Shy, Bookish Me
I’m an introvert, which will surprise no one. Now, can bookish me show up with personality, conversation, and connection? Yes. Do I need to recharge my batteries after doing so? Also, yes. Having been a journalist, you have to show up with insightful questions and conversation. You have to be able to communicate. And the same I’ve learned, goes for being an author.
To be clear, writing fiction is an introvert’s dream. Sit. Write. Repeat. Day after day. Month after month. Year after year. But after you’ve written a book, you need to get out there and talk about it, have events, put yourself and your story out there. Did I do this?
Not right away.
Getting Honest & Figuring It Out
After a beat, I did get out there (more on that in a moment). But the truth was, and this I share with a fair amount of vulnerability, immediately after publication, I honestly didn’t feel like I had the agency to publicize. Who was I, after all? No one knew me. No one knew about my novel. I was on zero radars. It will come as no surprise that my ego doesn’t precede me when I enter a room…it trails far, far behind (most of the time huddled with Imposter Syndrome questioning whether any of us should be there at all).
I’m not the lady brimming with self-confidence. I’m not the one commanding a room with a booming voice, opining on such and such. I’m the quiet one probably standing near the back of a party having a conversation with one person, and it’s a delight, that small spark of connection. Maybe I’m hovering over the cheeseboard. Sigh. There’s no maybe about it. I’m definitely hovering over the cheeseboard.
This is how I’ve always been. If you’ve seen me on social media or at an event, perhaps you can see that quiet lady who’s reallllllly trying her best to be ON. Maybe I’ve fooled you into thinking that I’m actually an extrovert (we introverts can be tricky when we’re bringing it!), or that I perfected the media training I did back in the day (LOL). But the truth is, putting myself out there takes a lot out of me the way it does for any introvert.
Finding My Bookish Voice
But after my novel was out in the world, I realized that no one else was going to talk about my book if I wasn’t. Absolutely no one. Actually, that’s not true: I remain overwhelmed and touched by the support of the bookstagram community who took the time to read my novel then champion it like it was their own baby. I did not expect such an outpouring of support…all those acts of bookish kindness remain so special to me.
Setting that sparkle aside for a moment, the fact remained that the job of book promotion was mine to do, and mine to own. I needed to show up for my book…and, in the grander scheme of things, show up for myself. And this is the part that surprised me most of all: Once I got going, I loved talking with people about my novel.
I mean, absolutely loved it!
I loved going to bookstores and libraries and boutiques, and meeting with book clubs. I loved talking with readers and other authors. Chatting about books and story and all the themes that connect us? It was a dream! It’s still a dream. Because now it seems I can’t stop!
The Secret Sauce
Perhaps this is why: Something profound and deeply human happens when you connect with strangers (who become book friends) over a novel. And it doesn’t have to be my novel, I’m talking about any novel.
At every event, I like to ask what everyone has been reading and loving. Yes, I’m always looking for book recommendations, true. But this also broadens our book connection. Suddenly, we’re all talking about different books and comparing titles, raving about this book or that one, talking about the books we can’t wait to read next. This is special. This is connection. This is joy. And what an honor it’s been to get to know so many readers and so many delightful stewards of bookish life.
In April, my next book is coming out and this time I plan on hitting the ground running as soon as it’s released. Because I know the sparkle and joy that comes with stepping into the world and talking about your book. I now understand how special it is to introduce people to a novel you’ve written. I know better than to listen to that shy, introverted side of myself. Above all else, I understand what a privilege this is, sharing books.
And I do mean that. This has been a true privilege. And so much fun…more fun than I ever could have imagined. I suppose this is a long-winded thank you of sorts. Thank you so much for having me to your book party.
I promise from now on to mingle more…and to stop hovering over the cheese board.
In fact, I can’t wait.