I have to get this off my chest or I'm going to keep getting mad about it. Shit happened last year but I still see it clear as day in my head as if it happened yesterday.
July 2009, me and my girl went to the Harlem Book Fair. I am in Indiana -yet I drove to VA and then to NY. Anyways, prior to going I had spoken with quite a few authors to let them know I would be there and was coming to their table so they can put a face to the name.
One author in particular acted like she was hollywood - lemme explain.
Me and my girl is at her table, looking at her books (remind you I already have majority of her books but she had another one that I was wanting) now we are standing there talking about her books and another author that is on her squad was with her as well. That author spoke and made eye contact but the main author we was trying to talk to didn't even bother to interact, NOT ONCE did she look up from packing up books, NOT ONCE did she acknoweldge somebody was at her table, NOT ONCE did she greet us, NOT ONCE did she say anything to us. I am standing there watching her because now I'm getting upset and my girl is holding her book talking about she wants to buy it. My whole attitude was slowly changing because again SHE NEVA LOOKED UP! I told my girl not to buy that book - phuck dat book and the author ...but my girl wanted it although I refused to buy any book and put the ones I had in my hand -back down.
You're still probably wondering why I got so bent out of shape - right? Peep this - my girl is buying the book - the 2nd author gets the book and hands it to the main author - do you know that she had the audacity to ask the other author what her name is? WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT IS HER NAME? BITCH WE ARE STANDING RIGHT THE PHUCK HERE - ASK US WHAT OUR PHUCKIN NAMES ARE? TAKE OFF DA PHUCKIN SHADES - YOU ARE NOT HOLLYWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That right there topped the cake and as soon - I do mean -as soon as I got home - her books were sold and given away - I have no one from her stable on my shelf and I refuse to buy any of her books. I hate to be like that but the READERS are the ones that is putting money in your pocket and you don't even have the common courtesy to treat us with respect. FUCK YOU! You don't have to worry about me buying your shit -I'll use it as a table leg if I need to but phuck yo books and phuck yo couch. That is sooo phreakin disrespectful! I just don't understand it. I thought maybe it was just me for a second but then more and more readers started talking about their experiences with the same author at different events and how she was stuck up and rude. That shit is crazy -- its authors out there that are WAY BETTER than you and so down to earth and respectful - but the bottom line -
DO NOT TREAT YOUR READERS LIKE THEY ARE BENEATH YOU!
SO I SAY AGAIN -
TAKE OFF THE SHADES - YOU ARE NOT HOLLYWOOD -ONLY HOLLYHOOD!!!!!!!!!
I totally agree with you. I had a similar incident happen to me from an author that lives in my hometown. I refuse to buy any more of her books. When people ask me about her I have nothing nice to say because of how I was treated by her not once but twice. Many say that I'm hatin’ on her but that is far from the truth. I was a faithful customer buying every book she wrote or had collaboration with but no more. She has lost a customer in me. I’m so glad you are speaking out about this. I’m not sure if we are speaking of the same author but it wouldn’t surprise me if we were.
ReplyDeleteWOW im sorry that they acted that way! thats straight disrespectful@ WOW. ive never had that happen to me but if it did i damn sure would of put them on the spot right there. and tossed the book back at the B.I. Bravo for keeping your cool!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started reading the post, I was thinking that perhaps the author is shy (some of us are) but that is clearly not the case. Even if it were, when I was promoting my humorous book, I found the courage to try to interact with people as they walked through the mall and draw them over to the table to at least take a look at the book. You and your girl went willingly and were met with a vile attitude. That's crazy. I don't know the author but I do wonder how she keeps fans interested in buying her books. She must be a helluva writer with a personality like that. I'm glad you got it off your chest but I am sorry that you carried it for so long or had to deal with it at all. Usually, authors love fans like you who show up for book signings and buy every new release. Odd situation.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that authors act like this. Why would you treat your readers as if they are beneath you? We are the ones putting money in your pocket, yet you treat us as if we are peasants - PSST i spit on your shoes lol UGH
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!!! You catch more bees with honey, I know one personally that wrote books but the chicks attitude is so rude i threw her shyts in the trash...no support from me!! And while they acting all siddity, they gonna feel it when those sales start declining....all cuz ya attitude was stank....GET IT TOGETHER!!!
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