only there for the library and stayed clear of my table, actively avoiding eye contact. I totally get it. They were clearly there to check out a book from the library and probably didn’t even realize there was an event going on until they walked in the door.

The local news came. We were featured on Fox43 around 10:30 that Saturday night for all of 30 seconds. It was just enough time for me to capture a screenshot of all the local authors so I could email them a picture of their fleeting time in the limelight.

Some key lessons learned:

• Bring quality pens. The spring in my pen popped out in the middle of me signing one of the books. Nothing says professional like an exploding pen!

• Practice your author signature beforehand. I had to look this one up. Did you know you shouldn’t use your legal signature to sign items for the public? I didn’t until just before this event. This was my first time signing anything, and I almost forgot to sign a few of the copies I sold.

• Book bundle deals work. The librarian gave me the excellent idea of offering both my books in a bundle deal for a cheaper unit price. My first four sales in a row were bundle deals. (Book 1 for $12 or both books for $20).

  
  

It Takes Preparation

My mindset going into the event was centered around sales. My threshold for success was set at selling five copies (again, this was a library, so I wasn’t sure how many people would be interested in buying books).

I prepared my book pitch beforehand, comparing it to better-known works, like the portal fantasy aspect of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or the chosen-one and hidden identity tropes found in Harry Potter when he discovers he’s a wizard. If they still seemed interested at this point, I gave a few seconds summary of the basic concept of my book.

I wasn’t expecting to sell a dozen books. I also wasn’t expecting to find such interest in meeting an obscure author. One woman came back to bring her daughter to meet me. Another returned and asked if she could take her picture with me. I was completely taken off-guard but flattered. I didn’t have much prepared to encourage aspiring writers, and looking back, I wish I had more insightful or encouraging remarks for these readers.

Some people asked about the inspiration for the books or how long I’d been writing. One woman asked if I was in school or doing anything besides writing; I had to inform her that I was a stay-at-home mom of three (I think she must have thought I was younger than what I am). Next time I know to have a broader range of topics ready.

I was glad I had my author bookmarks on hand. I gave out several to people who thought someone else might be interested in my books. I also gave them out to people who bought a copy, as I hope to have the third book in the series published later this year.

The less-than-pleasant side of life as an author

While I was thrilled to find such interest in my books, I couldn’t help but walk away with a certain level of anxiety that my books wouldn’t live up to those readers’ expectations. Selling books is one thing. The real mission is finding the right audience that will enjoy them.

On the heels of this concern, I received my first one-star review. Well, they technically said 1.5 stars, but it’s logged as one on Goodreads. This was a review from my recent giveaway. It wasn’t as much of a blow as I thought it would be. I know all books get one-star reviews, so I was ready for the eventuality. The review was short and vague, essentially calling it not their cup of tea. And truthfully, that’s completely fine. Not every book is for every reader. Maybe that’s why I found it easier to take.

I’m more concerned with finding those readers who do enjoy it.

Hopefully more reviews filter in from my giveaway, and I’ll be better able to narrow down my audience.

Janine Eaby is the author of Beyond the Water’s Edge—a fantasy book series influenced by her faith, love of nature, and desire for adventure. Ideal for fans of portal fantasies to other worlds, like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.