To my usually warm and welcoming Waterstones this week, diary in hand, to arrange a pre- Christmas signing session for my Spy Girl books. Should have noticed something was wrong from the way the temperature started dropping the moment I approached the desk.
It dropped further as the Events Manager, talking embarassedly to a spot over my left shoulder, said that under new policy, they were not doing book signings as they used to. An ice sheet began to form as she explained that now I'd have to apply via email. A woolly mammoth wondered past as she said I might be allowed, as I am stocked by the chain, and a 'known' local writer. But it would be time limited and 'managed'.
It appears that the relationship has generally soured because writers have been seen approaching customers, and talking about their books, like literary chuggers. Can't have that! Worse, a few writers have purportedly been rude to people, and there have been complaints. Really? I find this hard to believe. Most writers I know are self-effacing, low profile individuals. I suspect the complainees were probably friends of rival writers, sent in to cause trouble: a clear example of sock-customers
In the olden days when it used to be Waterstone's (with apostrophe) local writers were encouraged to come in, sell and sign. I began my writing career with a very small, non-mainstream stocked publisher, signing in big chains, and the numerous small independent bookshops that existed back then. Indeed, in Waterstone's, there was a special shelf for local writers. I was on that shelf, and proud to be so. It is not there any more.
When Daunt took over, he promised an end to publishers paying for premium positioning, central buying, and the ubiquitous bogof tables. He promised stores would be given more autonomy. It appears that a U-turn has happened. I've been told of writers with new books out,who've had some signing events cancelled. The quirkiness and integrity of a truly local bookshop has been kicked over a cliff. And this time, there are no small local bookshops to provide an alternative.
Look, I am too old and creaky to chain myself to Waterstones' railings and stage a one woman writer protest, and I do not ask others to do what I am not prepared to do myself.
So this is what I'm suggesting: If you are a writer, or a reader, or a customer of some sort, go into your local Waterstones. Politely point out the unfairness of the change in events policy which discriminates in favour of already stocked, and established writers.
Point out the demoralizing effect of closing the doors on some for whom writing is a passion they are no longer allowed to share publicly. If you mention, politely, your disquiet, I'm hoping it will give the staff some leverage; I got the distinct impression they were not happy over this top-down imposition either.
I believe that bookshops should be vibrant, exciting places, where all writers ought to be welcome to share their work. I believe that books do not come out of a cardboard box labelled stock, or in a package with an Amazon label stuck to the front; books come from the minds and emotions and hearts of their authors.
If you also believe this, please go into Waterstones, and tell them.
*I have started a small 'Tell Waterstones' Twitter campaign. I am Tweeting ''Your events policy is unfair. Please re-consider'' + blog link to @Waterstones. Every time a store tweets a promo, I tweet them the link too, because the promo includes the Twitter link to the (well-known) and welcomed author. I'd love them to share some of your experiences. No writer is an Island! *
Grrrrr!
ReplyDeleteMy nearest Waterstones is almost an hour away on the bus, and don't know me. In contrast my local independent bookstore make a great fuss of local writers - putting our books in the window, putting signed copies on the desk to look for impulse buys. Though they do say signings are a pain, because it's hard to sell tickets and they often don't cover their overheads - so I get why they only do those if the writer helps with the cost and does some publicising. But they have given a valid reason for being reluctant to do them, so I can live with that. And they did organise a wine evening for all local writers last week, which was fab!
But Waterstones can surely afford to invest in book-signings. Their policy makes no sense!
You are lucky to have a good independent -we have none here. I used to sign from 10 - 2 in waterstones - no tickets, just set up and presenced myself. A managed event means you may miss the 'rush', and you will miss the serendipitous customer who 'discovers' you, then goes on to buy all your books.Plus, I liked chatting to people. I never bothered them, they had to approach me first. I won't suffer (well, I will now)but new writers will.That's why I'm protesting. For them
DeleteSad times, it reminds me of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' - all pigs are equal but some are more equal than others.
ReplyDeleteExactly. The 'big' writers don't need the oxygen of publicity, it's the local ones.
DeleteI've had some events at Waterstones cancelled but I've also had stores honouring my signings (Fareham and Portsmouth - I am at Portsmouth on 13th October). The managers of the stores don't like this new approach - it's been implemented at Head Office and handed down like a Royal creed. It's very disappointing but I think in the end they will have to change their approach again or they will be losing out to the e-revolution where readers are given far more choice.
