Yesterday I returned home from the 27th Annual Romance Writers of America conference in Dallas. I had a fantastic time. I was a Rita finalist (a BIG congratulations to the winner in my category Annie Solomon for Best Romantic Suspense. Yeah!) It’s true—it IS a huge honor to be nominated and share a page in the program with some of the most wonderful romantic suspense authors.
Highlights
Lisa Kleypas’s speech. She’s cute and sincere and talked about something near and dear to my heart, how to protect yourself from arrows shot your way. Armadillo!
Literacy signing. We raised over $56,000 for literacy. Yeah! Special thanks to the publishers who donated the books and the authors who donated their time.Publisher parties. Good food, great wine, terrific company . . . need I say more?
People. I had a fantastic time just talking to so many writers, both published and unpublished, and readers who took the time to tell me they enjoy my books. I love meeting people I only know from online groups, or to reacquaint myself with friends from previous conferences. And especially this year I loved it that all members of my former critique group were ALL at conference, including Michelle Diener from South Africa. Wow! Hey, if one of you has a picture, email it to me so I can post it later. (Yes, I forgot my camera.) Thank you for great conversation all around!
The Black Cloud
I don’t rant often, especially not in public. But something happened at RWA Dallas that deserves a rant.
Every year, publishers donate books not only for the literacy signing (where RWA members and the general public purchase books with all proceeds going to charity) but for the “publisher giveaways†where registered conference attendees can meet their favorite authors—or discover new ones—and get a free book. Publishers generally bring 50-150 books per author for the benefit of conference attendees. It’s a perk.
Like last year in Atlanta, I brought my mother to conference. My mom doesn’t write, but she’s an avid reader. She introduced me to all my favorite authors years ago and reads 4-5 books a week. She went to every publisher book giveaway, picking up books from authors she loves (Kristin Hannah, Karen Rose, Suzanne Brockmann, among many more) as well as new-to-her authors she thought she would enjoy (Annie Solomon, Monica McCarty, Jane Graves, and many—many—more. I spent nearly $70 shipping books back via UPS Ground!)
So my mom noticed something odd at the first signing. There were four people, one of whom had a bookseller badge, always the first in line. They had a bellhop cart and boxes. Empty boxes. Lots of them. When the doors opened, three of them ran inside and started grabbing books off every table. Most of the books they didn’t even want signed. Often, they took two or three of EACH book. Then they went back to the guy at the cart, dropped off the books, and went back for MORE.
There were eight publishers, if I remember correctly, including Harlequin who had more than three times as many authors as the other pubs. At an average of fifteen signing authors per publisher, plus Harlequin, that’s roughly 150 participating authors. With three people grabbing two books each (and often more), that’s 900 books. Most of the books were mass market, but there were a substantial number of trade and a few hardcovers as well, so I figured the average cost was about $7 per book.
That means they nabbed over $6,300 in books. And that’s a conservative estimate.
Okay, some of you may claim that they wanted to read all these books (and multiple copies of the same), or give them to friends, or maybe donate them to the library. I would argue that the publishers donate these books to benefit RWA conference attendees. And if they wanted to donate them to the library, they should tell the author. I had three librarians come up to me for a book they planned on putting in their stock. Yeah for them (and me!)
But I don’t think these people had any altruistic purpose. My mother overheard one of them say to the other, “It’s really easy to snatch and grab when the lines are long.†I think they plan on selling the books, denying both the publisher their money and the author their royalties. And just as bad, they stole books that RWA conference members should have had an opportunity to get as part of their conference perk.
My mom wasn’t the only one who witnessed this behavior. We discussed it with several other people who saw the exact same thing. We’ve deduced that they were likely local and loading up their car to take to their bookstore to sell for 100% profit, or to sell on e-bay. I’m not against profit. I like profit. A lot. But not at the expense of others, and especially not at the expense of authors.
Did anyone else witness this? Am I wrong to rant? Or are there others as pissed off as I am? And if one of these four people is reading this blog, would you like to explain exactly what you intend to do with all those books?
By the way, my suggestion for RWA was to assign a volunteer or staff member as security at the door for each publisher event, or several staff members to observe and intervene when appropriate. I certainly wouldn’t want RWA members to think they can’t take any book they wanted. I just want to stop those who abuse the generosity of the publishers and authors by blatant thievery.
No related posts.
I Vicki! I remember you–that was the year I was sitting next to Terri Brisbin, who I adore. I agree we should be nice–but I also feel like the RWA members were the underdog in this and I tend to turn into a pitbull when people are being taken advantage of. I hate that. I think there are some great ideas for solutions here that don’t impose a huge burden on RWA volunteers.
Susan, I would have thought the same thing if I noticed. I tend to think the best, but after four separate events with eight publishers, I think my mom was right about these people.
