The Author Tour

There's something wonderful about going to a book reading. First of all, you get to be around like-minded bookish writerly-types. You also, naturally, get to see what the author looks like. You get to hear their own words come out of their own mouths. You get to get the inside scoop on what they're writing next, what their inspirations are, who they're reading, how they work.

I've been to quite a few in Seattle, most at the Elliott Bay Book Company (the best bookstore in Seattle). Some notable readings...

Jim Harrison, author of Legends of the Fall.
I've never heard the word "shit-sucker" used so frequently and so vehemently. All the more interesting coming from one of the best writers we have (read his novel True North and/or his collection of poetry Shape of the Journey to understand how good he is).

Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
I've always liked the slim tome of which he's known most for. For one thing, Jonathan is used in the title (always a good sign). Secondly, it was published the year of my birth. But, after going to his reading, I came away feeling that Bach is a bit of a nut job. He's got an affair going with a spirit. He says the inspiration came for J.L.S. when he was in his office, working feverishly, when, all of the sudden, the walls fell away and all was revealed. Yes, kind of a strange guy. He's also written several books with ferrets as the main characters.

Thomas Steinbeck, author of Down to a Soundless Sea.
John Steinbeck's son, his collection of stories are very reminiscent of his famous father. I had to feel a bit sorry for him at the reading. Most people, during the Q&A, ask "Who are your favorite authors?" or "What's your process?". The gang asked Steinbeck, "Who was your father's favorite authors?" "What was your father's process?"

Which all brings me to a story found in the Washington Post. Many authors are unable to or don't want to go on tour. Yet, at the same time, touring means more book sales for the publisher and a boon, obviously, for those particular booksellers who are hosting the author. Not only a financial boon but it builds and maintains a community of readers that are, without doubt, critical to booksellers. If no book tour, then what? Put the author on film. Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon (arguably the best bookseller in the United States) came up with the idea: Why not make a high-grade film and build author events around that instead? Their first effort was novelist Ian McEwan.

The story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/14/AR2007061400019.html