ReplyDeleteMandy :)
I wonder if, rather than it being moles sent in by rival writers, it was actually the few spoiling it for the many - maybe those peopleon Twitter who tweet to you asking you to retweet them, without ever having followed you/said hello/retweeted you, and who also send out those auto DMs with links to their books, are also the type who think a signing in a book shop can be approached in the same way.
ReplyDeleteIt's a rotten shame, whatever - I read something a while back that Mandy (above) had said about the termination of this practice meaning that it was hardly worth getting her books done in paperback format.
Things will change around as self-publishing (because that's what we DO, let's not kid ourselves, even if we use a publishing company) becomes more and more prevalent. Fear not.
Mandy - soory to hear you had events cancelled. Terry: yeah, you're probably right, BUT I wonder whether it was the excuse Daunt needed to implement the new policy. After all, how many stroppy people complain in Waitrose etc, but they don't shut the store or stop doing mini-promos, do they? Also, whereas you and I use social media a lot, many 'newbies' don't, or don't want to. We're ok; they are suffering.
DeleteWow, that's just sad. I can't believe authors would hassle customers, but even if that's true, it wasn't you. You shouldn't suffer because of it. Sorry this happened to you, Carol.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of 'sock-customers'. And can testify that not all these stores are welcoming to authors. I've had a few grim looks myself, and even one discreet version of a 'go away, please'. But I soldier on. Someone has to sell them, they've been printed now!
ReplyDelete"Point out the unfairness, the discrimination against local/indie writers"
ReplyDeleteIs this discrimination against local or "indie" (I assume you mean self published) writers, though? It seems to me that they're asking all writers to set up signings by emailing a central address, not just local or indie ones; how is that discriminating against anyone?
I agree with you that bookshops should be vibrant, exciting places, and that managers should be able to set up signings in their own shops as they prefer: but I don't see how what you describe--which I might have misunderstood, so this might easily be my mistake and not yours--is discriminatory. I think it's probably wrong, and I don't think it's going to be good for Waterstones, readers or writers; but it's not discriminatory.
I think what I am trying to say, Jane, and I apologise for lack of clarity, is that as local writers, we hope and expect our local bookshop to welcome us in. Waterstone's used to do that, (as did Borders.) Now, one has to go through hoops, and may not be booked. I was an independently published writer - but was still allowed in to sell and sign.I believe this helped me establish a 'presence' which, later, was helpful to get an agent, and through her, a mainstream publisher. Now, I'd have to be stocked by Waterstones, at the very least. Both these factors, I believe, discriminate against writers who are as I was. Does this make my thinking clearer? Hope so, and thank you for taking the time to comment.
DeleteI first read about this new policy in The Bookseller about a month ago (sadly, I can't link because it's subscriber-only contents) but it sounded pretty grim. I am giving the link anyhow because I think the article may now be accessible to all
Deletehttp://www.thebookseller.com/news/waterstones-changes-store-guidance-events.html
Thank you - The link is also on my FB page, and was tweeted! Hopefully, others will read it.
DeleteGreat post Carol - I agree with you. My first novel is out next month with a small publisher and my Waterstones signings have disappeared in smoke thanks to the new centrally imposed policy. I'm still relying on the goodwill of local Waterstones branches to stock it for me though so I don't want to make too much fuss and alienate them. I think they have made a mistake though pushing new writers away and further into the arms of Amazon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris - people like yourself reinforce what is wrong with the policy. Interestingly, the staff themselves want us to come in and mention our disquiet - they told me it will give them leverage also. So it's not just us, it's also them!!
DeleteBook retailers need to do everything they can to be a physical resource, a reason for customers to buy books at the store instead of online. Here in Portland, OR (USA) we have Powell's booksellers, which is purportedly the only major book chain still in business in Portland. And guess why? Because they are always having writer events. Local writers, especially, come to the bookstore and put on huge talks, meet-and-greets, and book signings.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Waterstones is digging (and filling) their own grave. It's too bad.
Thanks for sharing this! I think now is the time for writers to help staff to change this retrograde policy. Your example is a fine one!