I’m shocked by that story, Nora. Seriously, selling books in a competitor’s bookstore? The gall. But I’m not surprised. Sigh.
Jeanne, good ideas–though I probably wouldn’t limit the number of books. A lot of people do read that many, and a lot of people want to introduce their friends to their favorite authors. But I think there are some good checks and balances, like Alyssa Day mentioned below–only keeping a couple books on the table at a time. (though these people DID walk off with a box of Kimberly Raye’s books out of the Ballantine signing that was right next to her table.)
Gina, sorry about your chap stick! I think it’s rude to take more than a couple of any promo item, unless the individual plans to distribute them to others (then I think they should ask the author, but that’s me.)
I don’t want to limit books given away, and I was one of those people who waiting in line to ship books home–after last year when my mom and I were outside the Atlanta airport emptying our suitcases of books because we were over the 50 pounds. We had to carry full tote bags onto the plane and, with my lap top, I was dragging! Most of the books were for my mom, and she’ll read every one of them. And the authors she really likes she’ll buy their next book. And THAT is exactly what the giveaway is supposed to do–help readers discover new authors, as well as allow fans an opportunity to chat for a couple minutes with their favorite authors. IMO.
I’m shocked at that story, Leslie. I sign books all the time generically. There’s usually two reasons: one it’s for someone who wants to pass it on or put it in a gift basket; or two, it’s just the way the person wants it.
I did my first signing outside of the romance community at Murder By The Book in Houston. They have signings totally nailed. The manager had our books set aside for their regular customers who wanted them them signed in very specific ways. Some even had a preference as to what page. Heather Graham was signing a bunch of Thrillers (the anthology) and some readers wanted her to sign on both the title page (next to her name) and the story page; others just the title page. For me, some wanted just a signature, some wanted a signature and the date.
I collected a couple books for Brenda Novak’s online diabetes auction and no one gave me a bad time about it. Last year I helped her collect signatures for a quilt that was being auctioned off.
I’m mad on your behalf, Leslie! I don’t get that. I give away books all the time for RWA chapter baskets.
You know, Allison, it proved to be a really good experience. I was a relative newcomer then, and it was a lesson I have never forgotten. Maybe she was just in a pissy mood or tired or whatever, but she lost me as a reader from that one brief little exchange. A very good lesson for any writer to remember in her own career!
PS: I did wish I’d wagged my nametag with my Rita ribbon in her face since I’m quite sure she assumed I was a rabid ebaying book thief.
Hi all
As a small press publisher as well as an author, I gotta tell ya this kind of grabby behavior is typical of booksellers everywhere. I’ve seen it at regional trade shows, big time. It’s always the mom n’ pop booksellers, not the chain reps, who come in with CARTS or big bags and grab every freebie in sight. While I understand that the small indie booksellers have to be aggressive in order to make a living, some of them are like piranha. Adding insult to injury, they’ll pick up free promo copies then try to return them through a wholesaler for credit. We occasionally get returns from our wholesaler that bear our secret trade show symbols.
I happen to have a backpack with wheels that I take to the signings. (The bottom of the backpack is loaded with my personal crap. ) And I can assure you, I read all the books I get. Even the ones I get signed for my mom.
But in my mom’s defense… If we put together all the money my parents spend in a year on new books we could support several authors in a nice manner. 
They just love books and spend a boatload every year. (I’m willing to bet my parents spend far more money on books per year than they do on food. ) So I do tend to get a couple of books signed for them each year. I guess I come by my book addiction naturally.
But that’s totally not the same thing as glomming books to resell them and make money off them. Also, I never cut in line.
My mom would probably get the biggest kick out of coming to a conference and getting to meet so many of the authors. Perhaps I should consider that. Maybe RT, since it will be in Pittsburgh next year.
Deb, I’m sort of flabbergasted that booksellers would try to return promo copies for money, but then there are people who buy clothes, wear them, then return them. That’s sort of the same thing.
It’s still a form of theft.
Allison,
Thanks for venting on this subject. It’s sad that a few greedy individuals stoop to insupportable behavior, since the vast majority of readers, authors, booksellers, and librarians I’ve met at various conferences are wonderful, dedicated individuals.
I was one of the Dorchester authors whose literacy signing books (including my brand new release) inadvertently landed in the Goody Room, where they were snatched up in no time flat. Though I’m very sorry that literacy won’t get the proceeds (and that I had nothing to sign for those readers who came looking), I’m hoping these titles found their way into the hands of fans or potential new fans. I certainly don’t mind when people glom an extra copy for a friend they think will enjoy the book, but what really hurts is the thought of a few jackasses stealing *all* of those books in order to turn a quick buck.
