Firsts are always special. But firsts can be terrifying. Your first entrance exam, job interview, date, presentation, event, published work – all of these are memorable moments in the future but while it happens, the stress can be nerve-wracking.
Similarly, a writer named Chelsea Banning, who recently published her debut novel, took to Twitter to reveal that only 2 people showed up to her signing event and that she was embarrassed. She also revealed that initially, 37 people had claimed that they would turn up for the event.
“Only 2 people came to my author signing yesterday, so I was pretty bummed about it. Especially as 37 people responded “going” to the event. Kind of upset, honestly, and a little embarrassed,” she shared.
Have a look at her tweet here:
Only 2 people came to my author signing yesterday, so I was pretty bummed about it. Especially as 37 people responded "going" to the event. Kind of upset, honestly, and a little embarrassed.
— Chelsea Banning Author (@chelseabwrites) December 4, 2022
So that she doesn’t lose hope, something magical happened. Bestselling authors who are known worldwide such as Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, and many others shared their ‘firsts’ which are kind of a massive revelation! Everyone had one thing in common – they all started from the bottom. Some had only one customer who bought their book, while some claimed people had no idea who they were!
Have a look:
At my first SALEM’S LOT signing, I had one customer. A fat kid who said, “Hey bud, do you know where there’s some Nazi books?”
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 5, 2022
Join the club. I did a signing to which Nobody came, except a guy who wanted to buy some Scotch tape and thought I was the help. 🙂
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) December 5, 2022
Join the club! I once had a signing where one guy showed up. And even *he* didn’t get his book signed, because it wasn’t my book and he thought it was a different author doing the signing. The kind bookstore lady took pity and got some hangers on to get books signed.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 6, 2022
1st reading, 1st book, a bookstore in Milwaukee. Maybe 15 people show up. I do my reading, answer some Qs. Then, the very nice bookstore clerk says, “Peter’s book is available for purchase at the register.” Guy sitting at the front yells, “Well, how much does it cost?”
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) December 5, 2022
Terry Pratchett and I did a signing in Manhattan for Good Omens that nobody came to at all. So you are two up on us.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 5, 2022
I worked on my first book for 4 years. Six people came to the first reading. One person was someone I knew who foresaw the worst and brought 4 family members. The sixth person came in out of the rain. When you don’t know whether to laugh or cry, laugh. And congrats on your book.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) December 5, 2022
I was once invited to a crime writers’ festival. Colin Dexter was on at the same time. Only one person showed up for me. We chatted for a while and I told him how glad I was that he’d come. He said, “Actually I’m Ian Rankin and I was supposed to be introducing you.” @Beathhigh
— Jonathan Coe (@jonathancoe) December 5, 2022
I did a signing in Cambridge and only one person showed up. He didn’t buy a book; he just wanted to tell someone that he’d had a dream about being a wizard.
— Gareth L Powell (@garethlpowell) December 5, 2022
Did a signing at a book store in Berkeley, 2nd book, I think. No one showed up. NO ONE. The owner locked the doors and I sat on the floor in an aisle and read a passage to the owner, his employee, and the guy who was kind enough to drive me there (a friend).
— Christopher Moore (@TheAuthorGuy) December 5, 2022
For my first book my publisher flew me out to the US — from England — for events. First one, in Boston, the only two people there were my chaperone and a man looking for shelter from the weather. Last one, in LA: almost identical except no one in LA needs shelter from the weather
— Paul Fischer (@tencents77) December 5, 2022
We’ve all been there Chelsea. Truth is, unless you’re a “celebrity” author you’re lucky to get more than a few people at a signing. Usually I just sign some stock at the store and leave! Bit at least they’ll advertise the signed books. Good luck 😊
— Sheila O’Flanagan 📚📚📚 (@sheilaoflanagan) December 5, 2022
I once chaired a thing with Terry Wogan & Sebastian Faulks. Afterwards, I sat betwn them, to sign my book of columns. Huge queue. Both sold 100s. I sold 0. Eventually Wogan patted my shoulder and said the same had once happened to him. “Really?” I said, gratefully. “No,” he said.
— Hugo Rifkind (@hugorifkind) December 6, 2022
It’s very disheartening when things don’t happen the way you hoped for them to happen. During those moments, it’s always helpful to look at how far you’ve come. 🙂