DeleteI'm not close to the Waterstones issue, but your post got me thinking about the comparisons between local authors in the UK and the French model. Here the market is much more fragmented, there are many local publishers and they all work hard for their authors. They group their writers together and organise signings in cafes, literary discussion nights, stands at fairs and in markets and in supermarkets and bookstores. I wonder if, even with different publishers, local authors in each county couldn't form small collectives and support each other outside of the chain bookshop signing arena.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely idea,Claire, thank you for your input. Many groups of writers do support each other - but we still need a 'shop' to sell in. Sadly, these are closing at an alarming rate, leaving only Waterstones and the ubiquitous Amazon. If Waterstones doesn't try to attract more people in, we will be left with Amazon, and that would not be a good state of affairs!
DeleteI agree with an earlier comment. Waterstones have lost their advantage over Amazon. Now neither supply the personal touch and who will come out the better for it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad state of affairs. I attended a book launch and signing in Glasgow a few months ago which meant lots of people browsing their bookshelves too. We have no local bookstore ,our shopping centre is huge but not one bookshop, very sad.
ReplyDeleteIt's a crazy policy. I've met Harvey Black, Mandy Baggot and Penny Legge (all local idie writers) at Waterstones in Southampton where the staff had gone out of their way to be helpful. For the Waterstones' customers it held the possibility of being able to meet an author they probably hadn't heard of and talk about their books, before hopefully buying one and getting it signed. I've never seen an author approach anyone, let alone be rude to a customer. Authors tend not to be overt salesmen and would probably prefer to be sitting at home in front of a keyboard rather than standing in front of a pile of books smiling at all passersby.
ReplyDeletePersonally, all my books are in e-format onlt at the moment with the possibility of coming out in print late next year in America. Waterstones's new policy therefore doesn't directly affect me, but for a company that has always says it champions the independent local author to take this stance is amazingly short-sighted. Hopefully your initiative, Carol, will have an effect.
Good luck!
Things are very much a sad state of affairs in general at my local Waterstones. The staff have gone from happy smiling individuals to folk with the pressure of the world on their shoulders.
ReplyDeleteBook signings used to be monthly occurrences, however, now it seems they are few and far between, and possibly because of all these new rules and regulations.
Next time I am in town, I will make a point of asking them when the next local author is appearing, and see what response I get...this is very short-sighted and dissapointing not only for authors, but for readers who like to support a local writer.
Incidentally, Wetherspoons the pub chain, have been known to allow local authors to hold their book signings in their premises during the day, and have proved really popular. Lots of people use pubs as coffee bars, and meeting places for groups these days.
You also get the added publicity of appearing in their bespoke magazine which goes out countrywide into their premises once a quarter I believe.
Depending how well you can 'bond' with the manager of your local, you may well make more sales than in Waterstones these days.
Worth a thought if you don't have a bookshop?
Richard - absolutely - and even if a TINY minority of writers were a bit 'eccentric' it seems no reason to deny 100's of others a chance to promote their books.
DeleteMaria: Very interesting comment!I agree about the 'staff' issue - thus my comments. A lot of this is a 'quote' from my Events Manager. My sales come chiefly from School events, or Amazon via online marketing. I couldn't give a monkeys for Waterstones. They can (prob. will) withdraw my books from sale. BUT I cannot stand by and not make a protest on behalf of others who need the opportunities I had..
I love the idea of a signing at Weatherspoons, Maria. It makes absolute sense for everyone and I'm sure will attract customers into their bars at normally slack periods. In my (very large now) village we have an independent bookshop and talking to the owner he would love to have a local author do a signing session there and he's promised to let take a space as soon as I go into print. He even offered to let me have a pitch while still an e-book author so I could sign postcard sized colour prints of my book covers and chat to his customers. He was still happy for me to do it when I pointed out I couldn't differentiate sales that came from his shop from any other. He was just happy to help.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a rather short-sighted policy to me. Writers write books, booksellers sell them - surely we should be on the same side of the fence?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there'd be interest in a signing if I submitted an email request in the name of Katie Price? :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that I am not a fan of James Daunts's policies when it comes to Waterstones (Kindle etc in particular, especially when they appear to be, as you say, completely against what he stated he was going to try and do re. making branches more independent).
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the book signing issue here is linked to the policy that stops local branches ordering in books themselves. Everything has to be done centrally now, more so than before (how this makes branches more independent I really don't know). That means that branch managers have to clear with head office when ordering in stock. I'm guessing this is why you would have to apply for signings by email, so they can decide whether to order in more of your books for you to come in.