I know in the past, we’ve had RWA volunteers (I’ve done it myself) monitoring the goody room. People could go in only once on their ticket. While I think it’s okay to allow return visits, I’d like to see a return to checking the boxes for signs of obvious abuse. (More than two copies of any one title, for example.)
Posting “one per person, please” signs at publisher giveaways would at least give the author an excuse to say something to the bad apples.
I didn’t have the chance to go to any of the publisher’s book signings this year, but I did notice the same thing happening in Atlanta!
I was also a Literacy Volunteer this year (and last – I was actually Vicki’s partner with the A’s & B’s – Hi Vicki!). I have to say – just as a bit of an aside – that deciding to Volunteering was the best decision I have ever made.
I’ve yet to experience one person at the signing who has been rude to me, standoffish sure but never rude. I guess I’ve been lucky.
The Authors and the Publishers donate their time and their books and I am proud to be even a small part of it! So – Thanks! (and BOOO to those that abuse the system – Karma has special plans for them)
This was my first conference, and I saw those people sitting outside the signing hall with boxes and boxes and stacking them full. And I thought it looked fishy as hell. Took me a while to realize they were working in teams and snatching books. Appalling. Then I wondered why there wasn’t some sort of access control, or what could possibly be done to discourage these people.
I only stopped for books I thought I’d actually read, and I got every one of them personalized to me (with the exception of a Kim Harrison book for my friend who is a HUGE fan of Kim’s). Every author I went to was gracious.
Allison, it was wonderful to finally meet you and to meet your mother, who is a doll. Good for her for pointing this out to you, and good for you for wanting to do something about it.
One of my friends mentioned she’d overheard folks talking about this. It’s just awful. I guess I was naive before this year’s booksignings–and didn’t realize people would do this. We did ask for a few genericaly signed copies for our chapter-mates that didn’t make it.
But me, I totally hold on to every book I get, I ask that they be signed with my name–and I totally hoard! I also woulnd’t have the nerve to do something like. Even if an author had two books on the table, I asked for one title–though one author started to sign the second and assured me it was okay–I think she was surprised I hadn’t asked for both.
I just want to say thank you for posting this Allison. At Sherry Thomas’s Bantam signing, I had to stand on one side of her table and the editor on the other side to keep the book poachers at bay so that the folks who had stood in line for an autographed copy would have one for her to sign.
The book grabbers were truly irritating. So were their rolling carts. I think the no more than your RWA conference tote can hold is a good rule.
And about doubling up…if you ask the author, I doubt they’ll have a problem with it. I wouldn’t. Alyssa Day didn’t when I explained my roomate was worshipping at the altar of Michael Hauge.
Maybe if they stamped our name badges as we went in? Might take longer at the door…Or gave us tickets at sign up we handed over at the door and only allowed tote bags?
How about a NO POACHERS sign? The shame might work
It was wonderful to meet you at last, too, Allison. Sorry things were so hectic and we weren’t able to spend more time chatting.
I didn’t get to any of the publisher-hosted free signings, I only attended the literacy signing, so I didn’t see what went on, but I chatted to your Mom outside, and she mentioned it. I agree wholeheartedly that something needs to be done about it.
[...] This problem also applies to the Romantic Times Convention. I’ve discussed it with a bookseller whose store I frequent for signings and she told me that one year she hauled a large trailer to RT and pulled up behind the hotel. She filled it with unwanted books and still had to leave hundreds behind. (This is not related to Allison’s fabulous post addressing thievery. This bookseller accepted books from the hotel after the convention was over.) Did she sell them? I’m sure she did, but would the landfill have been a better home for them? [...]
“Deb Smith Says:
Hi all
As a small press publisher as well as an author, I gotta tell ya this kind of grabby behavior is typical of booksellers everywhere. I’ve seen it at regional trade shows, big time. It’s always the mom n’ pop booksellers, not the chain reps, who come in with CARTS or big bags and grab every freebie in sight. “
I’ve been reading your books since I picked a copy up for $1.00 at one of the very used book stores you lament about. I was only 19 then but “A Place to Call Home” has been on my re-read shelf since then.
Books like that gave me the love I have for reading and ultimatly lead me to my career as a Bookstore owner. At my store I have a copy of that book on my permanent recommended reading shelf.
Bookstore owners make squat. Independents sell books for the joy of it, it is a great feeling to match someone up with an undiscovered author. We can’t compete with the BN’s of the world. They could care less about your books and their readers, it’s all about the bottom line and enhancing their profit for their shareholders.
For you to geralize about something like this is horrible. I would NEVER even contemplate taking any books from authors other than as promo give-aways to help YOU sell more books, to help YOUR books get into readers hands.
I am upset at your words and deeply offended that you would paint an entire industry as thieves because of the actions of a select few. I couldn’t even pick up one of your books now without getting angry.