In another vein (not just for Waterstones), I'm afraid that the 'local author' bit has become a bit of a nightmare. As a bookseller myself, and I know I speak for others, having a writer come into a bookshop and ask why we don't stock their book because they are local happens all of the time, and not in always in a nice way. I am sure that you do not do it in a rude way at all, and here you say that they stock your books in the first place, so that's great. It means that they like your book. For others, though, sadly being a local writer does not mean that their book is good, or that it can make the bookshop money. Pointing out your own book is fine, and suggesting they might like to read a proof copy to decide whether they'd like to stock it is great, but a stance that they should stock it, whether they've read it or not, simply because the author is local is just not right, especially if said author (again, not you!) has never been into the bookshop before, and gets rather angry.
So, I do think that there's a case of the few ruining it for the plenty. I don't understand why Waterstones are making branches unable to order in batches of books themselves; this means that the branches cannot do what they want and will lose touch with their customers. Not every branch is the same, and not all customers want to read the same things. This is what happens with large chains who run from a central hub.
I don't think you should be cross because you're a local author. I think you should be cross because people have bought your books at signings in the past, and this shop not only stocks it but has previously welcomed you, which means that they must sell what you write. I also agree with Jane in that they are not discriminating against locals. Sadly, though, it's not the fault of the Waterstones staff. I know so many who are outraged about the new changes; it comes from a higher power, and I'm not sure how much going into branches and complaining is going to help. I think you need to write to head office instead, or at least to the managers of the shops, who have contact with those higher up. Don't shoot the bookseller! x
Thanks for this reasoned comment. It is interesting to get the perspective of a bookseller. I must point out, in my defence, that I'm not suggesting 'complaining', but 'expressing disquiet' - quire a different position to take.And expressing it politely!! And yes, believe me I have written to Head Office. And Tweeted them. A lot. And I've tweeted all the Big Nationals too.A lot. Will it make one iota of difference? Who knows. Still worth doing.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, I know you're not advocating complaining, but other people might not be so reasonable (again the few ruining it for the plenty, *sigh*). It certainly doesn't do any good to a writer to complain at a bookseller who is selling their book, or who may do in the future. As a writer, and a bookseller, I see boths sides of this and it's very difficult. The answer: there needs to be more independent bookshops. Sadly, that will only happen if more people support bookshops themselves, which requires bookshops to be interactive with booksignings etc, and more people to stop using the 'A' word (realising that discounting like that is destroying the trade). That's never going to happen, since the government destroyed the net book agreement. However, people are, I like to think, more willing to support bookshops who appeal to them as people, not as numbers. How does James Daunt combat this? By selling Kindle. The mind boggles!
ReplyDeleteAs an extreme reaction: I think you should move to somewhere with a good independent bookshop. ;)
Keep fighting head office! No bookseller want to see Waterstones go under. It used to be indies vs Waterstones, but now it's highstreet shops vs. the supermarkets and the internet. It's a little shakey now with Daunt signing an agreement with Amazon, but all bookshops need customers to keep the habit of going into bookshops and buying books there (because of the service, events, atmosphere etc) if bookshops are going to survive at all. x
Quite. Which is why I'd never advocate a 'boycott' of the place. My sales come primarily from school events, and via online marketing (I'm afraid i have a dreaded e-book out!) so their events policy does not affect me one iota. But, as you've read, others are affected, and yes, I could move to Welwyn Garden City, where there's a good independent bookshop, but it seems a tad drastic. ;)
DeleteIt's such a shame... without writers, there would be no books, without books, there would be no book shops. Waterstones has one thing Amazon does not. The ability to allow writers into their shops and sign books. However big all small, all writers should be welcomed!
ReplyDeleteKeep up with your quest. (I'm sorry it's taken me so long to actually read this post... I've had it 'open' for days now to read).
Been meaning to comment on this for a few days but was too depressed! Wouldn't expect Waterstones to stock any old author just cos they're local but you'd think they'd be glad to host a legitimate event that might bring people into their stores when Amazon is stealing the market from under their noses. People who come in to see what's on are likely to stop and buy other items so surely it's a win-win for the bookshop?? Baffled.
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ReplyDelete